Friday  

After I finish work at my friend Juan’s newly launched East Club Flagship store (menswear), above (7 Upper James Street, London W1F 9DH), where I also sell my own Henrichs collection of reflective cycle wear, above,  I like to start the weekend with a cocktail.  I recommend the St Germain  mixed with Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain, lime, elderflower cordial, egg white, spiced tincture, cucumber juice at my favourite cocktail bar ECC , below (13a Gerrard Street, London W1D 5PS),  to get the central vibe before heading back to Islington.

I live along the canal and usually  go for a quick beer at the Charles Lamb on 16 Elia Street, London N1 8DE, 020 7837 5040), or The Island Queen  (87 Noel Road, London N1 8HD, 020 7354 8741). Both pubs have an intimate local vibe, which is just ideal to start the weekend. If I am up for a late one,  I will head to the speakeasy bar 69 Colebrooke Row, (69 Colebrooke Row London N1 8AA, 07540 528 593),  aka  The Bar With No Name . It’s a real tiny gem and so good, guests often wait on the stairs to get a table.

Saturday

I often take my laptop to the Ace hotel lobby, above  (100 Shoreditch High Street, London E16JQ, 0207 613 9800),  to do some work, before meeting friends for some Shoreditch shopping. There are some great vintage shops here like Paper Dress ( 114–116 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AH, 020 7729 4100), who also do fun gigs and serve drinks .

Then I will pop by my friend Griff’s art gallery Howard Griffin’s Gallery (189 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU, 020 7739 9970).  Until August 1st he is showing the Street artist pioneer Thierry Noir. He was the first artist to (illegally) paint the Berlin Wall to bring colours into the grey world of  Berlin life during the cold war.

Then I’ll do more shopping along  Redchurch Street, which is good for up and coming designers. If I managed to reserve a table then I will have some Peruvian food (I recommend the ceviche with fresh sea bass, golden berry, avocado and sweet potato) with some pisco sours at Andina , above  (1 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DJ, 020 7920 6499 ),  before heading for some more cocktails to the newly opened Joyeux Bordel , below (147 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3QE,  07599 885001).

They play good music and you can dance here until early hours (try the É Nossa cocktail mixed with Cachaca Yaguara, lime, sugar, Peychaud’s & peach bitters, ginger syrup & soda).

Sunday

I love going to the Columbia Flower Market, above, to absorb the remains of the market vibe and get few bargains of fresh flowers, or find a dress at Fufure Vintage, 98 Columbia Road, EC 7QB,  020 7729 2197), before having a Sunday roast on the newly relaunched Marksman, below (254 Hackney Road, 
London
, E2 7SJ, 020 7739 7393). The two chefs and friends Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram serve a good suckling pig and ‘beer mustard’ in soft English milk buns.

Once I am ready to rumble I will head to Broadway Market,  strolling along the Regents Canal all the way to Victoria Park. There is a canal boat that has been converted into a quirky bookshop and the owner often sits on the roof playing the saxophone. Perfect way of ending my weekend.

About Sara Henrichs

Half French and half German, Sara Henrichs has more than 11 years experience working in London in the luxury industry, first  as former travel editor  for Wallpaper* and  one of the founders of the Wallpaper* City Guide series. She also launched the Wallpaper* Best Urban Business Hotels award. She has written for the Guardian/Observer and Departures, and co-edited a website on brilliant things about Britain,  in collaboration with Mulberry. After studying fashion design she worked at Jil Sander in Hamburg and Hermès in Paris, and has now launched  Henrichs, her own brand of reflective clothing and accessories for safer travel outdoors, including cycling and running,  for adults, children ,and even dogs. The collection is made in England and distributed in  stores in London , Paris and Berlin, as well on global retail websites including Australia, USA, Latin America and Korea. Henrichs has now launched a crowdfunding project  to reach its next level.