London's pulsating nightlife scene is the most vibrant in Europe. Although pubs still close at 11pm, the city is staying up later, and more and more clubs have extended partying into the wee hours.
London is on a real high right now, especially in terms of music and dance -- much of the currently popular techno and electronica originated in London clubs. Youth culture prevails here, as downtown denizens flock to the clubs where pop-culture superstars are routinely spotted.
London nightlife is always in a state of flux. What's hot today probably just opened, and many clubs have the lifespan of fruit flies. At the time of this writing, Groucho, at 45 Dean St., W1 (tel. 020/7439-4685), is still the in club, although it is members only. A few perennials, like Ronnie Scott's, are still favorites.
But London nightlife is not just about music and dance clubs. The city abounds with the world's best theater (sorry, New York!), loads of classical music, pubs oozing historic charm, and tons of other options for a night out.
The Best of London's Pubs: The World's Greatest Pub Crawl
Dropping into the local pub for a pint of real ale or bitter is the best way to soak up the character of the different villages that make up London. You'll hear local accents and slang, and see firsthand how far removed upper-crust Kensington is from blue-collar Wapping. Catch the local gossip or football talk -- and, of course, enjoy some of the finest ales, stouts, ciders, and malt whiskies in the world.
The Gay & Lesbian Scene
Time Out also carries listings on gay and lesbian clubs. Another good place for finding out what's hot and hip is Prowler Soho, 3-7 Brewer St., W1. (tel. 020/7734-4031; Tube: Piccadilly Circus), the largest gay lifestyle store in London. (You can also buy everything from jewelry to CDs and books, fashion, and sex toys.) It's open until 10pm Monday to Saturday. On the Web (www.gingerbeer.co.uk) is the best lesbian-centric site for what's going on in London; the magazine G3 (www.g3magazine.co.uk) is also popular among lesbians.
