My favourite bar in London is Trailer Happiness, a little bit of Tiki heaven in Notting Hill Gate’s Portobello Road for an easy relaxed atmosphere and a drink at the end of a hard day. It’s been around for about eight years, and recently even better under new management. Food is great and as the home of the Notting Hill Gate Rum Club it’s definitely the place to go for rum based drinks.

www.trailerhappiness.com
177 Portobello Road, London W11
+44(0)20 7313 4644
Google map: bit.ly/R3MlXK
nearest tube: Nottinghill Gate

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Between Covent Garden and the Thames, down Villiers St off the historic Strand awaits Gordon’s Wine Bar. This is London’s oldest wine bar and must be one of the world’s best. Visiting Gordon’s is a unique experience of London’s history. Before becoming a wine bar in 1890, the building was home to Samuel Pepys, and also an illustrious brothel or two. Outside, in Villiers St, the building now has the appearance of a deserted and condemned old building from Dickensian London and is often unrecognised by the most dedicated visitors. The only clue is the dusty original gas-lit lamp above the door, labelled “Gordon’s Wine Bar”. Take the narrow steps down into the unlikely darkness.
The bar has the appearance and feel of a dark basement untouched since Pepys left. Nicotine stained walls of tongue-n-groove boards, history-stained stone floors, and rickety tables and chairs under the low, brick-domed ceiling of the original wine cellars are not retro but original features. Candles light the reticent faces of illicit encounters. The staff are efficient and friendly and pull schooners and beakers of sherry, Madeiras, or port from the barrels stacked behind the bar. Excellent wines are also available by bottle or glass. Recently homemade food has been introduced, and the tables spill out into Watergate Walk to the side. But stay indoors to enjoy the uniqueness and excellence of Gordon’s Wine Bar, and drink deep the history of London.

www.gordonswinebar.com/
47 Villiers Street, London, City of London, Greater London
+44(0)20 7930 1408
Google map: bit.ly/KgfHO5

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The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town is a 'secret' speakeasy in Spitalfields. To find it, go to The Breakfast Club and ask to see the Mayor. If that doesn't work, try asking for Henri. If that fails, look for the huge Smeg fridge door in the corner, open it, and step through into - not a frozen Narnia, but a dark 'n' quirky cocktail bar, decorated with glitter disco balls, moose heads and retro wallpaper. The cocktails are pretty good and not too pricey, considering the location. A good choice for an unusual and fun night out.

www.themayorofscaredycattown.com
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
The Breakfast Club
12-16 Artillery Lane, E1 7LS
+44 207 078 9639
Google map: bit.ly/wMTEzc

* Lucy is our Been there local for London. You can read her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/london-local-lucy-mallows.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/LucyRM.jsp

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The Dogstar has been a part of the Brixton nightlife scene for as long as I can remember. It used to be a grungy pub with a pretty dodgy reputation, however it has now cleaned up its act and provides live music and DJs every week in the main bar. Upstairs, there's a massive ballroom where cabaret nights, comedy clubs and parties often happen.

389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW9 8LQ
+44 207 733 7515
Google map: bit.ly/GVirih

* Lucy is our Been there local for London. You can read her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/london-local-lucy-mallows.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/LucyRM.jsp

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PURL - by definition “malt liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices”.
Want some fun in London, then try this. Reminiscent of a Victorian Gin Palace with a retro twist, PURL, with its beams, piano bar and leather chairs, is made up of intimate alcoves underneath a road in Marylebone.
A list of cocktails thought up in the ‘lab’ at the rear, is influenced by ‘molecular mixology’. Don’t be too surprised to see a little chemistry! Liquid nitrogen, smoke and fire mixed with more traditional spirits - even a touch of caviar!
This is a truly exciting place to be. Enjoy!

www.purl-london.com
50-54 Blandford Street London W1U 7HX
+44(0)20 7935 0835
Google map: bit.ly/yUhig4

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By far the craziest and most bizarre night out I've had in London was a result of finding myself in the company of 'The Book Club Boutique'- a collection of London's most wonderfully eccentric characters having a jolly good knees-up.
It's an incredibly artistic experience, with bands playing, poets reading, actors swooning and tales of life and love being shared- all set in the beautiful and intimate chapel of the House of St. Barnabas on Greek St.
There's plenty of excellent drink flowing too, especially the exotic cocktails with hilariously unbelievable names- I just wish I could remember them!

www.thebookclubboutique.com

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Between Covent Garden and the Thames, down Villiers St off the historic Strand awaits Gordon’s Wine Bar. This is London’s oldest wine bar and must be one of the world’s best. Visiting Gordon’s is a unique experience of London’s history. Before becoming a wine bar in 1890, the building was home to Samuel Pepys and also an illustrious brothel or two. Outside, in Villiers St, the building now has the appearance of a deserted and condemned old building from Dickensian London and is often unrecognised by the most dedicated visitors. The only clue is the dusty original gas-lit lamp above the door, labelled “Gordon’s Wine Bar”. Take the narrow steps down into the unlikely darkness.
The bar has the appearance and feel of a dark basement untouched since Pepys left. Nicotine stained walls of tongue-n-groove boards, history-stained stone floors, and rickety tables and chairs under the low, brick-domed ceiling of the original wine cellars are not retro but original features. Candles light the reticent faces of illicit encounters. The staff are efficient and friendly and pull schooners and beakers of sherry, Madeiras, or port from the barrels stacked behind the bar. Excellent wines are also available by bottle or glass. Recently homemade food has been introduced, and the tables spill out into Watergate Walk to the side. But stay indoors to enjoy the uniqueness and excellence of Gordon’s Wine Bar, and drink deep the history of London.

