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and Sunday; the Cutting Edge team steps in every Tuesday; and on the last Monday of every month the King Gong show (£5) hits the stage, where amateur comedians try their luck. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have the best stand-up acts. There’s also a bar with food. TIP Tickets can be booked through Ticketmaster or over the phone. Note that children under 18 are not admitted to this venue. | 1A Oxendon St., Soho | SW1Y 4EE | 0844/847–1728 | www.thecomedystore.co.uk | £13–£18 | Shows daily 8 pm, with extra shows Fri. and Sat. at midnight | Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Sq.

Fodor’s Choice | Soho Theatre.

This innovative theater’s programs include comedy shows by established acts and up-and-coming comedians. The bar downstairs, Café Lazeez, stays open until 11:30 on Sunday through Thursday, and until 1 am Saturday. Check local listings or the Web site for what’s on, and book tickets in advance. | 21 Dean St., Soho | W1D 3NE | 020/7478–0100 | www.sohotheatre.com | £10–£22.50 | Mon.–Sat. usually 7–11 although show times vary | Tottenham Court Rd.

100 Club.

Since it opened in 1942, all the greats have played here, from Glenn Miller and Louis Armstrong on down to the best traditional jazz artists, British and American blues, R&B, and punk. This cool, inexpensive club now reverberates to rock, indie, and R&B—as well as jazz, of course. You can still take jitterbug and jive lessons from the London Swing Dance Society. | 100 Oxford St., Soho | W1D 1LL | 020/7636–0933 | www.the100club.co.uk | £7–£15 | Mon. 7:30–midnight, Tues.–Thurs. 7:30–11, Fri. 7:30 pm–12:30 am, Sat. 7:30 pm–2 am, Sun. 7:30–11 | Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Rd.

Jazz and Blues

Ain’t Nothin’ but … The Blues Bar.

The name sums up this bar that whips up a sweaty environment. Local musicians, as well as some notable names, squeeze onto the tiny stage. There’s good bar food of the chili-and-gumbo variety. Most weekday nights there’s no cover. | 20 Kingly St., Soho | W1B 5PZ | 020/7287–0514 | www.aintnothinbut.co.uk | Free–£5 | Mon.–Thurs. 6 pm–1 am, Fri. 5 pm–3 am, Sat. 3 pm–3 am, Sun. 3 pm–midnight | Oxford Circus.

Fodor’s Choice | Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho.

One of the capital’s most ubiquitous pizza chains also runs a great Soho jazz venue. The dimly lighted restaurant hosts top-quality international jazz acts every night. The Italian-style thin-crust pizzas are good, too, though on the small side. | 10 Dean St., Soho | W1V 5RL | 0845/602–7017 | www.pizzaexpresslive.com | £10–£25 | Daily from 11:30 am for food; music 7:30 pm–11 pm | Tottenham Court Rd.

Ronnie Scott’s.

Since the 1960s, this legendary jazz club has attracted big names. It’s usually crowded and hot, the food isn’t great, and service is slow—but the mood can’t be beat, even since the sad departure of its eponymous founder and saxophonist. Reservations are recommended. | 47 Frith St., Soho | W1D 4HT | 020/7439–0747 | www.ronniescotts.co.uk | £20–£36 nonmembers, 20% off for members, annual membership £175 | Mon.–Sat. 6 pm–3 am, Sun. 6:30 pm–11 pm | Leicester Sq.

The Gay Scene

Box.

True to its name, this modern, industrial-chic café–bar is small and square. It’s a staple on the preclub circuit and gets packed to the hilt with muscular men. For peckish punters, food is served until 9 pm (except on Saturday until 5 pm) daily. | 32–34 Monmouth St., Soho | WC2H 9HA | 020/7240–5828 | www.boxbar.com | Weekdays noon–11, weekends noon–10:30 | Leicester Sq.

Candy Bar.

The United Kingdom’s first girls’ bar is intimate, chilled, and cruisey, with DJs mixing the latest sounds. Pole dancing and striptease are now also features on some nights. Men are welcome only as guests. | 4 Carlisle St., Soho | W1D 3BJ | 020/7287–5041 | www.candybarsoho.com | Obligatory £5 membership fee | Mon.–Wed. 4 pm–1 am, Thurs. 4 pm–3 am, Fri. and Sat. 3 pm–3 am, Sun. 4 pm–12:30 am | Tottenham Court Rd.

Fodor’s Choice | Friendly Society.

This haute moderne hot spot hops with activity almost any night of the week; the basement feels a bit like something out of Star Trek with its white-leather pod seats. The place is known