London nightlife exists ?
Jun 14th, 2005, 04:56 PM
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London nightlife exists ?
I mean, I don't drink, I don't like discos..what can I do in London in the night ? Don't tell me to go to the theatre, I'm Spanish, theatre is at 7'30 PM , that's the afternoon for me 
I go mad with schedules in London, we spaniards have a problem, hahahaha.
I go mad with schedules in London, we spaniards have a problem, hahahaha.
Jun 14th, 2005, 05:05 PM
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ok, I have dinner at 9-10 PM , then go to cinema or theatre (here it begins at 10-10'30 PM) and later on , in summer, I go to a cafe "al fresco" and just chat a bit with my friends 
I'm looking for sites opened later than 10 PM to eat something, or have a drink but in a relaxed way, no clubs or discos, and I'm finding it difficult to find that in web sites
I'm looking for sites opened later than 10 PM to eat something, or have a drink but in a relaxed way, no clubs or discos, and I'm finding it difficult to find that in web sites
Jun 14th, 2005, 05:18 PM
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I always have trouble in London finding a place to eat after 9 pm or to drink after 11 pm. I am from Brazil and we also go out and stay out late, particularly on weekend nights... In London, the best bet is to go to Leicester Square, there is always a lot of people (mostly the young crowd) hanging around there, and some restaurants stay open till past twelve.
Jun 14th, 2005, 05:35 PM
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Obrigada, cecisard I will be arriving at the airport at 6 PM (Stansted) so I don't think we will be at our hotel before 8 PM and I was wondering if its worth to try going out that day or maybe is better to stay at the hotel, but looks good going to Leicester Square
I will be arriving at the airport at 6 PM (Stansted) so I don't think we will be at our hotel before 8 PM and I was wondering if its worth to try going out that day or maybe is better to stay at the hotel, but looks good going to Leicester Square
Jun 15th, 2005, 03:41 AM
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there are plenty of places in Soho that open very late, catering to a mainly gay clientele, eg Balans in Old Compton St. Tey attract a mixed younger crown and aren't boozy (nd the food's not that bad).
Also there is a Portugese enclave in Vauxhall that keeps Iberian hours.
Also there is a Portugese enclave in Vauxhall that keeps Iberian hours.
Jun 15th, 2005, 04:59 AM
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Those who say you can't eat after 9 just don't know what they're talking about. I can't think of a single restaurant in London that stops serving at 9. Ok, maybe MacDonalds.
I virtually always make reservations for after 9, and many West End restaurants serve up to 10.30 or 11. Indian restaurants almost always serve up to 12 or 1am to cater for the after pub crowd.
SoHo is pretty much round the clock these days. Bar Italia is a famous (and scruffy) cafe that's open 24 hours a day. Balans - a restaurant/cafe - closes at 5am, and reopens at 8am.
Buy a copy of Time Out magazine when you arrive to see what's on. And Hardens Restaurant Guide (get a copy at hardens.com or amazon) lists all late opening restaurants in a special section at the back.
But a final thought Kenderina. Have you ever heard the expression 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do?'. When I visit Spain, I alter my body clock to adjust to local customs. I take a siesta and go out late. Ever considered doing the same, and going out earlier?
I virtually always make reservations for after 9, and many West End restaurants serve up to 10.30 or 11. Indian restaurants almost always serve up to 12 or 1am to cater for the after pub crowd.
SoHo is pretty much round the clock these days. Bar Italia is a famous (and scruffy) cafe that's open 24 hours a day. Balans - a restaurant/cafe - closes at 5am, and reopens at 8am.
Buy a copy of Time Out magazine when you arrive to see what's on. And Hardens Restaurant Guide (get a copy at hardens.com or amazon) lists all late opening restaurants in a special section at the back.
But a final thought Kenderina. Have you ever heard the expression 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do?'. When I visit Spain, I alter my body clock to adjust to local customs. I take a siesta and go out late. Ever considered doing the same, and going out earlier?
Jun 15th, 2005, 05:16 AM
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Kate, you are right.
Kenderina, as another Spaniard, I would tell you that going to the theatre or a musical or the opera at 7:30 is not that bad
And you can have dinner afterwards ...
