If your day in London did not drive you completely exhausted, and you are ready for something exclusive, let London night embrace you.
London has a proliferation of small, highly specialized clubs. (The major entertainment guides are essential for keeping abreast of ephemeral and fleeting hot spots.) Most nightclubs will cost about £10-£15, and you'll likely have to stand in line to get in. Bouncers may decide to turn you away, based on the time you show up or your appearance; women are less likely to be turned away than men. Cover charges can vary enormously—some nights there may be none at all.
London pubs are a social experience not to be missed. They vary in quality from historic, antique-furnished hostelries to unsavory, spartan taprooms. Many are divided into a public bar and a usually more comfortable saloon or lounge bar (also open to the public).
Bars, taverns and pubs
Cartoonist—A newspaperman's pub before that industry moved from Fleet Street to cheaper premises in Docklands, it's still decorated with newsy memorabilia. Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. 76 Shoe Lane, EC4. Phone 7353-2828.
Dove—This charming riverside pub was once frequented by Graham Greene and Ernest Hemingway. Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. 19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6. Phone 8748-5405.
Fitzroy Tavern—Once a favorite spot of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, this smoky bar's beer and food selections are more extensive than at your average corner pub. Comfortable booths and old photos on the walls. 16 Charlotte St., W1. Phone 7580-3714.
Lamb & Flag—Previously called the Bucket of Blood on account of the bare-knuckle fights that took place there, it's a popular place soaked in history (since 1627). Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. 33 Rose St., Covent Garden, WC2. Phone 7497-9504.
The Light Bar—This beautiful, ultra-hip bar is on the ground floor of the beautiful, ultra-hip St. Martin's Lane Hotel. Daily 11 am-11 pm. 45 St. Martin's Lane, WC2. Phone 7300-5500.
Marquess of Anglesey—This popular pub serves award-winning food, ales and lager. Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. 39 Bow St., WC2. Phone 7240-3216.
Salisbury—An Edwardian pub in theaterland, the Salisbury is frequented by actors. Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. 90 St. Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, WC2. Phone 7836-5863.
Smith's of Smithfield—This thoroughly modern pub offers excellent cafe-style dining. The place takes up four floors. Monday-Saturday 7 am-11:30 pm, Sunday 10:30 am-10:30 pm. 67-77 Charterhouse St., EC1. Phone 7236-6666.
Dance clubs/night clubs
Bagley's Warehouse—Hip and very happening. It's more of a venue than club; check local listings for information or call. Friday 10:30 pm-6 am (£15-£25), Saturday 10:30 pm-7 am (£14). York Way, N1. Phone 7278-2777.
Bar Rhumba—With an emphasis on Latin sounds and house music, there's always a friendly crowd. Wednesday-Saturday 9 pm-3 am. £6-£10, free before 10 pm. 36 Shaftesbury Ave., W1. Phone 7287-2715.
Cafe de Paris—This large restaurant, club and dance venue is peopled mostly by 20- and 30-somethings. It's hard to get in on Saturday night, but show up early on other nights and get in line. Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 pm-4 am. £10-£12. 3 Coventry St. (near Leicester Square), W1. Phone 7734-7700.
Fabric—Fairly hard-edged techno is the flavor at this popular megaclub. Saturday nights are one of the hottest in town, so get there early. Thursday and Friday 10 pm-3 am, Saturday 10 pm-7 am. £10-£15. 77a Charterhouse St., EC1. Phone 7336-8898.
Floating Clubs—On the Victoria Embankment, below Charing Cross, several bar/dining/dancing venues are aboard permanently moored steamers: The Hispaniola, phone 7839-3011, and The Queen Mary, phone 7240-9404. Both are open daily 11:30 am-11:30 pm. The smallest of this flotilla is also the most amusing—El Barco Latino, which packs Colombian cuisine, a South American flavor and even salsa and merengue lessons (Mondays and Wednesdays) into the limited space between decks. Monday-Thursday noon-midnight, Friday-Sunday noon-3 am. Phone 7379-5496.
Heaven—This famous gay club has two dance floors and a lounge bar. On Friday night there's a great mixed crowd. Monday and Wednesday 10 pm-3 am, Friday 10 pm-6 am, Saturday 10 pm-5 am. £6-£12. Under the Arches, Villiers Street, WC2. Phone 7930-2020 or 7839-2520.
Hippodrome—This is one of the most famous discos in Europe. Monday-Thursday 9 pm-3 am, Friday and Saturday 9 pm-3:30 am. £5-£12. Leicester Square, W1. Phone 7437-4837.
Home—One of the latest in London's lineup of superclubs. It's big, bold and sassy, attracting a mixed-age crowd to the different atmospheres on each of the five floors. Thursday-Saturday 10 pm-3 am. £10-£12. 1 Leicester Square, WC2. Phone 7909-0000 (answered during the daytime only).
Limelight—There's disco dancing and dining in this converted church. Monday-Saturday 9 pm-3 am. £10-£12 weekends. 136 Shaftesbury Ave., W1. Phone 7434-0572.
Wag Club—This cool, trendy spot has managed to pull in big crowds since the '80s, and it's still going strong. Monday-Thursday 10 pm-3 am, Friday 10 pm-4 am, Saturday 10 pm-5 am. £6-£10. 35 Wardour St., W1. Phone 7437-5534.
Live music
Astoria—Pop and rock performances. Cover charge and hours vary. Call or check the local listings guides for information. 157 Charing Cross Rd., WC2. Phone 7434-0403.
Borderline—This nightspot features up-and-coming rock acts. Monday-Saturday 8 pm-3:30 am. £5-£12. Orange Yard, W1. Phone 7734-2095.
Jazz Cafe—They book famous names in jazz, as well as Latin, hip-hop and reggae. Sunday-Thursday 7 pm-1 am, Friday and Saturday 7 pm-2 am. £12-£15. 3 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1. Phone 7916-6060.
Ronnie Scott's—Even though the club's namesake has died, many visiting icons of the jazz world still come to entertain. So do excellent local musicians. Monday-Saturday 8:30 pm-3 am. £15-£20. 47 Frith St. (near Leicester Square), W1. Phone 7439-0747.
Shepherd's Bush Empire—Top rock acts play there. Cover charge and hours vary. Check local listings guides for information. Shepherd's Bush Green, W12. Phone 7771-2000.
