THE PLACES YOU NEED TO VISIT RIGHT NOW IN THE WORLD’S BEST CITIES: THE MOST LOVED LOCAL VENUES NAMED IN 2018 TIME OUT LOVE CITY AWARDS

The world's cities are brimming with small, local venues and businesses - the unsung heroes of a city. Now they have the recognition they deserve as tens of thousands of locals voted for their most loved places in cities around the world as part of the Time Out Love City Awards 2018. The list of winners is the ultimate list of go-to-places right now, helping both locals as well as visitors discover the best of the city.

The Love City Awards are an initiative created by Time Out, the global brand that inspires people to make the most of the city. Since 2014, the awards have across a variety of categories celebrated venues and small businesses locals swear by and are truly passionate about.

The places most loved by locals right now in cities around the world:

London - The Cinema Museum triumphed as the most loved culture spot, shining a spotlight on the iconic venue whilst it is in the middle of a campaign to save the site and its future. The old Lambeth Workhouse where Charlie Chaplin spent some of his childhood has been home to The Cinema Museum for twenty years, but is now under threat of closure as the site is up for sale. Housing a unique collection of artefacts, memorabilia and equipment that preserves the history and grandeur of cinema from the 1890s to the present day as well as the only archive of cinema architecture, this museum is a real community asset. Londoners got behind this gem in the Time Out Love London Awards, demonstrating just how important its heritage is for the city and how dedicated they are to preserve decades of invaluable volunteers' work. All Time Out Love London Award winners can be found here.

Sydney - Sydneysiders' favourite place to swim isn't by the beach: The Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, the fabulous outdoor swimming pool by the Royal Botanic Gardens, is their most loved place to swim, trumping even Bondi Beach. The harbourside pool was a popular bathing spot since long before the British arrived, and public sea baths first opened in the city in 1860. All Time Out Love Sydney winners can be found here.

New York - Coffee Project New York snagged the most loved coffee shop category for the second year. Everything-even the cups-is locally sourced, and the rotating pour 'projects' are a visual spectacle. Since winning their first award in 2016, Coffee Project New York's owners have said that they have gone from being a neighbourhood coffee shop to a destination for visitors from around the world. All Time Out Love New York Award winners can be found here.

Chicago -Opened in 1929, the Music Box Theater still retains many of its unique architectural and design elements including its twinkling star ceiling, so it's no wonder it was voted Chicago's most loved movie theater in the Time Out Love Chicago Awards. It even has a resident ghost named Whitey, a helpful, positive spirit who's been known to help out in tough times. All Time Out Love Chicago Award winners can be found here.

Los Angeles -In a city filled with state-of-the-art multiplexes, it is the single-screen, nearly century-old Vista Theater that claims a spot in Angelenos' hearts as their most loved movie theater. Playing movies on actual film reels (no digital here) and with a lovely manager who dresses up for every opening, it is easy to see why Vista Theater is a local blockbuster. All Time Out Love L.A. winners can be found here.

Hong Kong -As the name suggests,The Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and offers the best panorama of the city. Yet despite it predominantly being a destination for tourists, Hongkongers still love it, voting for it not only as their most loved landmark - but also as the runner-up in the most loved hiking trail category. All Time Out Love Hong Kong winners can be found here.

Singapore - It's official: Tian Tian Chicken Rice is Singapore's most loved hawker stall and it is no wonder why when even top U.S. chef Anthony Bourdain loves it. There are only three components of this dish: the chicken, the rice and the chilli. But while chicken rice can be found in almost every kopitiam in Singapore, not many get the holy trinity right. Tian Tian Chicken Rice clearly does and locals love it. All Time Out Love Singapore winners can be found here.

Melbourne - Independent Melbourne-based Readings Carlton is Melbourne's most loved shop according to Time Out Love Melbourne… and it is also the world's best bookstore. In 2016, its original Carlton shop (which opened in 1969) was awarded the top prize at the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards, putting it above London's Foyles Charing Cross Road or New York's Union Square Barnes & Nobles. Readings is a favourite for its huge selection, great service, and the fact that it is open late on buzzy Lygon Street. All Time Out Love Melbourne winners can be found here.

Lisbon - The award for Lisbon's most loved club was a unanimous decision, and it is clear to see why: as Time Out has written in the past, Lux Frágil is not only the best Portuguese club but one of the best in the world. Lux's programme - which includes live bands and the odd Sunday afternoon event, as well as big international DJs - and its catch-all social role remain unrivalled. This award is given just one month after the death of Manuel Reis, the founder of Lux, and it matched the club's 20th anniversary celebration. Manuel Reis was a key figure in the history of Lisbon nightlife. All Time Out Love Lisbon winners can be found here.

Porto - With so many incredible places to eat in Porto - where the presence and preference of traditional food is a really heavy weight on this league -Ikeda's victory as the most loved restaurant in the city is a nice surprise. Besides the good food, its second floor full of origami makes it one of the most Instagram-able places in Porto! All TIme Out Love Porto winners can be found here.

Caroline McGinn, Global Editor in Chief at Time Out, said:'Once again, tens of thousands of locals cast their votes in our Time Out Love City Awards to show their love for their favourite local places - it is those gems that make all the difference to the city's neighbourhoods and make big cities feel like home. The list of winners of the most loved places in cities around the world is the ultimate list of go-to-places for both locals as well as visitors who want to explore a city like a local.

'Local knowledge is what Time Out has been all about since 1968 but our editors can't be everywhere at once. People who live in a city love and know their neighborhood, and want to tell Time Out about it. Their recommendations help us capture great existing and new venues - often cool indie spots - all over the city, and give them some love and the spotlight they deserve.'

Visit www.timeout.com/things-to-do/love-city-around-the-world to see the full list of Time Out Love City Award 2018 winners in 15 cities around the world.