Around Town

Gay bingo!
Bingo is big, but if you’re looking for something spicier than your local Mecca, try Gay Bingo at T Bar. Held on the third Sunday of the month, it’s hosted by extroverted scene star Jonny Woo.
T Bar, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High St, E1 (020 7729 2973).

Old-school dinner and drinks
If you’re eager to impress, start with cocktails in Claridge’s cigar bar. The drinks are top notch and the stylish design will make you feel posh. Then head for dinner in the luxurious confines of the Wolseley; not cheap, but as a dining experience, it’s guaranteed to be memorable.
Claridge’s Hotel, 49 Brooke St, W1(020 7629 8860). The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, W1(020 7499 6996).

A night out with punch
For a truly authentic taste of boxing, head to Bethnal Green’s York Hall. It’s an old-school bear pit of a venue, with London geezers barracking the fighters, but in recent years it’s attracted a more mixed crowd. It can host anything up to 15 fights on a weekend night; bouts start at about 8pm.
York Hall, Bethnal Green, Old Ford Rd, E2 (020 8980 2243). Feature continues

Crawl Covent Garden
It is possible to find a great drinking route around the tourist trap of Covent Garden. Start at the Opera Tavern (21 Catherine Street), with an interior created by well-known pub architect George Treacher. Next, nip through the market to Porterhouse (21-22 Maiden Lane). Then venture into the cosy little interior of Harp for a pint of London Pride, before going up past the Coliseum to classic late-Victorian boozer the Salisbury. Finally, head to the unique Lamb and Flag (33 Rose Street) – a 300-year- old, wooden-fronted gem.

Be a groupie
For an authentic live music experience in London, head for the Dublin Castle, Camden. You might get to see the next big thing, but it’s all about the ‘atmosphere’: at least one act will be truly awful, the lead singer’s friends will tut at you for talking, and you’ll hear an audible groan when the band announce they’re about to play their ‘epic’.
The Dublin Castle, 94 Parkway, NW1 (020 7485 1773).

The hills are alive
Each Friday night, the Prince Charles Cinema hosts ‘Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music’, a special showing of the film for people willing to get dressed up (full marks go to the men who turn up in Alpine costumes) and belt out Von Trapp numbers at the top of their lungs.
Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Place (020 7494 36547/ www.singalonga.net).

For the A-Z of great party venues, click here