Destination
Things to see and do in London : Nightlife
10 addresses
Heaven
11 The Arches Villiers St, London WC2N 6NG • 020-7930-2020Description:
EMBANKMENT. This huge, enormously popular gay club attracts folks from all over the world. The main-floor dance space stretches endlessly and stays packed through the night with gyrating bodies. A level higher, go-go boys take to their pedestals, and a more relaxed mood prevails. Up again, a busy bar takes care of liquid needs and invites socializing. Plus, everywhere are niches where patrons can meet discreetly when they need a breather. Fabulous dance music is standard, acoustics are great, and the party seemingly never ends. A great place to lose yourself for the night. TUBE: Charing Cross or Embankment
The Island
180-182 Hungerford Ln London WC2 • 020 7389 6622Description:
The Island hides down a secret alley, guaranteeing glamour and sophistication. Westminster's first late-night membership venue offers special nights by famous faces and inimitably mixed cocktails. The interiors are as chic, colorful and sleek as the clientele, and the central location second to none. The staff is friendly and the bar tabs are in line with West End pricing. Expect to queue and dress to impress. TUBE: Embankment
Café de Paris
3 Coventry St London W1 • 20-7734-7700Description:
LEICESTER SQUARE. One of London's more upscale dance clubs, Café de Paris lets you make a superstar entrance via a dramatic staircase. Formerly a posh jazz ballroom, its heritage still very much shines through the interiors, and the club has a dance floor frequented by the international set and young professionals. Members pay top dollar to avoid long lines, and some people don't get in, although those that do dress up and make a night of it. The mezzanine café offers refreshments and a great view of the throbbing dance floor. Strict age limit of 21. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
China White
6 Air St near Piccadilly Circus, London WIB 7HH • 20-7343-0040Description:
SOHO. Located in sub-level Soho, this exotic, Asian-themed nightclub is one of the hottest places to gather after midnight. Professional DJs (most of them known all over town) keep the cutting-edge crowd in a frenzy well into the morning hours, courtesy of the best urban, house and Euro mixes you'll hear anywhere. What's more, the weekend clientele includes a virtual "who's who" of trendsetters models, Page 6 mainstays, and even a few stars from the sporting and entertainment arenas. Be sure to dress in your best club wear, but be warned: gaining entry to this exclusive club is often nothing short of a miracle since China White is open only to members from Wednesday to Saturday. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
Cuckoo Club
Swallow St London W1 • 020 7287 4300Description:
High or low, whichever direction you fly, Cuckoo has long been renowned as one of the chicest nightlife options in town. Drawing a celebrity clientele amid the glamorous rock crowd, the cocktails here are sublime. The policy is members and guestlist only dress glam to stand a chance of gaining access, then shimmy beneath an LED color-rotating ceiling. Thursdays offer live music, while the restaurant here serves above-average bar-fare. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
Jazz After Dark
9 Greek St London W1D 4DQ • 20-7734-0545Description:
SOHO. If you're in Soho, it's late, AND you have an uncontrollable urge to hear great live jazz, blues or soul, chances are this groovy cocktail lounge is right up your alley. Popular with 20-somethings who appreciate the sweet sounds of improvisational music, Jazz After Dark has developed a more upbeat and more youthful attitude that distinguishes it from its more reserved (and dimly lit) elders. If you want to be sure of a table, reservations are suggested. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road
Mahiki
1 Dover St London W1 • 020 7493 9529Description:
MAYFAIR. Roaringly popular, this tiki-themed bar attracts the posh Brit set. Opulent cocktails can be ordered in sharing bowls; seating is unusually plentiful and the crowd upbeat. Upstairs holds the lounge area, while in the basement lurks the gargantuan fish tank and dance floor. Be warned that the entry queue can be epic and that you might not have to look too hard to spot a royal: titles are ten-a-penny here. TUBE: Green Park
Player
8 Broadwick St London W1F 8HN • 20-7494-9125Description:
SOHO. With some sleuthing, you might deduce that this basement bar is one of Soho's best places to down cocktails and rub shoulders especially if you want to escape touristy watering holes. After operating for years as a private club, Player is now open to all, until 11pm or so on Fridays and Saturdays, when it becomes private again. Agent 007 would fit well in these sleek digs and be pleased to discover so many deliciously potent cocktails. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road
