It’s perhaps unsurprising that these are also great places to let your hair down and have a good time. With prices far cheaper than the average London bar tab, these venues are definitely worth celebrating.

Is it happy hour yet?

Related: Saving on nightlife, culture and bars in London

1. Simmons

Several locations around London

Not a happy hour but a happy FIVE hours is the norm in this chain of bars. You can find them in locations around London including Soho, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia and Camden. All the bars benefit from the eclectic decor, mixing kitsch toys, neon signs, and granny-style light shades. That style is reflected in the drinks too, and they even serve cocktails in teapots (for £15 during happy hour).

The times for the Happy Hours vary between venue – check their website for details – but offers include spirit and mixer or a glass of wine for £2.50 (perfect for those who prefer more a conventional drinking receptacle!).

2. Be at One

Several locations around London

Another chain of bars that prides itself on its happy hour, Be At One has locations in central London including Camden and Covent Garden. Again, the time of their happy hours varies between venues, but usually spans a couple of hours every night, including the weekend.

You’ll find a two-for-one on their extensive cocktail menu, which includes all the classics as well as some more unusual numbers such as the “Swedish Death Nettle”. The bars share a fun, party atmosphere, while some — including the Covent Garden Russell Street branch — have a late license.

3. London Cocktail Club

Several locations around London

Describing themselves as “a serious drinkers party bar”, this is another cocktail chain. There are branches in Goodge Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Oxford Circus, Islington, and Bethnal Green.

LCC serves up some truly imaginative cocktails, served in equally inventive ways — fancy a bacon and egg martini, served with a garnish of real bacon? It’ll taste even better when bought as part of the 2 for £12 happy hour deal. Times vary between venues so check their site for details.

4. Cafe Kick & Bar Kick

Leave behind the cocktails for just for a bit (although they do serve them too), and step into one of the two branches of these Soccer-themed bars. It takes its cue from European bars, rather than British pubs, offering bottles of European beers, wine, and the opportunity to play your own game of foosball (known as ‘table football’ across the pond).

Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to  7 pm every day, when you can buy a bottle of house beer for £2. At Bar Kick, you can also pick up a bottle of the house wine for only £12.

5. Barrio

Four locations in London: Angel, Soho, Shoreditch & Brixton

Also on a global theme are the Barrio bars that can be found in Angel, Soho, Shoreditch, and Brixton, offering a colorful and kitsch take on South American style.

Their “Amigo Hours” are the time to really become friendly with their drinks menu. Running all day Sunday and Monday, and until 8 pm (9 pm in Brixton) from Tuesday to Saturday, they offer £5.50 select cocktails, while you can pick up a selection of beers for £3.50 a bottle.

6. Slim Jims

112 Upper Street, Islington
Tube: Angel

Okay, it might not be why you wanted to visit Europe, but Slim Jims aims to offer a taste of the States in the heart of London. They have a big love of whiskey, liquor, and rock n roll.

There’s regular live music, but one of the attractions has to be their happy hour, running from 4 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday to Friday, and until 10 pm on Sundays and Mondays. The deal? 2-for-1 cocktails!

7. Joe’s Southern Kitchen

34 King St, Covent Garden
Tube: Leicester Square or Covent Garden Station

Another British take on the States, Joe’s serves up generous portions of fried chicken, pulled pork, mac n’ cheese and the like. They’re also generous with their happy hours at their bar — running all day Sunday and from 4 pm until 6.30 pm on Monday to Friday — where selected cocktails are just £4.

It’s also well worth checking if their downstairs “Cocktail Baby” space is open. Not only does it play a great mix of disco, soul, and house music, it’s £5 for cocktails from Thursday to Saturday.

8. The Drunken Monkey

222 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch
Tube: Liverpool Street

Head to The Drunken Monkey (just down the road from Bar Kick) for dim sum and cocktails. It’s a cool space, decorated in rich red with kitsch touches and a DJ playing funk, house and soul, with even cooler happy hour offers.

Running from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday to Friday, and from 12 pm until 7 pm and all day Sunday, you can buy four beers for £10. There’s a selection of cocktails available for £5 each too, from classics such as the Shanghai Sling and Mojito to their own inventions such as Monkey’s Strawberry Lemonade, a refreshing but potent mix of vodka, crème de fraise, strawberries, and citrus juice.

