You said nightlife, we heard London streets. The city goes from watching elegant museums during the day to dancing enthusiastically outside clubs by sundown. They say if you haven’t seen London at night, you haven’t seen anything.
So, if you are looking for crazy times on unknown streets of London at night, you are at the right place. So, check out everything to do in London at night below.
1. All The Enjoyable Things to Do in London at Night
From street racing to strolling around the city streets, there are many things to do in London at night, and this city will fulfil all your crazy dreams.
Below are the best places to go partying or clubbing with your friends, outings with your family, a romantic dinner date with your partner with a serene view, or night tours with some strangers, no matter if it’s weekdays or weekends to have the days of your lives.
1.1. Tips To Treats—Best Late-Night Bars And Restaurants
1.1.1. Milroy’s of Soho
This 59-year-old whiskey bar, Milroy’s, has once again been brought to life by so many personally handpicked whiskeys by experts and is thriving very much in the 3 Greek Street of Soho. You will find as many varieties of whiskey as you want here.
But the best part is that this bar doesn’t end here. It goes deep down through a hidden library door to The Vault. This underground candle-lit cocktail bar and a few drinks are all you need to have a memorable evening and escape from the daily buzz of your life.
1.1.2 Cahoots London
Want to feel vintage vibes in London at night? This elegant underground speakeasy is where you should head to. With three unique spaces, Cahoots is inspired by the vintage vibes of London.
One is ‘The Underground,’ which is a life-sized tube carriage turned into a clubbing space; the second is ‘The Ticket Hall,’ which used to be a train station, and the third space is ‘Signal Station,’ which is now a speakeasy-styled club for late night fun.
They have perfect opening hours to host your day tea party while having a kick-ass night out with their flexible late-night openings till 2 am.
1.1.3. Prosecco House
The Prosecco House is one of the best wine bars in London for socializing or corporate events, where you can get sparkling wines of the finest DOCG Prosecco. You will find 28 types of Prosecco, wines, spirits, beers, and champagne.
Within walking distance to Tower Bridge, Prosecco House is a perfect go-to spot for any meeting or celebration.
1.1.4. Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Coppa Club Tower Bridge is the perfect place to spend your night with friends or a date with its cozy dining pods resembling an igloo. The mesmerizing night sky and peaceful river Thames visible from the glass igloos can be the perfect ending to the night.
1.1.5. Bob Bob Ricard
Looking for British and French cuisine in the city? Bob Bob Ricard is at your service with its quality food, perfect ambience, and exceptional wine list. Both the branches of this restaurant, in the city and Soho, have great food and a luxurious dining experience.
1.1.6. Thames dinner cruise
With 10 years of experience, Thames Dinner Cruise is one of the best dinner cruises in London at night for family or romantic dinners.
There are many things to do in London at night. Still, nothing is better than viewing London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the Docklands, and the Millennium Dome from the center of the River Thames with delicious food and entertainment.
1.2. London Pubs, London Clubs, And Venues
You all know about Fabric, XOYO, Ministry of Sound, and Cargo, but what about the underground ones where the OG party takes place? And if you are not satisfied with one place, you can pub crawl.
Pub Crawl is where you attend pub parties, play games in between, meet new and fun people, and, most importantly, enjoy your night to the fullest.
1.2.1. Rivoli Ballroom
With its old-school aura, this 1950s ballroom, Rivoli Ballroom, is just the place to feel the “in those days” vibes. They have a very efficient staff, friendly bouncers, and good-quality food.
1.2.2. Egg London Nightclub
It is one of the finest nightclubs, Egg London Nightclub, where you can enjoy London at night with vibrant electronic music in a Victorian warehouse. They also have a separate smoking area with cool security guards.
Although some might find the drinks quite expensive, it is a great club to dance your crazy out.
1.2.3. Village Underground
Situated in the heart of East London, Village Underground, this live music venue is what London nightlife is all about. This artistic place built with tube carriages, shipping containers, a warehouse with good security, and a killing sound system is on point to groove all night with your friends.
1.2.4. KOKO
It is a great spot for night owls to spend your night with funky interiors and acoustic live music venues. It’s advisable to reach early as it gets quite packed with time. It is the perfect place to attend the cool event and music gigs.
1.3. Late-night Shopping and Strolling in London
The city of London has so much to offer to everyone. Whether it’s an evening stroll or a fashion tour, London at night will not disappoint you.
1.3.1. Knightsbridge
Want to find yourselves in the middle of one of the most expensive streets of London? With its luxury brands and exclusive products, Sloane Street will give you the best window-shopping experience, especially during Christmas.
If you are here to watch the hottest supercars vroom, then this 1 km long street, which runs north to south, from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, is the one for you.
1.3.2. St. James’s
No one can get over the historical architectural beauty of this place with beautifully lit shops and malls. St James’s is a hub for everyone looking for an amazing dining and shopping experience.
The shops in this area generally close around 8 pm from Mondays to Saturdays, but on some days, they are open until 9 pm.
Here, you can gift beautiful flowers to your loved ones from Bulbous or please yourselves with fashionable hats at one of the oldest shops of Lock and Co. Hatters.
