Do you prefer American beer, or European? Or any other?

Where is a nice place for a young gay abroad student to get a beer when I first arrive in London by myself..?

• I am an American gay 21 year old student studying abroad this summer in London. I am going to arrive before classes begin and was wondering where would be a fun place to go get a beer and meet people when I arrive in London. I will be by myself and am pretty shy so I would prefer it to have an area where I can sit down and drink rather than a dance club, I can make my way to the dance clubs after i've had a few :) If possible suggestions for both places I can go to in the afternoon and evening would be beneficial. Any suggestions for other fun things to do would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks!

• Answer:

  Ku bar is a nice place to go. It's near China Town, just off of Charing Cross Road. It's pub like in the evening and a bit more clubby later on. Also, the Village at the end of Old Compton Street. Nearest Tubes to both is Leicester Square (pronounced Lester) Also G-A-Y bar on Old Compton Street. They're the more young places to go. If you like chatting to older blokes Comptons of Soho is good, friendly people. Generally, if you go to Old Compton Street in Soho (it's just behind the Palace Theatre on Charing Cros Road (Pricilla Queen of the Desert is playing) then you can't go wrong. I'm from London originally but live up north now. I miss it so much, you're going to have a lot of fun... I'm a little bit jealous (If you get a chance to travel about a bit, try Manchester and Brighton too - they're good fun)