9. The Roxy

3-5 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Station

This basement bar and club just near Tottenham Court Road is a popular spot for an evening out, open until late every night except Sunday and playing a wide range of music, from indie through to chart pop.

There are plenty of promotions that will make you want to stay out late — each weekday the happy runs from 5 pm until 8.30 pm, and on Saturday it’s between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm. There’s a wide range of drinks included, including half price cocktail pitchers and bottles of house wine. In addition, Monday to Wednesday brings a 2-for-1 on cocktails.

10. The Old School Yard

111 Long Lane, London Bridge
Tube: Borough

This charmingly scruffy around the edges bar is inspired by your school days — they’ve even got lockers! However, it’s probably a lot more fun than your school days ever were, with video games, a karaoke booth, and plenty of cocktails.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, the happy hour runs from 5:30 pm until 8 pm. Enjoy two beers for £5 or cocktails for £4.50 each, to a soundtrack of suitably retro hits.

The post London Bars: 10 Best happy hour deals in London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In previous articles, we’ve explained the etiquette of visiting a traditional pub, where to find a lovely (and affordable) Sunday roast, and how to save on London nightlife and culture, but where should you go for an authentic (and not too costly) pub experience?

Well, we’ve picked out 10 of our favorite London pubs below. They’re all located in central London, and are all highly recommended for providing a well deserved respite from the bustle of London streets. These are pubs that are popular with locals, given their histories, locations, specialties, and — of course — drink prices!

And if you need a place to stumble back to after a fun night out on the town, you can check out these centrally located budget hotels in London. After all, you can afford to grab an extra pint or two when you save on your accommodations!

Here are our top 10 favorite pubs in central London. The next round’s on us!

1. Lamb and Flag

33 Rose St, London WC2E 9EB
Tube: Covent Garden

The Lamb and Flag is ideally placed for escaping the throngs of Covent Garden. Slightly tucked away from the main streets, you’re more likely to be rubbing shoulders (it does often reach a rubbing shoulders level of busy) with a Londoner than with a fellow tourist.

The building has a great history — reflected in its appearance — having been on this site since 1772. Beloved of Charles Dickens, it once was called the “Bucket of Blood”, as it was known for bare-knuckle fighting. It’s much more welcoming now — so much that if you sign up to their mailing list, you can get yourself a free pint.

2. The George Inn

77 Borough High St, Southwark, London SE1 1NH
Tube: London Bridge

Another Dickens recommendation: this pub was actually mentioned in Little Dorritt. It’s an amazing building — a rare surviving example of a galleried inn and the exterior dates all the way back to 1677. Its uniqueness makes it one of the most expensive options on this list, so we recommend savoring a pint in their courtyard on a sunny day, and then moving on. We named the George Inn one as our favorite traditional London pubs for historic drinking.

Related: Five classic London pubs worth a visit

Princess Louise pub. Photo: KotomiCreations

3. Princess Louise

208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP, UK
Tube: Holborn

The Princess Louise is an all-round winner. First of all, it’s run by the Samuel Smith brewery, who serve up some of the cheapest pints in London. Then there is its astounding Victorian interior. Entering is like stepping back in time — it’s divided into small compartments, each seating just a handful of people, arranged around a central bar. Mirrored, frosted glass and mosaics create a visual feast that’s unlike most pubs or bars you’ll ever visit.

4. Bradley’s Spanish Bar

42-44 Hanway St, London, W1T 1UT, United Kingdom
Tube: Tottenham Court Road

Despite the name, this is less bar and more pub. The name does have some truth in it, however, as it serves a good line of very well priced Spanish beers and wine. This unpretentious, fun but battered around the edges venue spans several levels. The star attraction is the much-loved vinyl jukebox.

