London Chelsea

Chelsea is now one of the more exclusive and pretentious places to find nightlife in London. Many clubs advertise as members-only private establishments, but for many, you only have to call to get on the guest list. There are a few excellent pubs and many clubs, but if you’re looking for an easily accessible, young scene, look elsewhere.

The Chelsea Ram, 32 Burnaby St. (020 7351 4008) A classy neighborhood pub that's more of a quiet hang than it is a rowdy party, The Chelsea Ram specializes in cultivating a pleasant atmosphere. With loads of regulars congregating under the pub's high, bright ceilings, the pub provides friendly staff, good books, fun board games, and interesting art that's for sale (if you tend to buy art when drunk, beware). Any pub with the love poetry of John Donne is a good pub. It's near the rougher section of King's Rd. though, so it may be best to enjoy it earlier or take a cab home. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Left on Lots Rd., left Burnaby St. Pints £4. Entrees £11.50-12.95. Open M-Sa noon-11pm. Su noon-7pm. Kitchen open M-Sa noon-3pm and 6-10pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Henry J. Bean's Bar and Grill 195-197 King's Rd. ( 020 7352 9255 ;www.henryjbeans.co.uk/chelsea "> www.henryjbeans.co.uk/chelsea) Henry J. Bean's attitude toward nightlife is very much embodied in its license-plate map of the states: really cool but a little mixed-up (why is Delaware in the Midwest?) Henry J. Bean's is jam-packed with a super loud young crowd grooving to a wide range of blaring music. The good times await. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Pints £3.80. Open M-W 11am-11pm, Th-Su 11am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The Cadogan Arms 298 King's Rd. ( 020 7352 6500 ;www.thecadoganarmschelsea.com "> www.thecadoganarmschelsea.com ) At the bottom of The Cadogan Arms' fantastic menu, there's a little note that many diners unfortunately miss: "Please note that game dishes may contain shot." In summary: The Cadogan Arms is classy, but it's still a pub. With more horns on the wall than there are known horned animals, The Cadogan Arms is high on atmosphere. Meals best enjoyed with excellent company and conversation, drinks best shared with friends. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Entrees £15-17. Open M-F noon-3:30pm and 6-10:30pm, Sa noon-10:30pm, Su noon-9pm.

Embargo 59, 533b King's Rd. ( 020 7351 5038 ;www.embargo59.com) Climbing the steel steps to Embargo (when referring to it, you drop the 59), it's hard to know what to expect. Suddenly, guests enter the pink backlit reception area from the cold staircase. Then, the main room has a long bar, a lengthy cushion-backed bench with small tables and a dance floor composed of panels that change light. There is also a gorgeous smoking terrace with its own cocktail bar, and a roof made of string lights that look like especially bright stars. Though the club caters to a 20-something professional crowd, like most clubs in Chelsea, W nights, intended for students, feature cheaper drinks. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Square. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and nightbuses service the area: 11, 19, N11, N22. Turn left onto Lots Rd. Cash only for the cover, MC/Visa at the bar. Cover W-Th £5-10, F-Sa £10-15. Bottles of beer W-Th around £2.50, F-Sa £3-4. Mixed drinks W-Th £5, F-Sa £6.95-8.95. Open W-Th 10pm-2am, F-Sa 10pm-3am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The Antelope 22-24 Eaton Terr. (020 7824 8512) Established in 1827, The Antelope enjoyed a brief stint as a celebrity pub in the '60s, hosting such rising stars as Roman Polanski. More recently, Prince William came in to drink, but these days The Antelope is otherwise a quiet, small, and cozy neighborhood bar with a Scrabble set, and a worn couch that sits by a lamp and under a bookshelf. Sloane Sq. Take a right onto Sloane Sq. and another right onto Eaton Gate. Take a left onto Eaton Terr. Free Wi-Fi. Credit card for purchases over £10. Pints £3.50. Open M-Sa noon-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.

