I occasionally still go out and go to a few gigs up town when something decents on, but as I live in Croydon, if I fancy a last minute night out other than a wetherspoons, I never have much of an idea.

To find a venue that im not surrounded by 18 year olds in...my mates and I often go to Clapham, but other than that, I think Croydon and Sutton are too young for us now with the bars like Brannigans and Chicagos back in the day....cheesy but good for anyone with a couple of lines on their foreheads.

If your over 35 where do you go out? other than restaurants!

Wasn't that the "Eating, drinking, cavorting" one?

That is a problem for the older ones - no where decent these days to cavort in peace over a sociable pint and a bag of pork scratchings

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

The ship or dog&bull, no kids.
Or
A reasonable compromise is to turn out reasonably well dressed & drink in the restaurant's bar.
Its a bit more expensive than regular pubs/bars but no oiks/18 year olds.
The establishment wont mind if you are tidy and spending a few bob.
I used to use Il ponte under the flyover in the cronx but they seem to have ditched the bar area that used to be nice sofas etc and put in more tables.
The bar in turtle bay is ok(red stripe lager)
The Italian bar sort of facing 'Yumn' is ok (morretti on tap)

otherwise 12 bottles or peroni/hieneken & wine for the lady, at home.

Kids,tired of being bothered by your pesky parents?
Then leave home, get a job & pay your own bills, while you still know everything.

they say you stop wanting to dance all night at the same time that you stop being able to dance all night - some truth in that, mind you there's one or two items i'd like to go hammer and tongs at but the body may be found wanting. I would recommend pubs with microbreweries that sell delicious beer you drink for the taste, and only find out after spoiling yourself with a variety of their offerings that you have almost accidentally become completely pissed.

Dog & Bull eh. I reckon I must know you. But I have given up going there due to the miserable landlady.

Always plenty of lively nights out in Spain with different bands and music to listen to. You can find all different types disco , Motown , Soul , Rock , Northern Soul (which I had never seen close up before but is quite entertaining) and Modern contemporary.
All venues very much full of older clientele transporting ourselves back to Tiffany's and The Cat's Whiskers ages in our heads after a few drinks.
Fortunately the drinks are cheap so you can go as often as you wish , but you learn at this age to pace yourself and learn to limit it a touch .