If it is your first time in London, you wouldn’t want to miss exciting things to do in one of the greatest nightlife capitals of the world. After your London tour, spend time as London’s neighbourhoods are full of bars, rooftops, and clubs!
To help you plan your night out, we’ve compiled a guide to the best venues per London area, each offering plenty for all – whether you’re into traditional pubs, fancy whiskey bars, dreamy rooftops, all-night dancefloors or jazz bars, London offers thousands of incredible nightlife spots, to spend a memorable night out! We just released our new ABBA Voyage packages, if you’re nostalgic of the world-famous band.
Let’s help you plan your party in London, starting with Soho:
- Soho
- Camden Town
- Shoreditch
- Hackney
- West London
- South Bank
- Greenwich
- City of London
Soho
Soho is the centre of all nightlife in London, a party place like no other, known for some of the craziest dance nights in town. And, indeed, Soho has a little something for everyone – whether you’re into a club, a pub or a restaurant, there are plenty of choices! Make sure to book in advance to secure your spot because it gets busy!
Check our Soho Nightlife Map here.
Freedom Bar: Stylish and sophisticated gay bar and club, Freedom is the place to go in Soho! Located on Wardour Street, many West End artists perform in a theatrical atmosphere. The bar offers delicious signature cocktails, too, to make your night on the dancefloor even better!
Club 49: If you’re into DJs and dancing, Club 49 is one to add to your night out! Its club atmosphere and DJ lineups will give you proper London vibes, especially with its particular VIP area.
Barrio Bar: Very colourful and Spanish-influenced bar chain, Barrio owns places in several cool London neighbourhoods, and you’re sure to have a great time! On top of Latin music until early morning, try their bottomless brunches with special themes – such as Cardi B.runch.
Garlic & Shots: The best place for shots! With a name like this, you know what to expect. Fun times – and 101 shots! Here’s the list.
Ain’t Nothin’ But: If you’re into blues music, this famous bar is open seven days a week, where guests get moving upon the musicians’ rhythm. As it’s busy, arrive early!
Radio Rooftop Bar: Here, enjoy panoramic views of London from the comfort of a sofa, having a drink while listening to live DJs in a cosy atmosphere. On weekends, tourists and locals head to Radio Rooftop Bar for a tasty (and booze-filled) bottomless brunch.
Milroy’s: A whiskey lover? Milroy’s is an excellent place to taste the best whiskeys. Founded in 1964, it offers over 250 whiskies with flavours from South Africa, Sweden, and Australia.
Waxy O’Connors: Famous place for its incredible tree and wooden staircases, it’s almost like arriving on a Harry Potter movie set. A particular sports bar, Waxy bears Irish traditions with a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Camden
Renowned for being the Amy Winehouse hotspot in the 2000s, Camden is an iconic spot to visit and hang out for a night – if you like the alternative scene.
Check our Camden Nightlife Map here.
Simmons Bar: Part of a chain, this dancing bar will please anyone looking for a good move on the dancefloor! DJ sets change regularly at Simmons Bar, and there’s always a delicious cocktail to try. Perfect for a birthday, with advance bookings.
The Underworld: Into indie, rock or metal? The music is entirely different from DJ classics at The Underworld, as it offers rock events and club nights in its basement. It is definitely a place to try if you want to feel like you’re really in Camden!
The World’s End: The World’s End is a North London landmark to add to your bucket list when visiting the capital, where you can feel the vibes of the Camden area and mingle with the locals.
KOKO: First a theatre and cinema, then a BBC Studio during WWII until the seventies; KOKO became a club in 1977. Named The Music Machine before being renamed Camden Palace, it shut down in 2004 for renovation and only reopened in 2022 as KOKO. Many club nights await; very convenient if you stay in North London for your journey!
The Blues Kitchen: Look no further for good food and live music! A vibrant and cosy venue, The Blues Kitchen will become your new regular go-to. You’ll mostly find soul music, blues, and bourbon parties open late on Fridays and Saturdays!
Shoreditch
Welcome to London’s most hipster neighbourhood! Shoreditch is one of the coolest spots in the City, with unique cocktail clubs and trendy disco bars – again, we picked a few below! A night out in Shoreditch is nothing if not memorable.
Check our Shoreditch Nightlife Map here.
