London Nightlife Tips by BluBluBlu

Dublin Castle: Loud & proud!

Legendary on the indie scene, the Dublin Castle, has seen many a fine band grace the cramped backroom stage on their way to the top. Madness, Blur, Travis, and various other well known bands have played here on their way to fame. Not so well known, but worth seeing, is my mates band 'Plan A' who play here occasionally. With gigs seven nights a week, some are great...many are not!

Open till late on weekends when it gets absolutely packed (sardines complain!). Loud, and grubby, this is a place for people who like their gigs.

Dress Code: Anything goes...(and I mean anything!)

Address: 94 Parkway, Camden

Directions: Follow directions for London Zoo from Camden tube...

Theme: Live Music

The Toucan: Glorious guinness!

This is a great bar located just off Soho Square. There is a bar at ground level, but my favourite is the original downstairs bar. Its a tiny place, and gets packed out, but if you want the best guinness in London...then head here!

Address: Carlislle Street...just off Soho Square

Theme: Eating and Drinking

The Porterhouse: Loads of choice...

This is a huge pub, in Covent Garden that serves great food and has live music Tuesdays through Sunday. Has 10 or 12 irish brewed beers on tap...and about 400 bottled beers...good fun although avoid Fri/Sat if you don't like packed places!

Around 5ish on a Sunday theres a group of people who turn up and play traditional irish music...

Dress Code: As you like...

Address: Maiden Lane

Directions: Covent Garden

Theme: Live Music

The Barfly: One of the best...

Out of all the indie venues in the Camden area this is probably my favourite. They are much more selective on which up and coming bands they choose, and loads of well known bands (such as Kaiser Chiefs) played here before they broke into the 'big time'.

Dress Code: Anything goes...

Address: 49 Chalk Farm Road

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.barflyclub.com/

The Underworld/Worlds End: Another indie venue...

The Worlds End pub is opposite the tube station at Camden, and the gig is downstairs. Up and coming bands and occasionally the odd well known ones play here live music most nights.

Dress Code: Anything goes...

Address: 174 Camden High Street

Theme: Live Music

Caernarvon Castle: Seedy but fun...

Live music most nights...to a brash crowd...great fun!

Dress Code: Anything goes...

Address: 7 Chalk Farm Road, Camden

Theme: Live Music

Gossips: The dark heart of Soho...

Over the years this place has had just about every type of music...but its currently a mix these days of rock & goth...

Dress Code: Anything goes!

Address: 69 Dean Street, Soho

Theme: Nightclub

Jongleurs: A laugh a minute...

This is a great comedy venue, and has various branches around the UK. I prefer the Camden club, as its in a great location for restaurants, pubs etc.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.jongleurs.com/

The Comedy Store: LOL!

This is probably the top venue in London for comedy...

Weekends are the busiest with well known stars from both the UK and overseas, and probably best to book in advance. They serve basic food (burgers) and sell booze too!

A great night out...

Address: 1a Oxendon Street

Directions: Between Leicester Square and Piccadilly...

Theme: Other

The Lamb & Flag: A good old boozer!

This great little pub is tucked away in Covent Garden...serves good beer and great food (try the stilton ploughmans!)...and on hot days every one spills out onto the street...

Address: Rose Street

Theme: Eating and Drinking