London Kensington and Earl's Court

Janet's Bar, 30 Old Brompton Rd. (020 7581 3160; janetsbar@yahoo.com) Janet's Bar is all about spirits, in both senses of the word. Run by Janet herself, who knows most of the people in the bar and has organized something of a lively ex-pat community around the place, Janet's Bar is a well-formed but instantly welcoming community. This joint features baseball memorabilia, photos of club regulars, and Red Sox and Yankees pennants so close you can practically touch them. If the atmosphere doesn't make you feel welcome, the Beatles sing-alongs will. South Kensington. As you exit, Old Brompton Rd. will be across from you. Though not wheelchair-accessible, a ramp can be arranged if you call in advance. Credit card min. £3. Bottle of beer around £4.50. Pint £5.95. Shots around £5. Mixed drinks £6.50-8.50. Bottle of wine from £18.50. M-W 11:45am-1am, Th 11:45am-1:30am, F 11:45pm-2:30am, Sa noon-2:30am, Su 2pm-1am. Live music Tu-Su after 9:30pm. Takes credit card. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

Piano, 106 Kensington High Street (020 7938 4664; www.pianokensington.com) "If you ever dreamed of lying atop a piano in a dimly lit room while someone played sultry jazz, blues, rock, and sing-along music, Piano will do you one better: you can eat on the piano, and there's a different pianist every night of the week. Piano is a classy joint loaded with pictures of Old Blue Eyes (Frank Sinatra) and New York, as well as photos from shoots that have happened in the bar, such as the one with Estelle and John Legend or the one with an ex-Sugar Babe. High Street Kensington. Turn right on Kensington High Street. Credit card min. £5. Most entrees £6.50-7. Bottle of beer £4.50. Glass of house red or white £4.50. Tu-Sa 11am-midnight, Su 4:30-11:30pm. Music starts T-F 6pm, Sa 8pm. Jazz trio Su 8pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Drayton Arms, 153 Old Brompton Rd. (020 7835 2301; www.thedraytonarmssw5.co.uk) The Drayton Arms is a comfortable, well-kept pub with high ceilings and white string lights that amble up the tree trunk and soft red lights that border the ceiling. Enjoy affordable beers around the fire place, and then go see a film or play in the black box theater on the second floor. Check the site for theater, sporting, and film events in the upstairs theater. Gloucester Rd. Turn right onto Gloucester Rd., turn right onto Old Brompton Rd. Average pint £3.20. Burgers £7-8.25. Sandwiches £4.25. Entrees £7.50-8.25. Open M-F 11am-midnight, Sa-Su 10m-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Pembroke, 261 Old Brompton Rd. ( 020 7373 8337 ;www.thepembroke5.co.uk) "Spacious and easy-going, The Pembroke is a solid neighborhood pub in the typical Kensington style: lofty ceilings and clean decoration. Chandeliers dangle from the ceiling on the second floor and people stand on the terrace when it's nice out. There are DJs at the pub (F-Sa from 8:30pm on). West Brompton. Turn right onto Old Brompton Rd. Average pint £3.80. Open M-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.

The Scarsdale Tavern, 23a Edwardes Sq. (020 7937 1811) Bottles upon bottles line the window sills and ceiling trimmings, and old, tasseled, and worn curtains drape beside large windows. Edwardes Sq. was initially meant as a living space for the French officers who would arrive when Napoleon invaded, and The Scarsdale cheerfully revisits history with its warm French style. High Street Kensington. Turn left onto Kensington High St., left onto Edwardes Sq. Entrees £9-11. Average pint £3.30-3.50. Open M-Sa noon-11pm, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.