As everyone knows, bourbon is the tipple of choice for any self-respecting rock god – and few spots in London can compete with The Lexington’s 50-odd selection of sour mash whiskeys. Indeed, music runs through the very veins of this buzzing baroque-styled pub-cum-lounge bar. There’s lo-fi live music upstairs (with programming from the likes of White Heat and Club Fandango, and gigs most nights) and a regular clientele who, while sprawling effetely on mismatched sofas, clearly try very hard to look as if they are, or at least should be, in a band. Rocker/owner Stacey Thomas has an unrivalled vision in creating shabby chic music bars – especially in this part of town. Also the brains behind the nearby Buffalo Bar (see Party/live music), since re-opening this venue in early 2009, she has transformed what was a distinctly average nightspot in the more down-at-heel end of Islington into the epicentre of the capital’s indie elite. Rough Trade Records host Mondays’ pop quiz, there’s rock’n’roll bingo every Tuesday, and it’s the perfect Sunday afternoon spot to get elegantly wasted – you might even catch a super-hot band in the process.