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Wed / Jan 27
Back when the ancient Romans first dropped by, the area that makes up The City – also called The Square Mile due to its tiny geographic expanse – represented the entirety of London. Although present-day London has expanded to encompass more than six hundred square miles, the moniker has endured, perhaps because this itty bitty enclave is the undeniable heart of European finance, vying with New York as the financial capital of the world.
More than five hundred banks have their offices here, collectively churning through most of London’s $1.36 trillion in daily trading. Centuries-old baroque buildings like the headquarters of the Bank of England line the blocks, while ultra-modern skyscrapers, including the iconic and undeniably phallic “Gherkin,” are home to the most expensive office space in town.
Tourists and history lovers geek out at The Museum of London and its massive collection of Roman artifacts, or head past St. Paul’s Cathedral and the area’s several historic churches as they make their way across the River Thames to the famous Tower of London, where the last remnants of the Roman London Wall that once protected The City still stand.
The actual resident population of The City barely tips 11,000 wealthy denizens, but on weekdays the streets are jammed with more than 330,000 bankers, traders, and government officials, creating a lively lunchtime vibe and an even more boisterous after-work crowd. Not surprisingly, most of the drinking dens cater to financiers, with upscale cocktail lounges and reserved wine bars dominating the scene. Also not surprisingly, the entire area is relatively devoid of nightlife, so anyone looking to get wild – at least in a way that doesn’t involve commodities trading – would be wise to look elsewhere.
20s / 30s / 40s / After Work / Ambient
Party Earth Review Corney and Barrow at Monument is one of a dozen C&B branches that dot the City of London, providing an escape from the area’s banking bustle and access to a world of wine and sumptuous ... more
2b Eastcheap
London EC3M 1AB
40s / Affluent / After Work / Bar
Party Earth Review The translation from French of Coq d’Argent – a restaurant perched atop the postmodern office and retail building at No. 1 Poultry – is “money rooster” (or “silver cock,” to be literal ... more
1 Poultry
London EC2R 8EJ
Artsy / Chill / Cocktail Lovers
Party Earth Review While it’s true that prohibition-style speakeasies are nothing new, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town may be the only one that’s accessed through a refrigerator. A retro SMEG handcrafted ... more
12-16 Artillery Lane
London E1 7LS
30s / 40s / Affluent / Ambient / Bar
Party Earth Review A combination deli, flower shop, restaurant, and bar in the heart of London’s financial center, The Folly is an expansive venue where young bankers, lawyers, and accountants – oh my ... more
41 Gracechurch Street
London EC3V 0BT
20s / 30s / 40s / After Work / Bar / Bars
Party Earth Review A classy collection of different spaces, The Anthologist is at once a restaurant, bar, deli, and part-time club in the heart of The City, making it a go-to spot for trendy denizens ... more
58 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7BB
Ambient / Business Types / Suits
Party Earth Review Set at the pinnacle of Tower 42 – an enormous skyscraper that rises some six hundred feet above London – Vertigo 42 promises a champagne-fueled gala with panoramic views. Once through ... more
Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street
EC2N 1HQ