Sleepless in London
 

We're goin to London for just one day to see a concert, and we don't want to stay in a hotel. So we have to spend some time in the city until we catch the bus to Luton at 4.30pm. What would you do?
Greetings, Mick

I am not sure I understand. You are going to a concert and then leaving at 4pm the next day ... or did you mean 4am... or is your concert in the morning?

I am confused.

Sorry, just a typo. I meant 4.30am.
The plane is leaving very early that morning, so we'll have a few hours after the end of the concert, which we don't want to spend in a hotel. I was thinking about clubs and bars, places to relax, nightlife...
Cheers, Mick

It depends what day it is, and what your interests are.

You're probably not very interested in what I'd do: you more likely want our recommendations about what you should do. Which would be very different for someone into all-night raves in London at weekends or bank holidays from what they'd be for a grownup on a weeknight.

I have have to admit that my question was kind of unspecific. Sorry.
Now, here's what we plan to do: We'll be at a concert at Royal Albert Hall on a Tuesday night in November. Since we need to be back in Berlin early the next day, we have to catch a flight from Luton at 6.30am. That leaves time until around 4.30am, when we have to take a bus from either Marble Arch or Victoria Station. Well, we're not going to >dance the night away<( being a little more on the >grown-up< side), so we'd like to find someplace to sit, listen to life music, sip a cocktail, something like that. Here in Berlin I could think of quite a few places...
Cheers, Mick

You might want to head to Soho, where there are a lot of things going all night -- bars, coffee shops, etc. It won't start quieting down until about 2, and then you have a couple more hours to hang out, with some places still open.

Who is in concert?

The Divine Comedy will play. I saw them in Berlin with a very small ensemble, but still very good. The thing in London will be bigger and is apparently almost sold out...

Very cool! Admirable style.

Yes they're great. Let's see whether I can re-invigorate this thread. I really need names of locations, I was thinking of Soho as well, thanks, but can anyone name something. Please, pretty please with lots of sugar...

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/london

How about Ronnie Scott's, for some of the best jazz in London?

The Bar at Claridge's will be most suitable.

Soho definitely your best bet - you will find plenty of bars/restaurants/shops open late to keep you entertained. There are various websites that will direct you such as www.latenightlondon.co.uk (though these are generally of a slightly younger, tackier end of the market). There are a number of good suggestions here:

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/home_feat_where_eatlate.asp

..of which I would recommend either Bar Italia or Balans, not least becuase they will be open right up until you want to get your bus.

Hope this helps. Tx

Thanks to all for the replies. We'll be fine and are looking forward to our stay.