Different things to do in London, and club suggestions - Advice

Red Arrow · 07-11-2009, 23:18

I'm going down to London next week for a few days and looking for suggestions for things to do. I've done most of the touristy things already (Big Ben, Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, London Eye etc) last time I was down a few years ago so I'm looking for some good suggestions. Like do something or go somewhere that is off the main tourist path, that only locals really know about.

I've got a day to myself so need a couple of things to do on my own, then got another 2 days with a couple of friends. If it helps at all for suggestions I'm really into music, films, gadgets and games.

Also can anyone recommend a couple of good night clubs to go to that 4 guys in their mid 20's can enjoy and get into without any hassle? Some clubs up here in Scotland can be a bit 'arsey' if it's only a group of guys wanting to get in and normally knock us back.

Hildabeast · 07-11-2009, 23:27

In terms of music and films, I'd head along to the South Bank (the stretch of the Thames near the London Eye) - lots of films, arty stuff, live music etc. http://www.southbanklondon.com/ I love the atmosphere - one of my favourite parts of London. This is somewhere I'd tend to go with friends, rather than alone.

The classic alternative-culture-type-place is Camden Market. I find a lot of the stalls hideously overpriced, but you don't have to buy anything to appreciate it in all its eclectic awesomeness.

I love Borough Market - obviously you'll be on holiday so you won't want to buy food to take home and cook, but head there one lunchtime and pick up something random to eat - I had a kangaroo burger when I was there last! It's only on 3 days a week (I think Thursday, Friday and Saturday). You could easily go here on the day you're by yourself - I went when I was alone and had time to kill, and I really enjoyed it.

Red Arrow · 07-11-2009, 23:41

Many thanks, this is exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.

Hypnodisc · 08-11-2009, 00:08

I hope you don't find this offensive, but all the things you have done ie. Buck Palace, Westminster etc. are all boring boring boring

Go to Camden Town, Chinatown, Leciester Square, Soho, The Science Museum, lots of clubs near Covent Garden etc.

I don't quite know where to start with shops, but I always love IKEA in Wembley

SophStar · 08-11-2009, 00:12

You could go to the restaurants at the o2 if you want a nice meal or something.

Red Arrow · 08-11-2009, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypnodisc

I hope you don't find this offensive, but all the things you have done ie. Buck Palace, Westminster etc. are all boring boring boring

Go to Camden Town, Chinatown, Leciester Square, Soho, The Science Museum, lots of clubs near Covent Garden etc.

I don't quite know where to start with shops, but I always love IKEA in Wembley

Yeah well it was back in 2000 when I went with my parents, so I had no choice

Hence why now I'm wanting to find some alternative places to go.

Am I correct in saying there is a club in the o2? If so is it any good and what type of music do they play on a Fri/Sat night?

Smokeychan1 · 08-11-2009, 00:47

I havent been in years - moved up north - but Ronnie Scott's is well worth a visit even if you think you don't like jazz.

JoJo2 · 08-11-2009, 00:56

Yes, you would be correct in saying that. In fact there are loads of bars inside the o2 and it is host to "The British Music Experience". I'd also check what was going on at indigo2, where Prince held his after-show parties.

pta1902 · 08-11-2009, 19:14

Biggest club in the O2 is called Matter I think it's usually more D&B/ urban on a Friday night and then electro / house on a Saturday. Amazing sound system and got a very industrial feel to it although depends whether this is your cup of tea or not.

A more quirky experience is Shunt Lounge in London Bridge. It's a dark sprawling club under the arches of the station. Its interior gets gutted out and redecorated (or "curated" as they call it) by a different group of artists every couple of weeks. It sounds pretentious but it's a really unique venue and is great fun to explore. Need to get there early though 8-9pm as the queues are huge (despite the place being massive). I think it's closing down and the last night is on 14th November as the station is being redeveloped so try and get there before then. It's an experience..

saintly666 · 08-11-2009, 20:18

If drum and bass is your thing, I'd recommend Fabric on a Friday night. Excellent soundsystem and incredible music.

fifilapew · 08-11-2009, 21:11

There are quite a few clubs in the o2 now, and loads of restaurants bars, all indoors too so the weather won't matter.

I like Shoreditch too, loads of bars and clubs, not as arsey as the west end, quite a trndy crowd.

Have fun!!

Mark in Essex · 09-11-2009, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintly666

If drum and bass is your thing, I'd recommend Fabric on a Friday night. Excellent soundsystem and incredible music.

I'd recommed Fabric as well - also they play techno on a Saturday night.

Also you could try Brick Lane for a curry or just the bars/clubs round there (it's walking distance from Liverpool Street Station).

