Over the past decade London has become increasingly defined by viral culture — the churn of TikTok content, the prioritisation of aesthetics and the pursuit of crowds who care more about being seen than being in the moment. Now, neighbourhoods that once had character are mere backdrops for photoshoots and your favourite watering holes are best kept secret.

What’s more, the sources locals once trusted to discover something new have become compromised. Influencers trade integrity for complimentary meals, media companies function as PR with rose-coloured glasses, to-do lists follow the status-quo of generic events and even Google reviews have long since stopped being reliable.

So we started writing — about what feels good and not just what photographs well.
B-Side London covers dining, culture, entertainment and city escapes with unfiltered honesty.