5. The Harp

47 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS, United Kingdom
Tube: Charing Cross/Leicester Square

Another oasis of civility in the middle of one of the busiest area of town. Behind this pub’s charming stained glass windows, you’ll discover plenty of choice for ale aficionados. The two narrow floors make it a tight squeeze, but drinkers spill out onto the alley outside in the summer. As with the Lamb and Flag, it’s operated by Fuller’s, so sign up on the site for your free drink.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Photo: George Rex

6. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BU, UK
Tube: St Pauls

You’ll find the entrance to popular Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in the narrow alleyway coming off Fleet Street. That sets the tone for the pub — rebuilt after Great Fire of London, it’s a maze of rooms and passageways. It’s undeniably atmospheric, with its dark corners and open fires, and past famous drinkers are said to have included Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and, yes, like many other pubs, Charles Dickens. Like the Princess Louise, it’s a Samuel Smith’s pub, so it offers some of the most reasonably priced drinks in central London.

7. Scootercaffe

132 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE, United Kingdom
Tube: Waterloo

The Scootercaffe is definitely the least pub-like of all the drinking establishments we’re recommending, but it’s a charming cafe-bar of the type that’s surprisingly hard to find in London. Their coffee machine keeps going into the night, but there’s bottled beers and wine to be enjoyed here, too. Spread over two higgledy-piggledy floors, with vintage furniture and sometimes even a cat, it’s a dark and cozy place to enjoy a few drinks.

8. The Lyric

37 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LU
Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Looking for a small, but a perfectly formed Victorian pub in a busy part of town? The Lyric is a great example of a good British boozer — there’s a great selection of craft beer, an open fire, reasonably priced tasty grub, and the likelihood of a football game showing on the screens.

9. The Lexington

96-98 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9JB
Tube: King’s Cross/Angel

The Lexington’s drink selection differs from the traditional British boozer in that it favors U.S. bottled beers and whiskies. That’s in keeping with its rock n’ roll spirit — the Lexington is one of the city’s best places to see up and coming bands. In fact, it’s a brilliant place to spend an afternoon that tips into an evening, as there’s plenty to entertain here — from music quizzes to club nights. It pulls off feeling just decadent enough while still being welcoming.

Enjoying a couple of pints at Holborn Whippet. Photo: Tom Anderson

10. The Holborn Whippet

25-29 Sicilian Ave, London WC1A 2QH
Tube: Holborn

London has some great traditional pubs, but the Holborn Whippet goes to show that good drinking doesn’t have to involve dark rooms with brass fittings. This is a tiny place, close to the British Museum and, while it’s stripped back in decor, it definitely doesn’t stint on the drink. They pride themselves on the different craft beers — there’s some good food, too — and it’s a favorite with local workers. In better weather, you’ll see them spilling out of the pub onto Sicilian Avenue outside where there’s not that many better ways to spend a sunny London evening.

Cheers!

The post Our 10 favorite local pubs and bars in central London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But warning: Without proper planning, you could easily blow your entire budget on a couple of nights out on the town. But you don’t need to spend a lot to have a fun and memorable night. To prove it, we’ve compiled this Cheapo guide to some of our long-standing, wallet-friendly favorite nights out in London.

London transport at night

Transport needs to be factored into any night out in London as, sadly for late-night revelers, the Underground closes relatively early. The exact time varies, but last tube trains are generally between midnight to 12:30 a.m. (check in the tube station for the exact time of its last train).

A highly-anticipated “Night Tube” was meant to start this past September, but the project has been postponed, leaving the huge network of night buses as the cheapest way to get home after the Tube  closes. You can check out Central London routes here. Use your Oyster card to travel at night, as you would during the day. If you’re using a day travel card, it’s valid until the Tube starts running again the following morning.

Related: London Public Transport: How to save on Tube and bus tickets

London’s famous black cabs are expensive, though you might save as a group by booking a licensed mini-cab in advance. And, as with other cities, many Londoners are dedicated Uber users.

Yo Olde Cheshire Cheese is a classic, and yes, very old London pub. Photo: George Rex

Drinking: Pubs, bars and coffee shops

You’ll find places to drink all over London (navigate your way around a London local with our pub guide), although areas with a reputation for the best nightlife include Soho and Shoreditch. Further afield—and likely to be slightly cheaper—Brixton and Dalston both have great reputations for their bar scenes.

Pubs

• City wide, Samuel Smith and Wetherspoons pubs both offer cheaper than average drinks. The former are especially worth checking out for their historic interiors.

• Other traditional pubs that won’t break the bank include the wonderfully named Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street—dating back to the 17^th century and boasting an amazing history.

• Also check out the Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell.

