London

British culture

NightlifeFamous pubs and clubs

NightclubsOccupying former theatres, railway arches, factories and warehouses, many of London's major clubs started out as illegal party venues, and Londoners are used to descending into the ancient heart of their city for a big night out. There's places to cater for all music tastes; indie, rock, pop and world music, but it is the all-night dance music raves on Fridays and Saturdays that are the lifeblood of these huge spaces.

FabricOne of the biggest and most well-known, Fabric is a nightclub in London, United Kingdom. It was voted number 1 in DJ Magazine's "Top 100 Clubs in the World" poll in 2007 and number 2 in 2008, 2009 and 2010. It is located on Charterhouse Street opposite Smithfield meat market on the southern boundary of the London Borough of Islington.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ofN-CnDGc&feature=related

Looks quite small from the outside right? Inside there are three huge rooms, decorated like the inside of a factory or a spaceship, and the venue can hold over 2000 people.

Ministry of SoundMinistry of Sound London attracts 5000 people each weekend and has three dance floors and three bars. It has remained popular due to the legendary DJs, such as Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold.

Ministry of Sound London nightclub opened in London in September 1991 and was one of the key locations in the development of house music and super clubs in Britain in the early 90s. Ministry of Sound has now established a cult following among clubbers worldwide and is now a 'brand'.

Address:Ministry of Sound103 Gaunt StreetLondonSE1 6DP Nearest Tube Station: Elephant & Castle

The famous sound system is only ever run at 45% of its full capacity. If it was played at 100% it would be the loudest man-made sound you could hear!

AquariumClub Aquarium has five rooms including a swimming pool and a jacuzzi (towels provided) - and there's no other club in the UK that can make that claim! There are also two dance floors and a chill out room, plus a VIP lounge.

Address:256-264 Old StreetShoreditchLondonEC1 9DD Nearest Tube Station:Old Street (Exit 3)

KOKOAn indie rock n roll nightclub

The building opened in 1900 as The Camden Theatre with a 1,600 seating capacity. By 1909 is was renamed The Camden Hippodrome and was a variety theater and famous names, such as Charlie Chaplin, performed. In 1911 film seasons began and it became a cinema in 1913. The cinema closed in 1940 and for 20 years from 1945 the building became a BBC theater and shows included The Goon Show.

In 1970 it became a punk venue called The Music Machine where The Sex Pistols and The Clash played.

In 1983 it became the center of the New Romantic club scene when it was bought by Steve Strange and Rusty Egan of Visage. They renamed the theater The Camden Palace. It was at this club Madonna did her first UK performance.

Its latest incarnation as KOKO has been a huge success as it is still an old theater building but has all the modern technology you want from a cutting edge music venue and club.

Today KOKO is a nightclub and music venue at the bottom of Camden High Street, in a Grade II listed theater building. This 1,500 capacity venue opened in 2004 and has already has had headline performances from Coldplay, Madonna, My Chemical Romance, and Prince. It’s the final stop for the headline act of The Camden Crawl.

Address:1A Camden High StreetLondonNW1 7JE Nearest Tube Station:Mornington Crescent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBx82LG9sWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1gU8TKxmcc

London PubsThe pub is a key aspect of British culture, and London is famous for it’s diverse range of pubs. Some are old and have interesting stories from history, others are modern and sleek, designed for the ‘city boys’.

Here’s a clip from a documentary about London pubs. Look at the inside of The Black Friars! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUbz2So-tY8

Waxy O’Connors

From the outside you just won't realize what a wonder this place is. This Irish pub is huge inside! It even has a massive tree trunk running through the middle of it! The interior decor is rather similar to a church, with pulpits overlooking the bottom bar, rustic wooden seats, and hidden nooks and crannies everywhere. Waxy's really is a special venue to sink a few pints of Guinness - and the food's good too.

Address:14-16 Rupert Street, Soho, London

The TipperaryThe Tipperary is the oldest Irish pub in London and celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2006. Have a look at the plaque inside explaining the pub's history. The Tipperary prides itself on serving good quality ales and appears in the Good Beer Guide.

Address: Tipperary, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1HT

The Sherlock Holmes pub

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUSOMi18vao

The Sherlock Holmes pub in Northumberland Street near Charing Cross railway station, is designed as an apartment of the star detective of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous books. The story of Sherlock Holmes has recently been made into a Hollywood film and a BBC series set in the 20th century.

Today the pub hosts a Sherlock Holmes exhibition. The pub was restored to a late Victorian form and the exhibit, a detailed replica of Holmes' fictional apartment, was installed on the upstairs floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0hXhGt5XPg

The Hawley ArmsMy favourite pub in London is the Hawley Arms. It is a friendly local pub with great beer, great food, live music, a lovely roof terrace and the best jukebox in Camden! I met the late Amy Winehouse there on my 20th birthday.

Address: 2 Castlehaven Road, Camden,  London, NW1 8QUNearest tube station: Camden Town

Questions• How many rooms does Fabric have? What is it’s capacity?• When did Ministry of Sound open? How can I get there on the tube?• What is unique about the Aquarium nightclub?• Name 3 famous acts who have played KOKO. • What is the nearest tube station to KOKO?• Which pub has a tree inside?• What’s the oldest Irish pub in London?• Which author created the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes?• Which tube station would I need to get to if I wanted to go to the Hawley

Arms?

• How would you spend a night in London?