London Marylebone and Regent's Park

The Golden Eagle, 59 Marylebone Ln. (020 7935 3228) The Golden Eagle is one of the most special pubs in London. Though aesthetically basic, it has some of the friendliest patrons and staff that can be found around town. Three nights a week, the bespectacled Tony "Fingers" Pearson rolls out an old stand-up piano and proceeds to hammer out classics like "La Vie En Rose," "Tenderly," "I'm Confessing I Love You," and "Just One of Those Things." There's no better way to feel welcome in the country than by catching a rousing, boozy chorus of "Consider Yourself." Between the alcohol-induced golden haze, the music, and the unbelievably friendly company, the Pub is a living Capra film, and in no way is that a bad thing. Bond St. Right onto Oxford St., left onto Marylebone Ln. Average pint £3.50. Open M-Th 11am-11pm, F-Sa 11am-midnight, Su noon-7pm. Music Tu, Th, and F 8:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Social, 5 Little Portland St. (020 7636 4992; www.thesocial.com) Though the upstairs looks like a typical hip bar with its exposed light bulbs and bare wood floor (however, there are DJs on the first floor most nights), the downstairs space at The Social is where the action is. Here is where the ragingly popular hip-hop karaoke night happens every other Thursday as well as other events like club nights and live performances. Many nights have no cover charge. Check online to see what's happening at this popular and exciting hangout. Oxford Circus. Right onto Regent St., right on Little Portland St. Credit card min. £10. Pints around £3.70. Mixed drinks around £7. Cover £5-7 on club night. Student cards will get you discounts on most covered nights. Open M 5pm-midnight, Tu-W noon-midnight, Th-F noon-1am, Sa 7pm-1am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Cock, 27 Great Portland St. (020 7631 5002) Crowds of students gather beneath the red patterned ceiling, crowding the bar for some of the cheapest pints in London. Traditional decor rounds out the great deals at this pub—and there's nothing obscene about it. Oxford Circus. right on Oxford St., left on Great Portland St. Credit card min. £5, small surcharge. Bitters £2. Pint of lager around £2.27-3.10. Open M-Sa noon-11pm, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Coach Makers of Marylebone, 88 Marylebone Ln. (020 7224 4022; www.thecoachmakers.com) The Coach Makers of Marylebone, unsurprisingly, used to be the offices of coach makers in Marylebone. Now the place is an upscale pub, featuring music on weekends (from 7pm), old gilded mirrors, and deep leather couches that rest beside a fireplace. Simple and elegant, The Coach Makers is a pleasant pub. Bond St. Right onto Oxford St., left onto Marylebone Ln. Pints £3.70. Entrees £11.50-12.50. Open M-Th noon-11:30pm, F-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet. Serves alcohol.