London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [153]
BARS
Today the London bar scene is known for its bizarre blends, its pioneering panache, and its highly stylish regulars. Time was, bars in London were just a stopover in an evening full of fun—perhaps the pub first, then a bar, and then it’s off to boogie the night away at the nearest dance club. These days, however, bars have become less pit stops and more all-night and all-day destinations in themselves. With the addition of dinner menus, DJs, dance floors, and the still-new later opening hours, people now stay into the wee small hours of the morning at many of London’s most fashionable bars. From exotic spaces designed to look like African villages to classic Art Deco creations to cavernous structures housed in old railway stations, London’s bar culture is as diverse as it is delicious.
COMEDY AND CABARET
From renowned comedians such as Eddie Izzard to amateurs who try their luck on stage, there are plenty of comedy and cabaret acts to keep you entertained all night long.
DANCE CLUBS
The city that practically invented raves is always on the verge of creating something new, and on any given night there’s a club playing the latest in dance music. Because London is so ethnically diverse, the tunes that emanate from the DJ box are equally varied—an amalgamation of sounds infusing drum ’n’ bass, hip-hop, deep house, Latin house, breakbeat, indie, and R&B.
The club scene here ranges from mammoth-size playgrounds like Fabric and Cargo to more intimate venues where you can actually hear your friends talk. Check the daily listings in Time Out for “club nights,” which are theme nights that take place the same night every week, sometimes at the same clubs but often shifting locations. Another good way to learn about club nights is by picking up flyers in your favorite bar.
ECLECTIC MUSIC
The eclectic music scene in London is constantly becoming more mishmashed—the electro scene has evolved into the “nu rave” scene, and the constant arrival of new bands adds to the capital’s already diverse music scene.
JAZZ AND BLUES
Jazz in London is highly eclectic. You can expect anything from danceable, smooth tunes played at a supper club to groovy New Orleans–style blues to exotic world-beat rhythms, which can be heard at some of the less central venues throughout the capital. London hosts the London Jazz Festival (www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk) in November, which showcases top and emerging artists in experimental jazz. The Ealing Jazz Festival (www.ealing.gov.uk), at the end of July, claims to be the biggest free jazz event in Europe.
ROCK
Ever since the Beatles hit the world stage in the early 1960s, London has been at the epicenter of rock and roll. The city is a given stop on any burgeoning or established band’s international tour. These days, since rock clubs have been granted later licenses, many shows now go past 11 pm. Fans here are both loyal and enthusiastic. It is, therefore, a good idea to buy show tickets ahead of time. The “Gigs and Tickets” section on | www.nme.com is a comprehensive search engine where you can easily book tickets online; Time Out is another good source for upcoming shows.
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