Nightlife in London
Bars, clubs, entertainment
London nightlife has it all, from star-studded West End theatre to opera in Covent Garden, from decadent cocktail bars like Loungelover in Hoxton to traditional pubs everywhere. Hit the dancefloor at world-famous nightclubs like Fabric or sample 24-hour London in action-packed Soho. Choose high design or old-world charm, glitz or grunge, as the mood takes you. Everywhere is now smoke-free. Most pubs close at 11pm, bars often open until 2pm, many clubs until 6am.
Bars
Expand all1. Loungelover - Decadent cocktails
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Loungelover is a decadently-designed cocktail bar in Hoxton, offering inventive cocktails to a cool crowd. Crammed with antiques, chandeliers and kitschy bits and pieces, it's a feast for all the senses. Book ahead to guarantee a table.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
1, Whitby Street, London E1 6JU
Telephone
+44 (0)207 012 1234
2. The French House - Individual charm
Show moreThe French House is a Soho institution, a postage stamp-sized watering hole for central London's literati, theatregoers and local characters. Sip your beer (half pints only) on the pavement if you can't find a spot inside.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
49, Dean St, London W1D 5BE
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7437 2799
Transport
Leicester Square Tube
3. The Light Bar - Star-spotting
Show morePerch on high stools and sip elegant cocktails at Phillipe Starck's high-concept Light Bar. In the heart of the West End and Theatreland, the bar is hidden inside Starck's St Martin's Lane Hotel - a favourite with celebrities.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
St Martins Lane Hotel, 45 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HX
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7300 5599
4. Prospect of Whitby Pub - Quintessential London pub
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For a quintessential London pub experience, the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping is the place. This ancient drinking den once entertained smugglers. Now, in less treacherous times, its panelled rooms with river views are the perfect place for a pint.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
57, Wapping Wall, Wapping, London E1W 3SJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7481 1095
Transport
Wapping Tube
5. Guanabara Samba Club - High-energy Brazilian fun
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The emphasis is firmly on fun at this late-night, authentic Brazilian bar near Covent Garden. Immerse yourself in samba beats and dance with a friendly mixed crowd, fuelled by great value cocktails and delicious food.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Parker St, Corner Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7242 8600
Clubs
Expand all6. Fabric - Mega sound system
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Within walking distance of East London and the West End, Fabric boasts three dance floors and five mega sound systems, tailor-made for dance music fanatics and serious clubbers. Expect superstar DJs and queues around the block.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
77a, Charterhouse St, London EC1M 3HN
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7336 8898
7. Notting Hill Arts Club - Intimate and arty
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Notting Hill Arts Club is dimly-lit, intimate and ultra-cool. Furnished with comfortable sofas, a small dance floor and a stage for live acts, this West London venue offers an eclectic mix of club nights, poetry readings and quirky art projects.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
21, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7460 4459
8. Cargo - Clubbing under the arches
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Cargo's multi-tasking Music-Dance-Food concept is staggeringly popular. Under the East London railway arches you'll find live music, afternoon barbecues, club nights and even miniature festivals.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
83, Rivington St, Kingsland Viaduct, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AY
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7739 3440
9. Egg - All-night dance club
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Tucked away in Kings Cross, Egg has an unpretentious vibe and is brilliantly laid out around a central courtyard with open-air terraces. A mix of fun and funky nights appeal to all-night clubbers and hardcore, after-hour party people.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
200, York Way, King's Cross, London N7 9AP
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7609 8364
Entertainment
Expand all10. The 02 - Pleasure dome
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The former Millennium Dome has a new lease of life as The 02 music venue. London's most controversial building, close to Greenwich on the River Thames, now rocks to the sounds of superstar performers like Prince and Bruce Springsteen.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
Telephone
0871 984 0002 (box office, from UK only) / +44 (0) 161 385 3211 (box office from abroad)
11. Brixton Academy - Iconic arena
Show moreBrixton Academy is an iconic venue on London's late-night scene, combining small-club charm with a large-capacity arena and extravagant design. It's little wonder that Madonna and the Rolling Stones have both graced the stage.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
211, Stockwell Rd, Brixton, London SW9 9SL
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7771 3000
12. Southbank Centre - Cultural hub
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The Southbank Centre - including the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery - is a focal point for London's cultural life, and sets the city's arts agenda with a vibrant mix of performances and exhibitions.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7921 0600 (box office) / +44 (0) 20 7921 0633
13. Ronnie Scott's - Laid-back jazz
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London's best known jazz club, Ronnie Scott's offers live jazz every night of the week in the heart of Soho. Book a table, order a scotch and watch as renowned musicians and new talent perform on the famous stage.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
47, Frith St, London W1D 4HT
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7439 0747
14. Roundhouse - Vibrant performance venue
Show moreThe Roundhouse is one of the city's most exciting performance venues. This North London landmark was once a turntable for steam trains, now after a multi-million pound makeover it’s a unique music venue and innovative arts and theatre space.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8EH
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7424 9991; 0870 389 1846 (box office; from UK only)
