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Nightlife By Neighborhood

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Bloomsbury, Soho, and Fitzrovia

Bloomsbury

Bars

All Star Lanes.
One of London’s most chic bars is an unlikely combination—it’s in a sleek, underground, retro bowling alley in the heart of literary Bloomsbury. Here, surrounded by 1950s Americana, you can sit on the red leather seats and choose from the largest selection of bourbons in London. DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights; there are also locations in Bayswater, Brick Lane, and Stratford. | Victoria House, Bloomsbury Pl., Bloomsbury | WC1B 4DA | 020/7025–2676 | www.allstarlanes.co.uk | Mon.–Wed. 5 pm–11:30 pm, Thurs. 5–midnight, Fri. and Sat. noon–2 am, Sun. noon–11 | Station: Holborn.

Booking Office.
Taking full advantage of the soaring Victorian redbrick vaults and arches of the newly restored St. Pancras hotel, Booking Office is closer in feel to a cathedral than a traditional station bar. Seasonal cocktails using traditional English ingredients are high on flavor and low on mixers and there’s live music Thursday through Saturday evenings. | St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, Euston Rd. | NW1 | 020/7841–3566 | www.bookingofficerestaurant.com| Station: King’s Cross.

Rock

Soho

Eclectic Music

12 Bar Club.
This small and rough-and-ready acoustic club hosts notable singer-songwriters. Four different acts of new folk, contemporary country, blues, and even ska and punk perform each night in the intimate venue. There’s a good selection of bottled beer and gastropub food here. | 22–23 Denmark Pl., Soho | WC2H 8NJ | 020/7240–2622 | www.12barclub.com | £3–£10 | Fri. and Sat. 7 pm–3 am, Sun. 6 pm–12:30 am. Café serves food 9–9 | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Fitzrovia

Fodor’s Choice | Crazy Bear.
This sexy basement bar with cowhide stools and croc-skin tables feels like Casablanca in Fitzrovia. As you enter Crazy Bear, a spiral staircase leads to a mirrored parlor over which presides a 1947 Murano chandelier. But don’t let the opulence fool you: Waitstaff here are warm and welcoming to an all-ages international crowd abuzz with chatter. The menu advertises high-quality Thai, Chinese, and Japanese food alongside the drinks. | 26–28 Whitfield St., Fitzrovia | W1T 2RG | 020/7631–0088 | www.crazybeargroup.co.uk | Sun.–Wed. noon–midnight, Thurs.–Sat. noon–1 am | Station: Goodge St.

Long Bar at Sanderson Hotel.
The 80-foot-long shimmering white onyx bar in the Philippe Starck–designed Sanderson Hotel attracts a trendy crowd, while the large but welcoming outdoor area exudes a relaxing, Zen-like feel, with soothing running water mixed with dim lighting and decorative vegetation. The hotel’s Purple Bar provides a more intimate and romantic setting and serves excellent chocolate martinis. | 50 Berners St., Fitzrovia | W1T 3NG | 020/7300–5588 | www.sandersonlondon.com | Mon. 11 am–1 am, Tues. and Wed. 11 am–1:30 am, Thurs.–Sat. 11 am–3 am, Sun. noon–10:30 pm | Station: Oxford Circus.

The Gay Scene

The U.K. capital’s gay and lesbian culture is as thriving as it is in New York or Los Angeles, with Soho serving as the hub of gay London.

Clubs in London cater to almost every desire, whether that be the suited-up Tommy Hilfiger–look-alike scene, cruisers taking on dingy dives, flamboyant drag shows, lesbian tea dances, or themed fetish nights.

There’s also a cornucopia of queer theater and performance art that runs throughout the year. Whatever your tastes, you’ll be able to satisfy them with a night on the town in London.

Choices are admittedly much better for males than females here; although many of the gay clubs are female-friendly, those catering strictly to lesbians are in the minority.

The British Film Institute puts on the BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in late March and early April (www.bfi.org.uk/llgff) every year.

Pride London in June (an annual event encompassing a parade, sports, art, comedy, theater, music, cabaret, and dance) welcomes anyone and everyone, and claimed a million participants in 2010.

This extravagant pageant spirals its way through London’s streets, with major events taking place in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, then culminates in Victoria Embankment with ticketed parties continuing on afterward (www.pridelondon.org for details).

