London DJs are famous the world over, earning huge sums just for playing records, and the club scene here is second to none. Clubs come and go, some going before they've come - so it's worth checking on the day if you can. The usual free and not-so-free listings magazines give a good view of the week ahead, though some have plugs to get in.

In summer the main focus is the Mediterranean Isle of Ibiza, where clubbers regard the beach as somewhere to chill after all-night sessions. Many famous DJs appear in London to promote their overseas ventures.

Again it's the choice and range that's so impressive - through the staple 2-black-guys-and-a-drumbox, through to 'cheese' and clubs where playing board games is the raison d'etre. The current trend is UK Underground Garage which the Ministry of Sound has recently gone big on. The Ministry may seem like an old established multinational, but it's really up-to-date, it's continuing success is based at being at the cutting edge, and then refining the experience. Bagley's was first, but the MOS muscled in and outdid them.

There's also, and this is very British too, a healthy cross-over between dance music and traditional ethnic music, with 'banghra' music adding in Indian Sub-Continental sounds, as well as the ubiquitous reggae, afro, latin hybrids.

The excellent NME Music Paper online has an extensive search engine for gigs and clubs - you can also buy tickets there


If you don't want to make the effort to choose then anything at the Ministry of Sound, at 103 Gaunt Street, in Elephant and Castle, Fabric (great website) at 77 Charterhouse Street off High Holborn, or at Canvas on York Way, just north of King's Cross are usually worth the effort. For sheer friendliness, vibe and effort we recommend 'Planet Angel' a cooperative run by clubbers themselves - it's the only club we've inspected in person while it was underway. E is the norm but they're responsible and helpful as well as creative - if you want to start somewhere start there.    For a safe environment for your excesses the arches is run by people who enjoy a good time, rather than concentrating on transferring money from your wallet to yours. The nature of events there vary considerably though - check what's playing, it's at the intersection of Southwark Bridge Road and Southwark Road SE1 - close to London Bridge, where the newly re-named SE ONE (the last club in the venue had a record of E deaths, despite being 20 metres away from a major hospital, now under new and very decent management) occupies a huge swathe of railway arches underneath the station itself. Lots of different clubs (and events) held here so need to check what's playing rather than just turn up.

There are a few good club sites on the web which you can consult now - most of them are too flash and difficult to navigate. A good club search engine can be found here Also try London Clubs Guest list   - though it's not too strong on the more esoteric, quirky clubs it will help you get into the mainstream ones more quickly and save money. The Guardian's free events guide, which is included in their Saturday edition is excellent and comprehensive - including 'kitsch lounge cheese' as well as clubs where you play ludo.

Soft drugs such as ecstasy are very much part of the London club scene, though not compulsory, it is possible to have a good time without them and if you can, try. We've got friends whose brains are frazzled by ecstasy use and are either on anti-depressants for the rest of their lives, or curled up in a corner crying. And quite honestly, if a club doesn't feel good unless you're E'd out of your head it probably isn't that good a club!