[mattlondon]

At least in the UK/London, #1 would be considered a "bar" (distinct from a "pub"), but as far as my experience goes (probably not been on a proper night out in London in 5+ years now) paying for a table is pretty much unheard of, unless it is a deposit/minimum-drink-spend for a pre-reserved table that then comes out of the bill at the end. To me paying for a table just seems like a ripoff.

#2 is as described, apart from there is probably entirely mainstream and not particularly LGBTQ (although there are dedicated places that specialise in that sort of thing)

Both #1 and #2 are usually over-priced and mostly filled with tourists or hen/stagg parties, and as such "uncool".

[leoedin]

Your comment falls for the same trap the parent describes. London has loads of #2 style dance focused club nights which aren't usually particulary touristy (unless they're famous - eg ministry of sound, maybe fabric) and basically have no stag dos. Tickets tend to sell out weeks in advance, which limits the "get drunk and decide to go out" crowd. People tend to be there for the music - a specific genre or DJ usually. The pull is the organisers rather than the venue, so they sometimes move around.

[hollowcelery]

As another commenter mentioned, your description of type #2 clubs in London misses the mark completely, and I suspect you aren't actually aware that type #2 clubs as described actually exist (which is fine - many people outside the scene won't know about them).

A hen or stag party would not be allowed in. The few tourists who are there are generally there becaus they know the scene and came specifically for the night. These aren't venues that you'd stumble into on a drunken night out. They're often holes in the wall in quiet-ish streets in Tottenham or Hackney or Elephant & Castle, and you generally have to buy a ticket for 15-25GBP in advance.