And if you want to try a few places away from the epi-centres in Soho and Vauxhall then definitely worth a look are the George and Dragon on Hackney Road followed by the Joiners Arms, also on Hackney Road. Both fun, attracts a mixed crowd, G&D very funky artsy crowd, friendly place and gets rammed to the rafters on Friday and Saturday nights. Joiners Arms is more spit and sawdust but in a good way. Again is friendly, cheesy music and good drinks.
Hackney Road is best reached by going to Old St and walking 10 mins, all zone 1 on the top end of the city. In the area are also ton's of very good mixed but gay friendly bars on Hoxton Square, Shoreditchm, Curtain Road and Great Eastern St. You can't walk more than 30 seconds without finding somewhere different and fun. Some great nights at Bar Music Hall and also at the Hoxton Bar and Grill at the weekends...