For up-to-date listings, consult Time Out (www.timeout.com/london/gay), Boyz (www.boyz.co.uk), Gay Times (www.gaytimes.co.uk), Attitude (www.attitude.co.uk), or the lesbian monthly Diva (www.divamag.co.uk).

Online resources include Rainbow Network (www.rainbownetwork.com).

Most bars in London are gay-friendly, though there are a number of cafés and pubs that are known as gay hangouts after hours. The latest serve drinks until 3 am (11 pm on Sunday).

Many of London’s best gay dance clubs are in mixed clubs like Fabric on theme nights designated for gays.

Almost all dance clubs in London are gay-friendly, but if you want to cruise or mingle only with other gays, it’s best to call ahead or check website listings.

The East End

Hoxton

Dance Clubs

Fabric.
This sprawling subterranean club is now a firm fixture on the London scene. “Fabric Live” hosts drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, and hip-hop crews and live acts on Friday; international big-name DJs play slow, sexy bass lines and cutting-edge music on Saturday. The devastating sound system and “bodysonic” dance floor ensure that bass riffs vibrate through your entire body. TIP Get there early to avoid a lengthy queue, and don’t wear a suit. | 77A Charterhouse St., East End | EC1M 3HN | 020/7336–8898 | www.fabriclondon.com | £15–£20 | Fri. 10 pm–6 am, Sat. 11 pm–8 am, Sun. 11 pm–6 am | Station: Farringdon.

Shoreditch

Bars

Book Club.
Light and friendly, the Book Club tops off a dose of Shoreditch’s fashionable industrial chic with a dollop of culture. White tiles, bricks, and big black-and-white photos set the tone and there’s a separate room for table-tennis. Breakfast is served morning weekdays, a full lunch menu is offered through the week, and a modern menu of cocktails accompanies music, book launches, and workshops in the evenings. | 100 Leonard St., Shoreditch | EC2A 4RH | 020/7684–8618 | www.wearetbc.com | Mon.–Wed. 8 am–midnight, Thurs.–Sat. 8 am–2 am, Sun. 10 am–midnight. | Station: Shoreditch High St.

Mason and Taylor.
This hip industrial Shoreditch bar specializes in ales, lagers, and stouts from boutique producers and offers them in unique third-of-a-pint glasses on tasting boards, thus maximizing your chances of working your way through the menu. There’s a tapas-style food menu through the week and brunches and roasts at weekends. | 51-55 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch | E1 | 020/7749–9670 | www.masonandtaylor.co.uk | Station: Shoreditch High St..

Dance Clubs

Cargo.
Housed under a series of old railway arches, this vast brick-wall bar, restaurant, dance floor, and live-music venue pulls a young, international crowd with its hip vibe and diverse selection of music. Long tables bring people together, as does the food, which draws on global influences and is served tapas-style. Drinks, though, are expensive. | 83 Rivington St., Shoreditch | EC2A 3AY | 020/7739–3440 | www.cargo-london.com | Free–£20 | Mon.–Thurs. noon–1 am, Fri. noon–3 am, Sat. 6 pm–3 am, Sun. 1 pm–midnight | Station: Old St.

333.
Fashionable bright young Shoreditch things dance to indie rave, dubstep, twisted disco, and underground dance genres. There are three floors, each with its own theme. You can chill on leather sofas at the relaxed Mother Bar upstairs, which is open from 8 pm daily and always has DJs. | 333 Old St., Shoreditch | EC1V 9LE | 020/7739–5949 | www.333mother.com | Free–£10 | Fri. and Sat. 10 pm–3 am, bar Mon.–Sun., 8 pm–3 am | Station: Old St.

Kensington, Chealsea, and Knightsbridge

Chelsea

Jazz and Blues

606 Club.
This civilized Chelsea club showcases mainstream and contemporary jazz by well-known British-based musicians. TIP You must eat a meal in order to consume alcohol, so allow for an extra £20. Reservations are advisable. Sunday lunchtime jazz takes place once or twice a month; call ahead. | 90 Lots Rd., Chelsea | SW10 0QD | 020/7352–5953 | www.606club.co.uk | £8–£12 music charge added to bill | Mon. 7:30 pm–12:30 am, Tues.–Thurs. 7 pm–12:30 am, Fri. and Sat. 8 pm–1:30 am, Sun. 7 pm–midnight | Station: Earl’s Court, Fulham Broadway.