Kemia Bar
25 Heddon St Momo Restaurant, London W1B 4BH • 20-7434-4040Description:
MAYFAIR. This oasis of Moroccan opulence could humble even the proudest of sultans with its textured earth tones, brass lanterns, and North African art. Award-winning Momo has been a Mayfair fave for years, garnering high praise for its authentic fare, terrific service, and seductive live music. The restaurant's basement bar, Kemia, has become a popular evening spot for patrons looking to enjoy cocktails in a stylish and secluded setting. Kemia also features a weekly lineup of World Music performers. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
The End and AKA
18 W Central St London WC1 • 20-7836-0110Description:
WEST END. Vast, late-night bar AKA teams up with its neighbor club, The End, to form one of the area's hippest nightlife duos. Up-for-it 20- and 30-somethings gather for a scene that's consistently buzzy: an attractive clientele, great music, and decor that's transformed this one-time post office into a tribute to all things industrial-chic. Seating areas feature cozy leather sofas and offer weary clubbers a chance to catch their breath between DJ sets. Plus, the sleek bar serves an impressive roster of cocktails. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Best of the City
Heaven
11 The Arches Villiers St, London WC2N 6NG • 020-7930-2020Description:
EMBANKMENT. This huge, enormously popular gay club attracts folks from all over the world. The main-floor dance space stretches endlessly and stays packed through the night with gyrating bodies. A level higher, go-go boys take to their pedestals, and a more relaxed mood prevails. Up again, a busy bar takes care of liquid needs and invites socializing. Plus, everywhere are niches where patrons can meet discreetly when they need a breather. Fabulous dance music is standard, acoustics are great, and the party seemingly never ends. A great place to lose yourself for the night. TUBE: Charing Cross or Embankment
The Island
180-182 Hungerford Ln London WC2 • 020 7389 6622Description:
The Island hides down a secret alley, guaranteeing glamour and sophistication. Westminster's first late-night membership venue offers special nights by famous faces and inimitably mixed cocktails. The interiors are as chic, colorful and sleek as the clientele, and the central location second to none. The staff is friendly and the bar tabs are in line with West End pricing. Expect to queue and dress to impress. TUBE: Embankment
Cuckoo Club
Swallow St London W1 • 020 7287 4300Description:
High or low, whichever direction you fly, Cuckoo has long been renowned as one of the chicest nightlife options in town. Drawing a celebrity clientele amid the glamorous rock crowd, the cocktails here are sublime. The policy is members and guestlist only dress glam to stand a chance of gaining access, then shimmy beneath an LED color-rotating ceiling. Thursdays offer live music, while the restaurant here serves above-average bar-fare. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
Mahiki
1 Dover St London W1 • 020 7493 9529Description:
MAYFAIR. Roaringly popular, this tiki-themed bar attracts the posh Brit set. Opulent cocktails can be ordered in sharing bowls; seating is unusually plentiful and the crowd upbeat. Upstairs holds the lounge area, while in the basement lurks the gargantuan fish tank and dance floor. Be warned that the entry queue can be epic and that you might not have to look too hard to spot a royal: titles are ten-a-penny here. TUBE: Green Park
Player
8 Broadwick St London W1F 8HN • 20-7494-9125Description:
SOHO. With some sleuthing, you might deduce that this basement bar is one of Soho's best places to down cocktails and rub shoulders especially if you want to escape touristy watering holes. After operating for years as a private club, Player is now open to all, until 11pm or so on Fridays and Saturdays, when it becomes private again. Agent 007 would fit well in these sleek digs and be pleased to discover so many deliciously potent cocktails. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road
The End and AKA
18 W Central St London WC1 • 20-7836-0110Description:
WEST END. Vast, late-night bar AKA teams up with its neighbor club, The End, to form one of the area's hippest nightlife duos. Up-for-it 20- and 30-somethings gather for a scene that's consistently buzzy: an attractive clientele, great music, and decor that's transformed this one-time post office into a tribute to all things industrial-chic. Seating areas feature cozy leather sofas and offer weary clubbers a chance to catch their breath between DJ sets. Plus, the sleek bar serves an impressive roster of cocktails. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Baltic
