London is in turmoil! For months now we have been talking about this gigantic event, about how to move, where to stay, which athletes will compete and especially if London will hold up the amount of people who poured into its streets. Here we are, the Olympics have begun! If you haven't managed to grab one of the many Tickets in order to access the Olympic Park do not worry, it was also thought of those who, like me, want to enjoy this event without spending a fortune and above all living in the British capital.
Parks and squares
The most "cheap”And accessible if you want to watch the Olympic competitions is precisely in the parks and squares, where they have been set up maxi screens and audio systems, live performances, entertainment of various kinds and types and outdoor bars. If you are in the center, Hyde Park e Trafalgar Square (Charing Cross) are for you, but if you are in East London, Victoria Park (Mile End) or Broadgate Circus, an outdoor amphitheater near Liverpool Street Station, could be ideal. Finally, if you are near the City, Potters Field (London Bridge or Tower Hill) is the right choice.
The free competitions
Some of the scheduled races do not require a ticket to be seen. The men's and women's marathon (respectively 12 and 5 August), the female and male march (11 and 4 August), the road cycling race (28 August masculine and 29 female) and most of the Triathlon competitions will be visible for free. To accurately check the routes of all these races you can find more information on the site www.london2012.com
Pubs and clubs
These, I admit, are the places to see the Olympics which I prefer, perhaps because London offers an embarrassing amount of alternatives. I propose three, a little unusual:
Camden Beach the Roundhouse: It's summer, already. But what summer would it be without a beach? This question was answered by the boys of the Roundhouse with the 150 tons of sand transported to the terrace set up for the summer, which will give you the opportunity to see the races while sipping a margarita, relax on the deck, without losing a second of the (rare) London sun. Don't miss the happy hours from 17.00 to 19.00 from Monday to Friday, 2 cocktails for the price of 1. Open from 11.00am to 23.00pm until August 24th, it is located in Chalk Farm, near Camden Town. Free entry.
Bar & Co: A unique location in which to see the Olympic competitions, appreciate the view of the Thames and sip a good pint in an environment different from the classic English pub. The pub / restaurant / nightclub is located at Temple Pier, on a boat (hey, a boat!), and enjoys the view of the London Eye, Big Ben and Oxo Tower. Open until 3.00 in the morning, it is located in front of the Temple subway station.
Waxy O'Connors: The atmosphere in this pub is magical to say the least and is worth experiencing at least for one evening. The restaurant is divided into several rooms, which all rotate around a tree trunk, one would almost expect to see goblins and gnomes appear suddenly from some corner. In typical Irish style it offers a good list of typical beers, but it is really the air that you breathe inside that makes the place enchanted. Open seven days a week from 11.00 / 12.00 to about 23.30, hours vary slightly depending on the day of the week. It is located near Piccadilly Circus, therefore it is the ideal stop after a nice walk in the center between Leicester Square and China Town. Free admission.
