The Rockwell Hotel bar, for instance, is a stylish bar with a roof terrace that overlooks the Square and the rest of Westminster. The fashionable interior is modern with plenty of glass, marble, leather and lacquered wood, and the design of the hotel is such that there are no barriers or boundaries, giving the impression of a large, open, flowing space in which to relax. This calming space is an antidote to the chaotic crowds outside that swarm over Trafalgar Square, and is famed for its cocktails. The clientele of the Rockwell tends to be suited business men who come to take advantage of the roof terrace and enjoy what is a classy retreat from London's hectic West End.
Just a few minutes on from the Rockwell is Akbar, a sumptuous and stylish bar with décor based on the Indian Architecture of the Mogul period. Akbar maintains an eclectic mix of sprits from around the world, with bottles ranging from Icelandic Cucumber Vodka to Japanese Shochu. Indian snacks are on offer for those feeling peckish, but a bar this cool does come at a price, so if you're on a tight budget, you best stick to the Kingfisher beer.
The Play Room, a dedicated Burlesque bar just nine minutes walk from Trafalgar Square is adorned with zebra skin, leather, grand pianos and Art Deco lighting - creating a glamorous atmosphere. The Burlesque performances attract a super cool clientele including singers and celebrities, and Akbar has been deemed London's coolest bar.
Many hotels in London and in particular the West End have swanky bars attached, but few have night clubs, so where do you go when your hear the cries of "Last orders, gentlemen please"?
Well, you could do a lot worse than heading for The End, a hang out that started a new wave of clubbing in the capital with a high quality, high-tech sound system and friendly atmosphere. Most of the world's top DJs have played here at some point; Roni Size, Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, Laurent Garnier, Jeff Mils, Layo and Bushwacka are just a handful of the big names to have passed through. Renowned for having the best sound system in London, The End is only 14 minutes walk from Trafalgar.
So forget about feeding the pigeons; with so much night time activity on offer, Trafalgar is anything but square.
