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Events
& Nightlife
Music |
West End Shows & Theatre |
Opera | Cinema | Night
Clubs | Gay Nightlife |
Comedy | Sports |
Experiences | Special Events
London is never short of entertainment,
catering to all tastes and persuasions. The trick is to know what
you are looking for because the range of options can be bewildering.
Time Out magazine is the definitive weekly listing for all London
events and entertainment schedules, although the Guardian's "The
Guide" (free with the paper on Saturdays) and Thursday's Evening
Standard supplement do a pretty good job too.
For information on current events you can also contact the tourist
office at:
Britain and London Visitor Centre
1 Lower Regent St
Tel: +44 (0)20-8846-9000
Open: Tue-Fri 09h00-17h30 (Mon 09h30-17h30)
Email: blvcinfo@visitbritain.org
Music
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Classical Music and Dance
London's favourite classical music venue for over a century, the
magnificent Royal Albert Hall comes into its own during the Proms
season (Jul-Sep) though concerts are held here throughout the year.
Home to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the ornate hall
concentrates on classical performances, but big name rock and jazz
artists sometimes play here too. Kensington Gore, SW7. Tel: +44
(0)20-7589-8212.
The imposing concrete of the Barbican Centre disguises an excellent
programme of music, dance and theatre; home to the London Symphony
Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra. Silk St, EC2. Tel: +44
(0)20-7638-8891.
The cavernous Royal Festival Hall by the river was built for grand
choral works and symphonic events but can be an expensive venue.
South Bank Centre, SE1. Tel: +44 (0)870-401-8181.
Another key venue for classical entertainment is Sadler's Wells in
Islington. It hosts a varied and ambitious programme of events
throughout the year, that includes ballet and contemporary dance and
theatre alongside music. Rosebery Ave. Tel: +44 (0)870-737-7737. If
you want to catch some free performances, the Royal College of Music
holds lunchtime concerts at 13h00 during term time. Prince Consort
Rd, SW7. Tel: +44 (0)20-7589-3643.
Rock & Pop
London's major music venues attract an endless stream of touring
bands and popular acts from all over the musical spectrum from jazz
to rap.
Travel south to the Brixton Academy for one of London's finest live
music venues, alternating between big-name performers and
club-nights. 211 Stockwell Rd, SW9. Tel: +44 (0)20-7771-3000.
One of West London's top venues is the Shepherds Bush Empire which
hosts quality bands and musical acts. Shepherds Bush Green, W12.
Tel: +44 (0)20-8354-3300.
There is always a lively spread of up-and-coming artists playing the
pubs and smaller venues. Try down-to-earth Borderline (Orange Yard,
off Manette St, W1. Tel: +44 (0)20-7534-6970) for guitar-based rock,
pop and country-tinged music, or the ICA (Institute of Contemporary
Arts, The Mall, SW1. Tel: +44 (0)20-7930-3647) for more quirky, arty
performances appealing to an achingly trendy crowd.
Jazz
The Jazz Café (5 Parkway, NW1. Tel: +44 (0)20-7916-6060) is a slick
venue with a mixed programme, ranging from big band outfits to soul
divas. World-famous Ronnie Scott's (47 Frith St, W1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7439-0747) is a smoky and, yes, jazzy venue that has hosted a
fine pedigree of jazz greats.
West End Shows and Theatre
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London's West End is one of the world's leading centres for
contemporary theatre and musicals. Long-running Andrew Lloyd-Webber
productions such as "Phantom of the Opera" are always a favourite,
while "Les Miserables" has been playing to packed houses for over a
decade. Performance musicals such as Stomp have been resident on the
Strand for years.
Theatre includes the classic and official world's longest-running
play "The Mousetrap" (currently at the St Martin's Theatre) as well
as the latest contemporary works by modern English playwrights such
as Patrick Marber or Michael Frayn.
For Shakespeare there is no better place than the reconstructed
Globe, on the south bank of the Thames just along from the National
Theatre, which also hosts big budget classic productions from the
Royal Shakespeare Company. If you don't want to tackle anything too
heavy the Reduced Shakespeare Company performs the Complete Works of
William Shakespeare in a hilarious hour-and-a-half show at the
Criterion on Haymarket, just off Piccadilly. If you'd rather scream
than laugh the Woman in Black continues to haunt theatres in the
city, and is undoubtedly the most terrifying production on any stage
in the world.
