Welcome to London, a land of endless possibilities, where drinking yourself into a stupor and vomiting on the sidewalk at 18 years-old isn’t as taboo as it is in America. By now you’ve already left the airport and are probably looking out of a taxi window with huge stars in your eyes, wondering what your time in this fantastical land is going to be like. After you’re done exploring the city and decide to go jumping into the deep end of the partying pool, let me help you tread water.
Pubs
Pubs tend to be the most intimate of watering holes in London. They’re usually small and their atmosphere ranges from being a place to get a beer after work with friends to a casual place where everyone speaks at a normal volume and there is no shouting to be heard. This type of venue is mainly for those who are looking for a more laid back atmosphere. There’s no dress code when you go to a pub, but the attire usually varies from a minimum of a t-shirt and jeans to the maximum of office attire. Pubs serve alcohol from the time they open to the time they close, and food is often served until around nine o’clock in the evening, but that varies from establishment to establishment.
As for the drink selection, pubs are well stocked. The drink of choice when going to these establishments is usually a beer or cider, but if liquor is your preference (Though, how could it be, you haven’t had a drink in your life), then you are also in good hands. Pubs usually have a fully stocked bar, so they can probably make any drink you desire. Don’t feel restricted to your table when at a pub, some have games you can participate in, darts being a common one amongst pub-frequenters.
Bars
If having a calm evening isn’t your taste, perhaps you want to spice up your night by going to a bar. Why wouldn’t you? If you are a college student and are— perhaps for the first time in your life — truly out of your parents’ reach, hoist up your freedom flag and let it fly! Go out with your friends, get a drink, listen to some music and dance a little. Bars are basically the big brother of pubs. The two have similar atmospheres, except the music used for dancing causes people to be a slosh louder. They do differ from clubs, as the dance floor is considerably smaller. Again, bars are filled with alcohol as far as the eye can see, so don’t hesitate to order a drink, though they also often serve food during the day. The fare is similar to that of the pub, but for reasons unbeknownst to the general public, the prices tend to be higher. Activities vary from day-to-day at bars as well. If you are curious to see what events are occurring on a certain night, you can always go to the establishment’s website. If you want to see live music from local bands, then a bar may be the venue of choice.
Clubs
In America, bars and pubs — unlike clubs — can be frequented by the public without the requirement of identification. But rejoice! Thanks to Europe’s allowing people to drink right out of the womb, you can get into a nightclub without getting your ID confiscated as an underage American (take that bouncers!). Clubs are the venues for the hardest of partiers, aside from those who go to music festivals like EDC.
Each club is different, but they do share the same atmosphere: loud music you can dance to, people who have taken three hours to look hot, and guys who are sometimes too aggressive toward others because their thirst level is at 100%. Other than that, clubs are so much fun. There is a plethora of things you can do while at a club. For instance: there’s drinking and dancing and more drinking and more dancing. A lot of clubs also have themed nights, the most popular being Ladies’ Night. Sorry guys, just like in the States, nights like this don’t exist for you. These types of establishments usually serve more drinks that are liquor based, and although beer is still an option, the selection is significantly diminished.
Beer Types
If beer is your drink of choice, you should be aware of the types that London has to offer. I know PBR, Coors Light, and Bud Light seem to be the extent of beers in the U.S. (or to your dad), but you are actually only scratching the surface of beers. In London, there are several types of beers to choose from: ciders, ales, lagers, porters, stouts and malts.
Ciders: For those who don’t want to taste any type of alcohol. The fruits used to make this type of beer vary, but the most common is apple. Ciders tend to be lighter in color, but because they use fermented fruit to make their flavor more prominent, the alcohol content is usually higher. Popular London ciders are Symond’s, Bulmer’s, and Stella Artois.
Ales: These have a tendency to be more hoppy, which causes the beer to have a more bitter taste. That being said, ales also use hints of fruit and spices to negate the bitter taste that comes from the hops, giving the beer a balance of bitter and sweet. The color of ale is anywhere from a golden color to a rich red amber. Some of the more common ales are Morland, Old Speckled Hen, Blue Moon, and Fuller’s London Pride.
Lagers: The world’s most popular form of beer. Flavors range from sweet to bitter. These beers are kept cold for a crisper and more refreshing finish. These types of beers are what Americans see the most commercials for: Miller Genuine Draft, Amstel Light, Natural Ice and Beck’s, among many others.
Porters and Stouts: While both are dark, almost black in color, porters are described as having a dry and fruity taste, making it the sweeter of the two. Stouts, on the other hand, have a creamy head (the foam that rests on top of the rest of the beer) and usually have a coffee flavor. Some popular English-style porters and stouts are Black Creek, Sleeman Fine Porter, Murphy’s Stout, and Guinness.