The Cross Keys 1 Lawrence St. ( 020 7349 9111 ;www.thexkeys.co.uk) "Tucked away among Chelsea's beautiful residences. The Cross Keys is recognizable thanks to the gigantic, crossed gold keys which are embedded in the perfectly circular hedge on the building's facade. There has been a pub on the site since 1708, when the river ran right up to its wall. The dining room is James Bond meets Vermont ski lodge, with a sliding roof and uniquely-cut rustic wood tables. Beautiful art lines the walls, stained mirrors decorate the ground floor, and a graceful, billowing chandelier dangles from the top floor to illuminate your pint (£3.40). Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Turn left onto Glebe Pl. and then right onto Lawrence St. Pints £3.40. Open M-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-11:30pm. Kitchen open M-F noon-3pm, and 6-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The Phoenix, 23 Smith St. ( 020 7730 9182; www.geronimo-inns.co.uk) The Phoenix is a case study in the power of understatement. Down a quiet street off of King's Rd., The Phoenix sits behind a quiet exterior, calmly offering reasonably-priced drinks (for Chelsea anyway) and fine food. It caters to a definitively local crowd, and most of the patrons are over 30. Chalkboards around the bar offer words of wisdom from famous drunkards. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. Left at Smith St. Pints £3.30-3.75. Entrees £12-14 Open M-Sa 11am-11pm, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

151 Club, 151 King's Rd. ( 020 7351 6826) Right in the middle of posh King's Rd., the 151 Club offers a fairly standard and pleasant club space to a wide variety of people six nights a week. The club is decorated with oversized bottles, and leather chairs abound. The ceiling above the dance floor has tiny white lights that shift in intensity, creating a mesmeric effect. Expect to hear top-of-the-chart songs and cheesy club classics. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Most crowded W-Sa. Drink deals M-W. Credit cards 5% surcharge. Cover Th £5, F-Sa £10. Beer £4.50, M-W £2.50. Open M-Sa 11pm-3am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.

Queen's Head Pub, 25-27 Tryon St. (020 7589 0262; www.the1440.co.uk) Over a 100 years old, The Queen's Head (make of that what you will) is one of the oldest gay pubs in London. A friendly and convivial watering hole with an older clientele of both gay and straight patrons. Bingo once a month, karaoke every other week, and quiz night weekly. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Turn right onto Tryon St. Pint of lager £3-4.50. Bitters £3.15+. Pub grub £6.95-7.25, all-day breakfast £6.95. Open M-Th noon-11:00pm, F-Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. GLBT.

Marvel London, 196-198 Fulham Rd. (020 7351 1711; ">www.marvellondon.com"> www.marvellondon.com) A cool, chilled-out club, Marvel caters to 25-35-year-old Chelseans. The back room has a bean bag, striped pillows, and, of course, glass cases with killer robot toys. Pretty relaxed, but nothing that exciting. Week nights feature quiet couples' PDA on the sofa near the bar. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Square. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and night buses service King’s Rd: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Turn right onto Park Walk and then left onto Fulham Rd. Credit card for purchases over £10. Be warned, sometimes when it gets busy, a 21+ rule is instated. White wine 175ml £4.50-39. Classic mixed drinks £7.50-8, martinis £7.50-8.50. Open daily 11am-1am, DJ F-Sa from 9pm on. Live music Sa 2-5pm and 9-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Chelsea Potter 119 King's Rd. ( 020 7352 9479) Though serving a slightly older crowd, Chelsea Potter provides a comfy, open space in which to drink with friends. Comfortable benches sit outside the pub, providing an excellent angle for people-watching, and few roads could provide better subject matter. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. The street slanting gently left is King’s Rd. If you don’t want to walk the road (it’s manageable but long), the following buses and nightbuses service the area: 11, 19, 22, 211, 319, N11, N19, N22. Pint £3.50, different guest ale every few weeks. Entrees £7.45-8.25. Sandwiches £4.75-4.95. Open M-Th 11am-11pm, F-Sa 11am-midnight, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.