Katherine Ryan is a self-proclaimed lover of a high-low approach to London living. She’s partial to shopping at wholesaler Costco, but also adores Liberty. Her idea of heaven is drinking margs under the great lighting in Mexican joint La Bodega Negra — although this may prove more difficult since she has announced she is pregnant. However, she also loves to simply walk around the city, minus her three kids. This is her guide to London.
Home is…
Chipping Barnet. I’ve been there since 2019 — I needed a big house for a husband and family. It’s five of us now — Bobby, Violet, Fred, Fenna and some dogs and a cat. It’s in zone five, and that’s why I’m not cool.
My daughter had a house party and the invitation got out on Snapchat. About 250 kids showed up
Where do you stay in London?
I’m obsessed with Claridge’s. I love the luxury of a posh breakfast in bed. The gluten-free eggs Benedict and the shower at Claridge’s are the best. I don’t want to alarm anyone at Thames Water, but it’s so luxurious — a proper rainfall situation. I went for my 40th.
Where was your first flat?
Crouch End. When I moved from Canada in 2008, it seemed to be quite an artistic neighbourhood. There’s the King’s Head pub, which still does comedy, and Roisin Conaty lives there. I think it’s still hip! My ex and I had a really tiny flat, then when I was single and had my daughter, we moved to this beautiful Gothic church conversion nearby. I still have it and rent it out, but I have fantasies about moving back there. I’m very Left-wing to have a second property, so I charge what I think is a very fair rental rate.
What was your first job in the city?
I had a partner at the time who wasn’t working, so I got the role of being the salary girl. I worked for a company called Fashion Monitor, a business and entertainment news and red pages. I was a sort of headhunter. I was 23 and made £16,000 a year. I got bonuses sometimes when I sold well, although I never did because I’m a bad salesperson.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
I don’t really go on dates — my friends become my partners, like my husband did! But I think a comedy show would be great. Go to the Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden. A lot of people think it’s one of the best ones in London. Comedy is just such an icebreaker if you don’t know someone very well. My husband and I love La Bodega Negra in Soho. It’s underground, through a sex shop, and it has DJs and the lighting is very favourable if you’re over 40. It does beautiful margaritas.
Which shops do you rely on?
Liberty, it’s so well curated and is quintessentially English. And I don’t have many designer things, but I think Louis Vuitton and Loewe make pieces that are very beautiful and last the distance. Plus, my husband and I really love Costco! We’re very high-low.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I would ban groups of middle-aged men cycling. The roads are too narrow! No more than four of them abreast. I might even ban the Lycra. I just don’t need to see all of that.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Maya Jama. I think she’s a world-class talent to rival Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, or any Kardashian. She’s generous and transparent about her life. You could find her in a kebab shop in London or on a private jet to Amalfi.
Where would you go for a fun time?
My definition of fun has evolved, especially now that I am encumbered with many small children. Just walking around alone is a luxury for me, so I do really love just to walk, walk, walk. Fitzrovia or Mayfair are favourites.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
Well, I once held one hostage and luckily he’s been very discreet about it since … I don’t really get drunk at all, but one evening it happened by accident. I got in a row with my husband and I went home by myself in a black cab. I got out to my house and we have gates operated by a button or an app. They closed and I went to bed. He was banging on the door and must have been captive for at least half an hour. The babysitter was staying over and is the one who eventually woke up and released him.
Have you ever had a run-in with a police officer?
I’m a middle-class white woman, so my interactions with the police are very positive. Though my daughter had a house party, which made us very unpopular because the invitation got out on Snapchat. About 250 kids showed up so the police helped move them along.
I once held a cabbie hostage inside my gates. He was banging on the door and must have been captive for at least half an hour
What are you up to for work?
I was promoting my podcast at SXSW London and I’m excited to film the second series of Out of Order, with Rosie Jones — I love for female comedians to be able to work together.
Favourite beauty spots?
I get my hair done at Hare & Bone in Fitzrovia by the owner, Sam Burnett. He did my bob. And Nina Bal at Facial Sculpting in South Kensington is my aesthetician. She does lasers, peels, injectables and Botox.
See also: The best facials in London
What’s your dress code for London?
I have two looks: very glam for performing, and in my real life, I wear tracksuits and dress like an elderly rapper. I would like to land in the middle.
Katherine Ryan's What's My Age Again? is out now and available on all podcast providers
As told to Hayley Spencer
