London at Night: London Nightlife Guide by a Londoner!

London is one of those cities that come alive at night. There is just so much happening everywhere, and I’m not just referring to bars and clubbing.

If you’re coming to London and really want to make the most of it at any time of day, this London nightlife guide is perfect for you!

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting London at night. Including some general safety and logistical tips, how to get around the city, where to stay, and obviously the best things to do.

With its glittering skyline, buzzing nightlife, and amazing dining scene, there is just so much to do in London at night, for tourists and locals alike.

So what are you waiting for? Read on, and start planning your ultimate London-by-night adventure!

General tips for London at night

Before we dive right into the best things to do in London at night, I wanted to go over some basic safety and logistical tips to make sure you make the most of your evenings out in London.

Safety

London is a fairly safe city, but like any big urban space, there are some things to bear in mind. Making sure you have planned a safe way to get back to your accommodation after a night out is a must. 

This could be either a pre-booked taxi, Uber, or even a night bus, just make sure you know how you’re getting from one place to another.

Other things to keep in mind is being aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk around with your expensive phone on show, don’t leave your handbag unattended, and always make sure your drink is either in your hand or visible in front of you. 

But generally, you should be fine — people like bar staff or even bouncers will be able to help you if you don’t feel safe.

Book in advance

Whether it’s a table in a pub or a restaurant, or a ticket to see a West End show, it’s a good idea to book ahead of schedule when planning a night out in London. 

Even Londoners do this, as popular places in London get very busy, and it just makes the evening run more smoothly.

Sometimes booking in advance means you can also get cheaper tickets for certain events. Just shop around and have a look for things going on ahead of your visit.

How to get around

When you first visit, getting around London can seem overwhelming with all the different underground lines and countless bus routes. 

But getting around after dark in London has been made easier in recent years thanks to the Night Tube service. 

On Fridays and Saturdays the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly lines run a 24-hour service; as do some London Overground routes.

But it’s the night buses that form the backbone of London’s nocturnal transport network. These run between 11PM and 6AM and run all across the city, from the very centre to the further-out suburbs.

If you don’t want to get public transport, there are always taxis or Ubers readily available.

Best things to do in London at night

London after dark isn’t all about clubbing and drinking till dawn. In fact, some of the best London evening activities don’t need to involve alcohol or crowds at all. 

Walk along the Thames

One of the best places to introduce you to London at night is the River Thames, which cuts the city in two: north and south. Here you can walk along the water’s edge, joining many visitors and locals as they stroll with views of the city lit up in the dark. 

Start at Tower Bridge and make your way along the southern bank towards the Houses of Parliament for some spectacular city vistas. 

The walk along South Bank is one of my favourite walks in London, as it goes past many of the main landmarks in London, like Shakespeare Globe, Millennium Bridge and the London Eye.

At night, when there are less people walking on the riverside, everything is lit up and you can see the lights of the city reflected in the Thames, it’s even more beautiful.

Thames River dinner cruise

Date night in London? Then maybe you should consider booking you and your partner onto a cruise along the Thames for dinner.

You’ll pass under the famous bridges of London, enjoy a four-course meal with live entertainment, and see illuminated landmarks as the boat makes its way.

You may even catch a gorgeous sunset, too!

Click here to book your Thames River dinner cruise

See a music gig

London has a thriving live music scene, regularly playing host to a glittering array of local and international artists.

Some of the most famous venues include the Roundhouse in Camden, the Royal Albert Hall, Brixton Academy, the O2 Arena, Alexandra Palace — to name just a few. 

Then you’ll find more local, underground gigs at places like the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch or Birthdays in Dalston. Classical music can also be found, notably at the Barbican or Royal Festival Hall. 

Music gigs in London usually draw a fun crowd who want to see their favourite artist and have a good time doing so. It’s a great way to get a taste of the city’s fun-loving atmosphere.

See a comedy show

Comedy is a big deal in the UK and comedians, famous and not-so-famous, regularly visit the capital. If you’re looking to have a laugh with some like-minded comedy fans, you should definitely hunt down some tickets to a comedy show in London. 

Venues include the Comedy Store in Soho, the Covent Garden Comedy Club, and Backyard Comedy in Bethnal Green. Many of them feature multiple acts per night and happen throughout the week (not just the weekend).

