The Hideout aka Trisha's, Soho, London

I've been to Trisha's a few times now, after one of my friends who's a member introduced us to the hidden little staircase. I was kind of intimidated the first time, until my friend pointed out her photo is on the wall! It's usually rammed, but is a real gem of a place.

The drinks are cheap, the people are friendly and willing to talk outside their groups (I've had some astonishingly honest talks with complete strangers there), and the addition of a small back garden means you can even smoke -- even if it does feel like a mini outdoor jail cell.

Go on -- walk down the little staircase and take a peek!

The Hideout is exactly that - an underground bar in Soho's Greek Street. There's no sign or any indication that, if you follow the nondescript corridor and go down the stairs that there's a rather lovely little bar - perfect for impressing your mates with your insider knowledge of London. (Tip: The entrance is directly opposite The Pillars of Hercules.)

Dimly lit, walls decorated in vinyl sleeves and family pictures hanging everywhere, The Hideout has cosy atmosphere by the bucketload. There are only three large tables, usually inhabited by groups of noisy and cool Italians, so couples are better off sitting on stools at the bar.

It can get very busy, loud and cramped, so arrive no later than 7 if you want any chance of grabbing a seat.

Like being transported back to the 60s - apart from the old albums stuck to the ceiling it was full of hipster boys in drainpipe trousers and girls with definitely-not-inspired-by-Winehouse eyeliner. Beatles on the crackly sound system, cold Italian beers, packed to the rafters. Excellent night.

I'm not too sure what this place is called because there is no sign on the door even indicating there's a bar here! If it wasn't for the mean-looking (though he's actually quite friendly) doorman lurking about the narrow entrance you'd never know. It's all rather secretive and mysterious - the first time I came here I half expected to walk in on the shady dealings of some gangsters! But instead, when you come downstairs you'll feel like you just walked into somebody's house party, it's got such a buzz and it's jammed full of people. It's sort of grotty but it's got a really cool atmosphere, you get the feeling somebody just converted their basement flat to a bar. There are posters and pictures on all the walls, most of them depict either the pope (!) or various well-known mafia figures. On some Saturdays there will be a four piece jazz band squeezed into one corner playing some fast-paced tunes. Amazing.