There are more theatres than it is possible to list. Most are
centred on Piccadilly, Charing Cross Road and along Shaftesbury
Avenue (the "Theatre District"), but there are others around Covent
Garden and along the Strand. Other shows may be held at
out-of-centre locations, in Victoria or Hammersmith for example. A
good current listing guide like Time Out or your ticket agent should
tell you how to most easily get to your venue.
Ticket prices vary depending on seat quality and booking outlet -
expect to pay upwards of GBP35 for a good seat, while GBP10 will
often be enough to get you into a matinée. Except for premières or
in the first few months of a big show, you can get tickets for most
productions from the theatre box office, right up to the time the
curtain rises. Reputable ticket agents include Ticketmaster (Tel:
+44 (0)870-400-0700). You can also get half-price tickets for same
day performances at the TKTS ticket booth in Leicester Square.
Opera
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The English National Opera (St Martin's Lane, WC2. Tel: +44
(0)20-7632-8300) and the Royal Opera House (Bow St, WC2. Tel: +44
(0)20-7240-1200) are the key venues for opera lovers. While the
National Opera is "olde worlde" London, the Royal has revived the
elitist traditions of opera with its exorbitant seat prices and
formal dress code. Tourists often see it as all terribly English. In
summer, the Royal's largesse extends to a live telecast of
performances on the big screen in Covent Garden.
Cinema
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Right in the centre of the city, Leicester Square is thronged with
the largest cinemas in the UK. Blockbuster movies dominate the show
list, and ticket prices can be steep (up to GBP11). Premiere nights
are the biggest draws as the red carpet is rolled out for
Hollywood's major stars, and even the odd Royal trip to the movies.
One of the best of the independent cinemas, the National Film
Theatre (South Bank. Tel: +44 (0)20-7928-3232) has a mixed programme
of art-house and foreign-language films and loyal audiences. The
Curzon Soho (99 Shaftesbury Ave, W1. Tel: +44 (0)20-7734-2255) and
its sister the Curzon Mayfair (38 Curzon St, W1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7495-0500) are also a popular choice for lovers of art-house
cinema.
The IMAX cinema in Waterloo is a great experience that transports
you almost within the movie. 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1. Tel: +44
(0)870-787-2525.
The Prince Charles Cinema just off Leicester Square has a winning
combination of London's cheapest cinema prices (from GBP3), art
house/cult classics and Friday night participation movies such as
the Rocky Horror Picture Show and the strudel-sweet classic Sound of
Music. 7 Leicester Place. Tel: +44 (0)20-7494-3654.
Nightclubs
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A long-established clubbers' Mecca, London has everything from
big-name DJs to highly individual underground clubs. Each area of
the city has its own club flavour worth seeking out, and the scene
moves swiftly as the celebrity circuit with its paparazzi entourage
tends to drop nightspots and pick up new ones as regularly as it
changes its taste in music and fashion. To keep up with the latest
fads you have to be wealthy, well dressed and in the know.
Thankfully there are some places that still let mere mortals enter
their hallowed halls.
The West End and Soho are the most popular central areas for a night
out, with a great many late night pubs and bars to choose from -
ranging from Piccadilly's massive Trocadero centre, with its
seemingly countless bars spread across half-a-dozen floors, to the
exclusive portals of Chinawhite or the Elysium Lounge. Hoxton and
Shoreditch, a bit further from the centre to the north-east, has in
the last few years gained a reputation as the place to go out in,
with a range of trendy bars such as Home and Blue, and late night
clubs that try to pretend thay have a gritty feel, but are in fact
as gentrified as West End hotspots. People who fancy things
genuinely earthy, perhaps cut with a bit of punk, should try the
nightlife in Camden - but take care where you wander.
The best club nights are hopelessly over-subscribed, you either have
to obtain tickets well in advance or be prepared to queue if you
want to hear the hottest DJs at the most popular venues in town. If
you're serious about your clubbing then you should check listings
carefully, there is genuinely something for everyone going on
somewhere in London, pretty much every night of the week. If you're
more of a casual clubber then you'll always find somewhere where you
can dance the night away.
*Fabric From new kid on the block to leader of the pack on the
London club scene, it's been an interesting few years for Fabric
since it opened in 1999. It has matured somewhat, but still has the
energy of its early days, and doesn't seem to be diminishing in
popularity. Although there are plenty of pretenders to its crown,
Fabric is still consistently named top club in the capital. Gay
night, DTPM, held on Sundays. 77a Charterhouse St, EC1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7336-8898.