I also think that if you have never been to the theatre in London, it is a great experience. I go regularly to the theatre here, and London has always been different. I loved "Democracy" last year (great actors, great play, wish I could see it at home), enjoyed thoroughly sharing a bottle of bubbly with my friends in the entreacte of "Singinīin the rain" and my hands still hurt from all the clapping I did two weekends ago at "Guys and dolls" ... Now, the nearest London stage I have is "Julius Caesar" next Sunday ...
BTW, Patrick recommended me last year a place called "Le Deuxieme", around the corner from Covent Garden. We liked it a lot, and we finished our dinner sometime around 1 am ...
Rgds, Cova
Kenderina, as another Spaniard, I would tell you that going to the theatre or a musical or the opera at 7:30 is not that bad
And you can have dinner afterwards ...I also think that if you have never been to the theatre in London, it is a great experience. I go regularly to the theatre here, and London has always been different. I loved "Democracy" last year (great actors, great play, wish I could see it at home), enjoyed thoroughly sharing a bottle of bubbly with my friends in the entreacte of "Singinīin the rain" and my hands still hurt from all the clapping I did two weekends ago at "Guys and dolls" ... Now, the nearest London stage I have is "Julius Caesar" next Sunday ...
BTW, Patrick recommended me last year a place called "Le Deuxieme", around the corner from Covent Garden. We liked it a lot, and we finished our dinner sometime around 1 am ...
Rgds, Cova
Jun 15th, 2005, 06:19 AM
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Thank you very much to all of you
As Kate say, I always try to do "what Romans do" when I travel and that's what I did in my first visit to London. But I was there for 10 days. Now, I only have two full days and I'm a bit nervous not to make the most of my time there because I'm going with a friend and it's the first time for him. Let's say I'm a bit paranoic this time, hahaha.
Now, it's good to know some places where we can expand our time in the city and not in the hotel room as my friend believes
I love theatre but I will have a hard time trying to persuade my friend to go because he doesn't speak English.
Maybe a musical will do the trick..I was thinking on Mamma Mia or The Phantom of the Opera, he knows the songs)
Cova, a friend of mine who lives in Madrid has tickets for Julius Caesar..for three days !!! I would love to see Ralph Fiennes in action
As Kate say, I always try to do "what Romans do" when I travel and that's what I did in my first visit to London. But I was there for 10 days. Now, I only have two full days and I'm a bit nervous not to make the most of my time there because I'm going with a friend and it's the first time for him. Let's say I'm a bit paranoic this time, hahaha.
Now, it's good to know some places where we can expand our time in the city and not in the hotel room as my friend believes
I love theatre but I will have a hard time trying to persuade my friend to go because he doesn't speak English.
Maybe a musical will do the trick..I was thinking on Mamma Mia or The Phantom of the Opera, he knows the songs
)Cova, a friend of mine who lives in Madrid has tickets for Julius Caesar..for three days !!! I would love to see Ralph Fiennes in action
Jun 15th, 2005, 10:05 PM
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Hi Kenderina,
I would try to skip the usual suspects. You can see "Mamma Mia" in Madrid (the girl playing Sophie is superb, and Marta Valverde is extremely funny) and I donīt know much about how good is "Phantom" nowadays.
I would really try either "Billy Elliot", "Mary Poppins" or "Guys and Dolls" (specially this one if you have seen and enjoyed any of the other Donmarīs productions such as "Cabaret" and "Chicago" ... I have friends saying that they preferred the spanish "Cabaret" to the british one ... maybe because of the ham we ordered at the table ... ).
I have been to the ENO and Sadlerīs Wells with my mum, who doesnīt speak english, and she has liked both a lot :
http://www.eno.org/
http://www.sadlerswells.com/
Rgds, Cova
I would try to skip the usual suspects. You can see "Mamma Mia" in Madrid (the girl playing Sophie is superb, and Marta Valverde is extremely funny) and I donīt know much about how good is "Phantom" nowadays.
I would really try either "Billy Elliot", "Mary Poppins" or "Guys and Dolls" (specially this one if you have seen and enjoyed any of the other Donmarīs productions such as "Cabaret" and "Chicago" ... I have friends saying that they preferred the spanish "Cabaret" to the british one ... maybe because of the ham we ordered at the table ... ).
