London’s 5,000 pubs and bars make it seem that there is literally one on every corner. Brew varies from “real ale" pulled from barrels to bottled lagers. Most pubs offer wines and spirits, some even exotic cocktails. Once solely for drink, most now serve food from sandwiches to banquets, with prices often cheaper than at restaurants. Among quirky establishments with historical background are The Albert, at 52 Victoria Street, near the Houses of Parliament where a division bell rings in the bar summoning MPs back to work. Samuel Johnson reportedly wrote part of his diary at The Anchor Bankside, 34 Park Street, an 18th century pub near the Globe Theatre. Bunch of Grapes, 207 Brompton Road, has original Victorian décor including “snob" screens separating gentlemen from working stiffs.



London’s pub life is currently buzzing with everything from some of Europe’s liveliest nightclubs, right through to hip stylish bars and traditional old London taverns. Night-time hotspots can be found across the capital, although there is a particular concentration in the West End, especially around Soho. The legal drinking age is 18 and almost all the clubs exact an admission, which can be pricey. The pubs and bars still traditionally close at 2300 Monday to Saturday at 2230 on Sunday. However, many places have special licenses that allow them to stay open later. Drink prices are exorbitant in London and can vary from pub to pub and club to club.

For a traditional English pub - the 17th-century George Inn is the only extant example of a galleried coaching inn in London. Nearby, a popular watering hole for patrons of The Globe theatre, tourists and locals is The Anchor, the 17th-century haunt is quaint and quirky, while its Thames-side terrace is a delight on those rare sunny days. Alternatively, in the city centre, make for The Crown which boasts some of the cheapest beers in the West End. A welcome addition to the Soho scene is Yo!Below, featuring Japanese cartoons, karaoke-singing staff, self-service beer dispensers and masseuses Point 101, is a late-night West End bar that defies the archaic defies the archaic drinking laws with plenty of space and up-to-date dance sounds. Vertigo, Level 42, Tower 42 at 180m (590ft) above the ground, is one of the UK’s highest bars and boasts stunning views across the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows. A real London secret is The Bell & Crown, a riverside pub in West London with outside tables and good pub food. The Fire Stables is an excellent award-winning gastro-pub in Wimbledon Village, perfect for relaxed weekend mornings.

There is absolutely no reason to sit at home or in a hotel in London - the metropolis spreads out, as one commentator said, like a hungry whore. Certainly, if there's money in one’s pocket one can enjoy the best of what’s on offer.