*Trendy Shoreditch's current favourite club, Herbal has just the
right blend of warehouse cool and moneyed clientele that is an
inevitable recipe for success. Celebs think they're getting back to
the roots of clubbing, while Joe Public is happy to rub shoulders
with the British movie stars and children's TV presenters who seem
to permanently inhabit clubs like this. It's fantastic. 10 Kingsland
Rd, E2. Tel: +44 (0)20-7613-4462.
*Ministry of Sound is the mega-club that invented the entire concept
- and now it's killed it off, relaunching itself as a more laid-back
super-lounge. Genuinely needing no introduction it still has the
capacity to pack the crowds in every Friday and Saturday night. Big
name DJs play for big name VIPs, and a host of paying customers. If
you're looking for a big night out, and can afford time to recover
the next day, then look no further. 103 Gaunt St, SE1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7378-6528.
*Salsa! does exactly what the name implies. Live bands or a DJ spins
salsa and merengue music, which gets the admittedly quite talented
crowd strutting their stuff. Lessons are available for beginners,
but single girls be warned, brylcreamed Latin lotharios constantly
circle the dance floor looking for partners. They are usually more
interested in themselves than their dance partner so you're not in
real danger apart from perhaps a bit of nausea. 96 Charing Cross Rd,
WC2. Tel: +44 (0)20-7379-3277.
A massive club with a central location, Sound can't really go wrong.
There's nothing too clever, just a roster of dancefloor-pleasing
pop, and an enthusiastic if young crowd of revellers who want to
have a good time, and invariably do. 10 Wardour St, W1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7287-1010.
Gay nightlife
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It comes as no surprise that London has an active gay and lesbian
scene with a great choice of clubs and bars to choose from. The
majority of these are accumulated around the district of Soho, and
in particular along Old Compton Steet, in the city's West End. For
listings of what's on, pick up a copy of the Gay Times, qx or the
London Official Gay and Lesbian Guide (the latter is produced by -
and available free of charge from - the tourist office). As far as
clubs go, there really is something for everyone - here are just a
couple of the mainstays of the scene:
Billed as the most famous gay nightclub in the world, Heaven has
been going for more than two decades, and continues to entertain its
mixed clientele of gay, straight and extroverted people. Although
you can pitch up pretty much as you are, and still enjoy the night,
many regulars go that extra mile, and when they say that anything
goes - it usually does. The Arches, Villiers St, WC2. Tel: +44
(0)20-7930-2020.
Another old favourite, G-A-Y at the Astoria is a regular night of
fun and frolics held several times a week including Fridays and
Saturdays. The popular club night appeals to a predominantly young -
and fairly posey - crowd of gay men and lesbians, on occasion
attracting big name live acts on stage. Astoria nightclub, 157
Charing Cross Rd, WC2. Tel: +44 (0)20-7434-9592.
Just behind the Astoria, the Ghetto is an altogether more
down-to-earth affair attracting a fun-loving, unpretentious crowd
every Friday and Saturday night. Falconberg Court, W1. Tel: +44
(0)20-7287-3726.
Comedy
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Many of the world's great comedians cut their teeth at London's many
comedy clubs, and international comedians regularly come to the city
with their latest shows. Major stars of the circuit such as Eddie
Izzard, Steve Coogan and Ben Elton play to packed out theatre venues
when on tour (check press for details) but there is always a range
of performances at the smaller more intimate venues to provide a few
laughs any day of the week.
Quality stand-up and good food can be found at the Comedy Café (66
Rivington St, EC2. Tel: +44 (0)20-7739-5706), while Jongleurs at
Camden Lock (Chalk Farm Rd, NW1. Tel: +44 (0)870-787-0707) is a
purpose-built venue with a strong line-up - it also has branches in
Bow and Battersea. A good midweek bet is the Canal Café Theatre (Delamere
Terrace, W2. Tel: +44 (0)20-7289-6056) as is the legendary Comedy
Store (Haymarket House, 1 Oxendon St, SW1. Tel: +44
(0)870-060-2340), regarded as the birthplace of alternative comedy.
