It’s by all means a difficult task to capture London’s pizzazz in the few pages of a small guide. And small it is the Hedonist’s Guide to London, at first guess a Mao’s Little Red Book for London apparatchiks. Even the title on the cover of the book has been abbreviated to a mind-boggling Hg2 that brings haunting chemistry classes in mind.

There is a neighborhood in London that only spoof games fans and nightlife aficionados know well, called Mornington Crescent. Wedged between London landmarks such as Camden Town and Euston Road, its function as a distinct neighborhood can be seriously questioned. It is only the tube station and the namesake radio game that make it a bit more familiar for Londoners. But what really saves Mornington Crescent’s reputation as a hotspot is Koko, one of the most famous live music clubs in London.

Lost is over, the Sex and the City mania is waning, isn’t it time for old-fashioned men to take their revenge? Fortunately for them, the biggest sports event in the world is due to start, as the kick-off of the 19th World Cup is on Friday, 11th of June. Employees will be ‘sick’, streets will be empty for 90 minutes, pubs will be crammed with fans infuriated by the referee’s calls. In a few words, it’s Showtime for football aficionados…

Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks or Washington Capitals.

These are some of the characteristically North American names that should make you shiver with joy if you already know what a ‘puck’ is. For those who don’t, that’s the name of the beloved black disk serving as a ball in ice hockey. The sport is does not have a popular following in London, but more than just a few expats would kill to find a cosy place to watch their favourite game here.

If there are two sorts of people who were most delighted by the credit crunch, these are definitely artists and squatters. For the former, difficult times are also sometimes also the most inspiring. As for the latter, an economic crisis also provides a unique chance for squatting, as the number of empty properties soars. Just to make things more interesting, the two groups tend to intermingle in London, converting squats into makeshift galleries for young artists. It looks that an equivalent of MySpace in real life is already in our midst.