Best rock nights in London

Could it be that old-fashioned heavy rock is having a renaissance, prising loose the stranglehold of R&B in DJ booths?

If the rise in popularity of London's "metal bars" is any gauge, then the answer is yes. With several new nights opening and rock establishments packed with enthusiastic punters, we've rounded up our pick of the best new, old and downright bizarre venues. For those about to rock, we salute you!

Hell Yeah!
When: every third Saturday, 10pm-3am.
Where: The Intrepid Fox, 15 St Giles High Street, WC2.
What: When the original Intrepid Fox on Wardour Street closed in 2006, many thought that it was last orders for one of London's longest-running rock bars. But, to show that you can't keep a good Goth down, the Fox re-opened just around the corner (near Centrepoint) and has been serving headbangers ever since. Hell Yeah! is a glam rock night with DJs Nina and Lightspeed, but the place offers other metal nights — including Torture Chamber thrash nights every Thursday — and a pool table upstairs.
How much: entry free, drinks at pub prices.

Refuse Resist
When: every Thursday, 10pm-3am.
Where: Camden Rock Bar, 18 Kentish Town Road, NW1
What: London's newest metal venue has gigging bands on most nights, plus DJs providing rock and classics until the early hours. It means you sometimes have to sit through a fairly lamentable garage band but, if you don't mind spinning the wheel of fortune when it comes to quality, this is a fine place to hang out. Camden's metal regulars have warned that the club sometimes reverts back to its R&B roots (it used to be Bar Monsta), so pick your night carefully.
How much: £4 or £2 concession.

Metal Karaoke
When: every third Wednesday till midnight.
Where: Hobgoblin, 33 Kentish Town Rd, Camden, NW1
What: The thought of watching a young metalhead bark his way through his favourite tune is almost irresistible. The crew at The Hobgoblin are still fine-tuning this bizarre event but it promises to be a good night once it gets up a full head of steam. If cringeworthy karaoke is not your bag, the bar offers a different themed night every Thursday (punk, classic rock, Goth and metal).
How much: entry free, drinks at pub prices.

N*A*S*I*N
When: every Wednesday, 10pm-2am
Where: Borderline, Orange Yard, Soho, W1
What: The acronym stands for Not Another S**t Indie Night, and it's clear these guys want the real deal over emo and corporate rock. DJs Sonix, Brahim and Punk Gareth provide a steady stream of underground punk, metal, hardcore ska and good old-fashioned rock. Everyone seems to know everyone at these nights — but outsiders needn't fear, regulars are happy to make new partners in crime, especially after £2 spirits and mixers.
How much: £4 with flyer, £5 without, £2 members badge

Decadence
When: every Saturday, 10pm-4am.
Where: Trash Palace, 11 Wardour St, Soho, W1
What: Trash Palace offers sleazy glam-rock from resident DJs Shuff and Belle. It might not be largest club in London — and certainly not the easiest to find — but an up-for-it crowd always makes the search worthwhile.
How much: It's £4 for members, £5 with a flyer and £6 without.

Voodoo Rock
When: last Friday of every month, 11pm-6am
Where: Electrowerkz, 7 Torrens St, Angel, EC1
What: This fantastic warehouse space offers two floors of non-stop rocking, featuring DJs from a lot of the other metal nights. The main floor features metal, classic rock, grunge, punk and thrash, while upstairs concentrates on ska and rockabilly, plus live bands.
How much: £3 members, guest list (email voodoolondon@live.co.uk), £3 with NASIN badges, £4 flyer concessions, £5 after midnight

Sin City/Inferno
When: Fridays, 10.30pm-3am (Inferno on first Friday of every month)
Where: Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden High St, NW1
What: The Ballroom is one of Camden's classic live music venues, now given over to a series of themed nights. Friday night is definitely alternative night, with two floors playing modern and classic rock and metal — everything from My Chemical Romance to AC/DC — plus cage dancers, live acts and more.
How much: £7, £5 concession before 11.30pm. Drinks at bar prices.

Olsson's Garlic & Shots
When: Monday to Thursday, 5pm-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 6pm-1am; Sunday, 5pm-11.30pm
Where: 14 Frith St, Soho, W1
What: Apart from a crazy array of garlic-based meals (including garlic desserts), the bar has 101 different flavoured vodkas. Rock and metal classics are pumped out downstairs in a small, crypt-like bar.
How much: entry free, average meal price £20-£25 per head; all shots £2.50.