Knightsbridge

Bars

Fodor’s Choice | The Blue Bar at the Berkeley Hotel.
With low-slung gray-blue walls, this hotel bar is ever so slightly sexy. Immaculate service, an excellent cocktail list—try the Sex in the City—and a trendy David Collins design make this an ideal spot for a secretive tête-à-tête, complete with jazzy music in the background. | Wilton Pl., Knightsbridge | SW1X 7RL | 020/7235–6000 | the-berkeley.co.uk | Mon. 4 pm–1 am, Tues.–Sat. 9 am–1 am, Sun. 4–11 pm | Station: Knightsbridge.

Notting Hill

Bars

Beach Blanket Babylon.
In a Georgian house in Notting Hill, close to Portobello Market, this always-packed bar is distinguishable by its eclectic indoor-outdoor spaces with Gaudí-esque curves and snuggly corners—like a fairy-tale grotto or a medieval dungeon. A sister restaurant-bar-gallery offers a slightly more modern take on similar themes in an ex-warehouse in Shoreditch (at 19 Bethnal Green Road). | 45 Ledbury Rd., Notting Hill | W11 2AA | 020/7229–2907 | www.beachblanket.co.uk | Tues.–Sun. noon–midnight, Mon. 5 pm–midnight | Station: Notting Hill Gate.

Dance Clubs

Notting Hill Arts Club.
Rock stars like Liam Gallagher and Courtney Love have been seen at this small basement club-bar. What the place lacks in looks it makes up for in mood, and an alternative crowd swills beer to eclectic music that spans Asian underground, hip-hop, Latin-inspired funk, deep house, and jazzy grooves. | 21 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill | W11 3JQ | 020/7460–4459 | www.nottinghillartsclub.com | Free–£8 | Weekdays 7 pm–2 am, Sat. 4 pm–2 am, Sun. 4 pm–1 am | Station: Notting Hill Gate.

St James’s and Mayfair

Mayfair

Bars

Fodor’s Choice | Claridge’s Bar.
This elegant Mayfair meeting place remains unpretentious even when it brims with beautiful people. The bar has an art deco heritage made hip by the sophisticated touch of designer David Collins. A library of rare champagnes and brandies as well as a delicious choice of traditional and exotic cocktails—try the Flapper or the Black Pearl—will occupy your taste buds. Request a glass of vintage Cristal in the Macanudo Fumoir. | 55 Brook St., Mayfair | W1K 4HR | 020/7629–8860 | www.claridges.co.uk | Mon.–Sat. noon–1 am, Sun. noon–midnight | Station: Bond St.

Jazz and Blues

Dover Street Restaurant & Jazz Bar.
Put on your blue-suede shoes and prepare to dance the night away—that is, after you’ve feasted from the French Mediterranean menu. Fun for dates as well as groups, Dover Street Restaurant has three bars, a DJ, and a stage with the latest live bands performing everything from jazz to soul to R&B, all this encircling linen-covered tables with a friendly staff catering to your every whim. | 8–10 Dover St., Mayfair | WIS 4LQ | 020/7491–7509 | www.doverst.co.uk | £7–£15 | Mon.–Thurs. 5:30 pm–3 am, Fri. and Sat. 7 pm–3 am | Station: Green Park.

St. James’s

Bars

American Bar.
Festooned with a chin-dropping array of club ties, signed celebrity photographs, sporting mementos, and baseball caps, this sensational hotel cocktail bar has superb martinis. TIP Jacket required. | Stafford Hotel, 16–18 St. James’s Pl., St. James’s | SW1A 1NJ | 020/7493–0111 | www.thestaffordhotel.co.uk | Weekdays 11:30–11, weekends noon–11 | Station: Green Park.

The South

Brixton

Bars

Dogstar.
This popular South London hangout is frequented by local hipsters and counterculture types. It was the first DJ bar in the world and has since enjoyed a fabulous reputation. The vibe at this “surrealist boudoir” is unpretentious, with top-name DJs playing cutting-edge sounds every night (free Tuesday–Thursday) and pizza for sale until midnight. | 389 Coldharbour La., Brixton | SW9 8LQ | 020/7733–7515 | www.antic-ltd.com/dogstar | Free–£8 | Tues.–Thurs. 4 pm–2 am, Fri. 4 pm–4 am, Sat. noon–4 am, Sun. noon–10:30 pm | Station: Brixton.