Cocktail bars

Fancy something a little more fancy than a pint? Seek out some of the capital’s finest happy hours.

• The Barrio chain—with four branches around London—has daily £5 cocktail Amigo Hours (times vary between branches).

• The fun London Cocktail Club venues host regular discounts on their delicious drinks, too.

Cafes and coffee houses

London is somewhat lacking when it comes to evening drinking options that aren’t alcohol-focused. However, for a late-night coffee you could try Soho’s legendary cafe Bar Italia, which serves up the black stuff 24 hours a day.

Waterloo’s cute Scooter Caffe—open until midnight on weekends—puts as much emphasis on its coffee as its beer (if not more), as does Shoreditch’s The Bridge Coffee House and Lounge, another late-night favorite.

There’s usually free admission to the fun blues bar Ain’t Nothin’ But. Photo: Vlad

Nightlife: Clubs and live music

London has something for all tastes and budgets. The nightlife scene is constantly changing, so pick up a free copy of Time Out magazine for the up-to-the minute latest.

Clubs

While London’s dance clubs are so diverse that it’s hard to state hard and fast rules about them, in general you’ll probably pay less if you get to the venue early. Look out for fliers or try to get on the guest list online for cheaper entry fees. Here are some favorite clubs:

• For central London cheesy music, you could try The Roxy (take note of their happy hours).

• Heaven is one of London’s most famous gay clubs. Note that it’s worth making a pre-club outing to the G-A-Y bar to try and pick up free entry fliers first.

• Shoreditch’s Catch, meanwhile, is a late night DJ bar/club. As they describe themselves on their website, it’s “always free, always fun!”

Live Music

Larger concert venues tend to sell out well in advance, but there are a few last-minute options:

• King Cross’ Lexington and Shoreditch’s Old Blue Last are both pubs that specialize in hosting the best new guitar bands.

• Ain’t Nothin’ But is an atmospheric and lively blues bar, found near Carnaby Street. It offers free admission most nights, and is free before 8:30 p.m. on weekends.

• Jazz more your thing? Take a look at Soho Jazz Wednesdays—sign up on the website for discounts and special offers on some of London’s best jazz joints.

Related: A Cheapo’s guide to free music in London

Snag a cheap ticket to a show at the Old Vic. Photo: Peter Morgan

Entertainment: Theater and culture

London is filled with evening culture options. From the big shows in the West End theatres to late nights at museums, you’re certain to find something culturally rich to do in London once the sun goes down.

Theater, cinema and comedy clubs

Free (or at least seriously cheap) theater tickets? Yes, it’s true. Score yourself free and cheap theater tickets with our guide to free tickets. (And don’t forget, if buying tickets to a big West End musical or play, head straight for the official TKTS discount theatre booth at Leicester Square — and not from the dealers surrounding it!)

We’ve also got some invaluable money saving tips on cinema going in the capital.

Or chortle your way through an evening at one of Angel Comedy’s impressive array of free events, or the New Act Night at the Comedy Café. That also costs nothing, and who knows what up-and-coming talent you’ll spot?

Museums and galleries

First of all, remember that national museums are open for free to visitors. To enjoy them after-hours, attend a Museum Late—evening openings at the museum, often with music and additional talks, tours and workshops.

Arty types will also enjoy First Thursdays, where over 150 east London galleries open their doors for free events and private views.

Something different

And for something completely different, check out the range of activities at Drink, Shop and Do. You can take part in evenings involving everything from making Lego robots to adult coloring in—many for free when you buy a drink.

And, after all that craftiness, be sure to round off your night by hitting their downstairs dance floor!

The post London Nightlife Savings: How to save at pubs, clubs and culture appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But this month, the Thames Festival Trust, who have organized many exciting events along the river over the last 16 years, is embracing the importance of our river even more by expanding the festival’s reach beyond the city center and launching a month-long season of events and activities along London’s 42 miles of river.

The Totally Thames Festival runs right through the heart of London, from Richmond in the southwest to Havering in northeast and the good news for Cheapos is that there are tons of free activities. Hurrah! With over 100 events taking place this month, it’s hard to know where to start, but whether you fancy some wacky installations or exhibitions, a family day out, a walking or cycling tour, cinema, sailing or even archaeology, there is sure to be something that takes your fancy.

