London's night-life is second to none. Although prices are generally much higher than elsewhere in the UK, city prices reflect a higher grade of service and

atmosphere. London has over 4,100 pubs and thousands of bars too. Venues in the centre, and the London's West End, tend to be the most expensive, but chains like Wetherspoons, Sam Smith's and Scream keep their drinks prices down even in the centre. Keep an eye out for pubs and bars popular with the student crowd – The Court and The Rocket near University College London, for instance – as they keep their prices down for their clientèle.

For the best view in the city, try pubs on the banks of the Thames. The South Bank has lots of good bars with plenty of iconic bridges and buildings in sight.
Heading towards Bermondsey, pub crowds become a little less touristy.

If you're after gastropubs, you may like to visit London's first, The Eagle, in Clerkenwell, established in 1991. You can also try The Princess Victoria on Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush. Wine buffs can enjoy the famous Davys wine bars that dot the city. Other big names in wine include the Michelin-starred Cellar Gascon' and Vinoteca, both in Smithfield. You can rely on most up-and-running bars to offer a short cocktail menu. However, if you want to find a cocktail expert try The International on St Martin's Lane, Lab, Old Compton Street or Trailer Happiness, Portobello Road.

There are clubs to suit every taste in the city, but certain boroughs tend to specialise in a specific genre. Hoxton and Shoreditch have become extremely popular areas in the last five years and their clubs now dominate the indie and electro scenes. Cargo in Hoxton, Favela Chic in Shoreditch, and live music venue 93 Feet East on Brick Lane are all lively places to drink and dance. London's West End tends to be more upmarket. Cafe De Paris, China White, Bungalow 8, Paper and Mahiki – are household names because of their A-list crowd.
High-octane glamour is the standard mode for these clubs and they usually operate on a guestlist-only policy.

North London's Camden area has many established alternative pubs, clubs and live music venues. The Electric Ballroom on Camden High Street is a notorious rock venue established in 1978 and Koko, also on Camden High Street, is the venue for popular indie night, Club NME, and also puts on some of the best contemporary burlesque shows in the country.