Best clubs in London

London Lite Best Bar
MAHIKI
The city's favourite bar, as voted for by Lite readers. After one visit you'll forever demand all your drinks be served in hollowed-out fruit or a brass diver's helmet. The party atmosphere offers iguanas in cages, a right royal clientele in Harry and Wills, and fabulous cocktails — delicious, super-strong, yet miraculously hangover-free the next day. What magic is this?
1 Dover Street, W1 (020 7493 9529, mahiki.com)

Best New Bar
VENDOME
Glitzily super-stylised, Vendome in Knightsbridge has a polished white stone bar top and décor inspired by luxury mono g rammed lug g age, including booths resembling open trunks. With models galore and a cocktail list as long as your arm, Vendome looks set to become a firm favourite.
103-105 Walton Street, SW3 (020 7052 9333, vendomelounge.com)

Best Restaurant Bar
GILGAMESH
One of London's best spots for rubber-necking the well-heeled crowd, with brilliant cocktails and OTT décor. Have a drink before a delicious, pan-Asian dinner, or just several more drinks instead.
The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 (020 7428 4922, gilgamesh-bar.com)

Best Boutique Club
MADDOX (Established)
Maddox has a super-glamorous bar around a glass-encased DJ booth, so you can keep an eye on the records being spun. Downstairs is pure Mayfair: elegantly lit tables set with champagne. There's a beautiful smoking terrace, too, so no need to mix with street riff-raff. Members sail through, but call ahead for guestlist entry.
3-5 Mill Street, W1 (020 7629 8877, maddoxclub.com)

RAFFLES (New)
Newly reopened Raffles attracts all the beautiful people of SW3. And don't worry about getting caught out looks-wise, thanks to the mirrored column in the middle of the dance-floor. A very late licence (5.30am) and a brilliantly stocked bar mean it's well worth being a member, or call ahead for the guestlist.
287 King's Road, SW3 (020 7351 4964, raffleschelsea.com)

Best Clubs
MOVIDA (Established, West End)
With its sexy but friendly crowd and numerous alcoves for loved-up couples, everyone from royals to hedonistic sports stars parties here. And (big plus, this) they enforce a strict no Big Brother celebs policy. But be quick: it'll be closed for refurbishment for most of the summer. Call for a guestlist place.
7-8 Argyll Street, W1 (020 7734 3630, movida-club.com)

AMIKA
(Established, west London)
Slick and very stylish, tucked away in Kensington, this hidden gem has marble flooring, leather banquettes and tables with built-in ice buckets. Drawing a high-end celebrity crowd it is a members club, but call ahead and charm the staff for guest entry.
63-65 Kensington High Street, W8 (0845 666 5001, amikalondon.com)

MAYA (New)
Cocktail fans will love the new Matt concept, or Mixologists At The Table: expert barmen mixing champagne cocktails to taste, served in Japanese-designed glass tubes. Unlike many West End clubs, the dancefloor is big enough to swing a cat on. Members only, but the guest list is pretty flexible.
1a Dean Street, W1 (020 7287 9608, mayalondon.com)

Best Club Night
BOUJIS (Tuesday)
Tuesday night at this exclusive member's venue is like flicking through Tatler's party pages, with its ultra-Sloaney crowd. It's surprisingly small, but that means you're close up to the young royals who party here into the small hours. Find a member to get you in, or make friends with the door staff.
43 Thurloe Street, SW7 (020 7584 2000, boujis.com)