En Mi Barrio

Barrio North is a latin-inspired riot of colour on Essex Road in Islington.  It has a range of cocktails including some made of tequila and cachaça.  I went there for my Mexican friend Liz's birthday and although I didn't stay long (because I had to work the next day) it looked like it was shaping up to be quite a night.

Sun Bailante

Countries: Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, Brazil
Cost: varies
Location: check individual event information.

Sun Bailante is a tropical music events group in London that have regular nights in venues around the city.  So far I have been to Sun Bailante events in Islington, Gloucester Road and Moorgate.  The music is brilliant, perfect to chase away the cold on a winter's evening.

Check out the site: www.sunbailante.com where you can listen to the some of the different types of music played at their nights.

La Bodeguita Restaurant

Country: Colombia
Location: Elephant and Castle
Cost: between £8 and £12 for a main course.

This started off as a trip to Mamuska, the Polish restaurant just round the corner from La Bodeguita which was temporarily closed when we arrived.  So we celebrated a Polish girl's leaving party in this Latin American restaurant instead.

I had Bandeja Paisa which was really tasty. I felt as though I was going to burst by the end of the evening, as the portion sizes are very generous.
www.labodeguita.co.uk/restaurant/index.asp

They also have a deli and a shop.