London Nightlife Tips by sue_stone

Nightlife Spot: Shunt Vaults

Shunt Vaults would have to be the strangest bar I have ever been to. Try finding it for a start. It is near impossible. The entrance is via a little door in London Bridge tube station.

Once you finally locate the entrance, you then find yourself heading down a long, pitch black in places, underground tunnel. The tunnel has scary looking alcoves on each side with strange noises and voices resonating from them. Not a place to walk by yourself if you are easily spooked!

Once you reach the end of the tunnel, turn right and you will wonder if you have travelled back in time. The cave-like bar is nothing quite like I have experienced before. Its interior comprises of arched ceilings and crumbling brick walls held together with creeping ivy, along with the odd chandelier, and a mix-match of eclectic furniture.

The music earlier in the evening sounded like a mix between what would have been played in a wild west saloon or at a freak show.

I loved it.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Anything goes
Phone: 020 7378 7776
Address: Joiner Street, London Bridge Tube Station SE1 9RL
Directions: Located on London Bridge tube station, in the passage that runs between Tooley & St Thomas Streets
Website: http://www.shunt.co.uk/
Other Contact: events@shunt.co.uk

Nightlife Spot: Lamb & Flag

The Lamb & Flag is a small wooden-fronted pub hidden away in Covent Garden. At over 300 years old, it is the oldest pub in the area. It was once known as the 'Bucket of Blood' due to the bare-knuckle fights that used to be held there.

This is a very traditional British pub, with its wooden panelling, low beams and bare wooden floors. At the rear of the pub is an inviting fireplace surrounded by wooden settles.

Serving up a decent selection of real ale for the beer lovers out there, the Lamb & Flag can get pretty crammed at times. You may have more luck heading up the creaky old stairs to the upstairs bar and restaurant area to enjoy your drink.

In the summer, the courtyard outside the pub is roped-off creating a large paved area for the after-work crowd to congregate with a cold pint or two.

I must admit to being guilty of stopping by post-shop for a half-pint or two ; )

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Come as you are - a good mix of business attire and comfy sightseeing outfits are always to be seen, so you'll fit right in.
Phone: 020 7497 9504
Address: 33 Rose Street, London WC2E 9EB
Directions: Nearest Tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square
Website: http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=204

Nightlife Spot: The Prince Alfred

Looking for a drink close to Warwick Avenue tube, we stumbled upon the Prince Alfred and fell in love. This Grade II listed pub has a stunning interior, with five snugs breaking up the room with their carved wooden partitions and curious little doors. Loved the carved ceiling and friendly staff too.

There is a large dining area to the rear (the Formosa Dining Room) which I am sure is popular with the locals, though on this occasion we were eating elsewhere so didn't pay it much attention.

We scored a great table in one of the front snugs and enjoyed a cold one while catching up on the news of the day. I really wish the Prince Alfred was a little closer to home, but next time I am in this neck of the woods a return visit will be top of the to-do list.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 020 7286 3287
Address: 5A Formosa Street, London W9 1EE
Directions: Nearest Tube: Warwick Avenue

Nightlife Spot: Polka

We stopped into Polka for a drink one evening before going for dinner at a nearby restaurant. We were walking past, looking for another bar I had read about, but stopped and decided to try Polka instead. The cool décor caught my eye and I had a feeling this was my type of place.

Loved the modern, designer interior, and the warm welcome we received by the manager (perhaps) who seemed concerned that there was no seating available for us in the downstairs bar. He did tell us that the upstairs Lounge bar was about to open, so we wandered up and found a cosy corner to relax in.

A quick look at the drinks menu showed that prices weren't too exorbitant for Soho. The barman was very friendly and most helpful with vodka options, taking great care to stir us up some very tasty Vodka Martinis in perfectly chilled glasses.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 020 7287 7500
Address: 58-59 Poland Street, London W1F 7NB
Directions: Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
Website: http://www.jamiesbars.co.uk/polka/

Nightlife Spot: La Casa del Habano

La Casa del Habano is a fabulous and classy cigar & cocktail bar located in the heart of Soho, in central London.

One night I met up with 3 VT girls for some pre-dinner cocktails - Londonbabe, Jessica-b & AussieMadCow.

I was immediately impressed by this place - very stylish looking - and although a cigar bar, not overly smoky.

We all took a seat at the bar and perused the extensive cocktail menu - all choosing vastly different drinks, which were all proclaimed to be absolutely delicious (not to mention pretty potent!!).

The bar staff were professional, talented....and kind of cute ; ))

It really was a great experience, and I will certainly be going back there again soon.....loads more cocktails to try!!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: After a few cocktails it won't matter....
Phone: 020 73144001
Address: 100 Wardour Street, London, W1F OTN
Directions: In the heart of Soho!

Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road or Piccadilly Circus
Website: http://lacasadelhabano.co.uk/index.php

Nightlife Spot: Lonsdale

One night we headed to Notting Hill for a fancy dinner. Before our meal we wanted to relax over a drink or two, so headed to the Lonsdale.

