Things to do in London at night
May 2nd, 2025
London during the day? Splendid. London at night? That's wherethe magic comes alive. London stays alive after sundown tolls on the clock, and there's always something from a bit of star-gazing and spine-tingling ghost walks to late-night dining gems and crazy bars who don't even know bedtime as a concept. Night owls late-trip-ing stragglers, there is endless entertainment in London after dark. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best fun things to do in London at night—packed with entertainment, culture, and those “only in London” moments you’ll be telling your mates about for years.
Alcotraz London: Cell Block Two-One-Two
Ever wondered what it’s like to smuggle booze into prison? (Legally, of course.) Alcotraz is London’s most notorious immersive cocktail bar, where you’re the star of the show. Wearan orange jumpsuit, get "incarcerated" in your own cell, and sneak in a bottle of your drink of choice (with a wink from your 'fellow offenders'). Bartenders—err, prison wardens—will shakeyou up specially crafted cocktails behind bars while the warden is distracted. Wild, creative, and like nowhere else you'll ever go.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
A 1959 Soho institution that's famous for a reason. This is where the world's finest jazz musicians have performed—Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Lady Gaga and Jamie Cullum, to mention but a few. The vibe? Intimate, vintage, and dripping with cool. Devoted jazz enthusiast or jazz newbie, an evening here is pure magic. Grab a table, have a drink, and prepare for an evening of world-class music.
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
If you like your nights with a side of weird, The Viktor Wynd Museum is the place to be. This East London gem is akin toentering the pages of a Victorian explorer's diary—shrunken heads, Fiji mermaids, and taxidermy as far as the eye can see. Inthe evenings, the museum is home to regularly scheduled oddball events: from witchcraft lectures to absinthe parties in its dark, moody bar. It's the perfect spot to unleash your inner freakand find London's more offbeat side.
The Top Secret Comedy Club
Comedy in London doesn't come much better (or cheaper) than this. The Top Secret Comedy Club is a basement club with a local following—and it's where some of the biggest comedy names,such as Russell Howard and Jack Whitehall, regularly drop by to try out new material. The atmosphere is cozy, the prices are low, and the laughs? Pretty much assured. Perfect for a last-minutenight out that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Ballie Ballerson
Remember ball pits when you were a kid? Now multiply that—bycocktails, DJs, and neon lights. Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch is pure, unadulterated fun. Dive into giant pits filled with millions of balls, snap some Insta-perfect pics, and dance the night away to a thumping beat. The drinks are fun too—candy-colored cocktails and all your childhood's sweet treats, but with a very grown-uptwist.
Star Gazing in The Royal Observatory
Swap city lights for starlight with an evening visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The evening stargazing sessions at the Observatory enable you to look up at the night sky through powerful telescopes while being guided around the constellations and galaxies by expert astronomers. Whether a space geek or seekinga bit of romantic evenings under the stars, it's a wonderfully peaceful way to see London from an entirely different perspective. And who are we kidding, that skyline at night? unbeatable.
Soho's Nightlife Scene
Night-time Soho is a whole vibe. Here, you'll discover London's mad heart beating fastest, with anything from chic cocktail bars to tiny basement clubs where the party continues till dawn. Experience colorful streets dotted with neon, bounce between mythical LGBTQ+ spaces, and revel the night away at icons. Whatever you need - live music, drag, or just a spot to observe people over a martini or two - Soho will not disappoint.
Ghost Bus Tour
All aboard the spookiest ride in town. The Ghost Bus Tour is part history lesson, part theatre show, and fully creepy. You’ll hop on a vintage black Routemaster and weave your way through London’s eeriest streets, hearing tales of murder, hauntings, and things that go bump in the night. The actors on board bring the stories to life with plenty of laughs (and the occasional jump scare). Perfect for those who like their sightseeing with a side of shivers.