XOYO: A great address in Shoreditch for clubbers who enjoy forward-thinking electronic music, breakthrough live acts and unique concepts. XOYO should be on your bucket list!
The Hoxton Pony: Offering a balance of vintage and current styles, The Hoxton Pony is perfect for social gatherings, after-work drinks, good Hip Hop and Rnb DJs and special events in the basement.
The Village Underground: This multidisciplinary venue is as good for people seeking a night out as for artists and other design lovers. The Village Underground is a renovated warehouse hosting concerts, club nights, exhibitions, theatre, live art and other unique performances.
Nightjar: Nightjar is a fantastic jazz and blues live music venue which you’ll enjoy along with incredible performances and eccentric cocktails!
The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl: What’s better than experiencing the hipster side of London with a pub crawl of cool bars? You’ll get to visit four pubs and cocktail bars, so have a look at the experience here for an unforgettable night out!
Hackney
Voted one of the 15 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, Hackney is one of London’s most liveable boroughs and is also great for partying in East London. Here are some must-try nightlife suggestions!
Check our Hackney Nightlife Guide here.
Netil 360: Netil 360 is a rooftop bar that overlooks the Thames and the stunning London skyline with simple decor. If you can’t find a table, sit where you stand – relaxing on the floor is welcomed at this Hackney rooftop bar.
The King’s Head Members Club: This is a fantastic members club spread across four floors with lavish interiors and classic cocktails, live music, and burlesque pop-ups throughout the year. Learn more here.
The Victoria: Nestled in Dalston, The Victoria is an incredible place for indie live music lovers and cool club nights. You’ll have plenty of drinks to choose from while attending a gig: classic cocktails, locally brewed beers and continental wines.
EartH Hackney: This is a place to check for art lovers. With Art Deco features, EartH Hackney schedules live events, unique clubbing experiences and art exhibitions.
West London
Usually less popular for vibrant dancing nights, West London is also a hotspot for glamorous nights out! If you love champagne cocktails or disco-in-heels experiences, try Chelsea, Hampstead, and Mayfair – if your budget allows it.
Check our West London Nightlife Map here.
Flight Club Victoria: Next to our Evan Evans office, this is the place for you and your friends or family to experience ‘Social Darts’. All levels are welcome, and while you play in teams, taste Flight Club‘s house cocktails or have delicious sharing boards and pizzas. Guaranteed fun for everyone!
Raffles Nightclub: Exclusive London club since 1967, The Raffles is beautifully decorated throughout its levels, with wood and velvet elements centred around a raised stage for a unique party atmosphere.
Maggie’s Club: Located on Chelsea’s Fulham Road, Maggie’s Club brings the eccentric and nostalgic 80s period back to life through its cheesy music, retro drinks and all-out fashion. If you’re familiar with Rubik’s Cube and cassette tape tables, head to Maggie’s Club!
The White Horse: Nestled in Fulham, west of Chelsea, this relaxing pub is an iconic London pub, providing the perfect setting for a truly memorable drinking and dining experience. The White Horse’s Sunday roast is delicious and even better with their cask ales, craft beers, fine wines and artisan spirits.
Tequila Mockingbird: With seven exciting venues across London waiting for you, each place offers a different vibe, so you’ll find yours! Try unique drinks at Tequila Mockingbird Putney, and enjoy happy hour while listening to groovy tunes – a great moment to share with friends!
The Gallery: The Gallery is a homely West Hampstead hangout that is unique for offering an open record player to punters. Bring your favourite vinyl album, settle in, and choose from a selection of their 101 hand-picked whiskies and delicious nibbles to share!
The Luggage Room: With a very Gatsby-esque art deco interior, the Luggage Room offers drinks that capture the vibe perfectly with a range of 1920s cocktails and highballs. You’ll find a range of great whiskies covering the globe’s four corners while enjoying talented jazz bands’ music.
South Bank
Filled with one of the best London clubs, South Bank is always a great choice for nights out! Starting from the busy Waterloo hub, from rooftops to street art, here’s our selection of quirky places to hang out alongside the River Thames.
Check our South Bank Nightlife Map here.
Bar Elba: Located in Waterloo, Bar Elba is a fantastic rooftop to unwind and perfect in the summer to drink summery cocktails or eat tasty nibbles if you’re feeling peckish!
