The French House is a Soho institution, a postage stamp-sized watering hole for central London's literati, theatregoers and local characters. Sip your beer (half pints only) on the pavement if you can't find a spot inside.
Available :
Daily
Stop for a quick espresso at Soho's bright-red Algerian Coffee Store. It has provided Londoners with coffee and tea from all over the world since 1887, and also stocks fine quality foreign confectionery.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Jersey Boys, at London's Prince Edward Theatre, tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Winning 21 awards worldwide, including Tony and Olivier Best Musical awards, the show is directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.
Available :
28 Feb 2008 - 17 Feb 2013; not Mon
The queen of café culture in Soho since 1949, Bar Italia is a 24-hour London institution. Patrons enjoy freshly-ground, quality coffee and tasty toasted paninis in front of a large screen showing loud Italian football matches. Join the noisy Bar Italia Scooter Club on Sunday evenings.
Available :
Daily
London's best known jazz club, Ronnie Scott's offers live jazz every night of the week in the heart of Soho. Book a table, order a scotch and watch as renowned musicians and new talent perform on the famous stage.
Available :
Daily
The original Karaoke Box Soho (there's another one in Smithfields) used to be a Japanese restaurant. Apparently the owner loved singing so much, he turned his restaurant into a karaoke bar... and what a good move that proved to be.
Available :
Daily
The first of London's Edwardian theatres, the Apollo Theatre, designed by Lewin Sharp, opened on 21 February 1901, just a month after Queen Victoria's death. A century on, what it loses in being unrenovated is off-set by its intimacy.
Available :
Daily
If eating out in London's Chinatown, then make a beeline for cheap and cheerful Mr Kong. This unpretentious Hong Kong Chinese restaurant on Lisle Street has a Cantonese-style menu to satisfy beginners and the more adventurous diner. It's popular both with local Chinese and out-of-towners.
Available :
Daily
Located in the heart of the West End, The Ivy is popular with London's A-list celebrities. Behind the distinctive diamond lattice windows, actors and writers have lunch with their agents or eat dinner after a show. The menu offers fresh, unfussy dishes such as rump of lamb or chargrilled fish. Reservations are essential.
Available :
Daily
Comedy Camp is London's only mixed lesbian, gay and straight comedy night, held each and every week at Barcode in Soho.
Available :
Tue only
The National Portrait Gallery has the world's largest portrait collection. After reopening in May 2000 with double the previous amount of space, it finally has an opportunity to show off its gems in appropriate style.
Available :
Daily
A highlight in London's art calendar, the BP Portrait Award exhibition is held annually at the National Portrait Gallery. It showcases the winning entries of what is considered by many to be the most prestigious portrait competition in the world.
Available :
Jun - Sep 2013 (annual)
The National Portrait Gallery's prestigious Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize celebrates the best in contemporary portrait photography. The diverse photographic styles, advertising and fine art images are submitted by a range of photographers, from professionals to amateurs and photography students.
Available :
Nov 2012 - Feb 2013 (annual)
West End Live transforms Leicester Square into an extravaganza of theatre, dance and music. While the stage offers free fun and family-friendly entertainment for all, the whole area is out to impress with shopping and eating to boot.
Available :
Jun 2013 (annual)
Lashings of silk and velvet are liberally draped over every surface at Cafe de Paris, open since 1924. Harpists, cigar girls, sugar daddies and diamante-clad divas are on call to ensure that the collected throng have every need pandered to.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
A new London attraction exploring sex and relationships, Amora has several interactive zones. With names such as Love & Desire, Fantasy & Fetish, Sensorium, Sexplorium, Amora Sutra and the Aphrodisiac Lounge, the intrigue grows...
Available :
Daily
Chaz Royal presents the London Burlesque Week, featuring sultry song, sizzling striptease and burlesque pageantry at Madame Jojo's, Coronet, Bush Hall and other venues. Dress up for exotic galas, balls, cabaret nights and more.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
One of central London's most popular clubs, Rouge mixes high-end glamour with a Studio 54 sensibility to produce some fun, fresh and funky nights out.
Available :
Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun only
The original London indie gay night, Popstarz has re-launched and re-located to Sin on Charing Cross Road. Expect new DJs in every room, new production and plenty of excitement.
Available :
Fri only
Huge queues are testament to Bubbling Over's commendable longevity, as the fanatical faithful continue to flock to Bar Rumba every Sunday for a good dose of swing, funk and boogie in the heart of London.
Available :
Sun only
Johnathan Church's Chichester Festival Theatre stage production of one of the best loved film musicals of all time, Singin' in the Rain, transfers to the West End. Dance superstar Adam Cooper stars as Don Lockwood at the Palace Theatre.