Malts: The sweeter of the darker beers. The malt taste can contain hints of caramel, toffee and nuts, and they can range from having a light to fuller body. A malt beer common in London is Barrell & Sellers Best Bitter.
Liquor Types and Cocktails
Beers and ciders are great if you are having a bro’s night out or just a casual night among friends, but if you are looking for something that will get you “turnt,” as kids say, then liquor is your friend. Just like beer, liquors come in many different flavors, and with the addition of mixers (non-alcoholic ingredients) the drink variety is endless. Be wary; experienced drinkers absolutely hate those who have no idea what they want to drink. Unless standing at the bar and being ignored while you’re overwhelmed by the liquor leering at you from the back wall is your idea of a fun time, here are a few cocktails for you to choose from.
Whiskey: If you are looking simultaneously to grow hair on your chest while having the sensation that you can breathe fire, then whiskey is the drink for you. It’s a libation that is initially smooth but has a kick as it goes down the hatch. One go-to whiskey drink is a Jack and Coke. This drink is concocted by mixing Jack Daniel’s® Whiskey and Coca-Cola®. Thanks to the soda this drink will be on the sweet side but will also have a mild whiskey aftertaste.
Spiced Rum: This is a more mellow liquor. It’s sweeter than regular rum, and, as the name suggests, has a spiced undertone. Captain Morgan® and Coca-Cola® (otherwise known as Captain and Coke or Rum and Coke) is a similar drink to Jack and Coke but sweeter. Instead of having the bite from the whiskey, it will go down smooth and have that spiced flavor at the end.
Gin: Do you like the smell of Christmas trees? If you said yes, then you might fancy gin. It has a strong juniper taste, but some gins are accompanied by floral notes. Gin and tonic is a good choice for the gin drinker. It isn’t nearly as sweet as rum drinks, but it is more refreshing. There is still a strong taste of gin, but it’s mellowed out by the tonic water. To add some sweetness, the bartender will garnish the drink with a lime or, depending on the type of gin, cucumbers and lemons.
Vodka: Also known as Russia’s Mistress. Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember that feeling when you got a cut on your knee and your parents put rubbing alcohol on it to disinfect it? Imagine that discomfort going down your throat. That’s vodka. On a more serious note, vodka tastes like nothing in particular, but when you toss it back, it burns so good.
For vodka lovers there are two common drinks. The most common is a Vodka Cranberry, which is made of, you guessed it, vodka and cranberry juice. This is obviously another sweet drink, thanks to the cranberry juice. The other drink that many will request is a Vodka Redbull®. The ingredients are in the name. Although this drink is very tasty, it should be known that it is more dangerous to the beginning drinker as it makes it incredibly hard to gauge how inebriated you are. Until you have a better understanding of how much alcohol your body can handle, it is strongly advised that you don’t start out with this drink.
Tequila: I may be a tiny bit biased, but the last I heard, tequila was known to be God’s gift to mankind. It can be taken completely straight, which may take some practice, but most people will usually drink it with some salt and a lime or lemon. By itself, tequila has a sort of sweet-citrus taste to it. By adding the salt and lime or lemon to the mix, the taste of tequila is enhanced. The common, but most complicated drink out of this list of beverages, is the Tequila Sunrise. In comparison to all of the other libations mentioned, this drink is by far the sweetest. It is made with tequila, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine (cherry flavored syrup). It gets its name because when properly made, the drink resembles a sunrise.
If you want to take the express train to Inebriation Station, you can always take tequila shots with salt and lime, or, as they do in London, with lemon. To properly take a tequila shot, you have to lick the webbing between your thumb and index finger, then add a little bit of salt to the moistened area. In the same hand, hold your lime or lemon wedge. Once you receive the actual shot glass of tequila, you will then lick the salt off of your hand, drink the tequila and bite on the fruit. Voila!
Safety
Based on the stories you may have heard from your peers, drinking may appear to be a great time, and you aren’t wrong. It can be a lot of fun, but if you’re not safe it can become dangerous quickly and it can negatively affect those around you. To ensure your experience stays on the up and up, you should always eat before you start drinking. Even if you are trying to look cute for the club and want to look skinny, you need to eat so you have something in your stomach to absorb the alcohol. Besides, if you are going to dance, you will burn off the calories. It’s better to look a little bloated and have a memorable time than to have vomited on yourself and forget everything. When you drink, it’s always smart to have water in between alcoholic beverages. It will help you regulate the alcohol in your system and keep you hydrated, which will prevent you from getting a hangover the next morning. Shots are also a dangerous form of drinking because alcohol's effects are not immediate. The last thing you want is to take 10 shots and then wake up in the hospital because you suffered from alcohol poisoning.
