Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:35 pm  

Big Graeme wrote:

Plenty of entertainment to be had around the southside of SOHO, around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, everything from upscale cocktail bars, tourist hotspots and general London boozers, then on to Madame Jojo's, its not a cheap night out but you don't go out in London everyday.

Cheers - fully aware that it will be a drain on the wallet. Been told by somebody Shepherds Market - but no idea why and they wouldnt elaborate, possibly a set up. Looks pretty nice on google though (mentions about brothels in the 1920's - not really what we're after)

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:56 pm  

Avoid Kensington, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. It's full of wannabe wags, and twentysomethings living it up on their daddy's credit card. Beer is £7.50 a bottle and you probably won't get in anywhere unless you are sporting blond floppy hair, a pink shirt and a £5K timepiece.

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 5:00 pm  

Covent Garden is fun. No shortage of pubs and bars round there. No entry fees at most of them. Try the Porterhouse for starters and see where the night takes you. The Roadhouse used to be excellent but I have not been for years. If you get bored there is always Stringfellows just around the corner.

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 6:15 pm  

The Video Ref wrote:

Covent Garden is fun. No shortage of pubs and bars round there. No entry fees at most of them. Try the Porterhouse for starters and see where the night takes you. The Roadhouse used to be excellent but I have not been for years. If you get bored there is always Stringfellows just around the corner.

That's the obvious area.

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:41 pm  

First thing, don't speak in a northern acccent as they'll think you're asking for "spare change please"

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 10:05 pm  

Tommy Duckfingers wrote:

Cheers - fully aware that it will be a drain on the wallet. Been told by somebody Shepherds Market - but no idea why and they wouldnt elaborate, possibly a set up. Looks pretty nice on google though (mentions about brothels in the 1920's - not really what we're after)

Aussie area

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 10:23 pm  

Shepherds Market is quite a nice little spot but its fame is for prostitutes (the clue being the open doors leading to staircases up to windows with red lights in). Used to go to the pubs their after playing football in Hyde Park. Used to like embarassing the shabby blokes coming back down the stairs and furtively rejoining the street by shout "I know what you've been doing!" Bit juvenile given my age at the time, but it amused me.

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:34 pm  

I went for a few beers around the West End and in some pubs round there. Not bars, actual pubs and that was pretty cool. Pint of Staropramen was 4 quid which isnt unreasonable at all.

I liked going to Goodge St and the pubs round there too. Can stand outside and chat with friendly people and also go inside and not be too cramped and have a laugh with people too.

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:57 pm  

My night out is usually pub in the Big Red in Holloway, then 29 up to Camden.

Hammersmith/Chiswick/Richmond are good, Hoxton (used to live there) very trendy, and not as spread out as most places.
Ealing is a good night out, Clapham is ok, Harrow at a stretch

Re: Night Out In The Smoke : Sat Nov 10, 2012 2:59 am  

i boozed a lot round Soho.
Had a couple of northern mates who ran pubs in Old Compton Street.
Always something going on round there.

If you see characters like this knocking about mind, don't be tempted to go back to his for a drink.
Your head may end up in a cooking pot!