• Search
• Subscribe

Germany may be king of all countries when it comes to the ‘after-hour', but since London launched 24-hour licensing back in 2005, the city has become home to a hotch-potch of back street bars, bistros and night spots that offer our German counterparts somewhat of a run for their euro. And, despite the British Government p*ssing on the common drinker's parade with their threat of abolishing round-the-clock boozing, at least for now London is home to a wealth of grimy watering holes, fast food ‘bars' and dance floors that are more than happy to entertain everyone from beer-hungry bankers to mid-week insomniacs for the best part of the night.

So whether that sounds like you or you're on the hunt for a Monday night marathon or a wild Wednesday evening perhaps, stop right here as we've mapped out your plan of attack complete with all the places you need to know about that will take you rocking and rolling right through the week.

Monday
You've made it through the most horrific day of the week, so what to do? Celebrate (and console your post-weekend come-down) by starting all over again of course! On a monotonous Monday, you'll find ‘cheap and cheesy' is what rules supreme with your offering ranging from budget booze at The Roxy's ‘Rehab' (open until 3am), to terrifically tacky ‘soul' club Moonlighting which hosts ‘I Love Mondays'. Moonlighting's drinks start from only £1.50 and with the evening advertised using the catchphrase "Never mind the Credit Crunch, join the Monday Funday bunch", well it's anything but a classy night. Still, beggars can't be choosers and although slightly random, this party promises that if you work for the emergency services, you're guaranteed free entry. For everyone else, best look out your finest nurses uniform, there's not much saving dignity here anyway and if you're out until 5am on a Tuesday morning, well, who said you had it to begin with.

If that's not quite up your street (if you've an inch of cool in your body, it probably isn't), then why not take in a little bit of London-based Hollywood at Tinseltown in Farringdon? This all-American diner serves up music and milkshakes (including Crème Egg or Jammie Dodger flavours) plus ‘triple challenge' burgers (and the rest) 'til a fine yawn-busting 5am.

Tuesday
"Tuesday is the new Friday," according to The Den & Centro (formerly The End), so once last orders have been called, head over to this re-instated haunt that's tucked into a corner at the bottom of Oxford Street and experience ‘Replay'. This night focuses on ‘the very best House and Deep House' and whether The Den's claim may be debatable, you'll certainly be entertained until a wide-eyed and not-so bushy-tailed 7am.

Wednesday
Begin your mid-week bender by warming up with cocktails at Trailer Happiness on Portobello Road. To quote the bar itself, it's a ‘Retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded trailer park glamour - cork tiles and shag pile, love songs and vol-au-vents, Lynch prints and Tiki drinks.' While it's not new on the block, it's still a much loved haunt of in-the-know London hipsters who head to the bar to be catapulted back to the 70s with its décor, and to unwind to the DJs eclectic tunes. What's more, it's only a hop, skip and a jump from Notting Hill Arts club, another old favourite, where you can continue drinking yourself into believing it's the weekend at their ‘Death2Disco' night until 2am. From there on in it's gay nights a-plenty - a London late night fail-safe - so whether you're looking to hone your retro-sexual into a metro-sexual, or simply want to seek out a same-sex lothario, look no further than Vauxhall past bedtime.

Thursday
Not to be confused with it's glamourous namesake in Mayfair's Westbury Hotel, The Polo Bar is one of London's longest standing 24-hour ‘caffs'. Ok, so it might not be your ultimate party destination, but the good news is that whether you're on your way home or just stepping out to the clubs, take a de-tour via this place during September and you'll be rewarded with the ultimate breakfast freebie - a good old bacon roll. Naturally, this east end find is well prepared with drinks available at the bar (albeit not quite so complimentary).

Friday
From smaller set-ups like Madam Jo Jo's and Plastic People to the recent surge of car park based ‘warehouse' parties, London has no shortage of bars, clubs and corner shops (some even with secret shisha lock-ins and over-priced cans of beer) to keep you entertained on a Friday. Give Brixton-based bar in a cript Babalou a spin for an eerie 5am finish or stick to sure-fire Shoreditch and Hub where it's 17K sound system will help you see in the weekend right up until 7am.

Saturday
Rising star nightspot Jacks is where you should ear mark for Saturday's 24-hour experience. This rough-round-the-edges joint in London Bridge is hotly tipped by those in the know as one of the most underground clubs in the city, and regularly plays host to a portfolio of nights including ‘History of Hardcore', ‘Braindrop', ‘Total Hypnosis', ‘Whirlygig' and many more. Jacks' doors are often open from 10pm to as late as 12pm the following day, and with Acid House, hat parties and plenty more weird and wonderful nights not unheard of, a night here is a night well spent.

Adding to Saturday's list is Visions Video Bar, an intimate basement club in Dalston that's off the beaten path and well worth checking out. This is where artists, disco lovers and cool kids head to for an all-nighter and despite there being little more room than necessary to swing the obligatory cat, the Video Bar, open is until 4.30am onwards and does its damdest to prove that good things do indeed come in small packages.

Sunday
Fancy swapping your full English for a bit of a music-mash-up? Then you'll want to join the masses getting scrambled at King's Cross' last standing club Egg. The venue plays host to breakfast in the form of three floors and a garden full of tech and deep, funky house and from 4am to mid-day you can take in a healthy portion of brunch-time beats hell-bent on frying your brain.

For those south of the river, Jaded at Cable is the after-hour of choice. Brought to you by head honcho Krista Yeah plus residents Raymundo Rodriguez and Mouji, you'll find this trio spends Sunday putting their "we believe sleep is for the week" motto well into practice. If you too like nothing more than a rave in the morning, this is where you'll find workers and middle-of-the-morning wanderers become one very big, very happy family.

***

World Dance Music Capital 07: London - Club Guide to Party in London