With all of this information, you now have the tools to go out and enjoy everything you have been missing in America. The world is your oyster, go forth and experience what the London nightlife has to offer!
Pubs
Pubs tend to be the most intimate of watering holes in London. They’re usually small and their atmosphere ranges from being a place to get a beer after work with friends to a casual place where everyone speaks at a normal volume and there is no shouting to be heard. This type of venue is mainly for those who are looking for a more laid back atmosphere. There’s no dress code when you go to a pub, but the attire usually varies from a minimum of a t-shirt and jeans to the maximum of office attire. Pubs serve alcohol from the time they open to the time they close, and food is often served until around nine o’clock in the evening, but that varies from establishment to establishment.
As for the drink selection, pubs are well stocked. The drink of choice when going to these establishments is usually a beer or cider, but if liquor is your preference (Though, how could it be, you haven’t had a drink in your life), then you are also in good hands. Pubs usually have a fully stocked bar, so they can probably make any drink you desire. Don’t feel restricted to your table when at a pub, some have games you can participate in, darts being a common one amongst pub-frequenters.
Bars
If having a calm evening isn’t your taste, perhaps you want to spice up your night by going to a bar. Why wouldn’t you? If you are a college student and are— perhaps for the first time in your life — truly out of your parents’ reach, hoist up your freedom flag and let it fly! Go out with your friends, get a drink, listen to some music and dance a little. Bars are basically the big brother of pubs. The two have similar atmospheres, except the music used for dancing causes people to be a slosh louder. They do differ from clubs, as the dance floor is considerably smaller. Again, bars are filled with alcohol as far as the eye can see, so don’t hesitate to order a drink, though they also often serve food during the day. The fare is similar to that of the pub, but for reasons unbeknownst to the general public, the prices tend to be higher. Activities vary from day-to-day at bars as well. If you are curious to see what events are occurring on a certain night, you can always go to the establishment’s website. If you want to see live music from local bands, then a bar may be the venue of choice.
Clubs
In America, bars and pubs — unlike clubs — can be frequented by the public without the requirement of identification. But rejoice! Thanks to Europe’s allowing people to drink right out of the womb, you can get into a nightclub without getting your ID confiscated as an underage American (take that bouncers!). Clubs are the venues for the hardest of partiers, aside from those who go to music festivals like EDC.
Each club is different, but they do share the same atmosphere: loud music you can dance to, people who have taken three hours to look hot, and guys who are sometimes too aggressive toward others because their thirst level is at 100%. Other than that, clubs are so much fun. There is a plethora of things you can do while at a club. For instance: there’s drinking and dancing and more drinking and more dancing. A lot of clubs also have themed nights, the most popular being Ladies’ Night. Sorry guys, just like in the States, nights like this don’t exist for you. These types of establishments usually serve more drinks that are liquor based, and although beer is still an option, the selection is significantly diminished.
Beer Types
If beer is your drink of choice, you should be aware of the types that London has to offer. I know PBR, Coors Light, and Bud Light seem to be the extent of beers in the U.S. (or to your dad), but you are actually only scratching the surface of beers. In London, there are several types of beers to choose from: ciders, ales, lagers, porters, stouts and malts.
Ciders: For those who don’t want to taste any type of alcohol. The fruits used to make this type of beer vary, but the most common is apple. Ciders tend to be lighter in color, but because they use fermented fruit to make their flavor more prominent, the alcohol content is usually higher. Popular London ciders are Symond’s, Bulmer’s, and Stella Artois.
Ales: These have a tendency to be more hoppy, which causes the beer to have a more bitter taste. That being said, ales also use hints of fruit and spices to negate the bitter taste that comes from the hops, giving the beer a balance of bitter and sweet. The color of ale is anywhere from a golden color to a rich red amber. Some of the more common ales are Morland, Old Speckled Hen, Blue Moon, and Fuller’s London Pride.
Lagers: The world’s most popular form of beer. Flavors range from sweet to bitter. These beers are kept cold for a crisper and more refreshing finish. These types of beers are what Americans see the most commercials for: Miller Genuine Draft, Amstel Light, Natural Ice and Beck’s, among many others.
Porters and Stouts: While both are dark, almost black in color, porters are described as having a dry and fruity taste, making it the sweeter of the two. Stouts, on the other hand, have a creamy head (the foam that rests on top of the rest of the beer) and usually have a coffee flavor. Some popular English-style porters and stouts are Black Creek, Sleeman Fine Porter, Murphy’s Stout, and Guinness.
Malts: The sweeter of the darker beers. The malt taste can contain hints of caramel, toffee and nuts, and they can range from having a light to fuller body. A malt beer common in London is Barrell & Sellers Best Bitter.