Dance Clubs

Mass.
In what was previously St. Matthew’s Church (whose crypt now houses the Babalou bar), Mass is an atmospheric club with Gothic overtones. Winding stone steps lead to the main room where an extended balcony hangs over the dance floor. An unpretentious and friendly crowd dances, on rotating club nights, to reggae, drum ‘n’ bass, and R&B. | Brixton Hill, St. Matthew’s Church, Brixton | SW2 1JF | 020/7738–7875 | www.mass-club.com | £5–£20 | Wed. and Thurs. 10 pm–2 am, Fri. and Sat. 9 pm–6 am | Station: Brixton.

Eclectic Music

Fodor’s Choice | O2 Academy Brixton.
This legendary Brixton venue has seen it all—mods and rockers, hippies and punks—and it remains one of the city’s top indie and rock venues. Despite a capacity for almost 5,000, this refurbished Victorian hall with original art deco fixtures retains a clublike charm; it has plenty of bars and upstairs seating. | 211 Stockwell Rd., Brixton | SW9 9SL | 020/7771–3000 | www.brixton-academy.co.uk | £10–£50 | Opening hrs vary | Station: Brixton.

South Bank

Dance Clubs

Ministry of Sound.
It’s more of an industry than a club, with its own record label, online radio station, and international DJs. The stripped-down warehouse-style club has a super sound system and pulls in the world’s most legendary names in dance. There are chill-out rooms, two bars, and three dance floors. | 103 Gaunt St., South Bank | SE1 6DP | 020/740–8600 | www.ministryofsound.com | £15–£23 | Fri. 10:30 pm–6 am, Sat. 11 pm–7 am | Station: Elephant & Castle.

Soho and Covent Garden

Leicester Square

Bars

Le Beaujolais.
Around 60 lovingly selected French wines are available, and you can snack on olives, charcuterie, and homemade croque monsieur (grilled ham and cheese) sandwiches while snug and warm under the bottle-laden ceiling as a funky blues sound track plays. The romantically shabby-around-the-edges feel and authentically French insouciance may come as a surprise in the heart of tourist-centric London. | 25 Litchfield St., Leicester Square | WC2H 9NJ | 020/7836–2955 | Weekdays noon–11, Sat. 5–11 | Station: Leicester Sq.

Le Salon Bar.
Renowned chef Joël Robuchon’s intimate, relaxed, and elegant bar with red undertones is in the same premises as his L’Atelier and La Cuisine restaurants. New cocktails await you, as the drink menu changes every six months, with new flavors and textures sure to entice your taste buds. | 13–15 West St., Leicester Square | WC2H 9NE | 020/7010–8600 | www.joel-robuchon.com | Mon.–Sat. 2:30 pm–2 am, Sun. 2:30 pm–10:30 pm | Station: Leicester Sq.

Covent Garden

Bars

Cafe des Amis.
This relaxed basement wine bar near the Royal Opera House is the perfect pre- or post-theater spot, popular among musicians and performers alike. More than 30 wines are served by the glass, along with a good selection of cheeses and plates of charcuterie as well as more substantial dishes for those with more of an appetite (there’s also a French restaurant with a Mediterranean twist on the ground floor serving everything from moules marinières to risotto). | 11–14 Hanover Pl., Covent Garden | WC2E 9JP | 020/7379–3444 | www.cafedesamis.co.uk | Mon.–Sat. noon–11:30 pm, Sun. noon–8 pm | Station: Covent Garden.

Terroirs.
Specializing in “natural wines” (organic and sustainably produced with minimal added ingredients), Terroirs has an unusually careful selection of 200 wines from artisan French and Italian winemakers. These are served, along with charcuterie, tapas, and more substantial French-inspired dishes, at a bar and tables in white-washed, wooden-floored environs. | 5 William St., Covent Garden | WC2N | 020/7036–0660 | Mon.–Sat. noon–11 pm | Station: Covent Garden.

The Gay Scene

Fodor’s Choice | Heaven.
With the best light show on any London dance floor, Heaven is unpretentious, loud, and huge, with a labyrinth of rooms, bars, and live-music parlors. Friday and Saturday nights there’s a gay comedy night (£10 in advance, 7–10 pm). If you go to just one gay club in London, Heaven should be it. | The Arches, Villiers St., Covent Garden | WC2N 6NG | 020/7930–2020 | www.heaven-london.com | £4–£12 | Mon. 11 pm–6 am, Tues.–Thurs. 11 pm–5 am, Wed. 10:30 pm–4 am, Fri. 11 pm–5 am, Sat. 10:30 pm–5 am | Station: Charing Cross, Embankment.

