London: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours

London is far from being a 24-hour city. Alcohol licensing laws were relaxed in 2003, but finding a late-night drink still requires ingenuity. There is one part of city, however, that doesn't sleep: Smithfield. The neighborhood is home to a historic meat market, which operates in ornate Victorian halls weekdays from 4 a.m. to noon — and many of the local pubs and cafes open early to serve pints and hefty fry-ups to the market workers.

Start your evening at Ye Olde Mitre, an 18th-century pub in the jewelry district adjacent to Smithfield; then, head east through Ely Place to the market, on the way passing St Etheldreda's the oldest Catholic church in England. Taste the wines of southwestern France at the Cellar Gascon bar and Comptoir Gascon restaurant; their posh sister, Club Gascon, has bagged a Michelin star for its exceptional cooking. The Fox and Anchor boasts the tastiest scotch eggs in the country — and keenly priced accommodations. Catch a nap in one of the designer rooms above the bar or go straight back out to dance off the calories at the so-hip-it-hurts nightclub Fabric. You may want to refuel at Kurz & Lang, a tiny joint selling German bratwurst and beers; it's open until 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and never closes on Friday and Saturday.

Before daybreak, try The Hope for your early morning pint, and Ferrari's Snack Bar for an artery-clogging full English breakfast. Just what the doctor didn't order.

• 1. Ye Olde Mitre
  1 Ely Court, London, U.K. EC1N 6SJ; 44-(0)20-7405-4751 51.518758-0.107012
• 2. St Etheldreda's Roman Catholic Church
  14 Ely Place, London, U.K. EC1N 6RY; 44-(0)20-7405-1061 51.519089-0.106996 stetheldreda.com
• 3. Cellar Gascon and Comptoir Gascon
  63 Charterhouse Street, London, U.K. EC1M 6HJ; 44-(0)20-7608-0851 51.519232-0.103183 More Info
• 4. Fox and Anchor
  115 Charterhouse Street, London, U.K. EC1M 6AA; 44-(0)20-7250-1300 51.520403-0.100472 foxandanchor.com
• 5. Fabric
  77A Charterhouse Street, London, U.K. EC1M DHN; 44-(0)20-7336-8898 51.519043-0.103792 fabriclondon.com
• 6. Kurz & Lang
  1 St. John Street, London, U.K. EC1M 4AA; 44-(0)20-7993-2746 51.519928-0.101783 kurzandlang.com
• 7. The Hope
  94 Cowcross Street, London, U.K.; 44-(0)20-7250-1442 51.519902-0.101929
• 8. Ferrari's Snack Bar
  8 West Smithfield, London, U.K.; 44-(0)20-7236-7545 51.51855-0.101722