The tour grew increasingly unruly as we stopped at the Queens Lager, the Princess Louise, and the Museum Tavern, where Karl Marx allegedly salved his stomach ulcer after leaving the Reading Room each night. Pub grub is only one option, as Bloomsbury boasts nearly every ethnic cuisine. Even London's hottest entertainment is migrating to the area. At Pizza Express in nearby Soho, romantic couples nuzzled in private booths, and a table of cross-dressers vamped. A tidier version of New York City's Village Vanguard, the basement venue attracts international jazz stars like Jane Monheit, Kenny Garrett, Roy Haynes, Peter King and Martin Taylor, while serving excellent pizza, salads, and pasta for a song.
Admission is free.