Soho

Bars

Nordic.
With shooters called “Husky Poo” and “Danish Bacon Surprise” and crayfish tails and meatballs on the smorgasbord menu, Nordic takes its Scandinavian feel the whole way. This secluded, shabby-chic bar serves many couples cozied up among travel brochures promoting the Viking lands. If you can’t decide what to drink, the cocktail roulette wheel on the wall may help. | 25 Newman St., Soho | W1T 1PN | 020/7631–3174 | www.nordicbar.com | Mon.–Thurs. noon–11 pm, Fri. noon–midnight, Sat. 6 pm–midnight | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Sketch.
One seat never looks like the next at this collection of esoteric living-room bars. The exclusive Parlour Bar, a patisserie during the day, exudes plenty of rarefied charm; the intimate East Bar at the back is reminiscent of a sci-fi film set; and in the Glade it’s permanently sunset. | 9 Conduit St., Soho | W1S 2XG | 020/7659–4500 | www.sketch.uk.com | Parlour Bar Mon.–Thurs. 6:30–10 pm, Fri. and Sat. 6:30–9 pm, members only after 9 pm; East Bar 7 pm–2 am; The Glade 6 pm–2 am | Station: Oxford Circus.

Comedy and Cabaret

Amused Moose.
This Soho basement/retro nightclub is often considered the best place to see breaking talent as well as household names doing “secret” shows. Ricky Gervais, Eddie Izzard, and Russell Brand are among those who have graced the stage, and every summer a handful of the Edinburgh Fringe comedians preview here. The bar is open late (and serves food), and there’s a DJ and dancing until 5 am after the show. Tickets are often discounted with a printout from their website, and shows are mainly on Saturday. | Moonlighting, 17 Greek St., Soho | W1D 3RY | 020/7287–3727 | www.amusedmoose.com | £9 and up | Doors open at 7:30 pm | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Comedy Store.
Known as the birthplace of alternative comedy, this is where the United Kingdom’s funniest stand-ups have cut their teeth before being launched onto prime-time TV. Comedy Store Players, a team with six comedians doing improvisation with audience suggestions, entertain on Wednesday and Sunday; the Cutting Edge steps in every Tuesday. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with the best stand-up acts. There’s also a bar with food. Note that children under 18 are not admitted to this venue. | 1A Oxendon St., Soho | SW1Y 4EE | 0844/847–1728 | www.thecomedystore.co.uk | £13–£18 | Shows daily 8 pm, with extra shows Fri. and Sat. at midnight | Station: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Sq.

100 Club.
Since this small club opened in 1942, many of the greats have played here, from Glenn Miller and Louis Armstrong to The Who and the Sex Pistols. Saved from closure in 2010 by a campaign led by Paul McCartney, the space now reverberates to jazz and northern soul. | 100 Oxford St., Soho | W1D 1LL | 020/7636–0933 | www.the100club.co.uk | £7–£15 | Mon. 7:30–midnight, Tues.–Thurs. 7:30–11, Fri. 7:30 pm–12:30 am, Sat. 7:30 pm–2 am, Sun. 7:30–11 | Station: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd.

Fodor’s Choice | Soho Theatre.
This innovative theater’s programs include comedy shows by established acts and up-and-coming comedians and new writers. The refurbished Soho Theatre Bar has a late license until 1am for members and ticket holders. Check local listings or the website for what’s on, and book tickets in advance. | 21 Dean St., Soho | W1D 3NE | 020/7478–0100 | www.sohotheatre.com | £10–£22.50 | Mon.–Sat. usually 7–11 although show times vary | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Jazz and Blues

Ain’t Nothin’ but . . . The Blues Bar.
The name sums up this bar that whips up a sweaty environment. Local musicians, as well as some notable names, squeeze onto the tiny stage. There’s good bar food of the chili-and-gumbo variety. Most weekday nights there’s no cover. | 20 Kingly St., Soho | W1B 5PZ | 020/7287–0514 | www.aintnothinbut.co.uk | Free–£5 | Mon.–Thurs. 5 pm–1 am, Fri. 5 pm–2:30 am, Sat. 3 pm–2:30 am, Sun. 3 pm–midnight | Station: Oxford Circus.

