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Voting is open for the Time Out Love London Awards 2018: our mega poll to find the capital’s favourite neighbourhood hangouts. Once voting is over, we’ll be naming local winners in dozens of postcodes. But for now, here are the venues in the lead citywide so far. Remember to vote for your faves at timeout.com/lovelondon.
Most loved local bar/pub
The landlord of The Kenton in Hackney posted a video promising that, if his pub wins, he’ll stand outside Hackney Town Hall singing Norwegian hymns while dressed as a Viking. We hope he’s sharpening his axe, because The Kenton is currently in the lead, with SW19’s The Sultan hot on its heels. Vote here for your favourite bar or pub.
Most loved local brunch spot
There’s fierce competition for London’s top brunch destination, but at the moment Chiswick’s Antipodean Urban Pantry – a local winner last time – is edging it, with The Table Café not far behind. Vote here for your favourite brunch spot.
Most loved local cinema
Two indie cinemas, two diverse London neighbourhoods, two clear frontrunners. In the ultimate battle of London movie palaces, it’s currently the Genesis Whitechapel v PeckhamPlex. Pass the popcorn! Vote here for your favourite cinema.
Most loved local club/party
Right now, Fulham Road’s ’80s-tastic nightspot Maggie’s is looking as dominant as the Iron Lady herself. But Moors Bar in Crouch End is looming behind it, threatening its hegemony, like… Michael Heseltine, maybe? Vote here for your favourite club or party.
Most loved local coffee place
Highbury’s treasured Highness Café and Tea Room was voted London’s most loved café last time and is on course to defend its title. But it’s facing a daunting challenger: SW19’s own Coffee in the Wood. Vote here for your favourite coffee place.
Most loved local culture spot
It’s David and Goliath in our culture category. Threatened with closure and currently campaigning for its survival, Lambeth’s unique Cinema Museum is in pole position, ahead of big players like the Barbican and Tate Modern. Vote here for your favourite culture spot.
Most loved local landmark
In our popular vote of the city’s favourite monuments, the gorgeous Alexandra Palace leaves all the big tourists sites for dust… so far. Will the People’s Palace bring it home when the final votes are counted? Vote here for your favourite local landmark.
Most loved local late-night spot
Battersea’s kitsch, Berlusconi-themed hangout Bunga Bunga is il Duce for now, but the legendary Phoenix Artist Club in the West End is a close second. Vote here for your favourite late-night spot.
Most loved local LGBTQ hangout
Vauxhall and Dalston are slugging it out for LGBTQ scene dominance, with two great multifaceted venues competing for London’s LGBTQ crown: the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and Dalston Superstore. Soho is represented by G-A-Y Bar in third place. We love ’em all, frankly – but which will come out on top? Vote here for your favourite LGBTQ hangout.
Most loved local music venue
The world-famous O2 Academy Brixton leads the pack, but there’s stiff competition from the Troxy in Stepney – an art deco marvel with its own vintage organ – and Leytonstone underdog Luna Lounge. Vote here for your favourite music venue.
Nick Pickles
Most loved local park
Victoria Park has served the people of east London since 1845, and they’re repaying it with lots of local love. But Greenwich Park’s killer combo of stunning views and architecture is close behind. Vote here for your favourite park.
Most loved local place to drink in the sun
Hackney’s Pub on the Park and Crate Brewery are doing well in our alfresco boozing category – but Frank’s Café, the Peckham car park bar that started London’s rooftop drinking obsession, is an unsurprising leader. Vote here for your favourite place to drink in the sun.
Most loved local restaurant
Could Kensington Filipino joint Romulo Café beat all comers? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to vote for your favourite and knock it off its perch. Vote here for your favourite restaurant.
Most loved local shop
London’s oenophiles have propelled Mayfair’s renowned Hedonism Wines into first place… for now, at least. Vote here for your favourite shop.