Good new talent. and other London, United Kingdom Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Stage Door Bar, Waterloo.

On Saturday and Sunday nights, the Stage Door is an excellent place to go and watch live music. The licensee Dave (himself no mean musician) organises live gigs on a Saturday, and an open mic night on a Sunday, both starting at 2000.

The musical policy is very much slanted towards singer / songwriters and the standard is very good. If you fancy playing on the Sunday, turn up in good time as floor spots fill up early (PA is provided). Just speak to Dave or Natalie the assistant manager and they'll try and fit you in.

There is a small cover charge on Saturday but Sunday is free.

Apart from the music nights, it's a great, lively pub which does excellent food throughout the day. Most major sporting events are shown on big screen and usually attract a good crowd. The staff are friendly and, for budding "Tommy's" like me there is even a pinball machine - something of a rarity in pubs these days.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Casual.
Phone: 00 44 20 7928 8964
Address: 28-30 Webber Street, London United KingdomSE1 8QA
Directions: From Waterloo Station, walk South on Waterloo Road until you see the Old Vic theatre. Take the street to the left hand side of the front of the theatre and the pub is about 100 yards on the right.
Website: http://www.thestagedoor.co.uk/

This place is an absolute classic of the British music scene and has been going for years. Some of the famous acts who played regularly here were Madness and Blur. There is even a huge signed Madness poster on the wall. It is so famous, it has almost become a place of pilgrimage for Britpop fans. I once spent a very surreal afternoon drinking in there with about 20 French Damon Albarn clones - very wierd.

The front part of the building is an ordinary (in fact, very ordinary) pub, but it's in the back room where the place really scores with live music every night.

The musical policy is completely eclectic, and quite often has three acts a night on rangng from poets to thrash metal via just about everything in between.

The music room isn't huge, and more popular bands sell out early, so book in advance.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: The only people with ties are record company executives!

Wear what you want.
Phone: 0207 485 1773
Address: 94 Parkway Camden London NW1 7AN
Directions: Come out of Camden tube and walk up Parkway (the road opposite the Worlds End pub). It's a few hundred yards along on the right.
Website: http://www.ents24.com/web/venue/4154/London/Dublin_Castle.html

Nightlife Spot: Half moon, putney

This place really is a legendary music venue. I must admit, I haven't been for a while, but I must get back. Over the years (40 plus now) just about everybody has played there, from Kate Bush to U2 by way of Billy Connolly and Nick Cave.

Check the website for forthcoming gigs.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Anything, no problem.
Phone: 0208 780 9383
Address: 93, Lower Richmond Road, Putney, SW15.
Directions: Go to Putney Bridge tube (District Line), walk across the bridge, turn first right into Lower Richmond Road and it's a couple of hundred yards on your left.
Website: http://www.halfmoon.co.uk/index.html

Nightlife Spot: Jazz Cafe, Camden

The Jazz Cafe in Camden is a very famous live music venue. It is not strictly jazz (I've seen John Martyn there) but it certainly does attract a very good calibre of international acts, as well as some lesser known artists.

Be aware that it is not huge inside (comparatively) and popular acts sell out in advance, so book early.

Also, drink is fairly expensive in there, so "stocking up" in another of Camden's numerous watering holes beforehand may be in order if you're on a budget.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Smart casual.
Address: 5 Parkway, Camden town London, NW1 7PG
Directions: Come out of Camden tube, turn up Parkway (the street directly opposite the World's End pub) and it's about 100 yards on the right.
Website: http://www.meanfiddler.com/displayPage_jazz.asp?PageID=387

Nightlife Spot: Constitution pub.

Camden has long been renowned for music, and this is a tradition which lives on in the rather wonderful Constitution pub. Slightly out of the way between Camden and Kings Cross, it is well worth seeking out.

In the interests of fairness, and I do try to make my tips objective, I have to say that I have played here several times and friends of mine run the Folk Club, of which more later.

The pub itself, being on the Regent's Canal, is a very pleasant place for a drink with a delightful outdoor seating / smoking area offering a delightful view of the canal. In fact, the garden has won the title of Best Beer Garden in London for the last 5 years. the staff are friendly and there is a good selection of drinks. Chances are though that if you are reading this tip you will be visiting for the music. The music takes place in the intimate and very pleasant Cellar Bar.

Thursdays alternate between a night featuring new / unsigned indie / rock bands and the Folk in the Cellar Club mentioned above, run by members of the Northern Celts. There are Jazz and Blues nights every Wednesday and Friday night is again given over to new acts. Check the attached website for full details.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: None.
Phone: +00 44 (0)207 387 4805
Address: 42 St. Pancras Way, London NW1 0QT
Directions: From Camden mainline Station, walk down Royal College Street towards Kings Cross. Turn left into George Street (a small road) and the pub is opposite the far end of George Street.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/theconstitutioncamden