Related: 5 easy ways to save money when visiting London

Festival Highlights

HippopoThames

Some personal favorites include the arrival HippopoThames, an enormous 21-metre long hippo sculpture by renowned Dutch artist, Florentijn Hofman, which can now be found semi-submerged in water at Nine Elms on the South Bank. This is Hofman’s first ever UK commission and was inspired by the prehistory of the Thames, when hippos could be found inhabiting the river.

How can you resist seeing a gigantic hippo sculpture floating along the Thames? Photo: Edvvc

Free Exhibit: Mapping London

Those with an interest in cartography should head straight for the Mapping London exhibition, which takes place at the Oxo Tower Gallery until 14 September. This fascinating exhibition quite literally maps the changing landscape of London and the Thames between 1572 and 2013 with a number of incredibly rare city surveys and (of course) maps.

Free outdoor movies

Fancy a free trip to the cinema? Until 26 September you can catch free open-air screenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at More London’s The Scoop. Possibly the most privileged location for a cinema ever, right on the river with fantastic views of Tower Bridge, Cheapos should bag their place early!

Classic Boat Festival brings historic ships to the Thames. Photo: Brett Jones

Classic Boat Festival

The 13 and 14 September sees St Katherine’s Docks taken over by the Classic Boat Festival, and visitors can hop onboard and explore a vast array of classic, working and historic vessels. Live music and plenty of spots to eat and drink will add to the festival vibe and make this the ideal stop off if you’re exploring the area around the Tower of London.

Explore an ancient Roman bath house

If London’s Roman history is more your thing then make sure you attend the Billingsgate Roman Bath House Open Weekend on 20 or 21 September. This is a totally unusual and exclusive opportunity to venture beneath the modern city’s streets and explore the remains of this 2,000 year old spa.

For more information and full event listings, visit www.totallythames.org and follow @totallythames.

The post London Cheap Things To Do: Totally Thames Festival appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Monday Madness and Student Tuesdays at the Barbican Centre
The Barbican runs a “Monday Madness” promotion, where tickets to new releases cost just £6 on Mondays, while on Tuesdays students can gain access for a fiver (on production of a valid student card). The Barbican is a good choice for all tastes as it screens everything from popular mainstream releases to smaller art-house productions, and there are even regular £6 parent and baby screenings geared towards parents with children aged 12 months or under.

Barbican Centre
Silk Street London
Box Office: 020 7638 8891

“Super Tuesday” at Vue and “Bargain Tuesday” at ODEON
Tuesday is the day to bag cheap seats at Vue and ODEON cinemas across the city. For Vue, just fill in the online form to receive a special membership code and get up to 1/3 of all adult ticket prices every Tuesday, it’s as simple as that. In turn, selected ODEON cinemas offer special rates on Tuesdays (for 2D films only), but the prices and level of discount depend on the cinema and film. You’ll get the best rate if you bypass online booking fees and buy direct at the box office or ticket machine in the cinema.

Vue website / ODEON website

Rich Mix Six cinema. Photo: Frank Boyd

Rich Mix Six £6 admission on Mondays
Rich Mix is an eclectic arts centre and charity in Shoreditch showcasing live music, dance, comedy and film among other creative activities. The cinema offerings are excellent, ranging from general releases to more niche independent and world cinema, and the best thing about it is that every Monday cinema tickets cost just £6 to any film when booked online. There are some family-friendly options too, with parent and baby screenings for £6 each Monday and special weekend kids’ screenings from just £1.75 per person.

Rich Mix Six
35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road
Box Office: 020 7613 7498

Orange Wednesdays  two-for-one tickets
The old favorite: if you’re visiting London and surprised to see queues for the cinema on a Wednesday night, it’s because phone operator, Orange’s Orange Wednesdays have become a bit of an institution. Every Wednesday customers are entitled to two-for-one on film tickets at participating cinemas. You just need to text “FILM” to 241 from an Orange or EE sim card to generate a special code which can be used to redeem your discounted ticket at the box office. Alternatively, download the EE FIlm or Orange Wednesdays app on your smartphone for iTunes or Google Play. Added into the deal is two for the price of one on pizzas and doughballs at Pizza Express, so Cheapos can fill their bellies AND get their fill of entertainment for half the price every single week. Delicious!