Some comedy shows you will have to pay for, especially for famous comedians, but there are also free comedy shows at Comedy clubs like the one in Angel, Islington, which have new and upcoming comedians do stand up shows every night.

It’s one of the most fun free things to do in London, and a great way to get introduced to the world of stand up comedy.

Eat out at one of London’s many restaurants

Contrary to British cuisine’s reputation around the world as not so good, the food in London is amazing — not least in terms of the choice available to you. 

Dining in the capital means chowing down on a whole range of cuisines, and for all budgets, too. And it’s particularly good if you have specific dietary requirements, as restaurants will happily cater for you.

For Indian food, Dishoom in the East End is highly ranked, while Soho’s Kiln serves up some truly special northeastern Thai food; if you want Basque fare, head to Brat in Shoreditch; elsewhere Noble Rot, in Bloomsbury, offers gourmet gastronomy at affordable prices. Dining out is incredible for date night in London.

If you want more area specific recommendations for where to eat, check out my guides on the best restaurants in Islington, the best restaurants in Notting Hill, where to eat in Shoreditch and the best restaurants in Camden.

Eat at one of the street food courts 

When you’re on the go or don’t feel like eating out, street food is the way to go in London. For one thing, Seven Dials Market at Covent Garden provides a whole lot of choice, while Borough Market has some intriguing eateries. 

In Elephant and Castle, Mercato Metropolitano is also worth a look, while Kingly Hall in Carnaby is a trendy hotch-potch of places to eat.

Have a drink at a rooftop bar

Night activities in London don’t always have to involve pubs. In fact, there are some really upscale places to grab a drink or two in the capital — especially in the form of London rooftop bars, where you can enjoy amazing views out over the city. 

One of these is the Sky Garden. Set on the 43rd building of the Walkie-Talkie Building, it’s free to enter (but has to be booked in advance) and is an amazing place for cocktails at sunset. 

Elsewhere The Shard, the UK’s tallest building, features the AquaShard on the 31st floor, or the plush Asian-themed cocktail bar GONG on the 52nd floor.

Have drinks at a quirky bar

Feel like drinking with a game of darts? Or maybe a game of ping pong? Or even crazy golf? There are bars in London that cater to these quirky activities, all in cool aesthetic venues, making for places to drink with a difference. 

For darts, head to the renowned Flight Club; there’s table tennis at Bounce; and go to Swingers for some crazy golf. Let your hair down and enjoy!

Watch the sunset

Thanks to its river location and interesting skyline, London is an awesome place to watch the sunset.

And there are plenty to do just that, from one of London’s bridges (Tower Bridge is particularly good for this), to one of many riverside spots on the South Bank. 

You could also get a skyline view from Garden at 120; free to enter, you get a panoramic view of the city skyline here from 15 storeys up.

Night out in Soho

Places to go in London at night don’t get much more fun than in Soho. This area of London is on the doorstep of the West End, and has a whole host of pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and music venues. 

This LGBTQ+ friendly part of the city is fun to simply wander around, but if you want to really delve into it, start at one of the area’s Asian restaurants, head to a pub afterward and see where the night takes you! A classic night out in London.

Night out in Shoreditch

Venturing out of the city centre to Shoreditch in the east is a very different nightlife experience in London from the kind you’ll get in Soho.

Here the more edgy bars and clubs attract a creative and colourful collection of London’s young professionals and students. There’s something for everyone here, from interesting eateries and themed bars to drag nights and basement dance floors. 

Night out in Camden Town

Camden is well known for its live music venues and alternative punk rock scene.

It’s an old hub of counterculture in London, centred around its market and many night spots. Nightlife here often means a gig played by your favourite band followed by any number of DJ sets in nearby bars and clubs (such as Proud, for example).

It’s a good place for an unpolished wholly fun night out.

If it’s your first time in London or you’re travelling solo, and want someone to show you the best nightlife in Camden, you could join a bar crawl like this one.

Click here to book your Camden Pub Crawl!

Get lost at Dopamine Land

If you don’t want to drink or see a raucous live show, Dopamine Land might be the place for you.

Billing itself as a multi-sensory experience, this playground of place features different rooms filled with everything from light shows to the chance to have pillow fights.