I have been to the ENO and Sadlerīs Wells with my mum, who doesnīt speak english, and she has liked both a lot :
http://www.eno.org/
http://www.sadlerswells.com/
Rgds, Cova
Jun 16th, 2005, 09:40 AM
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Thanks, Cova !! I will follow your advice as a theatre "expert" I love it but I have never seen one live, just films !!
I was doing a bit of research and found one musical called "Dancing in the Streets" that will open on July 7th. As we are going on July 28th is a possibility. Both of us love soul music, hehehe. I also like "Guys and Dolls" and my friend became an Ewan McGregor fan after watching "Moulin Rouge", I was not so excited..
No eno performance in our dates and one in sadler's wells but it doesn't appeal to me so I think I will soon make a decision (tough thing for me).
To be continued...
Regards, Patty
I love it but I have never seen one live, just films !!I was doing a bit of research and found one musical called "Dancing in the Streets" that will open on July 7th. As we are going on July 28th is a possibility. Both of us love soul music, hehehe. I also like "Guys and Dolls" and my friend became an Ewan McGregor fan after watching "Moulin Rouge", I was not so excited..
No eno performance in our dates and one in sadler's wells but it doesn't appeal to me so I think I will soon make a decision (tough thing for me).
To be continued...
Regards, Patty
Jun 16th, 2005, 11:51 PM
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Hi Patty,
if you havenīt seen yet "Cabaret" at the Teatro Alcala in Madrid, plan an autumn Madrid weekend. You wonīt be disappointed at all. I have seen it twice, one of them with Asier Etxeandia in the MC role, and another a month ago, with Armando Pita ( he played Raoul in the spanish "Phantom", and I think he is much better in "Cabaret". I probably liked more the one with Asier, he is amazing, but he is now playing Dante Alighieri at the Maria Guerrero and reviews are good. You can get tickets at :
http://www.cie-stageholding.com/default_entradas.htm
Regarding London, I am afraid that in your case I would jump for the opportunity of going to Sadlerīs Wells and have the opportunity of watching Adam Cooper in something different to last yearīs "Singinīin the rain". I missed his dancing then, although in the second part we saw that he was wearing ballet slippers ... and wow !!! That was good
If you remember the Billy Elliot film, he was the way playing Billy at the very end, dancing in the all-male cast of "Swan Lake". I have the DVD and he is simply amazing. I have friends who have seen him dancing at the Royal Ballet with Sylvie Guillem and in Mayerling, and they also maintain that it is a real treat
I havenīt been able to find a decent ticket with Iberia or Easyjet, if not, I would be going straight there this summer.
I havenīt read anything about "Dancing in the streets", so I donīt know how good or how bad will it be ...
Rgds, Cova
Ps. If you want, send me a private email and we can swap tips ...
if you havenīt seen yet "Cabaret" at the Teatro Alcala in Madrid, plan an autumn Madrid weekend. You wonīt be disappointed at all. I have seen it twice, one of them with Asier Etxeandia in the MC role, and another a month ago, with Armando Pita ( he played Raoul in the spanish "Phantom", and I think he is much better in "Cabaret"
. I probably liked more the one with Asier, he is amazing, but he is now playing Dante Alighieri at the Maria Guerrero and reviews are good. You can get tickets at :http://www.cie-stageholding.com/default_entradas.htm
Regarding London, I am afraid that in your case I would jump for the opportunity of going to Sadlerīs Wells and have the opportunity of watching Adam Cooper in something different to last yearīs "Singinīin the rain". I missed his dancing then, although in the second part we saw that he was wearing ballet slippers ... and wow !!! That was good
If you remember the Billy Elliot film, he was the way playing Billy at the very end, dancing in the all-male cast of "Swan Lake". I have the DVD and he is simply amazing. I have friends who have seen him dancing at the Royal Ballet with Sylvie Guillem and in Mayerling, and they also maintain that it is a real treat
I havenīt been able to find a decent ticket with Iberia or Easyjet, if not, I would be going straight there this summer.
I havenīt read anything about "Dancing in the streets", so I donīt know how good or how bad will it be ...
Rgds, Cova
Ps. If you want, send me a private email and we can swap tips ...