The post London cinema: How to score tickets on the cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Discounted West End tickets

If your heart is set on a big-budget West End show, don’t be disheartened by the often shockingly high ticket prices quoted on theater websites. There are still plenty of ways to bag a bargain ticket, particularly if you’re flexible with which show you see.

Leicester Square is littered with cheap ticket shops, but make your first stop TKTS, the only official discount ticket booth run by the Society of London Theatres. TKTS sells lots of half-price and discounted tickets, and the stock is replenished throughout the day (so you don’t have to be in the queue at 9 a.m. to secure your seat). The booth is open Monday to Saturday until 7 p.m.

Travelex £12 tickets
National Theatre
Website

Travelex’s partnership with the National Theatre has become one of the most popular affordable passports to theater in London. Seeing a production at the National Theatre should come high up on any theater buff’s wish list. Occupying an iconic space on the South Bank, the National is home to three different auditoriums and produces more than 20 productions a year.

With Travelex, savvy theater-goers can bag one of 95,000 £12 tickets on sale throughout the year. At some performances this equates to almost half the seats! Keep checking the National Theatre website for details about which productions are being offered at £12 and act quickly when you see one you like–they get snapped up quickly! You can book online, over the phone (020 7452 3000) or in person.

10p tickets
Royal Court Theater
Website

Yes, you did read that correctly. Chelsea’s lovely Royal Court Theatre actually sells tickets for just 10p each every day. As you may expect, they’re not the best seats in the house (they’re actually standing tickets with a restricted view), but nonetheless, they will set you back a meager 10p, so you can’t really argue with that.

Four 10p tickets go on sale every day for performances in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs an hour before the performance starts, so get there early to claim your place in the queue. Tickets are sold at one per person.

If you would rather book your seats in advance then opt for the Royal Court’s £10 Mondays, when every ticket for performances in both the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs and Downstairs cost just £10 each. Get online and book your ticket early though, as Monday nights always sell out fast.

Free theater

The More London Free Festival is a four-month extravaganza of free culture in a fantastic location at The Scoop amphitheater, right by the River Thames at London Bridge. The program runs from June to September and encompasses a mixture of theater, music and film. Details of the 2013 season are due to announced in May, so be sure to keep an eye on the website if you’re visiting London over the summer.

Also check out the program at the Southbank Centre, where free outdoor performances regularly take place over the summer months.

Pub theaters

London’s pub theaters are a unique and quirky way to enjoy some culture in a truly relaxed environment, plus tickets are much more reasonably priced than glitzy West End shows. There are countless options and the quality of the performances will vary from production to production, but with tickets costing as little as £6 in some places, it’s worth the gamble.

Some of my favorites are:

• Upstairs at the Gatehouse located above The Gatehouse Pub in pretty Highgate Village.

• The Kings Head Theatre at the back of the Kings Head Pub on Upper Street in Angel.

• The Landor above The Landor pub in Clapham North.

Your London theater tips?

Have another favorite way to score cheap theater tickets in London? Tell us about it in our comments section. Also, stop by our London guide for more budget tips for visiting London.

The post London: How to find cheap and free theater tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While many Londoners have heard of Crouch End, most have no idea where it actually is and imagine it’s so far away they would never consider going there. Of those who have discovered it, they’re generally hooked and feel a certain sense of smugness of being “in the know,” as though they’ve stumbled upon a very well kept secret.

Three roads converge

Crouch End’s heart is marked by the Clock Tower, where three different roads meet, each one lined with shops, restaurants, bars and an unusually high number of hairdressers. It’s a great place to head on a lazy weekend morning for delicious brunch at Banners, The Haberdashery, Monkey Nuts or Sable D’or, but the best time to go is undoubtedly for the monthly Crouch End Barboot.

The Haberdashery in Crouch End. Photo: Laura Patsko

A night of Cheapo shopping and strolling

Held on the first Friday of every month from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Crouch End’s unique “Barboot” is an evening when the shops stay open late and a general feeling of merriment fills the air. The good news for Cheapos is that it’s totally free to browse and there are lots of market stalls set up within larger shops, making it a great time to bag some bargains and pick up some unusual souvenirs.