Sports
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Football has become England's largest cultural export, and English
teams are passionately supported all over the world. Book in advance
and visit one of London's hallowed grounds for a live game. Arsenal
(Highbury. Tel: +44 (0)20-7704-4040), Chelsea (Stamford Bridge. Tel:
+44 (0)870-300-1212), Spurs (White Hart Lane. Tel: +44
(0)20-8365-5100), Fulham (Loftus Rd. Tel: +44 (0)870-442-1234) and
Charlton (The Valley. Tel: +44 (0)871-226-1905) are London's current
top five teams. Ticket availability varies greatly according to
opposition and current team success (or lack thereof).
If you love cricket or are intrigued by the game's arcane rituals, a
visit to Lord's - the spiritual home of the sport - is a must. As
well as hosting first-class matches and test cricket, Lord's houses
the MCC Museum which offers an invaluable insight into the venerable
history of the sport. Open for visitors' guided tours 10h00, 12h00 &
14h00 (except match days). Tel: +44 (0)20-7289-1611. Tube: St Johns
Wood.
Experiences
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Hang around Buckingham Palace to see some of the unique rituals of
the monarchy. The Changing of the Guard is always a draw for
tourists. The new guard, consisting of bearskinned and red coated
soldiers, marches to the palace from the barracks further down the
mall accompanied by a martial band. The old guard then ceremonially
hands over the duty of guarding the monarch before marching back
down the mall. The Changing of the Guard occurs daily at 11h30 in
summer, and every other day through winter.
Hyde Park Corner on weekend mornings hosts impassioned speakers
indulging in various diatribes fuelled by the self-righteous air
conveyed by standing on a soapbox. It is a good-natured atmosphere
provided no one takes it too seriously. The speakers' enthusiasm is
greatly subdued during the winter months of December to April. Tube:
Marble Arch.
For a taste of England in days of old when knights were bold, head
for the Medieval Banquet in Ivory House near Tower Bridge. You'll be
treated to the full Middle Ages experience, from the four-course
banquet at trestle tables complete with foaming jugs of ale and
wine, and live entertainment designed to transport you back to
medieval times. Hit the price tag for a GBP5 discount on the price
of your banquet fare.
Special Events
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January
On New Year's Day, there's an enormous parade through the centre of
the city in the middle of the day, featuring around 10,000
performers, and attracting hordes of spectators.
April
Far more than a sports event, the Flora London Marathon is the
longest street party in the world and is regarded as the most
prestigious of the world's "big city" marathons. If you're not
amongst the 30,000 runners, then the bands, pubs and entertainment
that line the route still make coming out to support the runners a
worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.
June/ July
There is something to suit everyone at the City of London Festival
held during June and July. As well as music ranging from jazz and
roots to classical and contemporary, there are theatre, dance,
literature and visual arts events during the three-week programme.
Every July London's gay and lesbian community holds a Pride march
along the streets of the city centre, followed by a raucous Mardi
Gras party held in one of the central parks.
August
The Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's largest street
festival. Over a million people take to the streets during the
end of August bank holiday for this festival of music, dance, drama
and food. The parade is the highlight of the celebrations, with
colourful floats and flamboyant dancers, to the beat of a few
hundred different rhythms. Be warned: the Carnival is not for the
claustrophobic and keep tight hold of your belongings.
November
Bonfire Night is held across Britain on November 5 (or the nearest
weekend) each year, in order to celebrate Guy Fawkes's ill-fated
1605 attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Domestic displays
of fireworks in people's back garden mean the air is filled with
smoke, light and noise, but for the best visual displays you should
head for one of London's major public spectaculars. Battersea Park
is the most renowned display, attracting thousands of spectators -
Primrose Hill affords a spectacular view. Alexandra Palace also
holds a good show, with an indoor funfair, ice rink and other
attractions to keep you entertained.
December
Christmas is big business in London and nowhere is this more evident
than along Oxford Street and other central shopping areas which are
packed with shoppers and adorned with festive lights (which are
switched on back in November). There are several outdoor ice-skating
rinks in the city, most of them open throughout December and most of
January. Somerset House on the Strand (WC2) is one of the most
central and scenic - and therefore often gets booked up a long time
in advance. Otherwise, try the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
(SE10) - a little further out, but equally atmospheric.
London doesn't indulge in public New Year's Eve festivities as much
as some cities in the world - many people celebrate in pubs and
clubs or at home. However, with Big Ben as the backdrop, naturally
thousands of people are keen to come to hear the most famous clock
in the world chime out the old year and in the new on December 31,
and fireworks often light up the Thames.
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