Simmons bar, King's Cross

32 Caledonian Road  Islington, London N1 9DT

Simmons is a fun bar on Caledonian Road, which has just undergone a refurbishment. I'm happy to report that this little spruce-up has only added to its fabulously quirky credentials.

What do I mean by quirky? Amongst other things, a skull disco ball, a large collection of beer cans, zoo-themed wallpaper and dozens of vintage table lamps squeezed into every corner. Simmons is small but they've made better use of the space now, with the addition of vintage school desks and lots of places to sit down and natter.

Though I prefer to go here for a drink or two after work, night owls will be pleased to know that Simmons has a late license, with DJ sets and a cosy function room downstairs for gatherings that can happily continue into the early hours (3am Thursday - Saturday).

Cosy rating: 7/10 - those little lamps do a great job.
Secret rating: 7/10 - the Drink Shop & Do throngs across the road don't know what they're missing! (DSD is great, but it does get very busy).
Best bits: FIVE HOUR HAPPY HOUR? Yes please! From 4pm - 9pm Monday-Friday lots of their drinks are just £2.50. On my most recent visit on a Friday evening at 7pm we polished off a bottle of white for a mere tenner.
Worst bits: The music gets louder throughout the evening, so while it's fine for a catch-up early evening, if you want somewhere quiet where you can stay all night, go elsewhere.

Le Mercury, Islington

Fireplace AND candles. Result!

Le Mercury never fails to disappoint. An intimate and friendly bistro-style eatery spread over three creaky floors, each room is lit solely (or thereabouts) by candles, and its warm and relaxed glow is a welcome relief from hustle and bustle of Upper Street.

The menu is fairly small, but there is always a decent-enough selection of hearty meat and seafood dishes, and mopping up every last tasty morsel with bread is definitely the order of the day here.

The last time I went there I left with a full tummy, a slight slur thanks to copious amounts of wine and bubbles, and a big smile on my face as every single member of staff thanked each and every one of us on our way out.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - for such a prominent location I really respect they way they've kept things simple and low-key - it would be so easy for them to go down the fine-dining route.

Secret rating: 3/10 - I can't deny it, this is a popular haunt and right on the main road, so do book before you rock up.

Best bits: The value - all starters £3.95, all mains £8.45, all desserts £2.95. Go crazy!

Worst bits: On a busy night it can get rather noisy if they've got some bigger parties dining.

The Thomas Guy Club, London Bridge

Plenty more spots like these around every corner

My brother had been going on for ages about how great the Thomas Guy Club bar was on the Kings College campus, just round the corner from London Bridge, but I hadn't been there until tonight. Well, I can honestly say that I am now well and truly enamoured with this place.

Located in a vaulted basement, the bar has tons of seats, and also has a pool table, a telly room, a 'library' and a separate dining area (with loads of really cheap food options - £6.50 for a homemade burger for example).

Now, my brother works for the NHS, which is how he found out about it, but as far as I can make out anyone is allowed in here - you don't have to show any NHS / student ID to get in and it's accessible from Borough High St, but if anyone knows otherwise do feel free to correct me.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - loads of armchairs, sofas, beanbags, corners and bare bricks. Lower lighting would up the rating.

Secret rating: 11/10 - is this actually London's most undiscovered bar? No web presence whatsoever (other than the link above), it was 95% empty on a Thursday night.

Best bits: It's truly labyrinthine in here with loads of bare-bricked rooms, and you really have to make an effort to seek out where to buy a drink.

Worst bits: Very hard to find, so here are some directions: Upon leaving London Bridge station turn left onto Borough High Street. Go down the first alleyway on the left (it's the alleyway where the Old Kings Head pub is). Walk past the pub and directly in front of you is a doorway, which should have a sandwich board outside. Go down the stairs and you've arrived!

Cafe Eterno, Covent Garden

Divine milkshake at Cafe Eterno

At first glance Cafe Eterno appears to be just like any other nice, cute independent cafe in central London, but it's only when you've settled down with your bottomless cup of coffee and start to take in your surroundings that you sense there's just something.....different about the place.

When you discover that the cafe is in fact run by the London City Mission (a Christian charity), the vibrant wall murals, eclectic range of customers and even the name of the cafe itself make a lot more sense.

Religion not your thing? Don't let this put you off - Cafe Eterno provides a friendly escape from the West End crowds outside, and their Christian credentials aren't enforced upon their customers. Settle down on one of their sofas with a book, enjoy the great value food and hot drinks, and appreciate this little slice of tranquil simplicity in the heart of the capital.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - probably the least pretentious cafe you're likely to find in this cobbled corner of Covent Garden.

Secret rating: 4/10 - it gets a fair amount of footfall, but it's likely that many of its customers aren't aware of the cafe's spiritual background.

Best bits: Bottomless cup of coffee for £1.70, really friendly staff (some of whom are volunteers), and awesome, indulgent milkshakes.

Worst bits: The Christian leaflets dotted around may not be to everyone's taste.