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Whether you're into Amy

Winehouse or obscure garage rap, there's nothing quite like the London club scene – where gritty pubs and clubs have low cover fees, plentiful pints and killer live acts. But finding the right grit is crucial. David Sax talks tips with Aaron Gilboe, an executive at Vice U.K. – the scenester's bible, record label and lifestyle brand.

Let's start with good old-fashioned indie rock. Where would you head for value crooning?

Places like the Amersham Arms (388 New Cross Rd.; 44 208 469 1499; amersham-arms.co.uk) bring in great artists like Toronto-born electro-clash queen Peaches. Cover varies depending on the show, and some require tickets in advance. They also have a deal some nights where they'll make any house drink a double for just £1 ($2) extra. It's incredibly sweet and downright dirty all at once.

What about pop music?

I rarely go to West London, which I generally think of as quite poppy, but when I do it's for one of the more widely known hip-hop nights: Yo-Yo at the Nottinghill Arts Club (21 Notting Hill Gate; 44 207 460 4459; nottinghillartsclub.com) – a stripped down, loft-like space that really kicks each Thursday with guys who wear $600 sneakers and girls who like to dance. Cover is £5 (about $10) before 11 p.m., and it's easier to get in early.

Which musicians are generating the most local buzz these days?

There are a few artists to keep an eye out for: the quirky songster Lightspeed Champion is everywhere, and Late of the Pier, which is really keyboard-heavy synth, makes the kids crazy. Others to check out are Portugal's Buraka Som Sistema, house/disco outfit Friendly Fires, trippy Oxford popsters Foals… There are loads more – it's tough to keep up with.

So where can travellers catch the next Lily Allen or The Streets?

The Old Blue Last, of course. [Vice's own, fiercely divey East London pub (38 Great Eastern St.; 44 207 739 7033; www.theoldbluelast.com; cover free or under $10).] A couple of weeks ago, Santogold played, Arctic Monkeys played a while back, Amy Winehouse pre-tattoos.

Any advice on getting into coveted shows elsewhere?

It really depends on who you're going to see and how many people know about it. Some people walk in the front door like they own the joint and claim they're with the organizers. Bribing bouncers sometimes works.

Sometimes the promoters have last-minute deals through their websites or MySpace pages. Check those out before a show and maybe you'll get lucky.

And what about regular clubbing – what night of the week is best for a deal?

Go earlier in the week and get there early.

Where should visitors look for London club info?

Sometimes it's helpful to look up certain promoters, DJs or record labels – Goodbye! Mother, Prancehall, Adventures in the Beetroot Field, Kitsune and Ed Banger. Also, some venues and pubs have reputations for always having good music, like the Lock Tavern in Camden (35 Chalk Farm Rd.; 44 207 482 7163; www.lock-tavern.co.uk).

And souvenirs – where can you get good deals on CDs or vinyl for the bands you saw the night before?

Check out the shops along Brick Lane, in the classic heart of East London. One that comes to mind is Rough Trade (91 Brick Lane; 44 207 392 7788; www.roughtrade.co.uk) – a big, sprawling record store in the Old Truman Brewery, which is a converted brewery filled with shops and galleries. They even have regular concerts with DJs or bands in the store, often for free.