74 Blackfriars Rd London SE1 8HA • 20-7928-1111Description:
WATERLOO. One of the best places in London to savor Russian vodka, this contemporary spot draws a well-heeled mix of young professionals and style-conscious locals. The gallery-like interior is dominated by stark white walls, modern art, sharp angles, recessed lighting, and a dining room with a high atrium ceiling. Enjoy a favorite brand of vodka (they offer more than 40 varieties) and even a bite to eat if you've never sampled Eastern European cuisine, now's your chance, tovarich. TUBE: Southwark
Library Bar
1 Lanesborough Pl The Lanesborough, A St Regis Hotel, London SW1 • 20-7259-5599Description:
BELGRAVIA. The Lanesborough's guest list regularly reads like a "who's who" of the privileged class: movie and entertainment stars, foreign dignitaries, wealthy business moguls, and even the occasional royal. In the evening, many of these same people enjoy cognac, wine and premium cigars at the hotel's Library Bar. Managed by the legendary Salvatore Calabrese (one of the world's foremost cognac authorities and author of popular books on cocktail mixing), the hotel bar offers a refined setting with Chesterfield sofas, antique furnishings and loaded bookshelves. TUBE: Hyde Park Corner
Ronnie Scott's
47 Firth St London W1D 4HT • 20-7439-0747Description:
SOHO. This legendary Soho nightclub has been featuring some of jazz's greatest names for the better part of 50 years now. Indeed, Ronnie Scott's caters to lovers of the art, and its decor is that of a consummate jazz dive, from dim lighting and intimate, candle-lit tables to photographed mugs decorating the walls. Each night, music kicks off at 9:45pm, and bands continue to chill the cats in attendance till closing time. An à la carte menu is available. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road
Bars
Cuckoo Club
Swallow St London W1 • 020 7287 4300Description:
High or low, whichever direction you fly, Cuckoo has long been renowned as one of the chicest nightlife options in town. Drawing a celebrity clientele amid the glamorous rock crowd, the cocktails here are sublime. The policy is members and guestlist only dress glam to stand a chance of gaining access, then shimmy beneath an LED color-rotating ceiling. Thursdays offer live music, while the restaurant here serves above-average bar-fare. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
Jazz After Dark
9 Greek St London W1D 4DQ • 20-7734-0545Description:
SOHO. If you're in Soho, it's late, AND you have an uncontrollable urge to hear great live jazz, blues or soul, chances are this groovy cocktail lounge is right up your alley. Popular with 20-somethings who appreciate the sweet sounds of improvisational music, Jazz After Dark has developed a more upbeat and more youthful attitude that distinguishes it from its more reserved (and dimly lit) elders. If you want to be sure of a table, reservations are suggested. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road
Mahiki
1 Dover St London W1 • 020 7493 9529Description:
MAYFAIR. Roaringly popular, this tiki-themed bar attracts the posh Brit set. Opulent cocktails can be ordered in sharing bowls; seating is unusually plentiful and the crowd upbeat. Upstairs holds the lounge area, while in the basement lurks the gargantuan fish tank and dance floor. Be warned that the entry queue can be epic and that you might not have to look too hard to spot a royal: titles are ten-a-penny here. TUBE: Green Park
Kemia Bar
25 Heddon St Momo Restaurant, London W1B 4BH • 20-7434-4040Description:
MAYFAIR. This oasis of Moroccan opulence could humble even the proudest of sultans with its textured earth tones, brass lanterns, and North African art. Award-winning Momo has been a Mayfair fave for years, garnering high praise for its authentic fare, terrific service, and seductive live music. The restaurant's basement bar, Kemia, has become a popular evening spot for patrons looking to enjoy cocktails in a stylish and secluded setting. Kemia also features a weekly lineup of World Music performers. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
Eagle Bar Diner
3-5 Rathbone Pl London W1T 1HJ • 20-7637-1418Description:
