Year after year, as college students return to their dorms and high school kids finish their summer reading, one MTV event heralds the beginning of another school year. Before the books open, the cultural mainstay celebrates all things music video, with the annual Video Music Awards. This year, elevating the VMAs to a whole ‘nother level is main performer, Lady Gaga. Last night in Los Angeles, moonmen were distributed to the best and brightest in music, from Foster the People to Wiz Khalifa. And in addition to the queen of the little monsters, performers including Adele, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Young The Giant are set to entertain.

Here are some of our favorite moments:

• Bruno Mars did an incredible job paying tribute to Amy Winehouse.
• Lady Gaga never disappoints with reinventing herself as Jo Calderone while teaming up with Rock & Roll legend, Queen’s Brian May.
• Chris Brown always knows how to put on a show but this time he took it to new heights!
• Lastly, we loved Jay-Z & Kanye West performance especially since it was our theme song for our ENK Vegas tradeshow events

On the corner of Portobello Road in Notting Hill sits the fabulously retro cocktail bar Trailer Happiness – in their own words – ‘a brilliant lounge bar, den and kitschen’. Heading downstairs the chic hangout has the easy luxe feel of a Californian-style bachelor pad, with a tiki twist. J.H. Lynch and Tretchikoff prints hang on the walls and 60′s beaded curtains provide decoration. The couches and stools are low to the ground, but this isn’t about pastiche, it’s about fun. The food is hearty: expect such dishes as Uncle Leroy’s Lamb and Lemon Racks, Alabama Black Snake Sesame Shrimp and Where You Been All My Life? Crispy Roast Duck. Washed down with one of the Tiki Classic or Homage cocktails it’s a surefire way to start a classic night out. For a more educational night the bar also offers cocktail classes – perfect for the suave bachelor in training.

Hudson Collection High Waisted Wide Leg featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine.

The Gwen Wide Leg Jean featured in the August issue of Lucky Magazine.

If you’re looking for a rum-soaked evening there’s no better place than Barrio North on Islington’s Essex Road. Founded by financier-turned-DJ Ferdie Ahmed his love of travel and rum formed the basis of the Barrio concept. The Spanish word ‘Barrio’ literally translates as ‘neighborhood’ and that concept runs through the watering hole in the community spirit and chilled out vibe. A dilapidated, deconstructed and reclaimed aesthetic is created through the school desks which lined up, rainbow light bulbs and creeping leaves, not to mention the vintage caravan which stands proud at the back of the bar. The drinks menu is unique and wide-ranging and in making the cocktails no detail is too small; the bar staff take their time and present the drinks beautifully.

Here’s our pick of the best cocktails:

Gunpowder: ‘Strong Havana Club rum, honey and spice served the Cuban way, only without the…’

Brazilian Lady: ‘An exotic seduction of Abelha cachaca, passion fruit and cool lemon’

Pacific Twitch: ‘Aloha! Sailor Jerry spiced rum, apple, ginger, falernum and Ting’

Barrio Club Cocktail: ‘Silky Martin Miller’s gin, homemade gin liqueur and raspberries’

Or if you’re feeling brave try ‘The No Brainer’: ‘Two expressions of Herradura 100% agave tequila party with exotic guava and pineapple juice, super fresh grapefruit and lime before being charged with some fine bubbly’, which is served up in a giant mug shaped like a wrestling mask!

Summer’s the perfect time to get down to the Queen of Hoxton as, following the rooftop launch a couple of months back, there’s a whole host of activities in full swing on the roof. This month saw the Music and Makers market (above) and over the summer the Roof Top Film Club continues with such classics as Jaws, Roman Holiday and The King’s Speech. With its view of the City around Liverpool Street and the twinkling lights that come on at night this can be quite a magical spot in the midst of East London. Plus, should the weather be more drizzle than sizzle there’s always a magnitude of exciting events happening on the ground floor and in the basement. The rooftop bar and kitchen is open daily from 12 – 10pm.