The Lonsdale is a stylish bar with that 'wow factor' when you first walk in. At the front there is a cocktail bar and to the rear is a restaurant. The restaurant area is very cool looking, with pink glowing lights shining around the walls. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the bar was thankfully not too smoky when we visited.

I had a classic Vodka Martini and Alex got a little adventurous with an Elderflower Martini. Mine was not the best martini I had ever had, but it did the job. Alex's was pretty tasty though and I may have helped him drink it.

If you are looking for somewhere a little funky to meet friends or to take that special someone, you could do a lot worse than the Lonsdale.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Keep it stylish and you'll fit right in
Phone: 020 7727 4080
Address: 48 Lonsdale Road, London W11 2DE
Directions: Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate is about 10 minutes walk
Website: http://www.thelonsdale.co.uk/
Other Contact: lucy@thelonsdale.co.uk

Nightlife Spot: Doon

Doon is a 'late night cocktail lounge' located in the basement of the Albannach restaurant, just across the road from Trafalgar Square. I went there one night to celebrate VT'er Londonbabe's Hens night.

We met up straight from work and the place was empty for a couple of hours, apart from us group of girlies sitting in one of cool 'vaults' sipping our wine and torturing the bride-to-be with all sorts of personal questions.

The vaults are a cool feature - small booths set in the walls which are perfect for small groups or romantic interludes. Service throughout the evening was pretty good, with one friendly waiter dealing with us lovely ladies.

We indulged in a series of their 'bar bites' as well - needed something to try and soak up some of that vino. The selection included Crab risotto balls, Venison sausages, Tempura king prawns, and good old potato wedges.

I liked the feel and look of Doon and will definitely drag hubby here one evening for cocktails and conversation in our private vault.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: No need to go overboard
Phone: 020 7389 9808
Address: 66 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS
Directions: Nearest tube/train: Charing Cross is just a couple of minutes walk
Website: http://www.doonstairs.co.uk/

Nightlife Spot: 22 Below

One Friday night I headed into town after work for a special event....a VT Meeting! The meeting, organised by JulesH (Julia) was being held in honour of Hayward68 (Laura) coming to London.

The venue was a small bar called 22 Below, located close to Oxford Circus in central London. 22 Below is called a 'bar, lounge, kitchen'…I guess cause there is a bar, some lounge chairs (plus other chairs, tables and stools), and they also serve food. They don't mention that it is also a music venue - there was a DJ that was playing 80's music…much to the delight of us older VT'ers who could actually sing along with what the DJ was playing for a change!

Drinks wise, there were some interesting cocktails to choose from (like a Porn Star) and a few wines by the glass, along with the other usual drinks. Drinks were a little on the pricy side, and no early evening happy hour : (

The bar was small, with a relaxed vibe. Entrance is off the street, and then straight down stairs. It got pretty noisy later in the evening when the DJ turned up the music, making it hard to have a conversation unless standing right by the person and speaking loudly.

There were 11 VT'ers all up, and the bar kindly reserved a table for us so we could sit comfortably for the first few drinks and have a bite to eat. With the food, we opted for a Mezze platter and another sharing platter which had an assortment of tasty treats. We also shared a big bowl of chips.

I liked 22 Below and would pop by again for drinks, perhaps earlier in the evening when it isn't to noisy.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: The afterwork crowd looked smart, so dress accordingly
Phone: 0207 437 4106
Address: 22 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7HU
Directions: Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus is 2 minutes walk
Website: http://www.22below.co.uk/
Other Contact: office@below22.co.uk

Nightlife Spot: Cafe Kick

Café Kick is a small bar located on Exmouth Market. It is a lively, vibrant place, with friendly staff. A fairly narrow space, with table football at the front, and crowded tables to the side and rear.

The mojitos are moreish, the food I tried was tasty and the atmosphere is great. Come with a small group of friends and eat, drink and be merry. Oh, and play some foosball if that's your thing.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Anything goes
Phone: 020 7837 8077
Address: 43 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL
Directions: Nearest tube: Kings Cross or Russell Square is about a 10 minute walk
Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk

Nightlife Spot: Bourne & Hollingsworth

Bourne & Hollingsworth is a new basement bar in Fitzrovia, located on the corner of Rathbone Place and Percy Street. It sounded intriguing, so we popped in for a drink before heading for a meal nearby. We almost didn't see it at first, as the entrance is around the corner in Percy Street.

Go down the stairs, yank open the door and you will find yourself in a small bar, which looks a bit like your grandmothers sitting room. Loving the floral wallpaper, dim lighting, and the fact that we were able to get a cosy seat in the corner on a Friday night - perhaps it fills up later. Also loved the eclectic mix of music they were playing - a good range of oldies - from the Bee Gees to Billy Idol!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 020 7636 8228
Address: 28 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JF
Directions: Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road is a few minutes walk
Website: http://www.bourneandhollingsworth.com/