OXFORD STREET. Billed as a marriage between a Big Apple neighborhood eatery and a London bar, Eagle offers a funky setting with high-backed green booths, a lunch counter with round leather stools, a Coke machine-turned-newspaper dispenser, and tables appointed with their own containers of ketchup and mustard Hey, this joint does serve diner fare, pally! What's more, if you're looking for a martini, a glass of Budweiser, or a colorful 'American' concoction like the 205E Houston Street Root Beer Cooler (root beer with lemon juice, Cointreau, and Buffalo Trace bourbon), this is the joint for you. And in case it's 3pm and a bite of breakfast is order, Eagle serves it all day long. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road or Goodge Street
Baltic
74 Blackfriars Rd London SE1 8HA • 20-7928-1111Description:
WATERLOO. One of the best places in London to savor Russian vodka, this contemporary spot draws a well-heeled mix of young professionals and style-conscious locals. The gallery-like interior is dominated by stark white walls, modern art, sharp angles, recessed lighting, and a dining room with a high atrium ceiling. Enjoy a favorite brand of vodka (they offer more than 40 varieties) and even a bite to eat if you've never sampled Eastern European cuisine, now's your chance, tovarich. TUBE: Southwark
Boisdale of Belgravia
13-15 Eccleston St London SW1 9LX • 20-7730-6922Description:
BELGRAVIA. This busy bar serves a healthy repertoire of traditional Scottish fare and nightly doses of live jazz. Dressed in the garb of a country pub hardwood floors, oak paneling, tartan-inspired reds and greens, oil paintings Boisdale pulls in folks from all walks of life. You can meet some real characters here it is, after all, the politicos' hideaway of choice. When it's nice out, enjoy evening food and drink in the Courtyard Garden, which has a retractable roof. Each night, guests are treated to the cool, impromptu music of the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band. TUBE: Victoria
Jazz Café
5-7 Parkway Camden Town NW1 • 20-7916-6060Description:
CAMDEN TOWN. Known as one of the north side's best nightspots, Jazz Café books both established performers and promising up-and-comers each week. Young professionals and more "experienced" aficionados make up the crowd, although seating can be a little snug when a big name is fronting but what more can you ask? Food is served in the balcony overlooking the stage, and a special treat is Sunday brunch, where good food goes along with cool music. Take note, however, that dining reservations are essential. TUBE: Camden Town
Hoxton
2-4 Hoxton Sq London N1 6NU • 20-7613-0709Description:
SHOREDITCH. If you find yourself thirsting in Shoreditch, you'll want to check out this chic basement watering hole, located under what used to be the Lux Cinema. A truly urban scene awaits subdued lighting, stark concrete walls, comfy leather sofas, an industrial-inspired bar, and an open kitchen. Everybody from local artists to fashion designers to London celebs stop by in the evening to wet their whistles, munch on surprisingly inventive fare, and rub shoulders with the trendy crowd. Outdoor seating is available. TUBE: Old Street
Cargo
83 Rivington St Kingsland Viaduct, London EC2A 3AY • 20-7739-3440Description:
SHOREDITCH. This mod nightspot, housed in a refitted railway arch, offers a triumvirate of great after-hours options. In one room, you can enjoy tapas and other Spanish-inspired dishes; in another, cocktails and tasty brews serve as headliners. Finally, the performance area boasts one of the loudest sound systems in town and has been declared a top live-music venue by several local rags. Always packed, Cargo brings in a varied lineup of bands each week, from unsigned jam bands to established local rockers. TUBE: Shoreditch
Dance Clubs
Heaven
11 The Arches Villiers St, London WC2N 6NG • 020-7930-2020Description:
EMBANKMENT. This huge, enormously popular gay club attracts folks from all over the world. The main-floor dance space stretches endlessly and stays packed through the night with gyrating bodies. A level higher, go-go boys take to their pedestals, and a more relaxed mood prevails. Up again, a busy bar takes care of liquid needs and invites socializing. Plus, everywhere are niches where patrons can meet discreetly when they need a breather. Fabulous dance music is standard, acoustics are great, and the party seemingly never ends. A great place to lose yourself for the night. TUBE: Charing Cross or Embankment
Café de Paris
3 Coventry St London W1 • 20-7734-7700Description:
LEICESTER SQUARE. One of London's more upscale dance clubs, Café de Paris lets you make a superstar entrance via a dramatic staircase. Formerly a posh jazz ballroom, its heritage still very much shines through the interiors, and the club has a dance floor frequented by the international set and young professionals. Members pay top dollar to avoid long lines, and some people don't get in, although those that do dress up and make a night of it. The mezzanine café offers refreshments and a great view of the throbbing dance floor. Strict age limit of 21. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
