7 'Alternative' London Nights-Out That Are Actually Good
Try something different for a change
Warm, fuzzy and familiar as our local pubs may be, we've all had that niggling urge to try something different. To escape our predictable night-out routine and see what eclectic London really has to offer.
Somewhere "else", whatever and wherever that might be.
But we still want to drink – that's a given. Just not out of jam jars, plant pots or vintage thimbles. And we'll avoid any night that refers to itself as "quirky", or even mentions the word "Zumba".
Just somewhere good. Doing something fun. Where the whole night isn't spent listening to your kind-of-mate Greg struggle over a joke that he can't really remember from Twitter.
Somewhere like…
Lucky Voice
Where: Branches in Islington, Soho and Brighton.
What does it do: Old school Karaoke with fancy dress
We know what you're thinking: karaoke is a relic of the 90s and you don't want to embarrass yourself in front of friends. Well the Wonderwall experts at Lucky Voice have given it a 2017 update with their new fancy dress feature inspired by the Japanese trend of cosplay.
Get down in Elvis' white jumpsuit, Michael Jackson's red thriller suit or Britney's famous sexy schoolgirl outfit, if that's your thing... And don't worry about your voice letting you down, there's enough microphones (and cocktails on hand) to give you the confidence to go all night. The song selection is unbeatable too.
Literary Death Match
Where: Various locations across London.
What does it do: Witty lit and funny bits.
Four famous and emerging authors perform their own writing to a panel of all-star judges in 7 minutes or less, before facing up to their hilarious criticism. Think X Factor mixed with Def Poetry Jam.
Depending on when you're reading this, we highly suggest nabbing a ticket for the Southbank Centre show on the 25 June, starring comedian Shappi Khorsandi, alongside Natashia Deon, Harry Baker and a bunch of other celebrated writer types.
Four Thieves Pub
Where: Clapham Junction
What does it do: Giant scalextric and retro brilliance.
Video game bars are everywhere these days. And to stand out, you really need to do something special: like build a massive scalextric track in your loft, for example.
Sidle up alongside your sozzled rivals, grab a wheel, and drink drive to your heart's content, safe in the knowledge that you'll only be smashing into your own pint as you attempt an audacious, crowd-pleasing drift turn.
And once you've had enough of that, you can carry on with the impressive line-up of retro gaming booths set up on the sidelines (or settle down for one of their regular comedy nights).
Romantic Misadventures
Where: Various locations.
What does it do: Life-affirming tales of cringe-worthy sorrow.
Put together by entertaining Twitter person Kit Lovelace, Romantic Misadventures is a monthly show where randomers jump on stage to tell hilariously bleak stories about their love life. It's half-stand up, half support group.
And it's funny. We promise.
If you've got a story in your sad, dented locker, pitch it to Kit on Twitter, who also posts updates about the show's roaming locations.
Hip Hop Pub Quiz
Where: Various locations.
What does it do: Hip-hop geek-offs.
So you fancy testing your smarts at a pub quiz, but the only thing you've studied since school is obscure rappers' Wikipedia pages and the lyrics to 'Juicy'?
There's a place for you, friend. The 'Hip Hop Pub Quiz' will stretch your geeky music knowledge to its absolute limit, as you bid to get your hands on the hallowed champions belt.
B.Y.O.C
Where: The Juice Club
What does it do: Tailor-made cocktails.
So here's the deal: bring a bottle of booze, plonk it down on the table, and sit back as an on-hand mixologist creates bespoke cocktails just for you and your mates.
Hidden in a tiny, dimly lit basement beneath The Juice Club in the west end, it all amounts to a pretty unique experience. The £20 entrance fee might feel steep, but it covers the costs of all the additional ingredients, and you'll get a fair few drinks out of it (depending on how much alcohol you bring, that is).
Be warned, however: it's not a place for Glenn's vodka. Not even the professionals can make that taste good.
Bounce
Where: Farringdon, Old Street
What does it do: Ping-pong.
Beer pong always sounds like a good idea at first, but let's face it: you don't live in an American Pie film, your hand-eye coordination is toddler-esque, and it's far more enjoyable to just sip a lovely cold pint at a leisurely pace.
Competitive boozy ping-pong on the other hand? Surprisingly fun. And Bounce is one of the best in town, with 14 cheap tables to choose from, as well as a gin palace-style bar to retire to after you somehow manage to twat yourself in the balls with a paddle.
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