The city of London is much more than simply tourist spots such as the Tower of London and London Bridge. The urban capital is the largest city in England with the region split into five sectors, comprising 32 boroughs. This means that the city has enough cultures to influence the types of entertainment available.
Our guide is designed to provide you with an itinerary of places and events for you to enjoy while you visit London. Along with common landmarks, we’ll also focus on popular performance and visual art hotspots alongside various daytime festivities and common tourist hotspots.
Comedy
London is known to host a variety of live entertainment acts ranging from stand-up comedy to music. The stand-up comedy scene has grown exponentially over the last few years with acts such as Mo Gilligan, Katherine Ryan, and Sara Pascoe emerging as breakout stars. For comedians who weren’t part of the social media comedy genesis, The Comedy Store, Canal Café Theatre, and The Banana Cabaret were their proving grounds.
The Comedy Store
Established in 1979, The Comedy Store UK has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists. The incredibly long wait to enter the establishment is worth it as patrons will experience some of the UK’s best comedic talents. In addition to the comedic experience, The Comedy Store is also a great place to hang out, as long as guests can secure a table.
Canal Café Theatre
Canal Café Theater is one of the most popular comedy clubs in the city, which also means that it’s usually packed. The facility doubles as a restaurant that serves food until 9 PM, which makes it easy for eager guests to wait for later acts.
The Banana Cabaret
Located in The Bedford which was built in 1931, The Banana Cabaret is a comedy club that focuses on providing patrons with exceptional value for money. The shows include stellar lineups, which means that you’ll need to reserve a table or arrive as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Music
When it comes to live music London has a lot to offer as there’s something for everyone. Whether you like drum and bass or classical, there’s usually some type of live performance happening somewhere in the city. However, there are a handful of wonderful auditoriums scattered around the city, each one catering to a different crowd and providing a unique music experience.
Hootananny
Based in Brixton, Hootananny is a classic pub with a focus on live music from DJs and various musicians. The venue offers a high-energy ambience with party nights while also serving an extensive variety of food from different food stalls.
The Underworld
A staple of the London alternative music scene, The Underworld might sound like a nightclub from the Blade franchise, but it’s far from it. The venue evolved from an unpolished diamond to the ultimate subterranean party space. The Underworld has hosted some of the best up-and-coming underground talent to world-famous stars such as Radiohead and The Cranberries.
Alexandra Palace
Better known by locals as Ally Pally is an incredible Grade 2 palace that hosts a variety of events in the Victorian Theatre, the West Hall, and the Great Hall. Apart from music, it’s also known to host other performing arts, creative learning workshops, and other activities.
EartH
Evolutionary Arts Hackney or EartH was launched in 2018 and is a well-designed multi-arts venue. Among the primary attractions is its immersive sound system which makes it the ideal spot for musicians, bands, and even comedians.
Village Underground
One of the most unique live music spaces in London, Village Underground also acts as a creative hub for artists. The location was originally meant to be destroyed, but the repurposed tube carriages above the Victorian warehouse were too charming to let go. Additionally, the Village Underground operates on 100% green energy.
The Shacklewell Arms
Masked as a traditional British pub, The Shacklewell Arms also has a backroom that doubles as a live music venue and a nightclub. The backroom makes the venue feel completely different and it has an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’re not meant to be there – but in the best way possible.
MOTH Club
Hackney’s MOTH Club doubles as an ex-servicemen’s club during the day and a comedy, film screening, and live music venue at night. The venue has been a hotspot for up-and-coming artists to make their name while simultaneously serving as an intimate venue for more established artists to better connect with audiences. MOTH offers everything from live music to lectures.
Troxy
This Grade 2 art-deco cinema was converted to an arena that hosts live music acts in a grand setting. Troxy provides the audience with more intimacy than what they would get from a stadium. However, it also caters to the stage presence of the performer, making for an incredibly unique sensory experience.
Theatres and Musicals
The City of London is known as the Theatre Capital of the world, and this makes sense as it has over 40 theatres positioned in and around the West End. The theatre scene has an incredibly rich history that dates back to Queen Elizabeth I’s reign with the first playhouse established in 1576. There’s always some sort of play or musical taking place at one of the many theatres scattered around the city.
Royal Albert Hall
Established in 1871, this theatre is among the most iconic venues in the world. The Royal Albert Hall not only serves as a stellar tourist attraction but has also hosted some of the most renowned artists in history such as Frank Sinatra, Richard Wagner, The Beatles, Adele, and Beyonce. During the daytime, the theatre serves as an upmarket cafe and is open to visitors for guided tours.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
From its architecture alone Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre stands out among the rest of the theatres in the city. It’s dedicated to unravelling William Shakespeare’s work via the means of education and performance. The true Shakespeare fan would appreciate the work that’s gone into cementing his legacy and highlighting prominent aspects of his work.