A lot of the action centers around The Haberdashery, the quirky vintage-style cafe where the idea of the Barboot was dreamed up. You can sip on cocktails served in teacups, enjoy free live music and sometimes dancing, and browse vintage clothing and art and craft stands from local artists. (22 Middle Lane, Crouch End, N8 8PL)

Then head on down to Park Road, where a whole host of shops are getting in on the act. Fabulous furniture store, Of Special Interest is another favorite of mine and well worth a look.

A friendly little village

The really nice thing about the Barboot is that it’s a proper community effort with shopkeepers joining together to make something truly different for the locals. While some months are busier than others, the atmosphere is always great and it feels more like being transported to a friendly little village than spending a night out in London.

Getting there

And don’t be fooled by the common misconception that it’s impossible to get to Crouch End. It may not be the world’s most accessible place, but that’s half its charm. You can catch the W7 or W3 bus from Finsbury Park tube station or even take the 91 bus all the way from Trafalgar Square.

The post London: Crouch End Barboot offers a Cheapo night out appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And the truth is, nobody really knows. Will it be so busy that buying a pint in a pub becomes an impossible task or will the vast majority of locals retreat into their living rooms giving up the streets to foreign visitors? I have a sneaking suspicion it will be the former. Either way, it is going to be a memorable time to be in London so here are some tips to enjoying the Games on a Cheapo-sized budget.

Live sights

Big screens and bucket-loads of activities will be going on in central London’s three designated live sites: Hyde Park, Potters Fields and Victoria Park.

Visitors will be able to soak up the atmosphere with live music, plenty of family-friendly activities and lots of enormous screens in each of the parks, which will be showing all the action live and direct from the Olympic venues. It’s free to access the parks every day between July 28 – August 11 and there are a few “guaranteed entry” tickets still available online.

Tickets are also still on sale for the opening ceremony concert (July 27) which will be held in Hyde Park and cost £60 per person.

Alternative Opening Ceremony parties

If a £60 entry fee sounds a bit hefty, more Cheapo-friendly options will be taking place at The Water Poet pub in Shoreditch and Rich Mix, a social enterprise in Bethnal Green.

The former is undoubtedly one of the most fun-filled pubs in London. Not only will the Opening Ceremony be aired on nine screens inside the pub, but the whole place will be Olympics-themed for the night with sporting tournaments such as ping pong and pool. Best of all – it’s free to get in! Beyond the opening night the pub will also be showing all the other events throughout the Olympics.

Alternatively, Rich Mix will be hosting an evening of comedy, music and highlights from the Opening Ceremony on the big screen. The entry fee will set you back £10. More about Rich Mix in a previous post.

Where to Watch the Olympic Marathon

The Olympic Marathon is on August 5 (Women’s Marathon) and August 12 (Men’s Marathon). This is an entirely free event (except at the start/finish line) so the only thing Cheapo’s will need to worry about it is bagging a good spot along the route!

Both Marathons will start at The Mall at 11 a.m. and will complete a three lap circuit of the North Bank of the River Thames and through the city of London, before heading back to the Mall. Get there early and plan your route by checking out the estimated arrival times on the interactive Marathon maps at London 2012.

The Olympic Journey: Story of the Games

If you fancy reliving the very best of past Olympic Games, pop into this comprehensive exhibition, which is set to open in the foyer of The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on July 28. The exhibition runs until August 12 and details personal stories from 16 different heroic Olympians through the ages.

Still need a place to sleep?

If you still haven’t booked a hotel for your Olympic trip, you might be surprised to hear that there are still many affordable hotels available for Olympic dates. In fact, rates seem to have dropped as the event has grown closer. Check out our list of recommended budget hotels in London, plus our previous post on alternative accommodations, including Camp In London.

The post Where to Watch the Olympics in London: A Cheapo’s Guide appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Saving your pennies can feel like an impossible task in a city like London when just using public transport can burn a massive hole in your pocket. Thankfully, all the main museums are free, meaning that large chunks of your day can be spent admiring everything from the wonders of the universe at the Science Museum, to the world-famous artwork at the National Gallery without parting with a penny.

Beyond the museums, you need to be crafty to get the best value out of central London – so get your Oyster Card ready (see my previous post on saving on public transport) and follow these tips to have fun on a budget in London.