Liquor Types and Cocktails
Beers and ciders are great if you are having a bro’s night out or just a casual night among friends, but if you are looking for something that will get you “turnt,” as kids say, then liquor is your friend. Just like beer, liquors come in many different flavors, and with the addition of mixers (non-alcoholic ingredients) the drink variety is endless. Be wary; experienced drinkers absolutely hate those who have no idea what they want to drink. Unless standing at the bar and being ignored while you’re overwhelmed by the liquor leering at you from the back wall is your idea of a fun time, here are a few cocktails for you to choose from.
Whiskey: If you are looking simultaneously to grow hair on your chest while having the sensation that you can breathe fire, then whiskey is the drink for you. It’s a libation that is initially smooth but has a kick as it goes down the hatch. One go-to whiskey drink is a Jack and Coke. This drink is concocted by mixing Jack Daniel’s® Whiskey and Coca-Cola®. Thanks to the soda this drink will be on the sweet side but will also have a mild whiskey aftertaste.
Spiced Rum: This is a more mellow liquor. It’s sweeter than regular rum, and, as the name suggests, has a spiced undertone. Captain Morgan® and Coca-Cola® (otherwise known as Captain and Coke or Rum and Coke) is a similar drink to Jack and Coke but sweeter. Instead of having the bite from the whiskey, it will go down smooth and have that spiced flavor at the end.
Gin: Do you like the smell of Christmas trees? If you said yes, then you might fancy gin. It has a strong juniper taste, but some gins are accompanied by floral notes. Gin and tonic is a good choice for the gin drinker. It isn’t nearly as sweet as rum drinks, but it is more refreshing. There is still a strong taste of gin, but it’s mellowed out by the tonic water. To add some sweetness, the bartender will garnish the drink with a lime or, depending on the type of gin, cucumbers and lemons.
Vodka: Also known as Russia’s Mistress. Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember that feeling when you got a cut on your knee and your parents put rubbing alcohol on it to disinfect it? Imagine that discomfort going down your throat. That’s vodka. On a more serious note, vodka tastes like nothing in particular, but when you toss it back, it burns so good.
For vodka lovers there are two common drinks. The most common is a Vodka Cranberry, which is made of, you guessed it, vodka and cranberry juice. This is obviously another sweet drink, thanks to the cranberry juice. The other drink that many will request is a Vodka Redbull®. The ingredients are in the name. Although this drink is very tasty, it should be known that it is more dangerous to the beginning drinker as it makes it incredibly hard to gauge how inebriated you are. Until you have a better understanding of how much alcohol your body can handle, it is strongly advised that you don’t start out with this drink.
Tequila: I may be a tiny bit biased, but the last I heard, tequila was known to be God’s gift to mankind. It can be taken completely straight, which may take some practice, but most people will usually drink it with some salt and a lime or lemon. By itself, tequila has a sort of sweet-citrus taste to it. By adding the salt and lime or lemon to the mix, the taste of tequila is enhanced. The common, but most complicated drink out of this list of beverages, is the Tequila Sunrise. In comparison to all of the other libations mentioned, this drink is by far the sweetest. It is made with tequila, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine (cherry flavored syrup). It gets its name because when properly made, the drink resembles a sunrise.
If you want to take the express train to Inebriation Station, you can always take tequila shots with salt and lime, or, as they do in London, with lemon. To properly take a tequila shot, you have to lick the webbing between your thumb and index finger, then add a little bit of salt to the moistened area. In the same hand, hold your lime or lemon wedge. Once you receive the actual shot glass of tequila, you will then lick the salt off of your hand, drink the tequila and bite on the fruit. Voila!
Safety
Based on the stories you may have heard from your peers, drinking may appear to be a great time, and you aren’t wrong. It can be a lot of fun, but if you’re not safe it can become dangerous quickly and it can negatively affect those around you. To ensure your experience stays on the up and up, you should always eat before you start drinking. Even if you are trying to look cute for the club and want to look skinny, you need to eat so you have something in your stomach to absorb the alcohol. Besides, if you are going to dance, you will burn off the calories. It’s better to look a little bloated and have a memorable time than to have vomited on yourself and forget everything. When you drink, it’s always smart to have water in between alcoholic beverages. It will help you regulate the alcohol in your system and keep you hydrated, which will prevent you from getting a hangover the next morning. Shots are also a dangerous form of drinking because alcohol's effects are not immediate. The last thing you want is to take 10 shots and then wake up in the hospital because you suffered from alcohol poisoning.
With all of this information, you now have the tools to go out and enjoy everything you have been missing in America. The world is your oyster, go forth and experience what the London nightlife has to offer!