London Nightlife Guide

When you're travelling to a different city and you want to go out to bars and nightclubs, it's always good to do some research beforehand. Have you ever been in a new place and paid over the odds for what's described as a fun evening's entertainment on the outside, only to enter a seedy, empty room that plays terrible music? Here are some of the top night stops, scenes, clubs and bars in London so you can be one step ahead of the game and not get ripped off in a dingy tourist trap:

Live Music

There are countless venues, big and small, all over the capital city. For the larger venues, where you will see bigger British and American acts ( Coldplay , Beyonce, U2), you will likely have to book well in advance and pay a lot of money. Generally these evenings are quite soulless and take place in large venues with a big gap between the band and audience. It can be a more intimate experience going to a smaller venue in Camden, Hoxton or New Cross and discovering a new, exciting band. These areas have spawned many genres of music over the years, from punk and indie to rave and hip-hop. Use the internet to search for venues and what's on.

Selected Venues
Hoxton Square Bar and Grill, Hoxton
Electric Ballroom, Camden
Rivolli Ballroom, New Cross

Dance

There are many clubs across London that play the best in dance music, bringing that Ibiza feel to the capital of England. You can go to any high-street nightclub and find your standard dance nights, but while you're on holiday you should go and see one of the UK's premier DJs, such as Fatboy Slim , Erol Alkan or a newer up-and-coming prospect. Discover the many scenes on offer in dubstep, drum‘n'bass, dancehall and electro. Whether you're in town for a couple of weeks or you're here for longer studying – taking an IELTS course London offers, for example – you'll find lots of likeminded international travellers or students at these clubs.

Selected Venues
Fabric, Farringdon
Ministry of Sound, Newington
Pacha, Victoria

Urban

London is a pioneering city for the grime, hip-hop and R&B music scenes. In recent years, musicians such as Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, the Streets and Miss Dynamite have all burst on to the scene to critical acclaim. There are plenty of live shows as well as DJs playing this style of music at nightclubs. It's definitely an exciting scene worth exploring if you visit London.

Selected Venues
Plan B, Brixton
Moonlighting, Soho
Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch

Other

These are just three of the different options available to you, and there are lots of others such as rock, jazz, reggae, heavy metal, world music, pop, disco and many more. Whether you're studying at an English school in London or you're just on holiday, then it's well worth checking out some of the local music and clubbing venues – these suggestions should set you on the right path to getting the most out of London's unique nightlife.