Nightlife and Entertainment

London is a work hard and play hard kind of city, so it should come as no surprise that London nightlife activities are abundant. As a global centre of nightlife and entertainment, this city really does know how to let its hair down. There is a scene for everyone on any given night of the week -- somewhere in the city of London.

For high culture, there is a plethora of options from the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall to hundreds of west-end (and fringe) theatres showing big name shows, packed with celebrities. Cinemas are plentiful, with star-studded premieres happening most weeks. For listings of shows, as well as club nights, concerts, and other events check out the weekly London listings magazine, Time Out.

And of course there are literally thousands of casual London bars and pubs, London restaurant bars/lounges, and clubs all across the city. There is a concentration of these across the West End and Soho, the latter being home to a thriving gay scene. Don't be surprised if you run into a few famous faces around Soho either. The obvious draw for tourists is around the bright lights of Leicester Square, but if you know where to look, there are equally good, if not better bars outside the centre, around areas such as Shoreditch in the East, Islington in the North, Notting Hill in the West or Clapham in the South.

Traditional old London taverns can be found allover the city, the seventeenth-century George Inn at Borough High Street or The Crown at New Oxford Street are among the most noticeable, but in the bar section there are a lot of alternatives.

Music fans are also very well catered for in London, with most major artists including the city in their tours, as well as hundreds of resident bands, musicians and DJs packing out venues across the city every night. Some of the more famous venues include the Brixton Academy, the Jazz Cafe, and the cavernous Wembley Arena.

And now with new licensing laws, more and more bars and other venues are opening way beyond the traditional 11:00 p.m. curfew. Whatever you are into, you are sure to find it in London's nightlife scene.

Best London Lounges and Nightclubs

Fabric - Dance Club open until 7 a.m., Guest DJs, 77a Charterhouse Street, Ph: 020 7336 8898. www.fabriclondon.com

Ministry of Sound - DJ shows, events, live performances, Open until 7 a.m., 103 Gaunt Street, Ph: +44 870 060 0010, www.ministryofsound.com

The End - Guest DJs, dancing until dawn, Open until 7 a.m., 16a-18 West Central Street, Ph: +44 207 419 9199, www.endclub.com

Late Lounge & Cocoon - Located in Cocoon restaurant, elegant bar with excellent signature drinks and an elaborate Sake collection. DJ spins house music and chill-out nightly. Open until 3 a.m., 65 Regent Street, Ph: 0871 971 5257, www.cocoon-restaurants.co.uk/latelounge.php

The Living Room W1 - Bar, lounge, and London restaurant all rolled up into one. Pop, rock, and blues music nightly. Open until 1 a.m., Sunday until 12 a.m., 3-9 Heddon Street, Ph: 0207 292 0570, www.thelivingroomw1.co.uk