London Bars & Pubs

All Bar One are practically All Bar Everywhere, but they're none the worse for it. The branch in Leicester Square is a prime example of what you can expect from the other outlets -- high ceilings, pine furniture, hordes of people, buzzy noise levels, and a reliably unintimidating ambience. One of the selling points of the chain at its outset was that it offered single women the chance to enjoy a drink in peace. The menu has gone from strength to strength with contemporary British classics, like roasted vegetables, cheese tarts, steak, mostly for under ?10.

48 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LT United Kingdom

Ladies are now more than welcome to this bar that used to be a men-only room. However, something of the Gentlemen's Club atmosphere still remains, possibly because of the plush leather chairs, oak panelling and open coal fires. But it is a great place for relaxing, and for some seriously-refined drinking: the large selection of drinks includes 15 types of whisky, 12 cognacs and 10 different types of champagne, to name but a few. It is a good destination away from the busy bars of nearby Covent Garden and is located in Le Meridian-Waldorf hotel.

Aldwych, (Kingsway), London, WC2B 4DD United Kingdom

Cafe Baroque packs a lot of atmosphere into its small space. Along with Sarastro, this is one of the few restaurants in London where you can be entertained as you eat by live opera. Once a month, Cafe Baroque lays on an opera-while-you-dine experience. The menu offers modern British favourites with something of a French influence. Sink your teeth into wild boar and apple sausages; or, if you're a veggie, mushroom, walnut and shallot strudel with vermouth cream is just one example from a decent range of meat-free dishes.

33 Southampton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7HE United Kingdom

Smack in the heart of tourist land, situated very close to the Pepsi Trocadero, this two-floor bar has adopted the same sort of design and feel of others in the area. The walls are decorated in smashed guitars, gold discs and MTV screens - a bit of an assault on the eyes, but that doesn't seem to deter the young and enthusiastic crowd. The weekend offers music ranging from rock to dance, and there are occasionally a few live performances from random bands. The drinks selection is pretty standard, but expect prices to be inflated due to the location.

Buzz Bar, 49 Whitcomb Street, London, WC2H 7DP United Kingdom

Part of the old church complex, the Bug Bar has tried to create the feel of a private members club. The vaulted space is full of low velvet sofas and heavy oak coffee tables and you can walk through a door to the adjoining Bah Humbug restaurant for a tasty meal. The Bug Bar is the archetypal sweaty basement club at weekends and the hip-hop flavoured club nights attract people from all over London. Entry charges depend on what night and what time you go, but expect to pay up to ?6.

Brixton Hill, (The Crypt, St. Matthew's Church), London, SW2 1JF United Kingdom

Looking out over quiet and affluent Kensington Square, this is a peaceful city pub. It caters for a mixed crowd of businesspeople and locals, the background music is trendy and there is a TV that shows all major sporting events. The Greyhound is well suited to hosting private parties. Food is served all day, with the menu including classic British fare such as steak and kidney pie and ploughman's lunch for around ?5. Draught beers and shots are averagely priced for London.

1 Kensington Square, Kensington, London, W8 5EP United Kingdom

Right in the heart of things, a short stroll away from the Houses of Parliament, this pub radiates history. From the ancient overhead timbers made of an old Thames pier, to the annual toast that takes place here in commemoration of the execution of Charles I on a scaffold in Whitehall over three hundred years ago, The Clarence is one pub you don't want to miss.

53 Whitehall, St James's, London, SW1 United Kingdom

Originally built in 1320, The Castle is a small, traditional pub with a long and illustrious history. Conveniently situated for the Law Courts, Staple Inn (one of the few Tudor buildings left in the City of London) and Fleet Street, it principally serves as a watering-hole for lawyers, bankers and the odd leftover journalist. Currently decorated in Victorian style, The Castle is located right in the centre of this rapidly-changing part of the city. Traditional pub grub is served daily.

26 Furnival Street, Holborn, London, EC4A 1JS United Kingdom

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