The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
Few shows dazzle quite like The Lion King. Even if you’ve seen it before, there’s something utterly spellbinding about watching those iconic songs and jaw-dropping costumes come to life on stage. From the opening "Circle of Life" to the grand finale, it's two and a half hours of pure joy and theatrical wonder. A glittering night at the West End is a London must-do—and The Lion King is a timeless choice that hits every time.
Duck & Waffle
Feeling peckish at 2am? Duck & Waffle's where you are. At 40 stories above the City, London's highest 24/7 eatery—and view tomatch—are awaiting you. Their namesake dish (fried duck leg,fried egg, and mustard maple syrup) is the talk, but the rest of the menu's rife with midnight cravings. Highlights for the stylishbar, where you can have a drink and view the city lights twinklingbelow you.
Crypt Lates at St Martin-in-the-Fields
Subterranean below Trafalgar Square lies one of London's most romantic venues: St Martin-in-the-Fields' crypt. A tranquil caféduring the day, by evening it is Crypt Lates—a sulky, candle-litspace for live concerts of jazz and classical music. The acoustics are sublime, and there's something utterly bat-htey-romantic about sipping wine as music drifts through centuries-old stonework arches. It's down-to-earth yet chic, and unforgetting.
The Bermondsey Beer Mile
For beer enthusiasts, the Bermondsey Beer Mile is a kind of paradise. This strip of railway arches is home to a collection of independent breweries and taprooms, each pouring pints straight from the tap. Start early and ride round the likes of The Kernel, Brew by Numbers, and Bianca Road. Many of the establishments also serve up street food, so it's the ultimate low-key night out. Just be careful not to get too wild—there is a lot of beer to drink.
Boxpark Shoreditch
It's not just somewhere to eat, Boxpark is an experience in itself. This pop-up shopping mall made up of shipping containers is packed with street food stands offering cuisine from all over the globe, indie bars, and even mini-gigs and DJ nights. Under a warm summer evening sky, the outdoor balconies are abuzz with activity. It's a good place to experiment and try something new, graze your way across cuisine to nowhere, and soak up London's hip East End vibe.
West End Pub Theatre
For an evening of plays and pints, go to one of London's traditional pub theatres. The White Bear and The Old Red Lion are the legendary spots to catch good performances in intimate, tiny spaces—generally before the actors' name is well known. Drop in for a drink, sit with the locals on the sofas, and enjoy genuine fringe theatre up close. It's the kind of experience you just can't find in the big West End theatres.
The 100 Club
A true temple of live music, The 100 Club on Oxford Street has hosted everyone from The Sex Pistols to The Rolling Stones. Its sticky floors and old-school vibe are part of the charm, and the line-up is always eclectic: punk, jazz, indie—you name it. If you’re a music lover, ticking this place off your London list is an absolute must.
Ain’t Nothin’ But Blues Bar
Blink and you’ll miss this tiny Soho bar, but step inside and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best blues music in town. Ain’t Nothin’ But Blues Bar has a jam-packed schedule of live music every night, and the atmosphere is always electric. Expect standing room only on weekends—and expect to be dancing before the night’s through.
KOKO
Recently refurbished to a high level, Camden's KOKO is back and better than ever. This popular venue has welcomed everyone from Prince to Madonna onto its stage, and it remains one of the most sought-after places in town to catch live bands and club nights. The interior is lush and theatrical, so every night feels like a special occasion.
Hootananny Brixton
Brixton's nightlife is not to be overlooked, and Hootananny is one of its stars. This massive live music venue and pub is famous for its laid-back vibe and excellent roster of reggae, ska, folk, and roots music. With a cavernous beer garden and food vans out the back, it's the perfect place for a chill night of tunes and good vibes.
The Piano Works
A difference bar: at The Piano Works in the West End and Farringdon, the house band don't select the tunes—you do. Writeyour top track on a napkin, hand it over, and the band will play it live. It's heaving every week night, and the vibe is half rowdy singalong, half rave.