12th Knot: 12th Knot offers stunning views of the Thames, backdropped by the cityscape of London. Here’s a great spot for unique sunsets over the capital while sipping British and American cocktails and listening to live music.
Topolski: Taking its name from renowned Polish artist Feliks Topolski, this is a cult hangout spot in Southbank. Topolski’s expressionist artworks fill the venue’s walls, which gives the place a quirky vibe and beautiful pieces to depict while enjoying happy hour.
Draughts: Are you a fan of street art and board games? Located in the famous Leake Street graffiti tunnel beneath Waterloo Station, Draughts spreads over two floors and offers thousands of board games! Great if you fall under the ups and downs of British weather and need to stay inside while still having fun.
The Archduke: Launched in 1979, The Archduke was the first restaurant and wine bar to open on the South Bank. Since then, it’s become a London institution as it is carved from under the railway arches of the Waterloo Station bridge.
Frank’s Café: Located in Peckham, Frank’s Café is only open in Summer and is an affordable rooftop bar with an underground vibe as it sits above an old car park. Even if it can look scary from the outside, you’ll get lovely skyline views from here, which makes Frank’s Café a hotspot for (younger) rooftop lovers.
Ministry of Sound: With one of the most exquisite sound systems in Europe, if not the world, the Ministry of Sound was the first club dedicated to house music! Immerse yourself in exceptional sound quality, and listen and dance to the most renowned DJs like Cosmic Gate, Rehab, MORTEN, etc.
Greenwich
More renowned for its maritime heritage than its night scene, Greenwich is still a good choice for your special evening, as you’ll find a variety of relaxed pubs and cool clubs. We picked some for you!
Check our Greenwich Nightlife Map here.
IndigO2: Next to the world-famous O2 concert venue, IndigO2 can welcome more than 2,000 people to attend vibrant live music. Artists like DJ EZ, Shortee Blitz, and Pied Piper have been mixing many times and other talents.
The Venue: For more than three decades, this has been London’s longest-running and most well-established nightclub, as each room in the building has a unique theme and ambience – so, really, everyone who’s into clubbing can enjoy The Venue!
North Pole Piano: If Greenwich locals love this spot, it’s for its quirky vibe. Downstairs, you’ll find a friendly bar and upstairs, the Piano Restaurant with fairy lights and chandeliers, glass spheres and at the centre containing water, coloured glass and live goldfish swimming above the restaurant tables. The North Pole is an excellent venue for foodies who love locally sourced meat for their dinners.
Up the Creek Comedy Club: Some superb standup comedy awaits at Up the Creek if you love intimate stage rooms and a good laugh after a long day exploring London. Time Out sees it as “one of the best places to see live comedy”. Standupers come almost daily, and it’s bliss.
City of London
We’re ending this guide with some exquisite places to discover in the City of London, as drinks and fun are always well deserved after long weeks at work in the financial quarters. There are some outstanding spots to go to – a few in conveniently located Central London.
Check our City of London Nightlife Map here.
Jin Bo Law Skybar: If you’re looking for a ‘classically posh’ rooftop bar with a unique drinks menu, Jin Bo Law Skybar should be on your bucket list with amazing Asia-influenced cocktails. Located on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel, Jin Bo Law boasts an impressive cocktail lounge and even more impressive views of the City.
Electric Dreams: Another disco club bringing the best of the 80s, located in the City of London, next to Cannon Street. For more than 25 years, Electric Dreams has been the specialist in alternative 80s, New Wave, Synth, New Romantic, and Goth with selected Industrial, Synthpop, EBM, Punk, Ska and indie tracks.
Pop World: If you’re a pop fan, Pop World is a pop music late-night bar with super friendly bar staff for a memorable party to share with like-minded people. The bar plays cheesy pop tunes you’ll want to hear while having fun party cocktails!
The Jamaica Wine House: This is the historic birthplace of London’s coffee scene and now one of the Square Mile’s finest pubs and wine bars. Nestled in St Michael’s Alley, in charming medieval courts and backstreets near Monument, you’ll experience something special here.
Whether you’re a Londoner, a student, or a first-timer in the capital, hopefully, we gave you the inspiration you need to organise your next London night out. The city surely offers incredible nightlife hubs!
There are places for all ages, but if there is one you’d like us to add to this list, tell us! Before or after your parties, head to one of our exciting day tours from London, for a change of scenery.