Fodor’s Choice | Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho.
One of the capital’s most ubiquitous pizza chains also runs a great Soho jazz venue. The dimly lighted restaurant hosts top-quality international jazz acts every night. The Italian-style thin-crust pizzas are good, too, though on the small side. | 10 Dean St., Soho | W1V 5RL | 0845/602–7017 | www.pizzaexpresslive.com | £10–£25 | Daily from 11:30 am for food; music 7:30 pm–11 pm | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Ronnie Scott’s.
This legendary jazz club has attracted big names since the 1960s. It’s usually crowded and hot, the food isn’t great, and service is slow—but the mood can’t be beat, even since the sad departure of the eponymous founder and saxophonist. Reservations are recommended. | 47 Frith St., Soho | W1D 4HT | 020/7439–0747 | www.ronniescotts.co.uk | £20–£36 nonmembers, 20% off for members, annual membership £175 | Mon.–Sat. 6 pm–3 am, Sun. 6:30 pm–11 pm | Station: Leicester Sq.

The Gay Scene

Candy Bar.
London’s top girls’ bar is intimate, chilled, and cruisey, with DJs mixing the latest sounds. Pole dancing and striptease are also featured on some nights. Men are welcome only as guests of female patrons. | 4 Carlisle St., Soho | W1D 3BJ | 020/7287–5041 | www.candybarsoho.com | Free–£5 | Mon.–Sat. 1 pm–3 am, Sun. 1 pm–12:30 am | Station: Tottenham Court Rd.

Fodor’s Choice | Friendly Society.
This haute moderne hot spot hops with activity almost any night of the week; the basement feels a bit like something out of Star Trek with its white-leather pod seats. The place is known for being gay yet female-friendly. | 79 Wardour St., Soho | W1D 6QG | 020/7434–3805 | Weekdays 4–11, Sat. 2–11, Sun. 2–10:30 | Station: Leicester Sq.

Rupert Street.
For smart boyz, this gay chic island among the sleaze has a lounge feel with brown-leather sofas and floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s crowded and cruisey at night with preclubbers, bright, civilized and cafélike by day and a good spot for brunch. Traditional British food is served until 10 pm. | 50 Rupert St., Soho | W1D 6DR | 020/7494–3059 | Mon.–Wed. noon–11, Thurs.–Sat. noon–11:30, Sun. noon–10:30 | Station: Leicester Sq., Piccadilly Circus.

The Shadow Lounge.
This fabulous little lounge and dance club glitters with faux jewels and twinkling fiber-optic lights over its sunken dance floor, which comes complete with pole for those inclined to do their thing around it. It has a serious A-list celebrity factor, with the glamorous London glitterati camping out in the VIP booth. Members are given entrance priority when the place gets full, especially on weekends, so show up early, book onto the guest list online, or prepare to queue. Free entry on Monday. | 5 Brewer St., Soho | W1F 0RF | 020/7317–9270 | www.theshadowlounge.co.uk | £5–£10 | Mon.–Sat. 10 pm–3 am; occasionally open Sun. | Station: Leicester Sq.

Regent’s Park and Hampstead

Camden

Dance Clubs

KOKO.
This Victorian theater, formerly known as Camden Palace, has seen acts from Charlie Chaplin to Madonna, and genres from punk to rave. Updated with lush reds not unlike a cockney Moulin Rouge, this is still one of London’s most stunning venues. Sounds of live indie rock, cabaret, funky house, and club classics keep the big dance floor moving, even when it’s not heaving. | 1A Camden High St., Camden Town | NW1 7JE | 0870/432–5527 | www.koko.uk.com | £3–£20 | Opening hrs vary, depending on shows | Station: Mornington Crescent.

Jazz and Blues

Jazz Café.
A palace of high-tech cool in bohemian Camden remains an essential hangout for fans of both the mainstream end of the jazz repertoire and hip-hop, funk, world music, and Latin fusion. It’s also the unlikely venue for Saturday “I Love the 80s” nights. Book ahead if you want a prime table in the balcony restaurant overlooking the stage. | 5 Parkway, Camden Town | NW1 7PG | 020/7688–8899 restaurant reservations, 020/7485–6834 venue info, 0844/847–2514 tickets (Ticketmaster) | venues.meanfiddler.com/jazz-cafe/home | £6–£35 | Daily 7 pm–2 am | Station: Camden Town.

