Summer in the city

The true spirit of summer. The Prince Charles Cinema just off Leicester Square sums it up perfectly. "Sod the sunshine, come sit in the dark".

Aquashard

Why pay £25 to go to the top of the Shard when you can spend the same amount on a couple of cocktails from the 31^st floor in Aquashard. This large, cavernous space contains a restaurant and modern bar and a glorious view north to the City, west towards St Paul’s and the West end and south east towards Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. Access is by direct lift from St Thomas Street. 

Looking north to the City

The bar

Looking south and the track snaking from London Bridge Station

East London's free spirit

Gormley at Limehouse

This picture was taken at dusk from The Grapes in Narrow Street, Limehouse. The 9ft statute, on top of a 20ft plinth is by Anthony Gormley and belongs to Sir Ian McKellen, as does the Grapes.

The placement of the sculpture is designed to appear as if standing on water at high tide. It’s fantastic.

Alex Wheatle on the gentrification of Brixton