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 Nightlife : Bars
No matter your taste in evening activities, London can accommodate. Quiet drinks with friends, an animated round of trivia, an intimate hotel bar, or a cavernous club flooded with sound and rhythm – they’re all easily attainable. Friendly pubs, the lifeblood of British sociability, pepper every neighborhood, readily serving pints and good cheer. If dancing issues its call, the West End (and especially Soho) makes a good stomping ground. Big names on the club-going front include the Ministry of Sound, Fabric, and Heaven, all of which can easily help you find your groove. For upscale drinks, head to Notting Hill, whose stylish bars and pubs provide the sought-after trendiness that travelers demand. Hotel bars also promise a refined setting in which to pass an evening, as evidenced by the old-school elegance of the Library Bar at The Lanesborough and the Sanderson Hotel’s Long Bar, a contemporary haunt. In fact, most of London’s best neighborhoods tout plenty of places that’ll give you that authentic, big-city nightlife experience. And if you’re ever in doubt, just keep an eye out for the crowds. Popularity’s hard to hide.
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The Strand The Savoy, A Fairmont Hotel, London WC2 • 20-7836-4343
Description: STRAND. Many Americans visiting Great Britain seek authentic London nightlife, but after a few days of pubs, chi-chi wine bars, and afternoon tea, many want a taste of home. This is the place to find it. Besides Yanks, Londoners and visitors from other countries also head to the fine Savoy Hotel's upscale American Bar. Potato chips may be on every table and US sports paraphernalia may adorn the walls, but the bar is sophisticated, and jackets and ties are common. Some folks claim that the bar has the best martinis in town. TUBE: Charing Cross
74 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8HA • 20-7928-1111
Description: 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
13-15 Eccleston St, London SW1 9LX • 20-7283-1763
Description: 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
83 Rivington St Kingsland Viaduct, London EC2A 3AY • 20-7739-3440
Description: 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
Swallow St, London W1 • 020 7287 4300
Description: 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
3-5 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1HJ • 20-7637-1418
Description: 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. Oh yeah, 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
15 Westland Pl, London N1 7LP • 87-1330-1515
Description: SHOREDITCH. As if hip Fifteen didn't already provide enough raw style for the young, trendy masses, celeb owner-chef Jamie Oliver saw fit to outfit the basement eatery with one of the funkiest bars around. Where but here could you find a drink-friendly space, hued in pink, that looks like a set from a Kubrick film? Even better, the place doesn't rely just on panache to keep patrons loyal – outstanding cuisine and potent cocktails more than take care of that. And for early risers, the good news is that Fifteen Trattoria, located upstairs, opens for breakfast at 8:30 in the morning! Mon-Fri set lunch 2 courses £22, 3 courses £25; A la carte menu at lunch only; Dinner tasting menus £50-60, £90-100 with wines. TUBE: Old Street
2-4 Hoxton Sq, London N1 6NU • 20-7613-0709
Description: 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
9 Greek St, London W1D 4DQ • 20-7734-0545
Description: 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
5 Pkwy, Camden Town NW1 • 20-7916-6060
Description: 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