to be very last minute about organising an evening in London (tomorrow)

[paperclipsarefun]

We're staying in London tomorrow night (Strand area) - hotel booked - seeing DPs friends the next day.

But what can we do tomorrow evening besides eating and drinking?. We've not got much money, so ideas for cheapish entertainment in this unfamiliar area would be welcomed.

Depends what you consider entertainment if it's not raining then walking along the Thames eg down towards Westminster or across to the southbank to see all the buildings & bridges lit up can be nice, most museums and galleries close by 6 in the week but if you google you may find some with later opening. Have a look at the timeout London website as they have listings for lots of events - eg talks/special exhibitions etc as well as the usual.

Not knowing what you like, it's difficult to say but..

The London Jazz festival is on, and this is free: www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/event/1449/ljf-sessions-ray-s-jazz-free

If you're dressed relatively well, you can go for a cocktail in the Savoy, which is amazing and makes you feel proper fancy. Or you can have a drink in the restaurant at the top of the National Portrait Gallery, which is open until about 10 and gives you an amazing view from Trafalgar Square down to Parliament.

Go and watch a debate in the House of Commons: www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/ukvisitors/debates/
It's free, and despite what it says on the website, you don't have to queue unless you're trying to see PM's Questions.

Or have a Google and see what guided walks are on.

For dinner, there's a Leon on the strand, which is a chain, but it's good value in an expensive area.

Have a drink in Gordon's wine bar, just off the Strand, near Embankment station, because it's so cosy and feels like an older version of London.

Hmm my suggestions do seem to involve a lot of drinking, but in nice places rather than standard pubs, so I hope that's okay.

Just seen that it's open mic night at the poetry cafe. I've been a few times before and it's a great night, but you can't go too often because they start expecting you to read your own poetry.
And there's a tiny underground bar called Freud bar, which isn't far from there and feels like a secret.
There's so much to do. If only I knew what you liked.

Wander up to covent garden
Walk along the Southbank
Are you coming by train? You can pre print a voucher to get 2 for 1 on London eye.

Has ice skating started at Somerset house yet? Not sure how much that is.

Walk through Covent Garden - stop and see the acts perform on the Plazza.

Or take a walk along the South bank - Art Galleries, secret Garden, free live music, fairground, London Eye - lots to do and see

YOU MUST walk over Waterloo Bridge and look at the view - It is incredible and if ypu get there about dusk when all the lights are coming on it's beautiful.

From the Strand walk over Waterloo Bridge and you are right on the South Bank. Pick up a map and see what's on - there will often be one off performances there and you never know what you are going to get!

Go to the tkts ticket booth in Leicester Square & get discounted tickets for a west end show?

take a walk down the Southbank & across Millenium Bridge - you could stop for a drink in the bar at Tate Modern - spectacular views. Check out what is on at Royal Festival Hall - they often have free concerts/performances there.

Lots of wee pubs & cafes to stop enroute for drinks etc.

The Christmas lights are up so you could start at Bond Street station, walk to Oxford Circus & then down Regent Street to Piccadilly circus to take in the lights - again lots of places to stop for a wee half en route.

Another vote for Gordons Wine Bar by Embankment station - other worldly!

There's a fantastic wine bar just off the Strand (Charing X end) called Terroirs. You can sit at the bar, have a glass of wine and a plate of cheese then walk to nearby Trafalgar Square.

You could see St Martins In The Fields - have a look at the website you might see a concert or catch a choir rehearsal.

From there you could walk down Whitehall and see Downing St and Houses of P.

Alternatively just cross Waterloo bridge and walk along the south bank. Maybe get a boat from Waterloo pier (by London eye - south side of river) and do a Thames trip