Primrose Hill at Sunset
Occasionally the best nights are the simplest. Take a blanket and a picnic and head up to Primrose Hill for one of London's finestviews. Watch the sun set behind the skyline and the city lights come on—it's magic, and it will cost you a bean.
Night Climbing at Clip 'n Climb Chelsea
Think climbing's a day job? Think again. Clip 'n Climb Chelsea isopen late for night sessions when you can test your skills to the limit on floodlit walls. It's a physical, fun night out and a great alternative to your night out social. And, of course, that pint afterwards tastes so sweet.
Murder Mystery Cruise
For a dinner out with a difference, indulge in a murder mystery cruise on the Thames. You'll dine, drink champagne, and collaborate with your dinner companions to unravel the crime—just keep an eye on the other diners, though, as you have no idea who the killer might be.
Chinatown Feasting
Midnight hunger pangs? Chinatown is the place to go, where it'snot unheard of to slurp noodles or munch on dim sum well past midnight. Institutions like Four Seasons and Golden Dragon are famous for a reason, serving up steaming hot plates of goodnesstill the small hours. Perfect after a night out on the town—or just because.
The Sky Garden
This one's a knockout: the Sky Garden offers 360-degree views over London from its green, plant-covered atrium 35 stories high. The best part? It's a completely free activity in the city (though you'll have to book ahead). Go in the evening to see the city sparkle and have a drinkat the bar while you enjoy the view.
IFS Cloud Cable Car at Night
Want to do something fun while also being in Greenwich? The IFS Cloud Cable Car transports you across the Thames from Greenwich tothe Royal Docks, with breathtaking views of London aglow at night. It's a bit of an under-the-radar gem and is a super fun, low-key evening outing.
Thames River Jazz Cruise
Combine two of life's great pleasures—live music and a boat tripalong the Thames. These evening cruises feature smooth tunes, cocktails, and shiny views of London's landmarks as you cruisealong the river. Completely chilled and über-romantic, it's a languid way to see the city.
Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall
Fancy some courtroom drama? Witness for the Prosecution is a gripping Agatha Christie classic—performed in a real courtroom at London’s County Hall. You’ll sit right in the heart of the action, watching the twists and turns of the trial unfold around you. It’s immersive theatre at its absolute best.
Happy Hour at Dirty Martini
If you can't resist a bargain (who can?), Dirty Martini's happy hour is an no-brainer. Half-price cocktails, £10 wine bottles, and naughty sharing plates are the way to go. With several openings across London, it's the perfect place to begin your night in style without breaking the bank.
Flat Iron Square
Hidden beneath railway arches by London Bridge, Flat Iron Square is a busy food and beverage destination. By evening, the venue is awash with street food stalls, pop-up bars, and live music. Whatever your desire - tacos, craft beer, or dancing the night away - it's a great option for an evening out with a buzz.
Night Tube Adventure
It might sound silly, but sometimes the best part of a night out is getting home. The Night Tube runs 24 hours on weekends across key lines, making it easy to hop from one neighbourhood to another without stressing about the last train. Use it to plan your own night-time crawl across the city.
VQ Bloomsbury
One of London’s ultimate 24/7 spots, VQ Bloomsbury is a diner that never sleeps. Whether you’re craving pancakes at 3am or need a full English after a night of dancing, this is the place to be. The vibe is always buzzing, and the comfort food hits just right at silly o’clock.
Secret Cinema
If you've never been to a Secret Cinema screening, put it on your bucket list pronto. These immersive cinema nights are not justsitting back to watch a movie—you'll be experiencing it, walkingaround intricately designed sets and rubbing shoulders with actors as the action unfolds around you. The events are,naturally, kept, well, secret until you book. but whatever the theme, trust that it will be one to remember.
Ready to Explore?
From late-night bites to live gigs and hidden bars, there’s no end of exciting things to do in London after dark. Whatever your vibe—chilled, quirky, or full-on party—this city has something for every night owl. So pick your spot and get out there; London’s waiting.