www.gordonswinebar.com/
47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE
+44(0)20 7930 1408
Google map: bit.ly/yoMnP7

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This very trendy bar is located on the seventh floor overlooking Leicester Square. Apart from it being a great bar, is has some of the best views across the square and across London for that matter.

www.thepenthouselondon.com/
1 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7FB
+44(0)871 971 4626
Google map: bit.ly/scU0od

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Docked on the River Thames by Victoria Embankment, this boat has been transformed into a lively bar. With views of the London eye, Big Ben and the River Thames you really feel like you are drinking in the heart of London. On a summer's day sitting up on deck drinking is an excellent place to be while you watch the world go by. A must see if you are out drinking in London.

www.thetattershallcastle.co.uk
Victoria Embankment, Kings Reach, London,
SW1A 2HR
+44 (0) 207 839 6548
Google map: bit.ly/u65iIa

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Last night I finally made it up to the 10th floor of Peckham's multi-storey carpark, after several failed attempts, to discover another world ... hundreds of art students milling around, drinking pale ale and cocktails, munching on scrummy nibbles, flirting, discussing the art installations, but most of all, gazing in wonder at the magnificent view: all of London laid out in 360-degree spleandor, shimmering in the sunset, from the O2 arena, past the Shard, St Pauls, the London Eye, the Post Office Tower, before spinning around to catch the Crystal Palace tower in the corner of the eye. Frank's Bar is part of the Bold Tendencies art project and 15 artists have been commissioned to produce and show work in 2011. The bar stays open throughout the summer.

Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar
10th floor, Peckham Multi-storey carpark,
95a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
+44 758 288 4574
Open July 1 to Sept 30, Tues-Sun 11.00-22.00
Food served 12.00-14.30 & 18.00-22.00
Bus 12 to Rye Lane
Google map: bit.ly/n7IQZY

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There's nowhere quite like the Jazz Cafe when it comes to music gigs. I love the intimacy of the venue and how close you feel to the performers.

5 Parkway, NW1 7PG
+44(0)20 7485 6834
venues.meanfiddler.com/jazz-cafe/home
Google map: bit.ly/jjbpbl

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Wilton’s is old. In fact it’s the oldest music hall of its kind in the world. If that isn’t enough reason to visit it’s totally charming and has a programme of delightful theatrical events to entertain us all. I have seen short films of London before the Second World War (there is a cinema club) and I have seen a Victorian styled cabaret show which was both frightening and hilarious. They have also had award winning plays with top notch actors. If you’re not into theatrical experiences then you could just stay in the bar, there’s a piano, low lighting, many alcoholic drinks and a feel of gay Paris.

www.wiltons.org.uk
1 Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB
Closest tube: Shadwell (Overground), Tower Hill (District and Circle lines)
Open at various times: Check the website before you visit and print a map.
Google map: bit.ly/fMo0si

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Roar with laughter is a comedy club at GJ's bar. Really good! Went there last night and saw Noel Fielding!

62 High Street, Collier's Wood,
London, SW19 2BY
Review: www.storage-collierswood.co.uk/wp/?p=24
Google map: bit.ly/i8qala

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Peacock Bar starts off the evening as a really raucous burlesque cabaret club, but once shows are over becomes a 70s/80s/90s club with great super-cheesy music. Really up for it 20-30-something crowd, lots of whom are all dressed up.

148 Falcon Road, Battersea, SW11 2LW
www.the-peacock-bar.co.uk
+44(0)207223 9633
Google map: bit.ly/mfwefM

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An after-hours kebab/jazz bar, where you drink beer from a can and have a giggle with your mates. Lots of lovely evenings spent listening to jazz amidst the smell of meat fat. Buena onda.

87 Chalk Farm Rd, London, NW1 8AR
+44(0)20 7485 3814
Google map: bit.ly/k0TR5W

Google map: tinyurl.com/yh7yp5s

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So over the cheesy West End clubs? Try Maya. We had such an amazing time, it was heaving until the early hours. What time does this venue shut?! It was great for celeb spotting and dancing if you like obscure 80s tracks and Euro dance favourites. Definitely an asset to central London!

No1 Dean Street
London, W1
mayalondon.com
02072879608
Tottenham Court Road

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There's a magical Arctic experience hidden away behind the busy shopping hell of Regent Street. The build up to going inside is part of the fun.

First, you raise your body temperature by a few valuable degrees in the normal, heated Below Zero bar downstairs, which serves creative fresh fruity cocktails such as a scrummy apple and blackberry crumble concoction.

Everyone is allocated a 40 minute time slot so when your time comes they give you space-age silver cloaks, thick gloves and snow boots and you go into the Ice Bar. Inside it's minus five degrees and everything inside is made from clear crystal ice from Sweden – the walls, the bar, the tables and the chunky glasses, which you slurp simple but super-strong vodka cocktails from. Drinking doesn't get more refreshing than this.

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This fortnightly reggae/soul/dub club is unpretentious, friendly, fun and cheap (usually about £5 cover charge). But the best thing is, everyone goes there for the music, because the music is so good! The club is run by Soul Jazz Records which puts together some classic Studio One compilations, among other albums. But at the club you'll see the best of what's happening in this scene now - DJs, MCs and a crowd that happily skanks along in a cosy garage space.

Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens Street
Nearest tube: Angel

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All the deep joy of karaoke without having to get up in public or inflict your singing on the rest of the pub. You get your own little room, machine, and a couple of mikes. Not cheap (about £25 an hour all in), you have to book ahead and it can feel a little grubby. But worth it.

18 Frith St. Tel: 020 7494 3878

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A useful webguide about the nightlife in London!

www.citynumbers.com

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