London Music

Clubs are expensive, and pubs close at 11pm. Especially during the current recession, fewer young people are willing to shell out the £10-15 it takes to get into a club, especially since beers cost £4-5 on top of that. Much of the London nightlife scene thus lies beyond pub-and club-hopping in the darkened basements of bars everywhere and the glaringly bright, seismically loud music clubs. With a musical history including The Beatles, Radiohead, and The Clash, all of the bands from the infamous "British Invasion," and most of the best bands from ‘90s anthemic pop, London has always had a fantastic music scene. Frequently, English musicians respond to American tropes and take them to the next level: where America had the blues, England had Eric Clapton and the Stones, and when America learned rock, England fired off The Clash and The Sex Pistols. The London music scene is very much intact, and makes for both a great night out and an excellent way to forge lasting travel friendships. The London music scene is not to be missed.

Classical And Opera

There are several large organizations that supply the city with some of the most renowned classical performances in the world. For free chamber and classical music, check out some of London’s churches ...more

Jazz

Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith St. ( 020 7439 0747; www.ronniescotts.co.uk) Ronnie Scott's has been defining "hip" in Soho for the last 51 years. It's hosted everyone from Tony Bennett to Van Morrison, and Chick ...more

Rock, Pop, And Folk

The Troubadour Cafe 263-267 Old Brompton Rd. ( 020 7370 1434; www.troubadour.co.uk ) Many famous acts have graced the Troubadour's small stage since its founding in 1954. Its hanging string lights and ...more