Bars & Pubs

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Marathon Kebabs
A true hidden gem, this seemingly normal kebab joint is actually one of North London’s liveliest after-hours hotspots. Wander in on the weekend after the Camden pubs have shut and you’ll find a bunch of excitable party people dancing, drinking, flirting and occasionally eating kebabs. The music policy veers from jazz to boogie woogie and pretty much everything in between. Jack White once stopped off to play a late-night set on his way home from the Barfly. Perfect for those times when you want something greasy and can’t quite face hitting the sack.
Marathon Kebabs, 87 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AR (7485 3814). 11am-2am Sun-Thu, 11am-4am Fri-Sat. Chalk Farm tube/rail.

Salmon & Compass
This late-night North London staple benefits from being off the beaten Upper Street track. Tucked on the edge of Chapel Market, it offers two floors of top-notch grooves, great drinks and a lively atmosphere any night of the week. Expect jazz, funk , dubby and soulful sounds to help keep you alert into the early hours. Other attractions include comedy on Tuesdays and open mic on Wednesdays if you get there early enough!
Salmon & Compass, 8 Penton Street, (Corner of Chapel Market Street), N1 9PZ (7837 3891/http://salmonandcompass.com). 11am-3.30am Fri-Sat, 11am-2am Mon-Thur, 11am-midnight Sun. Angel tube. Feature continues

Dalston Jazz Bar
It’s not hard to find after-hours hotspots in Hackney, but this one is a little bit special. Venture down a dingy Kingsland Road sidestreet and into a retro oasis (think vintage sofas, old books, quirky lamps) that on weekends is heaving with party people in search of that final nightcap. DJs spin an eclectic mix of funk and '80s classics while hipsters do their best sardines impression on the small dancefloor. Be warned – big queues can form on weekends at peak times.
Dalston Jazz Bar, 4 Bradbury Street, Hackney, N16 8JN (7254 9728). 5pm-3am Mon-Thur, 5pm-5am Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am Sun. Dalston Kingsland rail.

Big Chill House
Not content with running a festival, a record label and a Shoreditch hangout, the BC crew opened this buzzing DJ bar in 2007. Spread across three quirky floors, it’s the perfect spot for a late night chill out. In winter get cosy in the basement chalet bar and in summer watch the bright lights twinkle while relaxing with a cocktail on the roof terrace. Depending on what time you rock up there’s a rich mix of club nights, live music and performance-style events taking place. And their Big Chill Punch (vodka, fresh lemon, peach, passion fruit and cava) is the perfect alcoholic pick-me-up at any time of the day, or night.
Big Chill House, 257-259 Pentonville Road, King's Cross, N1 9NL (7427 2540/www.bigchill.net). Noon-midnight Mon-Thur, Sun, Fri-Sat noon-3am. KIng's Cross tube/rail.

Prince George
If you’re looking for a late night game of pool plus a few beers then look no further. Well, if you happen to be out and about in Dalston that is. Tucked away down a deceptively quiet residential street, this charming Victorian pub is popular with the area’s yuppies, artists and fashion kids. Not only does it have one of the best-stocked jukeboxes in the area but its open past midnight on school nights and even later on weekends.
Prince George, 40 Parkholme Road, Dalston, E8 3AG (7254 6060). 5pm-midnight Mon-Thur, noon-1am Fri-Sat, noon-11.30pm Sun. Dalston Kingsland rail.

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