London is world famous for its party vibe and the great bar and club scene. From Sixteenth century public houses and swanky City wine bars, and from local music nights in local bars to state of the art mega-clubs, London is sure to have something to suit all tastes!
Opening hours will vary so do check before you leave your apartment - many clubs are open through the night until the sun comes up - but perhaps avoid those on a 'school night'...
93 Feet East
93 Feet East is one of the capital's most established and successful venues. The vibe is deeply laid back and the music policy is sheer eclectic excellence. It may be looking a little rough around the edges these days, but money saved on décor has been well spent on securing top line-ups. Recent months have seen brilliant artists of all shapes and sizes performing at this packed, friendly venue. The upper room is big enough for a good crowd and there's even a pleasant balcony if you feel like a bit of a chill out.
93 Feet East costs a fair bit to get into but the consistently cutting edge music and bopping crowds are well worth the price of admission. The place has a great reputation and you can expect a mixed, friendly crowd with an ear for the music and a body for the dance-floor.
93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU. Tel 020 7247 3293
Absolut Icebar
If you're not cold enough already this winter, why not visit the Absolut Icebar is the first permanent ice bar in the UK located in the heart of Mayfair in London. Experience the extreme - the Absolut Icebar is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round and everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden.
Step into an environment where the walls, bar, tables, and even your own personal glass with a vodka cocktail is made out of the purest ice. The Absolut Icebar is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit.
Absolut Icebar, 31-33 Heddon St, London W1B 4BN www.belowzerolondon.com Tel: 020 7478 8910
The Black Friar - probably the most beautiful 'pub' in the City
This narrow wedge-shaped pub is jammed against the railway line at Blackfriars. It was built in 1875 near the site of a thirteenth century Dominican Priory, which gives the area its name and was the inspiration for the pubs design. The exterior of the building has jutting wrought iron signs for each bar and the pub's name is proudly displayed in mosaic tiles. A more recent addition is a statue of a large laughing friar above the main door.
Though unusual and pleasing, the exterior does not prepare you for the extraordinary interior. The immediate impression is that of an extravagantly ornate church, or scaled down cathedral, every inch decorated in marble, mosaic or bas-relief sculpture. The walls, clad in green, red and cream marble, are covered with illustrations of merry monks. Above the fireplace, a large bas-relief bronze depicts frolicking friars singing carols and playing instruments.
The detail here is amazing, even the light fittings are carved wooden monks carrying yokes on their shoulders, from which the lights hang.
The Back Friar has good real ales and some nice food. It is completely NO SMOKING and try to visit 'off peak' so you can get a better view. For more info visit www.pubs.com or visit the pub for a traditional pint.
The Black Friar, 174 Queen Victoria Street, Blackfriars, London, EC4V 4EG.
The Comedy Store
Nestling in the heart of London's West End, The Comedy Store is the city's busiest comedy venue with over 3500 people passing through its doors every week!
London's Comedy Week offers everything from topical news-based comedy from The Cutting Edge (Tuesdays) team to the very best in Comedy Improv from The Comedy Store Players (Wednesdays & Sundays). Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening The Comedy Store offers The Best in Stand Up, classic stand up comedy featuring some of the finest comic talent from around the globe.
The last Monday of every month sees the return of open mic talent search 'King Gong'. If you're staying at Cleary House, you can walk to the Comedy Store in about ten minutes!
The Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE www.thecomedystore.co.uk
The Evangelist
An L-shaped bar with some theatrical baroque touches - a mosaic of a medieval saint, big gilt mirrors and best of all, a couple of leather-upholstered nooks and scrubbed-clean pine tables.
The food is hearty and overall you'll come away feeling well looked after - without your wallet feeling noticeably lighter. Situated close to Globe View and Pleydell House but within easy reach of London House, Newbury House and Hills Chambers too!
The Evangelist, 33 Blackfriars Lane, London EC4V 6EP. Tel: 020 7213 0740
Pizza Express Jazz Club
This may sound an odd mix, but its worked for years and is a legendary venue in the heart of Soho - a stones throw from our apartments at Cleary House. Customers flock to the Club to enjoy a special experience: live jazz of the highest standard in a unique environment, and delicious pizza!