As the name suggests, it’s a fun, dopamine-inducing experience for all ages.

Watch a West End show

Easily one of the best things to do in London at night is to book a ticket to one of the world famous West End shows. On par with New York’s broadway, this theatre district is the place to see everything from big name musicals to avant-garde plays. 

Long-running shows include Mamma Mia, The Lion King and Agatha Christie’s dramatic mystery, The Mousetrap (the world’s longest running play). 

Night at a museum

You might not think museums count as things to do in London in the evening, but that’s not the case.

Some museums in London have special programs for after-dark events. One example is Tate Modern Lates: think DJ sets, art chats, workshops, and more — and all for free.

London by night tours

If you’re a solo traveller who doesn’t fancy exploring London by night by themselves, don’t worry. There are some cool tours that you can join so you don’t miss out on all the fun…

London by night sightseeing open-top bus tour

Taking you through the centre of the city, past Big Ben, London Eye, Harrod’s and Trafalgar Square, this magical London night bus tour lasts 90 minutes.

It’s a great way to get a taste of what London looks like at night (if you don’t feel like walking around after dark).

Click here to book your open-top bus tour of London by night!

Jack the Ripper evening walking tour

London nightlife for tourists doesn’t have to mean restaurants and bars. History lovers, too, can enjoy some after-dark adventures by getting a taste of the seedy side of Victorian London on this Jack the Ripper walking tour. 

Travel back to 1888 and see the sites of these gruesome murders, led by a knowledgeable guide. Fans of true-crime podcasts will definitely love this!

Click here to book your Jack the Ripper evening walking tour!

London ghost walk and River Thames boat ride

London is a very old city, and many of its historic streets and ancient buildings are said to be haunted. If you want to learn more about this side of the city, then this spooky tour is ideal.

Starting with a boat ride, you’ll walk past haunted houses, through scary parks, and end at the infamous Tower of London.

Click here to book your London Ghost Walk and River Thames Boat Ride!

London bar and club crawl to 5 Central London venues

If you’re a solo traveller looking for things to do in London alone at night, but you want to experience London’s hedonistic nightlife, then this tour is for you.

This welcoming tour takes you in a large group to five different bar and club venues in Piccadilly, Leicester Square and Soho. It’s a great way to meet new people!

Click here to book your London: Bar and Club Crawl to 5 Central London Venues

London Jack the Ripper tour with Ripper-ologist

It may surprise you to learn there is more than one way to experience the infamous Jack the Ripper in London. This tour takes you to the locations of the grisly murders, but also you’ll get to visit a proper East End pub for some fish and chips.

Click here to book your London Jack the Ripper tour with Ripper-ologist

London Twilight Soho food & drinks tour

Discover Soho’s vibrant nightlife on this Twilight Food & Drinks Tour, tasting local favorites and iconic bites. Enjoy a pint at a classic pub, sample award-winning tacos, and uncover the scandalous tales of Soho’s past.

Click here to book your London Twilight Soho food and drinks tour

Sip and Paint in the dark at Rembrandt van Wine London

Join a unique painting-in-the-dark experience at Rembrandt van Wine London, perfect for a fun night with friends, family, or solo. Sip unlimited drinks as you create your own masterpiece with guidance from a skilled artist.

Click here to book your Sip and Paint in the dark at Rembrandt van Wine London

London Christmas Lights by Night Open-Top bus tour

Experience the magic of London at Christmastime on an open-top bus tour, taking in dazzling holiday lights across the city. Pass by iconic landmarks and festive neighborhoods, all beautifully decorated for the season.

Click here to book your London Christmas Lights by Night Open-Top bus tour

Final thoughts on exploring London at night

There you have it, the ultimate guide to exploring London at night! Have you been to London before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Having lived in London for 10 years, I have had plenty of time to explore the London nightlife, both the traditional clubbing and dining side of it, as well as the more unique experiences.

London is an incredible city, which offers so much to do and see, at any time of day! It doesn’t matter if you’re spending only one day in London, two days or five days in London, exploring it by night will always be an incredible experience that should feature on everyone’s London bucket list.

I hope you found my London by night guide useful, if you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below! 

Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in London at night? Pin it!