1.3.3. Primrose Hill, Camden
The Primrose Hill of Camden, a natural hill located on the north side of Regent’s Park in Camden, is another old-school place opened to the public in 1842 to feel the serene beauty of the London skyline at any time of the day.
This garden has a separate playground for kids. While walking, you can feel the soft breeze with a mesmerizing view of the London skyline.
1.3.4. Oxford Street
Oxford Street is one of the busiest streets in London at night, with various shops and exclusive brands like Aldo, Swarovski, John Lewis, and Selfridges to satisfy your fashion hunger.
The general opening hours are from 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays and from 11 am to 9 pm on weekends; thus, it is a popular place to shop in London.
1.3.5. Christmas Market
Watching pretty Christmas lights and beautiful decorations to feel the festive vibes is one of the lovely pass-time things to do in London at night. Another plus point of these markets is that you can buy gifts for your loved ones or pamper yourselves with cute gifts.
- Winter Wonderland—One of the biggest Christmas markets to buy wooden crafts, jewellery, or even handmade crafts in London at night, with the biggest ice skating rink in the United Kingdom.
- Leicester Square— Enjoy its Christmas market while walking under the illuminated Square and enjoying stalls offering traditional drinks and delicacies.
- Canopy Market at King’s Cross—Feel the festive vibe under the canopy with loads of food and elegant music while searching for love for your loved ones.
1.3.6. Food Market Hall
There are many food halls where you can get different varieties of reasonably cheap food. You can also explore the florist shops of Berwick Street Market and the Asian cuisine of Bang Oriental.
1.4. For Your Evening Tour
1.4.1. Sky Garden
This 360-degree view of London city offering a ‘walkie-talkie’ is the hot talk among non-clubbing people who don’t want to miss out on the times of their lives.
Visiting is free in Sky Garden, but the space is very limited. Hence, it’s better to book tickets online in advance to capture the glorifying views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Shard, or the Canary Wharf.
It is also a great place if you want to have a romantic date with your partner with the beautiful view of London at night from the sky garden, or they have many restaurants, though expensive and quite classy.
1.4.2. London Eye
The Millennium Wheel, with its most paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, was once the highest viewing point in London before the Shards opened to the public in 2013.
London Eye, located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, has oval-shaped glass passenger capsules to view the best night skyline of London.
There are many other famous attractions that you can visit, like County Hall, Thames River, etc., while you are there to ride the London Eye.
1.4.3. Big Ben
The Great Bell, Big Ben is a cultural icon of Britain with its four-faced striking clock built in 1859 and has been a part of many films and series.
If you are an architectural lover, you will be engrossed by the minute details of this tower. What are better things to do in London at night than grabbing a coffee and walking around Big Ben?
1.4.4. Cycling tour
Cycling in London at night is a different joy, especially around the parks and blue canals.
- Fat Tire Bike Tours—You can book bike rides in a small group and cover the areas along the River Thames, seeing sites such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Shakespeare’s Globe. They have various packages for all age groups. They are very well organized, and guides keep the excitement high for people of all age groups.
- The London bicycle tour company offers ‘Classic Tours’ daily from the morning around London. Starting from Waterloo, they cover famous places like Big Ben, Banksy Tunnel, and others.
1.4.5. Jack the Ripper tour
One of the most famous walking tours is the Jack the Ripper tour, which will remind you of the stories you read and heard about Jack the Ripper’s murders. The tour starts at exit 1 of Aldgate East Underground Station at 7 pm at £15 per person and lasts around 2 hours.
1.4.6. Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is an iconic building just west of the Houses of Parliament in the Greater London borough of Westminster. It is the royal church and has conducted the coronation of many monarchs since 1066. While you visit London, make sure you see this place at night as the lighting gets so beautiful and amazing.
Another place you must go to see is Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus, built-in 1819 to connect Regent Street with Piccadilly, is a public space and one of the major tourist destinations of London’s West End in this part of the city.
It is a circle close to different entertainment units and shopping centres. There is even a statue of Eros to sit next to and take photos of and around the place.
1.4.7. London Museums
Visiting London Museums at night is a different experience on its own. The dimly lit, quiet corridors make it a perfect place to appreciate the beauty of art. Some museums offer late-night openings where you can have a royal and historic atmosphere around you.
- Victorian and Albert Museum
The Victorian and Albert Museum owns the world’s largest collection of post-classical sculptures and extensive fashion and photography exhibitions. Admission to the museum is free, and it also has cafes where you can enjoy tea and cakes.
- Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum is a scientific institution with a huge collection of natural world artifacts, including dinosaurs, gems, and fossils. They also provide educational programs for all ages and will help you explore more about our biodiversity.
1.4.8. The National Theatre
With its mission to ignite creativity and share unforgettable stories worldwide, The National Theatre has found itself in every theatre lover’s heart. With a long history and a desire to create world-class productions, they help others grow and improve their artistic skills.
If you want to enjoy the night watching a brilliantly made play, the National Theatre is a perfect space as they bring in fresh talent and new ideas and constantly work on learning new things.
