|
Without doubt, London's club scene is the most vibrant and diverse in Europe.
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. Not surprising then that even the most loyal of club folk have to trawl through the
listings of publications like Time Out (www.timeout.com) just to keep apace of what's going on. For those expecting to
be in town less than a week, the London Evening Standard's Thursday supplement 'Hot Tickets' should
be considered essential reading.
Whatever your musical tastes, be it trance, garage, techno, indie, R'n'B or good old fashioned
70s/80s nostalgia, it's easy to find a venue in which serious fun can be had (particularly as we've
also listed some of the best and/or most popular below).
London Nightclubs
256-260 Old Street, EC1V 9DD, Tel: 020 7251 6136, Website: www.clubaquarium.co.uk,
Tube: Old Street,
Show Map
Boasting not only a jacuzzi but yes, you've guessed it, a swimming pool too, the Aquarium is a
trendy central London venue that plays host to all manner of themed nights as well as regular glam,
garage and techno events. Plenty of frolicking and decent grooves, with just a couple of
doors away you'll also find the company's Bar Aquarium.
Orange Yard, Manette Street, W1D 4JB, Tel: 020 7734 2095, Website: www.meanfiddler.com,
Tube: Tottenham Court Road,
Show Map
Shifting seamlessly between live gig venue (where esteemed artists such as Pearl Jam, REM and Oasis
have played) and small, intimate club, The Borderline is not only more fun than other larger West
End alternatives, but cheaper too. On Wednesdays you'll find the rock flavoured N*A*S*I*N,
while at the weekend - Fri/Sat - the atmosphere at Borderline becomes more populist with
the Queen is Dead (rock'n roll late nighter) and the Christmas Club (dishing out chart toppers and classics by the
bucketful). Reductions for anyone
with an NUS card or flyer.
3 Coventry Street, W1V 7FL, Tel: 020 7734 7700, Website: www.cafedeparis.com, Tube:
Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus,
Show Map
A swanky club/bar and restaurant which regularly plays hosts to fashion shows, private parties and
album launches. An impressively lavish ballroom setting reinforces the air of exclusivity, while
music and food are both suitably self-assured. Although undeniably good fun, it doesn't take long
to work out that, with all the networking and luvvy gossip going on, prices are set appropriately
high. Knowing that your plastic will get a good work out isn't all bad though. Indeed, the most
rewarding (and mirth inducing) part of a visit to Café de Paris is listening in on the posh,
beautiful folk who mix it with legions of less affluent wannabies. Needless to say, assuming the
mantle of an all conquering business tycoon (while quaffing champagne) will do your pulling powers
the world of good. It's that kind of place....
83 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY, Tel: 020 7739 3440, Website: www.cargo-london.com,
Tube: Old Street,
Show Map
A new bar, restaurant and club, which looks set to bring a healthy dose of style and glamour to an
otherwise dull part of town. Housed underneath three viaducts named M, D and F (short for music,
drink and food), Cargo's regular events include Tantrums - a
fortnightly showcase of the best up and coming bands - along with I'mpulse (Euro-Centric
pop/rock/ska/electronica) which, we're told, attracts a strong continental contingent each
week.
58 Porchester Road, W2 6ET, Tel: 020 7727 9950, www.cherryjam.net,
Tube: Royal Oak/Paddington, Show Map
Consistently rated as one of London's best clubs since opening in 2004, Cherry Jam is also among the friendliest
spots in town. With a laid back atmosphere (that extends to non-pretentious staff) it's a
venue best explored on weekdays when the grooves are still first-rate, the door policy
less forgiving and queues for the bar (we recommend some of Cherry Jam's excellent
cocktails) less likely to upset. Very good indeed.
18 West Central Street, WC1A 1JJ, Tel: 020 7419 9199, Website: www.endclub.com, Tube: Holborn/Tottenham Court Road,
Show Map
With Fridays and Saturdays devoted to guest DJ sets, the remainder of the week is taken up by
'Discotec' (Thursdays - gay funk, disco), 'Durr' (Mondays - live banks and underground
music) plus 'Swerve' (Wednesdays - drum and bass). Generally regarded as one of the central London's
nicer venues.