Cheapo-friendly live music

Ronnie Scott’s aside, many of London’s lesser known blues and jazz bars offer free entry and excellent live music. Plus, the venues are quirky and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed.

Try Ain’t Nothin’ But blues bar in Soho for a fun night of live entertainment without the hefty entry fees. There is live music every night of the week and free entry Sunday-Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s free to get in before 8.30 p.m.

The Spice of Life in Cambridge Circus, Soho, also hosts an eclectic open-mic night on Mondays and a blues jam on Tuesdays, both of which are free to get in.

Free laughs at Islington’s Camden Head. Photo: Dom Stocqueler

Alternatively, head to the Road Trip Bar in Old Street on a Wednesday night for the jazz-fusion Hoxton Jam.

For something more relaxed, factor in a trip to ‘Round Midnight in Angel, Islington for the Monday night acoustic session which kicks off at 8 p.m.

Free laughs

London is also home to an impressively large number of free comedy nights, so if you’re up for a bit of good old British humor, this is an ideal Cheapo way to spend an evening.

The beautiful Queen’s Head pub in Denman Street (Piccadilly Circus) runs The Absolutely Free Comedy Night every Wednesday and Sunday from 8.30 p.m.

The Camden Head, just off Islington’s buzzing Upper Street, plays host to Angel Comedy on Saturday nights, plus Free and Funny every Thursday and each second and third Sunday of the month, all of which start at 8 p.m.

If you’re in the mood for a New York sense of humor, don’t miss Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous at The Source Below, just behind Regent Street. The Brooklyn-born comedian’s twice weekly show has become pretty legendary on the London comedy scene and is now in its 18th year. Catch Lewis on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 p.m. and be sure to register your name on the guestlist in advance to guarantee entry.

Eat, drink and be pampered

If you’re looking to frequent some of London’s more exclusive establishments on a Cheapo’s budget, be sure to check out Travelzoo’s Local Deals. I can’t guarantee what you’ll find as the deals change all the time, but I have been wowed by huge savings at some of London’s finest restaurants, as well as some pretty nifty deals to swanky spas and bars. The deals last for several months so even if you see something ahead of your trip you can snap it up and then use it when you arrive in London.

For discounts on all sorts of different restaurants across the city, from the cheap and cheerful to the downright expensive, make sure you check out TopTable before booking. This is especially good for lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Also in our guide: All laughing aside, we also have recommendations for great inexpensive hotels in our London guide. Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed hotels throughout central London looking for the best deals.

The post London: A Cheapo’s guide to free live music and comedy clubs appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Now that the worst of the winter weather seems to be finally easing off, lots of fun London activities are quite rightly taking themselves outdoors. Theater is one of London’s biggest selling points, and one of the city’s beloved spring and summer activities is to catch an Open Air Theatre production in the stunning surrounds of Regent’s Park, or take in a riverside performance in the more urban setting of The Scoop on the South Bank.

Here are the details for how to enjoy London’s outdoor theater offerings this year:

Open Air Theatre
Regent’s Park
Web site

Open Air Theatre stages four outdoor theatrical performances annually. Starting in May, the 2011 program includes productions of William Golding’s sinister classic, “Lord of the Flies,” John Day’s comic ballad opera, “The Beggar’s Opera,” Shakespeare’s “Pericles” re-vamped for audiences of six years and over, and the popular Gershwin musical, “Crazy For You.”

Tickets for Open Air Theatre at the bottom end of the scale are delightfully affordable, starting from around £14 per person, and each production offers a window of dates with reduced ticket prices.

Book online or by phone on 0844 826 4242. You can make further savings by buying tickets for two or more productions at once or buying group tickets, and under-18s and senior citizens qualify for concessions. Check out the Open Air Theatre’s Web site for more information on dates and prices.

The Scoop
Thames riverside
Web site

An outdoor venue of an altogether different nature is The Scoop, a modern sunken amphitheatre by the river in the shiny More London complex, hosting theatrical performances from April to September. This year’s line-up includes lively Shakespeare adaptations, modern re-workings from The Merry Opera Company and a version of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.”

The Scoop holds an audience of 800, and it’s absolutely free to catch a production here. Get there early to bag a space, and you might want to bring something to sit on, as the surfaces are quite hard. For further information on events and how to get there, see the More London Web site.

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