| Bars in London | Restaurants in London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medicine Bar 181 Upper Street, N1 (020 7704 9536) Highbury & Islington tube/rail. Open 5pm-midnight Mon-Thur; noon-1am Fri, Sat; noon-11pm Sun. Admission (membership may be required) 7pm-1am Fri; 6pm-1am Sat. A stylish and comfortable Islington hangout that fills up with pre-clubbers as the after-work drinkers begin to fade away. Hanover Grand 6 Hanover St, W1 020 7499 7977 Nearest tube: Oxford Circus www.hanovergrand.com With its balconied dancefloor upstairs and groovy bar below, is home to the best midweek R&B and hip hop ('Fresh 'n' Funky') on Wednesday, and seriously trendy dance nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, when only the most gorgeous club-people are likely to get past the style police on the door. Ministry of Sound 103 Gaunt St, SE1 020 7378 6528 Nearest tube: Elephant & Castle www.ministryofsound.co.uk Since the revamp last year, this has to be one of the best club venues in the country. It's clean, stylish and has an impressive sound system. The door policy has softened considerably over the past few years and the queues are no longer as impressive. Some say this may be due to the MOS becoming so commercialised. So what? The main shakers are a funky, friendly crowd and they know a good party when they see it. Podiums are provided for people who like to show off their moves - and believe me they do. Leisure Lounge 121 Holborn, EC1 020 7242 1345 Nearest tube: Chancery Lane/Holborn Don't let the snooty location in the middle of City fool you into thinking this is the place where the suits go to shake their stuff. Two floors of mixed handbag house and garage keep a regular crowd of fashion students and sophisticated oungsters coming back for more. Turnmills 63b Clerkenwell Rd, EC1 020 7250 3409 Nearest tube: Farringdon www.turnmills.co.uk The interior may resemble the set of a Star Wars movie or a game-land paradise, but this club is jam-packed every weekend. It provides a hi-energy clubbing experience for a well scrubbed up, dedicated crowd. The harder edge of house, break beats etc. is on the menu here. 333 333 Old St, EC1 020 7739 5949 Nearest tube: Old Street It used to be an underground type of place with punters mainly from the local art college. Then it changed into a popular hang-out, hosting a crowd of students who heard that East London is the new trendy area. They come here for a fix of retro pop, disco and funky sounds. Aquarium 256-260 Old St, EC1 020 7251 6136 Nearest tube: Old Street House, garage and funky tunes plus an indoor swimming pool. Glam up and don't forget your swimsuit! Bar Rumba Shaftesbury Ave, W1 020 7287 2715 Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus www.barumba.co.uk A small venue with a wide range. It benefits from easy access, as it is located right in the centre of London. The punters are mainly students in designer gear and the odd tourist. Here is a chance either to bump 'n' grind or practise the moves from 80s blockbuster Lambada, depending on which night you go. The club is open throughout the week and the music ranges from Latin, soul and R&B to techno. Home 1 Leicester Squ, WC2 020 7909 1111 Nearest tube: Leicester Square www.homecorp.com The man himself - Mr Oakenfold - keeps the masses movin' on a weekly basis at this trancey house fandango in the heart of London. LA2 157 Charing Cross Rd, WC2 020 7434 0403 Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road Still something of an indie super club, though the music policy here also includes Brit and international pop. The usual mods and Brit poppers gather to keep the floor vibrating. Sharpen those elbows and makesure your outfit doesn't need dry cleaning. Mondo 12-13 Greek St, W1 020 7734 7157 Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road A lower ground venue, arches, alcoves, brick walls, a handful of pleasant-looking bar staff and a crowd of media types distinguish this club/bar. This place is buzzing over the weekends. Some say one night a week is a gay night, but no-one seems to know which one. My guess is every night, as straight men generally don't wear mascara (don't they? - ed). The regular guest list is allegedly made up of various model agencies' registrar. With such a sweet crowd, it's possible. Even their Long Island Iced Tea tastes like fizzy cola bottles. Notting Hill Arts Club 21 Notting Hill Gate, W11 020 7460 4459 Nearest tube: Notting Hill It used to be a meeting point for locals but is gradually turning into the new hotspot for media students and young intellectuals who like to enjoy themselves in an uncommercialised environment á la 333 a few years ago. Global sounds and contemporary tunes as well as various exhibitions make this place something more than just another place to get bladdered student-style. The Cross Goods Way Depot, N1 020 7837 9322 Nearest tube: Kings Cross Though rather small, this venue has a very pleasant outdoor area. Early arrival and dress up essential as the club's capacity forces the door staff to turn away almost as many as they let in. Dolled up girls and contemporary disco sounds make this club a haven for a mixed/gay crowd who come for a weekly dose of hardcore glam. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||