Jack Guinness' Little Black Book

My favourite pub is The Albion in Islington. It is covered in wisteria, has a great garden and has lovely food. It’s the kind of place that would make Americans cry. The Royal Oak in Bethnal Green does the best pints though. And the lighting is really dark which is always a plus. For a great Sunday lunch, head to The Marksman on Hackney Road. It does these weird little beef buns with horse radish that are addictive. I can pop about ten. 

For a weekend brunch spot I struggle. On the whole Brits are rubbish at brunch. New Yorkers have it down. I still don’t have a favourite fancy brunch place but for a fry-up, it has to be E Pellicci in East London. It’s been family run for over a century and the food is amazing – especially on a hangover. It’s a bit of an institution.

My favourite restaurant is Bistrotheque for the oysters and steak tartare. When my parents are in town, I take them to Balthazar. It’s always good fun and a great place to people-watch. Andrew Edmunds is the best date spot in London. It’s candlelit and feels like a secret oasis in the centre of town. For a blowout, it has to be Chiltern Firehouse or the Groucho.

I have two go-to barbers. My local Iranian barber is incredible. I get a great beard trim and all the local gossip. I also go to Ben Goakes, the Well Groomed Barber. He’s brilliant and has a cool little space in Mare Street Market. 

For a more indulging treatment, Pfeffer Sal is very zen, calming and scientific. Great for problem skin. For an at-home treatment, Quartz Aesthetics is fantastic. On the day of an event, they'll come over and make your skin glow.

For a treat l’ll have a massage at Fix London. They help with de-stressing as well as any injuries.  Self-care is so key because we are constantly on: emails, texts and running all over the place. It's important to take time to chill out and look after yourself. And as men we’re not great at it – especially when it comes to mental health. 

For a work out The Ned gym is it. If you work out somewhere beautiful, it's a little easier to make yourself go.

For great shirts Thomas Pink is still brilliant. The factory’s just moved to London and you can pop in for a bespoke shirt that will last. I really see the benefit buying quality, well-made, British pieces. They may be more expensive, but cost-per-wear they are actually far better value for money. I have the same philosophy when it comes to coats and suits: buy better, buy less often. It’s kinder on the planet, on your wallet in the long run and it supports craftsmanship.

For suits I love Ralph Lauren. The cut is so timeless. In fact Mr Lauren is one of my style icons. He’s the male role model I never had growing up. For bespoke suiting, Jack Davison in the City is superb. There’s nothing like having a suit made especially for you. 

For casual wear, it has to be Levi’s and, while I love a Gucci loafer, I live in Converse. Sunspel is my one-stop shop for timeless classics. 

For gifts you can’t go wrong with a Diptyque candle. Or Jam. Weirdly, people love jam. Fortnum & Mason does a ridiculously delicious strawberry and Champagne jam you can eat from the jar like Winnie the Pooh.

For a staycation The Bloomsbury Hotel is great. Its Coral Room bar is Instagram gold. The artist and interiors god Luke Edward Hall did all the illustrations and painted the lamps. It’s just great – you can always find a quiet little booth and hide away. Out of London, it would probably be the Pig Hotel, Hampshire. It's a home away from home and I wish I could get there more often. 

The best thing about London is Victoria Park, where I can sit reading for hours. The public transport because London has the best in the world – though I do miss the old hop-on-hop-off buses! Columbia Road Flower Market  - it’s on every Sunday, but it’s best to head there later in the day – at around 3pm – for the best deals. Then there’s Ronnie Scott’s for great live music. 

Finally, for a bit of culture I head to the Barbican for Complicité, the touring theatre company that does a new show every few years that is always, without fail, a life-changing experience. For something less highbrow, the Prince Charles Cinema just off Leicester Square is amazing. It’s cheap and has wonderful programming. I've gone there since I was a child, when I used to bunk off school to watch indie movies.
 

Jack Guinness is the Founder of LGBTQ platform, ‘The Queer Bible.’ 
For more inspiration follow Jack at here.