The Rivoli Ballroom is one of the few remaining ballrooms in London. It became a ballroom in the late 1950's, and is now Grade 2-listed. It's a beautiful building, and one that Londoners should make a point of visiting at least once.

It's not easy to get to unless you happen to live in southeast London. Coming from Ealing required two tube rides and a bus. But it was worth it. The facade isn't so impressive, but once inside I was taken aback by the lush, ornate interior. Deep reds, velvet and leather benches, elaborate chandeliers, and eye-catching detailing fill what is essentially a single long room. To the sides are long, narrow rooms with bars and toilets, with seating.

I was lucky enough to be here for a concert that The White Stripes did as a benefit to the Chelsea Pensioners. While not a great layout for a gig normally - the stage is low, and such a packed crowd generated a lot of heat - the old, fancy style of the place suited the duo and their cause that night. These days the Rivoli is still mainly used for dancing: latin and jive dancing events are regularly held, and I bet they'd be a blast.

Make the trip to see the Rivoli. It's a gorgeous room, and a real, living taste of a past era.