Midnight specials: where to drink in London (almost) all night long

Reports of the city's bars closing early are greatly exaggerated. Here are the best

- JOSH BARRIE

Those who wish to imbibe themselves of an evening past midnight in London may do so. Despite what some might say, the capital is a haven to late-nighters, with plenty of basement bars and pubs hanging on to historic licences ones drawn up decades ago, when people were more fun.

There's a fight on, absolutely: jobsworth councillors and busybody Zone 1 residents are always moaning about something (buy earplugs; you're minted, move somewhere else!) but the drinkers go on. To which we say: godspeed and good luck.

Below is a tight list of nine, though it could have also included Bar Italia, the Prince of Peckham pub, Balans (open until 6am, no less), the cocktail bar at Sketch, Soho's Black Book, the underrated Tola club and, inevitably, the Dolphin. All are worth their salt but have such a set, diehard scene and often impenetrable queues. Here's where else to try.

GIUSEPPE'S UNTIL 4AM

Easily missed, this Borough stalwart is almost 40 years old; Ciao Bella-esque and still family-run. In a part of London shaped by modernity, the place is defiant: see its tricolour flag and tagliatelle al salmone. The restaurant happens to be a bar that stays open until 4am. Through a little black door is a world of glitter balls and disco lights, of dancefloors circled by fridges and ancient wine racks. The bar creaks beneath cheap vodka, and wooden beams hang low above men in horrific shirts and women wearing heels that bamboozle. 47-49 Borough High Street, SE1; giuseppesplace.com

THE LEXINGTON UNTIL 4AM