Where Vauxhall Virgins can lose their inhibitions

Vauxhall is like the Bermuda Triangle of clubbing - people go in there and either never come out, or they return days later looking like they've been dancing with the Grim Reaper. No one knows this better than MI6, whose vast offices dominate the skyline around this clubbing village.

Cast your mind back a few years and you'll recall that one of its most senior operatives managed to leave a briefcase full of state secrets in a bar here. His excuse was that he was a bit tired. But those who have succumbed to the delights of this concentration of clubs will know the truth.

Mr MI6 no doubt thought that he could just pop out for a few beers after a hard day's covert fiddling with a foreign country's regime. The next thing he knows, it's 11am, he's been up all night and is missing his shoes and briefcase, although he has managed to acquire a cowboy hat and a feather boa.

Lambeth council's open-minded officials have slowly helped to create a real clubbing community at this distinctly unlovely London crossroads. With several of its clubs boasting 24-hour licences, it's now possible to kick off here on a Friday night and still be dancing in the same area on Monday morning.

So where should a Vauxhall virgin start? A great place to begin is Fire with its all-night Friday session playing the best in electro and house. Don't forget the sunglasses for when you leave, though, and expect to end up dancing shirtless with the rest of the sweaty horde.

If you like to start particularly late (or especially early!), from 6am on Sunday you can join the merry band of messy young ravers who will be heading into the Twist party at Crash. Running until about midday, this tech house and electro bash is a well-established favourite.

Gay clubbers are already aware of Vauxhall's reputation as a playground but, for the uninitiated, a visit to the "post-gay vaudeville" that is Duckie (Saturday) at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is an unforgettable experience.

The long-running Queer Nation night at Crash (also Saturday) is worth a look, too.

But if you're after a bargain, check out the Happy Nation party at the Factory club tonight. It's only £1 to get in and the banging music combined with one of the friendliest crowds puts this among the best places in London to lose your mind this weekend - or your briefcase.