London Holborn and Clerkenwell

Holborn is a pub town, and Clerkenwell is on the up-and-up. Look out for a mix of pleasant, old pubs and hip clubs, most of which can be found on Charterhouse St.

The Three Kings, 7 Clerkenwell Close (020 7253 0483) On warm evenings, patrons of The Three Kings line the curbs outside and drink their pints (£3.30-3.50) of Timothy Taylor, Staropramer, and Beck's. Inside, customers sit in the arm chairs under the watchful gazes of luminaries like Woody Allen, Hunter S. Thompson, Smokey Robinson, and that fake rhino the pub has on the wall. Strings of colored lights swoop down over a sign that says "Stop Bush," and sausage sandwiches are made on ciabatta bread with basil oil (£4.50). This is a bar with character, grace, and an easy-going vibe. Classic rock, soul, and jazz pipe out of the speaker system, originating in the pub's trusty record player which sits atop a vast record collection. Weekly music quizzes are Mondays at 9pm; poetry night is the first Tuesday of every month at 8pm. Farringdon. Right onto Cowcross St., right onto Farringdon, right onto Pear Tree Ct., right onto Clerkenwell Close. Open M-F noon-11pm, Sa. 5pm-11pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

Ye Olde Mitre, Ely Court ( 020 7405 4751) You're only going to get to Ye Olde Mitre if you're looking for it. It's a pub with history (it was established in 1546 and sits to the side of an ancient church), but it doesn't equate "historic" with run-down. The downstairs and upstairs areas are bright, clean, and pleasant. While it caters to an older audience, it has an easy-going atmosphere and a good selection of relatively cheap beers and what they refer to as "English Tapas," including toasted sandwiches (£2). Also, Snatch with Brad Pitt was filmed here—proof that good-looking people drink in this pub, too. While the pub seems safe, it's down a small, removed alley, so women especially may not want to travel here alone. Farringdon. Right onto Cowcross St., left onto Farringdon Rd. right onto Charterhouse St., right onto Ely Pl. Most pints £3.20. Pints of lager £3.30. Open M-F 11am-11pm; closed on bank holidays. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The 3 Tuns, Houghton St. (020 7955 7156) While this place is not rich in the atmosphere department, the 3 Tuns customers are rich in the money department, thanks to this pub's dirt-cheap pints. This London School of Economics pub is frequented by (you guessed it) LSE students and is a good place to come if you want to meet university-aged people or play a game of pool in a sparsely furnished room where people drink beer from plastic cups. Temple. Right onto Temple Pl., left onto Surrey St., cross the Strand. Continue onto Melbourne Pl., left onto Aldwych, right on Houghton St. Pints £2.10. Term-time hoursM-Tu 10am-11pm, W 10am-midnight, Th 10am-11pm, F 10am-2am, Sa 9pm-3am. During school holidays, call for hours. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Jerusalem Tavern, 55 Britton St. (020 7490 4281; www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk) "A truly ancient tavern, the Jerusalem Tavern was originally in St. John's Gate before it was reopened at its present location on Britton St. The tavern is homey and warm and—more importantly—the only tavern in London to offer all of the St. Peter's ales. These fantastic and specialized ales have brands like "Golden Ale," "Ruby Red Ale," "Honey Porter," and "Cream Stout." All of them are worth trying, but we're not saying you should try all of them at once..that would be irresponsible and would probably lead to the craziest night ever. Farringdon. Left onto Cowcross St., left onto Turnmill St., right onto Benjamin St., left onto Britton St. Pints around £3.10, ½ pints £1.55. Open M-F 11am-11pm. Lunch served noon-3pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

Fabric, 77a Charterhouse St. ( 020 7336 8898; www.fabriclondon.com) Do you go to dances and stand to the side clutching your drink? Do you frequently call the police at parties to report a mass epidemic of seizures? Do you not find "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire irresistibly funky? Worry not! Fabric has the cure to this fatal disease. The club, which inhabits an abandoned meat packing warehouse, boasts Europe's premier "bodysonic dancefloor," a floor which, because of the subwoofers that line its rubbery surface, vibrates in time with the music. Yes, the floor does it for you. The club is a true phenomenon, and its three dance floors are sure to be packed with 20-somethings. The queue starts getting really long around 11pm, and the peak hour is 2am. Farringdon. Left onto Cowcross St. Continue until you hit Charterhouse St. £15, students £11. After 3am discount £6. Bottle of Stella £4. Open F 10pm-6am, Sa 11pm-8am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

Fuller's Ale and Pie House 194 Fleet St. (020 7430 2255) Fuller's Ale and Pie House traces English history: once a tavern, then a bank, now a pub. Make of that what you will. The pub plays up the grandeur of the old Bank of England. Though more upscale than a traditional pub, Fuller's has an exciting atmosphere, and any drink there feels unique. Additionally, it sits between Sweeney Todd's barber shop on Fleet St. and his girlfriend's pie shop, so be sure to try one of their pies if you're feeling adventurous. Temple. Right onto Temple Pl., left onto Arundel St., right on Strand, continue onto Fleet. Pints £3.45-3.65. Shots £2-3. Open M-F 11am-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.