Arts and Culture

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Royal Court Theatre
KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
Sloane Sq.
}020 7565 5000; www.royalcourttheatre.com
Famous for pushing the theatrical envelope, the Royal Court is the antidote to all the orchestral swoons and faux-opera …
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National Theatre
THE SOUTH BANK
Belvedere Rd.
}020 7452 3400; www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Opened in 1976 by appointment of the Queen, the National Theatre’s multiple stages host new and classic British drama, i…
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The Old Vic
SOUTH LONDON
The Cut
}0844 871 7628; www.oldvictheatre.com
This famous, stately theater was built in 1818 and has hosted the likes of Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier. Though…
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Koko
NORTH LONDON
1A Camden High St.
}0870 432 5527; www.koko.uk.com
Koko’s isn’t a typical rock and roll venue. Originally a theater, then a cinema, then one of the BBC’s first broadcastin…
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Borderline
THE WEST END
Orange Yard, off Manette St.
}020 7734 5547; venues.meanfiddler.com/borderline/home
This simple venue (which is also a fantastic club, see Nightlife) lacks the outlandish Art Deco trappings of other Londo…
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Royal Opera House
THE WEST END
Bow St.
}020 7304 4000; www.roh.org.uk
The glorious glass facade of the Royal Opera House makes it look more like a train station than a theater, but that does…
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Ronnie Scott’s
THE WEST END
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 was the first British club to host American jaz…
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Comedy Store
THE WEST END
1A Oxendon St.
}0844 871 7699; www.thecomedystore.co.uk
Hands-down the most famous comedy venue in London, the Comedy Store made a name for itself in the ’80s as a home for up-…
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BFI Southbank
THE SOUTH BANK
Belvedere Rd.
}020 7928 3232; www.bfi.org.uk
Hidden under Waterloo Bridge, the BFI Southbank is one of the most exciting repertory cinemas in London. Showcasing ever…
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BBC Proms
KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
Kensington Gore
}0845 401 5045; www.bbc.co.uk/proms
The Proms are a world-famous classical music festival put on by the BBC in the Royal Albert Hall. If you’re thinking tee…
The Young Vic
SOUTH LONDON
66 The Cut
}020 7922 2922; www.youngvic.org
Formerly the studio space for the Old Vic, the Young Vic now puts on a variety of shows, generally edgier and more excit…
HMV Apollo
WEST LONDON
15 Queen Caroline St.
}020 8563 3800; www.hmvapollo.com
Like many of the big, architecturally stunning venues in London, the Art Deco HMV Apollo used to be a cinema. It was ori…
Royal Albert Hall
KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
Kensington Gore
}0845 401 5045; www.royalalberthall.com
Deep in the heart of South Kensington, the Royal Albert Hall, commissioned by Prince Albert, has been bringing the arts …
The London Coliseum
THE WEST END
33 St. Martin’s Ln.
}0871 472 0600; www.eno.org
Home to the English National Opera, the London Coliseum showcases new, cutting-edge ballet and opera. They also perform …
The 606 Club
WEST LONDON
90 Lots Rd.
}020 7352 5953; www.606club.co.uk
On quiet Lots Rd., opposite a foreboding abandoned factory, the 606 Club has been quietly hosting the best of the UK mus…
Sadler’s Wells
NORTH LONDON
Rosebery Ave.
}0844 412 4300; www.sadlerswells.com
Sadler’s Wells is renowned for stunning dance shows, including traditional ballet, contemporary dance, and dazzling Cuba…
Hen and Chickens Theatre
NORTH LONDON
109 St. Paul’s Rd.
}020 7704 2001; www.unrestrictedview.co.uk
You’ll be treated to some of the most hilarious and quirky comedy around in this 50-seat venue, located above an Islingt…
Riverside Studios
WEST LONDON
Crisp Rd.
}020 8237 1111; www.riversidestudios.co.uk
Frequently showing films in old-school double features, Riverside Studios specializes in foreign films, art-house flicks…
London Literary Festival
THE SOUTH BANK
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd.
}0844 847 9939; www.londonlitfest.com
Some of the world’s most famous poets, novelists, musicians, and scientists (it’s quite the interdisciplinary fest) asse…