1.5. Hidden Gems of London
1.5.1. The Top Secret Comedy Club
If laughs fit in the budget, then who would say no to them? This stand-up comedy club is perfect for adding to your activities list. While the origin story of this club is tragic yet comical, the Top Secret Comedy Club now owns two venues.
They also have a great bar, reasonable tickets, and an amazing lineup of best stand-up comedians. The club’s main shows start from 8 to 10:30 pm on weekdays. They have various shows on weekends, ranging from early to late.
1.5.2. Wilton’s Music Hall
This iconic music hall is one of the world’s oldest surviving and gives you vintage Victorian vibes. Wilton’s Music Hall has hosted many music, theatre, and dance productions and is a popular destination for enjoying the night amidst music and art.
1.5.3. Tate Modern
The Tate Modern art gallery in London houses some of the exciting national and international art of contemporary and historical genres. It displays famous paintings and sculptures of world-renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, and many others.
Entry to Tate Modern is free; however, some exhibitions charge fees, and booking is recommended before visiting.
1.6. Night London Street Performers
A stroll on the streets of London while watching talented artists busk and enjoy the night is one of the must-dos in London. Here are some places where people can sing and perform on the streets.
1.6.1. Covent garden
Covent Garden is a great place to chill and eat while watching people of all age groups show their talents, whether singing, magic, acrobatics, etc. They even make the audience join with them. It’s a go-to place for tourists as well as the performers.
1.6.2. South Bank
The South Bank has several restaurants and street vendors with various street performers to have fun and spend a few hours. You can also explore the nearby art gallery, Lambeth Palace Library, and National Theater. It is the perfect place for a day out with your family and a date night out with your date.
1.6.3. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a perfect place for dance and music lovers. You will find many doing an impromptu performance and people showing groovy moves. You can also book Trafalgar Square to hold cultural events and photographic shoots. Trafalgar Square is not only about street performers but also has cute coffee shops and many museums and art galleries.
1.7. Central London
If we are talking about Central London, we need a special space and time for it. As the name suggests, this is the innermost part of the city where you will find everything, from shopping and entertainment centres to the British Museum, Tate Gallery, Parliament, and whatnot. This makes it one of the busiest places in London.
1.7.1. London’s West End
Part of Central London, the West End is a major tourist site northwest of the River Thames. You can go for a movie night at West End theatres, go shopping, or visit the parliament buildings. You will be short on time for so many things to do.
One more attraction here is Lucky Voice Soho, which has a private room karaoke experience with great food and cocktails.
The West End has many beautiful and worth-visiting places like Covent Garden, Soho, Chinatown, Leicester Square, Oxford Street, and Mayfair. It is also located near Bloomsbury, Reagent’s Park, and Hyde Park.
1.8. Budget-friendly And Free Things to Do in London at Night
Well, if it’s about free things to do in London at night, you can find many gigs performed by the local stars of the UK on the streets. You can also watch a comedy show or live music performance, visit the Piccadilly Circus, or go for a night tour of the Houses of Parliament and Harrods.
1.8.1. Somerset House
Home to several arts like sculpture, painting, and photography, as well as live performances of Victorian London, Somerset House is situated in the heart of London. Admission is free, though some exhibitions must be paid to see.
1.8.2. 93 Feet East
93 Feet East is a great party place with a separate room for live music gigs, which is very affordable. They host various concerts, live events, and exhibitions. They have a great location to enjoy your night. It is a creative hub for artists and musicians to perform at.
1.8.3. Oslo Hackney
Oslo Hackney is another decent restaurant and club with great staff and cheap drinks. They host different events every weekend, including Karaoke and Disco nights.
1.8.4. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is another place with free entry except for special exhibitions. It has a wide collection of paintings, sculptures, miniatures, and light-sensitive works on paper. They also have portraits of famous British personalities of Victorian London. They also have restaurants, cafes, and bars to facilitate the taste of their visitors.
1.9. For Your Night Tour: Night Buses and Boat Cruise
Tours are among the best if you are looking for things to do in London at night. It is a great way to explore London and educate yourself as a tourist or native.
1.9.1. Ghost Bus Tours
Enter the dark side of London with the Ghost Bus Tours in the 1960s Routemaster bus with comedy and horror shows like no other. Great way to educate yourselves about the murder mysteries, torture and execution, and the United Kingdom’s ghosts with a tint of fun and have one of the best night tours of your life.
1.9.2. City Cruises London Greenwich Pier
The Greenwich Pier, built in 1836, became the way for easy transport for visitors to see the beauty of London and is still a famous destination to enjoy cruises. Joining a cruise here provides you access to many iconic monuments of London, including Cutty Sark and Greenwich Observatory Park.
It is a beautiful place to enjoy the River Thames. They offer several attractions, and the food quality is good and reasonable, with great service.
2. Wrapping Up
Everything about London turns magical at night. The charms of its streets and mesmerizing lights are a must-have experience.
From exploring the streets of London to experiencing the vibrant culture of London’s clubs, you can find many fun things to do here. Time goes fast here, making you crave more of the beautiful London daily.
This article will help you plan your trip to London and make it more exciting and alluring.
Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
