The clubs and nightlife of London – Part 1
London, the capital of retro; the famed West End and a sparkling nightlife-of vibrance and diversity – this city rivals any other major city, when it comes to painting the town red!
Seething with places to suit every taste- those hardcore party animals, to those looking for a quieter drink and some conversation- this ever changing and enigmatic town of tradition and history, does not disappoint.
The west end(east of Regent Street and south of Oxford Street) is saturated with commercial bars and clubs Soho, has an eclectic mix of bars with a more bohemian atmosphere, which attracts people of all ages, straight and gay.
One can be forgiven for forgetting that one is indeed, still in England whilst moving through the streets of the West End- the area is a melting pot of different cultures, sights and sounds ,from all around the world. Traditional English pubs are also to be found, reminding one that tradition can also blend well with the contempory- if a brew of traditional English beer is what one is after and these pubs can be clearly identified by their mostly very quaint sounding names and interior which is relaxed and mostly typifies the “old English”.
The area of Vauxhall, south of the Thames, is rejuvenating from the ghetto of yesteryear and is quickly developing into a fashionable gay night out- with the famed nightclub-”Fire|- a night of frenzied dance music- but be warned.the night only starts warming up at around midnight!..
The region around Kings Cross is packed with clubs and bars offering music tastes from garage, techno, R+B to good old fashioned 70’s/80’s nostalgia.
One is spoilt for choice when it comes to a night out in London, the best advice would be to pick up a copy of “Time Out”- a monthly publication found at most newsagents around the city- detailing all the latest happenings and venues- it might not make your choice any easier though, as you will probably find a host of new places that have sprung up overnight- that you never knew existed…-welcome to London Town- the city that is constantly reinventing herself.
Hotels – London
Every year, millions of tourists flock to London to take in the museums, palaces and wide variety of cultural sites – from the splendour of parliament buildings and Buckingham palace to the bustling alternative scene of Camden Town Market.
And with a wide variety of accommodation available in and around the capital, there is no shortage of places to stay. There are themed hotels within the central areas to quaint little holiday cottages around the outskirts of the city for those who are looking for peace and quiet outside of the hustle and bustle of the busy city.
There is a wide choice of hotels in London, and within the cities’ transport system offering easy connection to the main tourist attractions, planning a short break to the city has never been easier.
It’s always best to plan out your trip in advance – identify which attractions or areas you wish to visit and shop around for accommodation as close to where you want to visit as possible.
There are also a wide variety of hostels and cheaper hotels for those travelling on a budget, many of which are within Tube or bus distance of the main tourist attractions and bustling night-time spots – including a wide variety of clubs, theatres and music venues. So whether you’re coming to the capital to catch the royal sights or simply catch a gig, the variety of accommodation available can ensure you’re not too far from the happenings.
With regards to travelling around the city, it’s best to take advantage of the Oyster card. This handy swipe card can be topped up in much the same way as a mobile phone top-up card.
Having one of these cards can help make your travelling easier, the fares tend to be cheaper and it practically eliminates the need to ferret about in your pockets for the right amount of change for the bus or train.
And with many stores and newsagents around London offering the chance to top-up your Oyster card instead of having to trek to a tube station in order to do so offers flexibility and the chance to top-up in preparation for a day trip.
