London Nightlife Tips by Mariajoy Top 5 Page for this destination

Porchester Hall: Elbow - Guy Garvey

Porchester Hall is actually in Paddington Library with a 300 capacity hall where we saw the mega-talented Mr Guy Garvey. Tickets were £17.50 and we queued outside for about half an hour longer than the ticket said - doors were meant to be open at 7pm but in fact didnt open until half past - this is normal for any gig really - sound checks need to be completed etc and bands aren't renowned for being exactly punctual. Anyway, it was a mild February evening, it wasn't raining for a change and we didn't mind the wait 'cos we knew it would be worth it.

When the doors opened we made our way up the grand sweeping staircase to the stage and assumed our positions - front and centre - for the best view... and while one of us stood guard the other left to find the bar and get refreshments - two pints of lager shandy = £8.

The gig was as brilliant as expected and the band played several new numbers from their forthcoming album to be released in April.

Porchester Hall itself is a building full of splendid Victorian design - check out their website!

Dress Code: Casual

Address: Porchester Road, Bayswater

Directions: A short walk from Royal Oak Tube.

Phone: 020 7792 2823

Theme: Live Music

Soho Revue Bar: On a night like this!

Small, intimate venue in Soho where we saw the brilliant Tom Baxter performing. There are seats but it gets packed so get there early! Drinks are served as doubles only at £7 a glass. Check the website for listings and don't be intimidated by the big burly bouncers on the door, they are friendly enough if you have tickets and a smile :) Apparently David Schwimmer was in the audience the night we were there but we never saw him.**

** and for the benefit of those living on another planet.. or the Netherlands ;-) .. David Schwimmer plays the character of Ross Geller in the long running and well known American sit-com "Friends".

Dress Code: Nothing chavvy.

Address: Walker's Court, Soho

Directions: off Brewer Street

Theme: Adult Spot

Las Iguanas: Post-gig drinks and tapas

Great place to chill and chat after a night on the South Bank. It was really busy and buzzing so we were lucky to get a table. We just had drinks and tortilla chips here with guacamole - good background music with a great ambience and South American decor - definitely recommended!

Dress Code: Trendy-casual/smart

Address: South Bank Centre

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Amadeus Centre: Rock in the Amadeus

We raced up to London directly after work on a Friday night to see Tom Baxter at the Amadeus Centre - and what a night it was!!! Tom was at his very best after three nights performing at this venue in Maida Vale and the crowd loved every minute of the almost two hour show. He gave 110% and thrilled the crowds with so much new material. He is sooo talented and I just can't wait for the next album!

Dress Code: Smart casual

Address: Shirlan Road

Directions: Warwick Road tube (Bakerloo line)

Theme: Other

The Bedford: One Taste Festival

Another blast at the Bedford in Balham - this time for the One Taste festival - held monthly, it's a whole day of music, spokenword, comedy, arts and diverse cultural events and experiences in what is probably one of the best live music pub venues in London. For £15 you can spend the day going between the three floors of entertainment to hear and see and experience a whole host of quality performances - all put together by a dedicated team of 25 staff.
They give you a free goody bag of all kinds of *stuff* too :))

This is really not to be missed - THIS is where the up and coming young, London talent perform - DON'T miss it!!!

The vibrant and friendly pub is open throughout and serves great food between 7pm and 9pm. It can get VERY busy though so plan your itinerary carefully if you are hoping to eat there as you could easily miss a gig.

Ohhh yes.. the Festival organisers run a brilliant raffle and blondie won a guitar!!! (see third pic) .. she was after the violin really... but a reconditioned Gibson guitar is NOT to be sneezed at :)) Good on ya girl!!

The Bedford Check the website for listings.

Dress Code: Absolutely anything.

Address: 77 Balham Hill

Directions: You can see it directly down the street if you take the left exit from Balham tube.

Theme: Live Music

Menier Chocolate Factory: London's Newest Theatre

This brand new London theatre is housed in the old Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark. There is also a restaurant and gallery inside but I haven't visited (yet!). Check the website for listings and further details.

Directions: London Bridge

Theme: Theater

Theatreland

A visit to a show in London is a definite "Must Do" while staying in the capital. There are loads of theatres in the West End, Shaftsbury Ave, Strand, Covent Garden area - with something to suit all tastes. The best place to buy cheap(ish!) tickets is at the famous ticket booth in Leicester Square.

London Theatres

and the Official London Theatre Guide

Dress Code: Some people like to dress up when they visit the theatre but it's not really necessary. Do remember that many London theatres were built for teensy weensy Victorians and as such, seats are often acutely lacking in leg room! Ask for an aisle seat if you need to stretch out a bit!

Address: Check the theatre website

Directions: West End

Theme: Theater

St Barnabas -in -Soho: A Soiree in Soho

This is a real hidden away gem in Soho - a tiny chapel, that is just beginning as a new gig venue, and has a capacity of just over 100. We saw Tom Baxter here and even though we got there early (doors open around 7.30pm but this might vary), and there were only about 5 others in front of us, we still managed to get seats at the front. They weren't exactly comfy, this is an old chapel after all the seating wasn't designed for comfort - but that was soon forgotten when the hugely talented Tom Baxter started playing. He is a first class singer/songwriter acoustic guitarist and this is one gig I am so glad I didn't miss. He was supported by Portico Quartet.

Drinks are available from the small bar at the back of the chapel and as there are no toilets here you will have to go at the nearby "Pillars Of Hercules" pub on the corner in Greek Street (just a couple of yards away from the chapel). - it's ok - the chapel and the pub have a "special arrangement" ;-))

Click on the link for more info about the history of St Barnabas In Soho

Dress Code: Casual - but old churches can be VERY chilly in winter so be prepared!

Address: Soho, Nearest tube is Tottenham Court Rd

Directions: St.Barnabas Chapel
Manette St,
Soho,
London W1

Theme: Live Music

St James' Church: An American in Piccadilly

The American is not me... rather the divine and delectable Josh Ritter, singer/songwriter from Idaho, who me and P have seen perform three times now. We discovered that he was appearing here at the most beautiful small(ish) venue in the heart of the West End... St James' Church. (The poet William Blake was baptised here). They hold lunch time concerts too .. so if you are passing by Jermyn Street... pop in and have a look .. it has a beautiful interior.

Anyway... Josh was up to his usual fabulous standard and the whole place was rockin' by the end of the evening.

Dress Code: Annnnnnyyyythhhhingggg!!!!

Address: Jermyn Street and Piccadilly

Directions: 200 yards from Piccadilly tube.

Phone: 020 7381 0441

Theme: Live Music

100 Club: Famous Jazz Club in Oxford Street

Saw Steve Fretwell here - fantastic Irish acoustic guitarist singer/songwriter - this famous little club in the basement of 100 Oxford Street has masses of music history, 290 capacity and has a bar and tables/ seating (get there early if you want a seat!). Over 50 years a whole host of famous names have played here from Bo Diddley to the Sex Pistols!

Supporting Steve was the wonderful Danish band Hush

Dress Code: Anything - but bear in mind it does get very hot and sweaty!!

Address: 100 Oxford Street

Directions: Take the tube to Tottenham Court Road and walk along Oxford Street - check the numbers until you get to 100!!

Theme: Live Music