Rock

Barfly Club.
At one of the finest small clubs in the capital, punk, indie guitar bands, and new metal rock attract a nonmainstream crowd. Weekend club nights upstairs host DJs (and live bands) who rock the decks. | 49 Chalk Farm Rd., Camden Town | NW1 8AN | 020/7424–0800 venue, 0844/847–2424 tickets | www.barflyclub.com | £5–£11 | Mon. and Tues. 7–midnight, Wed. and Thurs. 7 pm–2 am, Fri. and Sat. 7 pm–3 am | Station: Camden Town, Chalk Farm.

Islington

Eclectic

Union Chapel.
The beauty of this sublime old chapel and its impressive multicultural programming make this spot one of London’s best musical venues, especially for acoustic shows. Performers have included Björk, Beck, and Goldfrapp, though now you’re more likely to hear lower-key alternative country, world music, and jazz, alongside poetry and literary events. | Compton Terr., Islington | N1 2UN | 020/7226–1686 venue (no box office; ticket sales numbers vary with each event) | www.unionchapel.org.uk | Free–£25 | Opening hrs vary | Station: Highbury & Islington.

Kentish Town

Rock

The HMV Forum.
The best medium-to-big-name rock performers consistently play at this 2,000-capacity club. It’s a converted 1920 art deco cinema, with a balcony overlooking the grungy dance floor. | 9–17 Highgate Rd., Kentish Town | NW5 1JY | 020/7428–4099 venue, 0843/221–0100 tickets | www.meanfiddler.com | £12–£25 | Opening hrs vary, depending on concert schedule | Station: Kentish Town.

Little Venice

Comedy and Cabaret

Canal Café Theatre.
Famous comics and cabaret stars perform every night of the week in this intimate, canal-side venue. The long-running NewsRevue is a topical song-and-sketch show performed Thursday–Sunday evenings. | Bridge House, Delamere Terr., Little Venice | W2 6ND | 020/7289–6054 | www.canalcafetheatre.com | £5–£11 | Mon.–Sat. 7:30–11, Sun. 7–10:30 | Station: Warwick Ave., Royal Oak, Paddington.

Westminster

Charing Cross

Bars

Bedford and Strand.
The wine bar enjoyed something of a renaissance in the first decade of the 21st century in London, and this is one of the best of a new generation. It’s sunk atmospherically down below the streets of Covent Garden, with dark wood and hanging shades; the wine list is short but well chosen, the service is faultless, and the bistro food is created with plenty of care. | 1A Bedford St., Charing Cross | WC2E 9HH | 020/7836–3033 | www.bedford-strand.com | Weekdays noon–midnight, Sat. 5 pm–midnight | Station: Charing Cross.

Haymarket

Bars

The Mint Leaf Bar.
The renowned long bar is stocked with more than 500 spirits and serves more than 1,000 well-prepared cocktails. Nibbles and light snacks with an Indian twist are available, and if you’re up for some more substantial spicy food, treat yourself to a meal at the sophisticated restaurant. There is a sister bar and restaurant in Angel Court in The City. | Suffolk Pl., Haymarket | SW1Y 4HX | 020/7930–9020 | www.mintleafrestaurant.com | Mon.–Wed. noon–midnight, Thurs. and Fri. noon–1 am, Sat. 5 pm–1 am, Sun. 5 pm–midnight | Station: Piccadilly Circus.

Victoria

Dance Clubs

Pacha.
London’s version of the Ibizan superclub is in a restored 1920s dance hall next to Victoria Coach station. The hedonistic surroundings include a (smoking) roof terrace for alfresco clubbing and a state-of-the-art VIP room. The stylish crowd is slightly older than average, but not necessarily as moneyed as you might expect. | Terminus Pl., Victoria | SW1 9HN | 0845/371–4489 | www.pachalondon.com | £5–£20 | Fri. and Sat. 10 pm–5 am | Station: Victoria.

Westminster

Bars

Cinnamon Club.
In the basement of what was once Old Westminster Library, the Club Bar of this contemporary Indian restaurant (treat yourself to a superb curry) has Bollywood scenes projected onto the glass back wall, Asian-theme cocktails (mango mojitos, Delhi mules), delicious bar snacks, and a clientele that includes fashionable young politicos. Upstairs, the Library Bar also serves cocktails through the day. | The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St., Westminster | SW1P 3BU | 020/7222–2555 | www.cinnamonclub.com | Mon.–Sat. 6 pm–11:45 pm | Station: Westminster.

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