China White
6 Air St near Piccadilly Circus, London WIB 7HH • 20-7343-0040Description:
SOHO. Located in sub-level Soho, this exotic, Asian-themed nightclub is one of the hottest places to gather after midnight. Professional DJs (most of them known all over town) keep the cutting-edge crowd in a frenzy well into the morning hours, courtesy of the best urban, house and Euro mixes you'll hear anywhere. What's more, the weekend clientele includes a virtual "who's who" of trendsetters models, Page 6 mainstays, and even a few stars from the sporting and entertainment arenas. Be sure to dress in your best club wear, but be warned: gaining entry to this exclusive club is often nothing short of a miracle since China White is open only to members from Wednesday to Saturday. TUBE: Piccadilly Circus
The End and AKA
18 W Central St London WC1 • 20-7836-0110Description:
WEST END. Vast, late-night bar AKA teams up with its neighbor club, The End, to form one of the area's hippest nightlife duos. Up-for-it 20- and 30-somethings gather for a scene that's consistently buzzy: an attractive clientele, great music, and decor that's transformed this one-time post office into a tribute to all things industrial-chic. Seating areas feature cozy leather sofas and offer weary clubbers a chance to catch their breath between DJ sets. Plus, the sleek bar serves an impressive roster of cocktails. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road or Holborn
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt St London SE1 6DP • 20-7378-6528Description:
LAMBETH. This cutting-edge club is famous around the world for its packed houses, energetic ambience and great music. From a distance, the place looks nondescript, but just about everyone who goes clubbing shows up here eventually to experience the best DJs spinning well into the morning. Take note: Ministry has a strict dress policy, and if you plan on getting inside wearing athletic trainers and/or shorts, you'll need to reconsider that strategy. TUBE: Elephant and Castle
Fabric
77a Charterhouse St London EC1M 6HJ • 020-7336-8898Description:
CLERKENWELL. Uber-trendy, this former cellar now hosts some of London's hippest club-goers. Three separate dance floors, an astounding sound system (bass actually pumps from the floor and into your body), and cutting-edge music conspire to create a singular nightlife destination. DJs run the rhythm gamut, spinning techno, hip-hop, house and electronica, while light shows prove hypnotizing, especially amid the maze of cavernous spaces. Full-service bars, unisex bathrooms, and a rooftop terrace add to the appeal. If you don't care for lines, make sure to arrive early. TUBE: Farringdon
Scala
278 Pentonville Rd London N1 • 20-7833-2022Description:
KING'S CROSS. Lively until the hours of the early morning, Scala is a top pick for hip-hop enthusiasts. The roomy venue was once a movie theater, but the split-level building now boasts an extremely modern decor, complete with strange quotes projected on the walls of the darkened space. This club also claims to have one of the best sound systems in London and frequently hosts DJs from throughout Europe. Always a good vibe. TUBE: King's Cross
Herbal
12-14 Kingsland Rd London E2 • 20-7613-4462Description:
SHOREDITCH. A converted warehouse provides the setting for this industrial-strength dance club, which sits in a neighborhood beginning to boast one of London's most impressive night scenes. Herbal supplies just the right elixirs for patrons in need of both late-night clubbing and loud, DJ-driven music beats. The club spans three floors, and on peak nights, each one is packed with folks displaying the latest trends. Music includes a great mix of Euro, urban and reggae a little something for every taste. TUBE: Shoreditch, Old Street, or Liverpool Street
Purple Night Club
Fulham Rd Chelsea Village, London SW6 1HS • 20-7565-1445Description:
CHELSEA. Billed as "Chelsea's best-kept secret," Purple brings in big crowds every weekend, thanks to world-class DJs and colorfully mod aesthetics. As the name suggests, purple is the dominant color, punctuated by red leather banquettes and ceiling-draped fabrics. Terrific sound and lighting systems provide added appeal. Purple is located in the shopping-entertainment complex affiliated with the famed Chelsea football club, and it's not uncommon to spot a few celebs hanging out in the VIP areas. TUBE: Fulham Broadway
To see, to do in London
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