I was looking for a fun night out with my son while visiting London, and this experience delivered…read moreon every front: fun, original, entertaining, and truly memorable. Afterwards, my son said it was the best thing he's done in London. The evening begins with a short tour of their museum, followed by two 20-minute showcases of close-up, table magic. During the intermission, you're taken through the second part of the museum tour, then onto two more magic showcases to close out the night. Each showcase features a different magician. If you're from the UK, you've probably heard of the Magic Circle but you might not know they host their own live showcase. If you're visiting from abroad, the Magic Circle is essentially the elite, semi-secretive "trade association" of magicians -- not just in the UK, but globally. Their museum even includes original artifacts from Houdini. A few other pointers related to their Friday night "Close-Up At The Magic Circle": - The VIP tickets are worth paying for. - There is a full bar. - The building is a little hard to locate and somewhat out of the way (besides Euston Station) but don't let that put you off. - The event works for kids, adults, date nights, pretty much every occasion. - The show starts around 7:30 but suggest getting there around 6:45. It lasts around 2 1/2 hours. Highly recommend.

The central place for all official magic in the UK and perhaps the world…read more The Magic Circle is the HQ meeting place for all members of the Magic Circle and Inner Magic Circle. Shows, lectures, classes, research and exams are performed here. Duke or Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Lord Mountbatten are members and join the likes of Paul Daniels, David Copperfield, Ali Bongo and many many more. The Circle also hosts a very nice theater, bar, reception area, museum and Inner Sanctum.

This is an off the beaten track attraction in the financial district but well worth the search. The…read morecity government still conducts business here. Inside the hall there is beautiful architecture and statues. My favorite is the plaque that lists executions--who, why, and how. It is unbelievable what happened in the past, for instance the jury that gave the wrong verdict and ended up being sent to prison. I recommend this place.

Close to the Art Gallery the vast building with a neogothic facade is the Guildhall the oldest…read morebuilding for commerce and administration in the City of London. Today the place still host plenty of official receptions and events like the Lord Mayor's diner. Common people would have said Pulp can go inside too, it's free and open most of the time, only close when those special events are hold. When you go inside you'll see the Hall dated from medieval times, one of the only few places that escaped the Great Fire and the Blitz. Of course it has been restaured and rebuilt in some part but the wall are original, a small window on the south too. You'll see several monuments all dedicated to great man of Britain, Nelson, Wellington, Churchill, William Pitt to commemorate their achievement. On the ceiling there are banners and shields that tell the story of the Livery Companies and if you get a real special interest for this then the best is to book a tour of the building with the tourism office for example. If you are in the area it's worth giving a try for a couple of minutes.

this is a lovely place. i just recently went to a wedding reception here. theres a main hall with a…read morebar, stage and plenty of room for dancing or having a sit down meal, there is also a separate bar area, where you can relax, sit down and have a quiet drink or play pool. the staff are friendly. theres plenty of parking.

I came here for a work dinner and I always feel a bit mystified with members only clubs. Funny…read morething is that for all the ones that I've been to, they just seem like regular bars and places but with less people. I've never been to a place where there is a dress code where the men have to wear a jacket and tie! Lucky for me being a lady it's a lot easier and more comfortable. Now, this place is really old school English hang out. I went to the ladies and was puzzled with this brush that looked like something you'd use on horses. I asked one of my colleagues and turns out to be a clothing brush (who woulda thunk it?). We were in a private room which kind of reminded me of something out of Downton Abbey. Non vegetarians had this lobster and crab cake like thing which was delicious which was paired with a white wine. Once we were done with that, we had roast lamb with seasonal vegetables. Now this is where I felt like I was dining at someone's home. The servers first distributed the plates then had a hug platter of lamb and served each person - then the vegetables, then last gravy. I'm probably making a big deal out of something quite common but I was soaking it all in. All of it was deliciously prepared and presented. If I get another chance to piggy back my way in here, I'd totally go back!

Like most of the gentleman's clubs of old, this place has a unique charm and effortless style that…read morecomes from being a members only establishment. Some of the rooms were recently updated by the man who did the Downing Street interiors. One of the few Gentleman's Clubs that actually still only admits men to most of its rooms, the Travellers' is a unique place with a friendly and pleasantly formal atmosphere. The food is good, the service immaculate, but different from commercial places. I agree with the other reviewer that the smoking ban is regretful, but I suppose times move on. If you have a chance to be invited to this establishment you will not be disappointed.

This place used to be a homeless shelter, but now it's a non-profit charitable members club that…read morehires out it's space as a music/party venue. I was here last night for an acoustic performance by Graffiti 6. They played in the chapel and it was gorgeous - candle-lit, dark, cool, great sound. The drinks are seriously overpriced and seriously under-poured, but I kept telling myself, "It's for charity, it's for charity."

The Old Marylebone Town Hall offers four rooms licensed for marriages and civil partnerships. Each…read moreroom has it's own themed colour. Our friends got married in the Purple Room, which comfortably sat about 70 people, although it can hold up to 80. The Town Hall is very nice and the room the ceremony was in was quite nice as well. My complaint is that it has a very cattle herder feel to it. They were ushering wedding parties in and out for the majority of the day. For what my friends were looking for, it was fine, although I personally wouldn't want my wedding like that. Regardless, the facilities were nice and the person conducting the ceremony was very personable and professional.

Been to Ireland twice now from the US. It was recommended to me by a coworker. We went out of our…read moreway the first trip to try it out. It didn't disappoint at all! Loved it. My wife still talks about the stew she had there. Our second trip we went back with a bunch of friends and centered one day of our trip in close proximity to this place just to go and show our friends. They all loved it too. I want to go back to Ireland almost entirely to go back !!!!

We were in Galway for my son's wedding at Dunguaire Castle. I had hired a bus to take 30 of us…read morefrom our hotel in Galway to the castle and back. I had asked the bus company for a suggestion of a pub to stop at on the way back to Galway after the wedding was over. They came up with Paddy Burke's. It was perfect! First of all it was big enough that 30 people descending on them was not a problem. Plus they let the new bride and groom pull the pints for the rest of the wedding party. Great photo opp! I had pre-ordered a few trays of appetizers since I knew people would be hungry. The food was very good. The staff was great and we had such a fun time there. Thanks to Paddy Burkes for making the wedding day even more special.

I've been to a couple of exhibitions over the past year at Shoreditch Town Hall. The exhibition…read morearea is in the basement which is an amazing space. Exposed brickwork, concrete floors and some really interesting individual rooms. In the main hall upstairs is a combination of grand public rooms and smaller meeting rooms which can be rented for parties, wedding receptions, launches, exhibitions, film locations, photo shoots, rehearsals, meetings, corporate entertainment, community projects, training events and fashion shows.

Went to a gig here in the main room, pretty cool space... very fitting for the area…read more Loads of space, nice small stage which is perfect for small/medium gigs... the upstairs was a vip area for media (bastards got a free bar) and the downstairs had a cash bar... not a crazy big variety... not amazing prices... but maybe that changes depending on the event? Good sound though, cool vibe, excellent venue.