Red Arrow · 09-11-2009, 13:46

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not into techno or anything like that.

I'm more into Alternative Rock and happy to dance to pop songs once drunk. But the guys I'm going out with would rather it be a bit more R&B.

Are there any clubs which combine a bit of all three?

07-11-2009, 23:18	#1
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	Different things to do in London, and club suggestions I'm going down to London next week for a few days and looking for suggestions for things to do. I've done most of the touristy things already (Big Ben, Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, London Eye etc) last time I was down a few years ago so I'm looking for some good suggestions. Like do something or go somewhere that is off the main tourist path, that only locals really know about. I've got a day to myself so need a couple of things to do on my own, then got another 2 days with a couple of friends. If it helps at all for suggestions I'm really into music, films, gadgets and games. Also can anyone recommend a couple of good night clubs to go to that 4 guys in their mid 20's can enjoy and get into without any hassle? Some clubs up here in Scotland can be a bit 'arsey' if it's only a group of guys wanting to get in and normally knock us back.

07-11-2009, 23:27	#2
Hildabeast Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW London Posts: 43	In terms of music and films, I'd head along to the South Bank (the stretch of the Thames near the London Eye) - lots of films, arty stuff, live music etc. http://www.southbanklondon.com/ I love the atmosphere - one of my favourite parts of London. This is somewhere I'd tend to go with friends, rather than alone. The classic alternative-culture-type-place is Camden Market. I find a lot of the stalls hideously overpriced, but you don't have to buy anything to appreciate it in all its eclectic awesomeness. I love Borough Market - obviously you'll be on holiday so you won't want to buy food to take home and cook, but head there one lunchtime and pick up something random to eat - I had a kangaroo burger when I was there last! It's only on 3 days a week (I think Thursday, Friday and Saturday). You could easily go here on the day you're by yourself - I went when I was alone and had time to kill, and I really enjoyed it.

07-11-2009, 23:41	#3
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	Many thanks, this is exactly the type of thing I'm looking for.

08-11-2009, 00:08	#4
Hypnodisc Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Commuter Belt, West of London Services: Virgin Media V+ XL TV. Scrounging for Britain on Benefits. Blates. Posts: 4,000	I hope you don't find this offensive, but all the things you have done ie. Buck Palace, Westminster etc. are all boring boring boring Go to Camden Town, Chinatown, Leciester Square, Soho, The Science Museum, lots of clubs near Covent Garden etc. I don't quite know where to start with shops, but I always love IKEA in Wembley

08-11-2009, 00:12	#5
SophStar Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Services: Co-Manager Of Team Drool, Team Minogue FTW, RIP MJ Posts: 3,615 Blog Entries: 2	You could go to the restaurants at the o2 if you want a nice meal or something.

08-11-2009, 00:47	#7
Smokeychan1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,024	I havent been in years - moved up north - but Ronnie Scott's is well worth a visit even if you think you don't like jazz.

08-11-2009, 00:56	#8
JoJo2 Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,130	Yes, you would be correct in saying that. In fact there are loads of bars inside the o2 and it is host to "The British Music Experience". I'd also check what was going on at indigo2, where Prince held his after-show parties.

08-11-2009, 19:14	#9
pta1902 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,044	Biggest club in the O2 is called Matter I think it's usually more D&B/ urban on a Friday night and then electro / house on a Saturday. Amazing sound system and got a very industrial feel to it although depends whether this is your cup of tea or not. A more quirky experience is Shunt Lounge in London Bridge. It's a dark sprawling club under the arches of the station. Its interior gets gutted out and redecorated (or "curated" as they call it) by a different group of artists every couple of weeks. It sounds pretentious but it's a really unique venue and is great fun to explore. Need to get there early though 8-9pm as the queues are huge (despite the place being massive). I think it's closing down and the last night is on 14th November as the station is being redeveloped so try and get there before then. It's an experience..

08-11-2009, 20:18	#10
saintly666 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Services: Sky+ HD, O2 broadband Posts: 9	If drum and bass is your thing, I'd recommend Fabric on a Friday night. Excellent soundsystem and incredible music.

08-11-2009, 21:11	#11
fifilapew Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 298	There are quite a few clubs in the o2 now, and loads of restaurants bars, all indoors too so the weather won't matter. I like Shoreditch too, loads of bars and clubs, not as arsey as the west end, quite a trndy crowd. Have fun!!

09-11-2009, 13:46	#13
Red Arrow Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland Services: SkyHD, BT 8Mb. Posts: 5,692	Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not into techno or anything like that. I'm more into Alternative Rock and happy to dance to pop songs once drunk. But the guys I'm going out with would rather it be a bit more R&B. Are there any clubs which combine a bit of all three?