2 Best Nightlife in London, England

The Beaux-Arts-style interior of this enduringly popular subterranean bar just north of Piccadilly Circus is so opulent that you'd be forgiven for thinking it had been here since the 1890s. In fact it's a relatively new revival and has been a hit since it was reconverted in 2012, along with the cavernous Parisian-inspired Brasserie Zédel and the racy Crazy Coqs cabaret, which share the premises. The nifty cocktails cover Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, and Post-Prohibition standards, with additional special menus on occasion.

This long-established live music venue off Carnaby Street hosts local blues musicians, as well as some notable names, that squeeze onto the tiny stage and jam around very happily. There's decent bar food of the chili-and-gumbo variety. Most weekday nights, there's no cover charge.