The Electric Ballroom
184 Camden High Road, NW1 8QP, Tel: 020 7485 9006,
Website: www.electricballroom.co.uk, Tube: Camden Town,
Show Map
Used also for live gigs, The Electric Ballroom is a well-established on
the Camden High Road. Although the club currently faces an uncertain future (because of plans by
London Underground to redevelop the site) the traditional Friday night mix of Industrial, techno
and punk goth crossover continues. On Saturdays, the goth crowd is replaced by more mainstream
clubbers, with DJ sets of 70s-90s disco, funk, house, garage and R'n'B.
77a Charterhouse Street, EC1M 3HN, Tel: 020 7490 0444, Website: www.fabriclondon.com,
Tube: Farringdon,
Show Map
An impressive state-of-the-art superclub in trendy Clerkenwell, which was (in a previous
incarnation) a Victorian meat cellar. With over 24,000 sq.ft of club space, that includes 3
dancefloors, there's plenty to keep even the most occasional clubber entertained (such as the bass
loaded body sonic dancefloor). And, with a 2,500 capacity, it's not surprising that even the
facilities here have a novel twist (toilets are funky unisex jobs). However, unless you have a
highly masochistic penchant for queuing, get there early on Friday/Saturday nights. A 24hr music
licence ensures that the fun stops only when you've had enough. Fab.
Fridge
Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RJ, Tel: 020 7326 5100, Website: www.fridgelondon.com,  Brixton,
Show Map
Open every week day, the Fridge plays host to a wide variety of club nights including DJ Fat
Freddie on Fridays (R'n'B classics/Hip Hop), the Hot Spot on Thursday (Dirty R'n'B, Ghetto Rap, Raw
Garage) and Rhythm 365 on Wednesday (reggae).
4 The Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8HA, Tel: 020 7257 8613,
Website: www.rockgarden.co.uk, Tube: Covent Garden,
Show Map
Adjoining The Rock Garden in Covent Garden, The Gardening Club serves up a mixture of funky house
(Fridays), 80s/party classics (Wednesdays) and soul/disco/funk (Saturdays). Frequented mainly by trendy tourists, it's still a fun place to be come the
weekend (and infinitely better than heading into Leicester Square). Cheap bar Saturday.
The Arches, Craven Street, WC2N 6NG, Tel: 020 7930 2020, Website: www.heaven-london.com,
Tube: Charing Cross,
Show Map
Widely regarded as London's premier gay venue, Heaven is definitely a superclub with attitude. On
Saturdays the main dance floor is exclusively gay, with a set comprising of Hi-Nrg, commercial
house, disco and club classics. Alternatively, Monday's 'Popcorn', hosted by Big Al, is a
non-stop collection of cheesey pop.
Hippodrome Corner, WC2 7JH, Tel: 020 7437 4311, Website: www.hipevents.co.uk,
Tube: Leicester Square,
Show Map
Situated just a stone's throw from Leicester Square's, grooves are much improved in recent
months with upfront &
classic funky house featuring on Fridays, while Cirque (on Saturday nights) becaqme the
official Superclub of 2004, with cutting-edge club tunes featuring alongside vintage
disco, glam, pop and funk.
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP, Tel: 020 7378 6528, Website: www.ministryofsound.com,
Tube: Elephant & Castle,
Show Map
With an ever-expanding business portfolio that includes own brand compilation albums (with mixes by
famous DJs) together with sponsorship of vast open-air festivals, the Ministry of Sound is not just
a club but a dance empire. While the Ministry's location in Elephant & Castle is not what you'd
describe as "up and coming", the self-styled home of trance and house still ranks as one of
London's best (and most hedonistic) populist clubs.
150 Brick Lane, E1 6QN, Tel: 020 7247 3293, Website: www.93feeteast.co.uk,
Tube: Aldgate East/Liverpool Street,
Show Map
Now a firmly established part of London's club scene, 93 Feet East is a large live venue and club
housed within a old music hall. Although less well-known than Cargo and Herbal, the dance/funky house oriented
grooves create a vibe that's sure to attract a loyal following. What's more, bar prices are
reasonable too.
147-149 Curtain Road, EC2A 3QE, Tel: 020 7739 6471, Website: www.plasticpeople.co.uk,
Tube: Old Street,
Show Map
Now relocated to the East End from its former home on Oxford Street, Plastic People is an intimate
'underground' style venue with a long licence (the club stays open until 3:30am). Drawing in
bar/club goers from the surrounding Hoxton/Shoreditch area, Plastic serves up mainly
jazz-funk/hip-hop beats from a variety of well-known guest DJs including Gilles Peterson and Alex
Jazzanova.
