If you’ve got a short attention span, it will take more than just a cocktail and plate of food to keep you entertained. Luckily, there’s a clutch of London bars and restaurants out there which come with a side of fun. From ping-pong to circus acts, the capital’s got it covered. Read on for our pick of the best London bars and restaurants for entertainment.
What: Covetable, classic foosball tables are the focal point at this lived-in, E1 favourite. If you really want to get into the football spirit, Bar Kick has a range of international beers, so you can pick a nation and drink you way to victory (maybe). To eat, expect crowd-pleasing casseroles, salads, soups, sarnies and seasonal bites to share.
Where: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE
What: Unleash your inner Tiger Woods with this crazy golf-course-cum-cocktail-bar in an arch deep under Waterloo station. Cocktails to choose from include the Golfbuster: vodka shaken with spiced fruit and a marshmallow garnish. Gastronomic bases are covered by street food, from the likes of The Cheese Truck and Popdogs.
Where: The Vaults, Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD
What: This lively social offers entertainment in the form of hip-hop pub quizzes, arts and crafts workshops, exhibitions, and poetry slams. There's basic bar food (think Cajun wedges, racks of ribs and sharing platters) served alongside bottles of vino, lagers and cheap cocktails, with names like Jam to the Slaughter and Peaching to the Converted.
Where: 100-106 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH
What: Bars with added ping-pong tables, paired with house tracks and neon graffiti. Choose from a bar menu that spans pizzas, sliders and hot dogs, and fuel the fun with craft beers or wine.
Where: 121 Holborn, EC1N 2TD and 239-241 Old Street, EC1V 9EY
What: This tongue-in-cheek pizzeria gets its name from those infamous romp sessions reportedly enjoyed by Silvio Berlusconi. Alongside the pizza, there’s karaoke and supper clubs galore, as well as 2-for-1 cocktails on Wednesdays.
Where: 37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA
What: This grande dame of the club scene continues to draw crowds with unmatchable, Moulin Rouge-style performances in opulent surroundings. Expect a line-up of acrobats, fire-eaters and dance troupes; if you’re booked in for dinner, the traditional French-tilted menu impresses.
Where: 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL
What: From the team behind
All Star Lanes, this bar reboots darts for the modern age, with electronic scored boards. There are fun cocktails, including the Shanghai Sling and Coco Fumada (a twisted Piña Colada slushie), while small plates might include popcorn mussels, or lamb, mozzarella and tomato kofta kebabs.
Where: 2a Worship Street, EC2A 2AH
What: Musicians jamming on a central raised stage are the focus at this handsomely converted Victorian printworks, now an exuberant 400-capacity live-music lounge. On-point barmen shake out mean Martinis and you can snack on sliders and gut-busting Mexican chilli dogs, or go for a full steak dinner.
Where: 113-117 Farringdon Road, ECR1 3BX
What: Luxe London restaurant Park Chinois is unapologetically opulent, with high prices to match. The site is an homage to the dinner and dance venues of yesterday, so true to form, they have an ongoing schedule of live music, ranging from piano players to string quartets.
Where: 17 Berkeley Street, W1S 4NF
This article was published 22 November 2016