Available :
4 Feb 2012 - 23 Feb 2013; not Sun
Michael Jackson's Thriller and many of his other hits, together with those by The Jackson 5, get the West End treatment as Adrian Grant's Thriller - Live continues at the Lyric Theatre after three UK tours and European standing ovations.
Available :
2 Jan 2009 - 3 Mar 2013; not Mon
Live reggae and ska bands get everyone dancing at London's St Moritz club for Gaz's Rockin' Blues. London's longest running one-nighter has been going strong since 1980 and is hosted by DJ Gaz Mayall.
Available :
Thu only
Soho's Berwick Street market, incongruously adjacent to the remaining dregs of the area's moribund sex industry, has stalls selling cheap fruit and vegetables, cheese, fish (beware of buying it on a Monday - it isn't fresh), flowers, bread and cheap CDs. The lusty-lunged vendors' impressive barking is an added attraction (rumour has it that Marc Bolan of T-Rex started out his vocal career here).
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Join the 21st century electro-trash frenzy at London's uber-cool Nag Nag Nag, held at The Ghetto every Wednesday.
Available :
Wed only
The original, enduringly-popular, funky electro-trash night at London's The Ghetto, The Cock is utterly eclectic and strangely inclusive. Punky boys, trannies, muscle men and fashionistas get down to resident DJ Princess Julia's Eighties NYC-inspired dirty, spluttering beats. Check out the website for visiting DJs.
Available :
Fri only
Legendary poptastic lunacy makes G-A-Y one of the biggest gay and lesbian parties in Europe. Hosted at London's Astoria, it has become embedded in London's homo-consciousness...
Available :
Mon, Thu, Fri, and Sat only
Since opening in 2001, The Shadow Lounge quickly established itself as one of the places to see and be seen in gay London. Ostensibly a members' cocktail lounge, it also welcomes paying guests every night.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
The country house murder mystery by Agatha Christie marches into another exhilarating year. Not knowing that it would become the longest-running play in the world ever, Dame Agatha whimsically gave the revenues to her grandson! He must be a millionaire a few times over.
Available :
3 Oct 2002 - 21 Dec 2013; not Sun
Vespa Lounge is a friendly and relaxed lesbian bar in the heart of London and its popularity is ever-growing.
Available :
Daily
Bathroom singers can swap their toothbrush for a real microphone at the Japanese-inspired Lucky Voice private karaoke bar in Soho. Nine private modern rooms are available by the hour to groups wanting to show off their vocal skills.
Available :
Daily
It was only a matter of time, and now the wait is over. The Spice Girls musical premières at London's Piccadilly Theatre, with a book by none-other-than Jennifer Saunders. Viva Forever! is directed by Paul Carrington and produced by Judy Mamma Mia! Cramer.
Available :
27 Nov 2012 - 1 Jun 2013; not Sun
J Sheekey, near Leicester Square, has been serving fish to the theatre-going gentry since 1896. A romantically-lit restaurant with intimate rooms, the top-hatted doorman and spectacularly efficient maitre d' indicate the high-end prices. It's very popular, so booking is advisable.
Available :
Daily
Perch on high stools and sip elegant cocktails at Phillipe Starck's high-concept Light Bar. In the heart of the West End and Theatreland, the bar is hidden inside Starck's St Martin's Lane Hotel - a favourite with celebrities.
Available :
Daily
St Alban is a smart sanctuary of calm among the usual clatter of central London restaurants. Diners admire the choice Damien Hirst pieces adorning the walls and can actually hear themselves speak as they taste exquisite and contemporary European dishes. Colourful chairs and banquettes stand out in the simple design.
Available :
Daily
The Sanctuary is a tranquil spa in the heart of bustling Covent Garden. Relax among ponds and candles in the Koi Carp Lounge and glide through the Atrium Pool on a swing. Beauty treatments like manicures and facials cost extra.
Available :
Daily
The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square has created an even grander forecourt to one of the world's finest art collections. The National Gallery houses European paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries, and a visit is free of charge.
Available :
Daily
Glass of Cristal at the ready, rub shoulders with the stars at the glitzy and glam Paper Club on Regent's Street. The capital's new place-to-see-and-be-seen oozes decadence and style, for those who can afford it.
Available :
Daily
Still packing them in at its original venue, Her Majesty's Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is directed by Hal Prince. Join Christine as the mysterious phantom helps her become the star of the Paris Opera.
Available :
2 Oct 2000 - 27 Apr 2013; not Sun
Known for its retro coolness, sleek cocktails and vibrant atmosphere, the Cuckoo Club in London's Mayfair is an obvious choice for any night owl. It even has its own restaurant, boasting contemporary European cuisine.
Available :
Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat only
08457 76 76 76