275 Pentonville Road, N1 9LN, Tel: 020 7833 2022, Website: www.scala-london.co.uk,
Tube: King's Cross,
Show Map
Decent live venue/club within easy distance of King's Cross Tube. With two well-sized
dancefloors and four bars, Scala is a slick operation that serves up a variety of grooves courtesy
of the club's talented resident/guest DJs. On Friday nights, Popstarz pump out alternative/indie
offerings, while on Saturdays, as DJs are rotated regularly, it's best to
check the press or 'Future Events' schedule on Scala's website for up to date details. Great fun,
just a shame that Scala is located slap bang in one of London's dodgier districts i.e. King's
Cross.
12 Acklam Road, W10 5RA, Tel: 020 8960 4590, Website: www.neighbourhoodclub.net, Tube:
Ladbroke Grove,
Show Map
Occupying the space of that former West London favourite - Subterania, Ben Watt's new
Neighbourhood club, is now a much more laid back affair, with a string of decent resident
DJs, excellent drink offers, a pleasant mezzanine area and non-pretentious Notting Hill
crowd. First-rate grooves all week.
Casinos in London
28 Curzon Street, W1Y 7AE, Tel: 020 749 9459, Website: www.aspinalls.com, Tube: Hyde Park Corner/Green Park,
Show Map
Townhouse casino in the heart of Mayfair which is run by Damian Aspinall, son of the late animal
park owner John Aspinall. Blackjack, English Roulette and slots.
44 Berkeley Square, W1X 5DB, Tel: 020 749 3558, Tube: Green Park,
Show Map
Upmarket gaming club with restricted door policy. Baccarat, Blackjack, English Roulette and
slots.
24 Hertford Street, W1Y 7DA, Website: www.thecolonyclub.com,
Tel: 0171 495 5000, Tube: Hyde Park Corner/Green Park,
Show Map
Baccarat, Blackjack, English Roulette and slots.
Kensington High Street, W8 4RE, Tel: 020 7603 1155,
Website: www.grosvenor-casinos.co.uk and www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk
, Tube: High Street Kensington,
Show Map
Blackjack, Roulette and slots. Conveniently situated in the five-star Royal Garden Hotel
and within close proximity to other key establishments around Kensington
Park.
30 Curzon Street, W1Y 7AE, Tel: 020 7493 7771, Website: www.crockfordslondoncasino.co.uk,
Tube: Hyde Park Corner/Green Park,
Show Map
Baccarat, Blackjack, English Roulette and slots.
London Park Tower Casino
101 Knightsbridge, SW1X
7RN, Tel: 0207 235 9595, Website: www.grosvenor-casinos.co.uk, Tube: Knightsbridge,
Show Map
Large, centrally located casino with Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, English Roulette,
Mini-Baccarat and slots.
Located in the Sheraton Park Tower Hotel.
Queens House, Leicester Square, WC2H 7DA, Tel: 020 7494 3126,
Tube: Leicester Square
Baccarat, Blackjack, English Roulette and slots.
Maxim's Casino Club
1A Palace Gate, W8 5LS, Website: www.maximsclub.com,
Tel: 020 7581 0337, Tube: High St. Kensington,
Show Map
American Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Casino Stud Poker, Craps and slots.
The Palm Beach Casino
Mayfair Hotel, 30 Berkeley Street, W1X 5FA, Tel: 020 7493 6585,
Tube: Green Park, Website: www.thepalmbeach.co.uk
and www.clublci.com, Show Map
Baccarat, Blackjack, Casino Stud Poker, Roulette and slots.
Hilton International, 22 Park Lane, W1K 1ND, Tel: 020 7491 8586, Website:
www.rendezvouscasino.com and
www.clublci.com, Tube: Hyde Park/Green Park,
Show Map
Blackjack, Casino Stud Poker, Punto Banco, Roulette and slots. Housed in the Hilton Park
Lane.
40 Bryanston Street, W1H 7AW, Tel: 020 7414 0061, Website: www.thesportsmancasino.com
and www.clublci.com, Tube: Hyde Park,
Show Map
Blackjack, Casino Stud Poker, Punto Banco, Roulette and slots.
Grosvenor Victoria Casino
150-166 Edgware Road, W2 2DT, Tel: 020 7262 7777, Website: www.grosvenor-casinos.co.uk,
Tube: Edgware Road,
Show Map
Blackjack, Roulette, Stud Poker, Punto Banco and slots.
Back to Top
|