Royal Opera House
Arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in London, the Royal Opera House generally features performances by The Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet. Additionally, the theatre also offers guests an incredible selection of food and drinks paired with a relaxing atmosphere. Some of the best operas are often performed seasonally, this includes Verdi’s Aida, Bizet’s Carmen, and Wagner’s Die Walküre.
Casinos
Whether it’s slots or blackjack London’s casinos have something for everyone. There are plenty of casinos scattered around the city, but the best include The Hippodrome Casino, The Sportsman Casino, and The Palm Beach Casino.
The Hippodrome Casino
The Hippodrome Casino consists of 7,432 square metres of pure fun spread across seven floors. The casino offers guests a Baccarat lounge and a poker floor. However, it also has a total of nine bars, including a secret bar. Additionally, The Hippodrome also has The Heliot Steak House, which is among the best steak restaurants in the city.
The Sportsman Casino
If you’re someone who takes gaming seriously, The Sportsman Casino is the ideal gaming location for you. The intimate ambience paired with the minimalistic look of the casino is a great combination. Additionally, there’s a restaurant that serves an array of local and international dishes. Keep in mind that the space is often booked for private parties, so it would be best to call ahead to find out if anyone has done so to avoid gatecrashing.
The Palm Beach Casino
For a more exclusive feel, The Palm Beach Casino combines style and quality to provide guests with an unparalleled gaming experience. The gaming floor is one of the largest in the city and members are provided with special perks such as access to restricted areas of the casino. If this casino isn’t for you, you could also spend time playing blackjack online with Stake Casino in the comfort of your hotel.
FAQs for Blackjack Fans
What is insurance in blackjack?
When playing blackjack an insurance bet is a special side bet that essentially allows you to wager that the dealer has a blackjack. This bet is only allowed if the dealer has an ace as their up-card. If you win the bet, the insurance will pay with odds of 2:1, which means that you’ll get back twice your bet.
What does double down mean in blackjack?
Double down bets are a high-risk betting strategy in blackjack. This is a wager that’s equal to your first bet after receiving two cards from the dealer. You’ll then be allowed to hit once more before the end of the round.
When to hit in blackjack?
The rule of thumb for hitting in blackjack is to always stand if your hand totals 17 or higher. If your hand ranges from 13 to 16 then you should consider the dealer’s up-card before hitting. If the dealer has an up-card of 6 or lower then you should hit, but you should stand if it’s anything higher.
How many decks in blackjack?
There are plenty of factors that would determine the number of decks used. However, most casinos use six to eight decks. The more decks used, the more complex the game, and it makes it more difficult for players to count cards.
When to split in blackjack?
If you’re dealt a pair of the same card then you’re allowed to split the pair to create two new hands. You’ll also be able to wager the same amount on both hands, with the possibility of winning or losing both hands.
Sightseeing and Activities
Not everyone is keen to spend time in clubs, theatres, or casinos, and sometimes it can get expensive. Fortunately, there are plenty of other things to see and do in London, especially when it comes to finding the best places to eat followed by a walk around town.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
More than just a church, St. Paul’s Cathedral is a national treasure and the building itself is beautiful as it’s filled with classic and modern art. Visitors can enjoy sightseeing tours, concerts, and live music at low prices.
Tower of London
Officially known as His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London is a castle located on the North of the River Thames. This popular tourist destination is usually filled with activity and a single ticket will grant you access to a large portion of the tower alongside other activities. This includes:
- The Crown Jewels
- Tower Green
- Medieval Palace
- Bloody Tower
- The Ravens
- White Tower
- The Battlements
- Torture at the Tower
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, also known as Kew Gardens, houses over 50,000 plant species from different biomes. The area is split into four areas, the Temperate House, Natural Area, Kew’s Kitchen Garden, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. There are also various attractions such as the Children’s Garden, Davies Alpine House, Japanese Landscape, and many more. If you’re a plant lover or you’re simply interested in seeing something new, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a must-see.
Leadenhall Market
You can’t visit London and not take a walk around this iconic landmark. Located in the heart of the Square Mile, the Leadenhall Market offers visitors a variety of stores and eateries for the perfect day out. The most appealing aspect of this market is that it’s an aesthetically pleasing shopping centre that offers everything you would want or need in one spot.
The British Museum
The first national public museum in the world, the British Museum is home to over eight million artefacts. There are different ways to explore this museum as there are exhibitions and events, family facilities, and galleries to observe. Explore cultures from Africa to Asia and everywhere in between with various rooms, each one dedicated to a specific period or culture.
London offers a bit of everything for everyone and due to it being a cosmopolitan metropolis, there’s a lot more to experience compared to smaller cities in the UK. There’s a lot to see and do when it comes to entertainment and it caters to people with all kinds of interests. However, when it comes to accommodation, it would be best to book a place outside the city centre if you value silence.