London

Without doubt, London's club scene is the most vibrant and diverse in Europe. Although pubs still close at 11pm, the city is staying up later, and more and more clubs have extended partying into the wee hours. Not only do the city's clubs have a great mix of music, but on occasion play host to some of the world's best (and hottest new) DJs. With the resurgence of hip-hop and a whole host of new 'retro' venues, it's also ever changing, as clubs open and close with regular frequency (see 'No place like Home' below).

London is on a real high right now, especially in terms of music and dance--much of the currently popular techno and electronica originated in London clubs. Youth culture prevails here, as downtown denizens flock to the clubs where pop-culture superstars are routinely spotted.

London nightlife is always in a state of flux. What's hot today probably just opened, and many clubs have the lifespan of fruit flies. At the time of this writing, Groucho, at 45 Dean St., W1 (tel. 020/7439-4685 ), is still the in club, although it is members only. A few perennials, like Ronnie Scott's, are still favorites.

But London nightlife is not just about music and dance clubs. The city abounds with the world's best theater, loads of classical music, pubs oozing historic charm, and tons of other options for a night out.

Nightlife districts
Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Soho , along with whole of the West End , offer more bars, pubs and clubs than you could ever wish for. Further afield, Brixton is home to salsa bars and live music venues, Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove have trendy, upscale bars, while the popular spots in Camden open their doors to all and sundry.

Theatre
London's Theatre District is world famous for its long-running productions such as Les Misérables and The Mouse Trap , as well as for cutting-edge productions at venues such as the Soho Theatre , Duke of York and Trafalgar Studios . Quality theatres outside the West End include the Royal Court in Sloane Square, the National Theatre on the South Bank, the Barbican Centre in the City and the Old Vic in Waterloo to name just a few. There are laughs to be had at the Comedy Store , the Globe Theatre provides an authentic Shakespearean experience and there are open-air productions every summer in Regent's Park .

back to top

next

Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.