Over the years, many of the world's finest jazz musicians have taken to our stage including Roy Haynes, Kenny Garrett, Martin Taylor, Scott Hamilton and Mose Allison. With live jazz seven nights a week it is also a showcase for new talent: Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Amy Winehouse, Danilo Perez, Stacey Kent, Avishai Cohen, Acoustic Alchemy, Peter Cincotti, Peter White and Rokia Traoré have all appeared and dazzled audiences.
The word "Club" in the name relates to the warm atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, not the entrance policy - you do not need to be a member to visit, though we recommend booking in advance. Once seated you'll be amazed how close you are, musically and physically (none of the tables are far from the stage), to the performers. Add a state-of-the-art sound system and you can not imagine a better venue in which to appreciate live music.
The Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho is everything a jazz club should be - dark, underground, small tables, great atmosphere and hosting some new acts as well as some of the greats. Whether you're a jazz fanatic or a curious novice, the unpretentious atmosphere and relaxed food/drink service is a great way to spend an evening.
Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho. 10 Dean Street, Soho, London W1V 5RL. Tel: 020 7734 3220 www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
Public Life
Spending an evening in a public lavatory may not be top of your list of priorities when it comes to a weekend break in London, but if you're after an unusual spot from which to indulge in a bit of late night drinking then this converted convenience, come underground bar, is worth flushing out.
Hidden away beneath the streets of Shoreditch with only a tiny glass awning and steep flight of stairs alerting passers-by to its presence, the bar's well-disguised location means you avoid the hefty queues and hefty prices of most West End venues. It is small inside and fairly basic in terms of decor but a varied music policy (there's usually something to suit every taste) and friendly, intimate vibe make it a popular choice for laid back lovers of drinking, dancing and... lavatories!
Public Life. 82A Commercial Street, London E1 6LY. Tel: 020 7375 1631
The Rhythm Factory
Wicked, scuzzy venue on the outskirts of Shoreditch which looks like a crummy cafe from the outside. Walk past the crowded plastic tables and chairs and through a discreet door to access two large rooms which can be relied on to feature wicked urban tunes, from basement through electronica, for a mainly Hoxton crowd, all seriously into their tunes.
The Factory has an awesome music policy and hosts some really hot nights including 'Heatwave vs Mas Fuego' the best dancehall, ska and latin night ever filled wall-to-wall with white middle class kids
The Rhythm Factory, 16-18 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1EW. Tel: 020 7375 3774
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club - Big Band Sunday Nights
Appearing for one Sunday night every month, and under the Musical Directorship of award winning band leader Pete Long, the Ronnie Scott's Club Big Band will celebrate different aspects of jazz each month.
This stunning, world-class big band is made up of the most outstanding jazz musicians in the country.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT. Sunday 11th February. Tel: 020 7439 0747
Vanilla
Situated just a short walk from our apartments at Cleary House, Vanilla is the coolest new restaurant and bar in the West End. It will become a 'members only' venue in the coming months so enjoy it now whilst its open to everyone and perhaps even apply for membership yourself.
Vanilla offers true style - bold black walls and mirrors contrast with the delicate white damask prints- an echo from the vibrant bar. Plump banquettes invite you to surrender to the intimate luxury of Vanilla. Vibrant yet intimate the bar at Vanilla offers a smooth white resin floor, damask print mirrors and chandeliers reflect a light of subtly changing colours. Delicate drapes surround each table, providing privacy but allowing a view into the lively bar.
During the day a weekly changing set lunch menu is available in the lounge and the evening degustation menu provides gastronomes with a feast for the senses, paring each course with excellent wines.
Call Mattieu Destandau - for a reservation on 020 3008 7169 or md@vanilla.london.com
Vanilla, 131 Great Titchfield St, London W1W 5BB. www.vanillalondon.co.uk
Volupte Lounge - Burlesque is Back!
There's a growing trend of restaurants offering an extravaganza of entertainment along with dinner & the burlesque Volupte is one of the most exciting such places to have opened in the past year.
There's a glamorous cocktail bar - where you can watch old movie clips over your cocktail - that sits above the restaurant, where jazz, cabaret, dance, comedy & vaudeville performances are put on to amuse diners as they eat. Not that food is a mere afterthought, with dishes far more imaginative than you might expect.
Volupte, 9 Norwich Street, London EC4A 1EJ. www.volupte-lounge.com