Contrary to popular belief it is not true that everybody always plays darts in pubs, which brings me to everybody's favourite:

Pubs.

Although I have already mentioned a unique establishment (the Royal Standard) there are of course countless pubs in and around London, ranging from a run down dockers place to get inebriated in the "East End" to posh places to be seen in, in the West End.

Places in the financial district, the City of London, are crowded during the week and mostly shut at weekends, except for the ones around tourist places e.g. Tower, Monument etc.

They are not worth it unless you're dying of thirst.

The places in the West End are crowded with tourists on one hand and professionals staying in town for a after work drink (London is a commuter town making it impossible for most to go home after work change and go back into town).

So if you enjoy mingling with the aforementioned crowd don't mind "stuffed" places and paying the odd penny more for your pint: Be my guest, but at least have the decency to go to my Cousin's favourite Pub the Te Helm's located at the edge of China Town.

However it is the establishments anywhere outside the West End (except for typically favourite tourist spots like Earls Court, Bayswater etc.) where the pulse of the nation is.

If you're a sucker for romantic sunsets on the Thames, there are a couple of Pubs on The Strand in Chiswick by Kew Bridge (nearest Tube Chiswick Park on the District and Piccadilly Line, but you'd need to catch the bus from there). Great setting, only disturbed by the odd Jumbo or Concorde making its way into Heathrow. Here you get good quality "Pub Grub" more about food later though.

Another very pleasant setting can be found on St. Katherine's Dock just behind the Tower Bridge (nearest tube Tower Hill). Not exactly an insiders tip anymore, but The Dickens Inn is still worth a visit, as are the following docks up the Thames from there. But do be careful, the Borough of Tower Hamlets on the other side of the road is not exactly famous for its low crime rate.

Two other great places for pubs are Highgate and Hampstead (both on the northern line). Located on a hill overlooking London most of the pubs you'll find here are worth going to, just stroll around.

If you fancy watching the Irish getting inebriated and don't mind a "loud" atmosphere: Go to Kilburn (Jubilee Line). Pubs are like pearls on a string here down the high road. If you however insist on staying "in town" at least find a J.D. Weatherspoon Pub, scattered all around the capital area (a bit like Mc Donald's for the thirsty) they serve good grub in what I would call a typically english pub atmosphere.