Traditionally Londoners enjoy a pint in a pub rather than a bar. You will see most London workers having a good large pint after work with their colleagues to relax from the day’s stress… Pubs are not smoke-free so the streets are inundated with people enjoying both pleasures. However, it is very pleasant to have a couple of drinks and go home feeling fresh and not stinking!

Some pubs offer also meals at good prices and some of them have become what's known as "gastro-pubs" - where you can enjoy top quality cuisine .

You can find your nearest pub in various webs, with rated reviews from the general public: www.beerintheevening.com, www.fancyapint.com, www.pubinnguide.co.uk, www.pub-explorer.com

But the success of pubs doesn't mean there aren't some of the coolest bars in the world here. Bars for all kind of scenes, in different parts of the city.

If you are just visiting downtown or just out of the office, you can pop in one of the numerous bars around Soho, Covent Garden or the back streets between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

But, if you are looking for the best bars for a night out, you can head to the East if you want to check out the latest trends in fashion and mingle with the new designers, artists and musicians of the London scene. Old Street is full of bars with friendly and less uptight people.

The West is traditionally the posh-er end of town, with nice places around South Kensington, High Street Ken, Knightsbridge or Covent Garden.. these require an effort in your outfit and, in many cases, being part of a guest list to be allowed in. Many of these also require a payment in the entrance. Some of the more grown up areas are Chiswick or Notting Hill.

For a bit less uptight and more chilled scene, head to Islington and Angel, full of a young crowd in between 20s-30s – mostly people working on advertising, design, editing or with creative tastes.

For the gay scene, head directly to the village area, which covers a few streets in the heart of Soho. Fun places that sit next to numerous restaurants and kinky shops.

If you just want to have fun and drink lots, well… there are all the neighbourhoods where the antipodeans and other foreign residents hang out. Such as Shepherd’s Bush, Acton, Putney or Clapham Junction.

For all traditional punk, rock or indie nights, head towards Camden, where there are numerous mini concert venues and mini clubs and bars.

Find the bar you are looking for here: www.worldsbestbars.com, www.timeout.com, www.ruby.uk.com, www.latenightlondon.co.uk, squaremeal.co.uk

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