London

You don’t have to be a DJ to know that London is blessed with some of the finest clubs and nights out on the planet. Whatever your taste in music and whatever kind of party you’re looking for, London has a huge amount to offer and a host of incredible venues in which to host the fun: from intimate spaces that host full-on techno parties to vast, globally acclaimed clubbing institutions and anything goes LGBTQ+ venues, you’ll never be bored when partying in the city.

Before you plan a night out in the city, note that most pubs close at 11pm from Monday to Saturday. Bars, on the other hand, usually close between midnight and 1:30 am on weekdays and weekends and clubs generally stay open until 4 am. However, it is possible to find a few clubs open until 7 or 8 am, for example, Fabric.

• Best Nightclubs in London
• Best EDM Clubs in London
• Best Hip Hop Clubs in London
• Upcoming nightlife events in London

Looking for more information on London nightclubs? Check out our club guides below.

Don’t forget – we also have a free mobile app that you can download here. Use the app to see who’s spinning, sign up for guestlists, buy tickets, and book bottle service!

London Nightlife FAQ

What is the biggest nightclub in London?

Studio 338 is London’s largest nightclub – a venue with a capacity of 3,000 promising something of the alfresco debauchery of Ibiza with an outdoor terrace incongruously sited next to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Studio 338 is in Greenwich, south-east London, and has hot air pumped into the outside space to heat it up in the chilly British winter. It arrives when dance music has never been more popular while the number of superclubs in the capital has never been lower.

What clubs do celebrities go to in London?

The best clubs for sighting celebrities in London include Cirqe le Soir, Mahiki Mayfair, Libertine, DSTRKT, and Cafe de Paris.

What are the hottest clubs in London?

• Cirque le Soir
• Toy Room
• Mahiki Mayfair
• Fabric
• Cafe de Paris
• Ministry of Sound
• The Box
• Tape
• Bonbonniere
• Maddox

Where is the main nightlife in London?

Shoreditch is one place that has become more and more popular every year and won’t burn your pocket like other costly places.

If you are looking for upmarket areas, you could pick South Kensington or West End bars.

Areas like Clapham have more young crowd and that isn’t a bad place to be for a lively evening.

Leicester Square, Piccadilly circus and covent gardens have some busiest bars mostly due to tourists. But these places are located in central London and well connected with Buses and tube making these a very accessible destinations.

Soho is also a fun place to be and live music is something that you could find around almost all central London destinations, specially if you are there during summers.

What are the best EDM clubs in London?

The best clubs that play electro / dance music in London are XOYO, Printworks, Phonox, EGG London, Fabric, Ministry of Sound, and Corsica Studios.

What are the best hip hop clubs in London?

The best hip hop clubs that play RnB / hip hop/ rap music in London are: Toy Room, XOYO, Shaka Zulu, Montezuma, Libertine, and Club 49.

What are the best after hours spots in London?

Most clubs are open pretty late (3-4 AM). There are some that are open even later, such as Egg London (6 AM Fridays, 7 AM Saturdays)

What are the best day drinking spots / dayparties in London?

The best rooftop bars in London for day drinking include:

• Frank’s Cafe (Peckham)
• Bar Elba (Waterloo)
• Culpeper Roof Garden (Whitechapel)
• Bussey Rooftop Bar (Peckham)
• Jin Bo Law (Aldgate)
• Dalston Roof Park (Dalston)
• Netil360 (Hackney)
• Aqua (Soho)
• Aviary (Moorgate)
• Boundary Rooftop (Shoreditch)

What are the best gay clubs/bars in London?

The best LGBTQ friendly bars and clubs in London include:

• G-A-Y Bar (Soho)
• The Yard (Soho)
• She Soho (Soho)
• Friendly Society (Soho)
• Retro Bar (Strand)
• Ku Bar & Club (Leicester Square)
• New Bloomsbury Set (Bloomsbury)
• Central Station (King’s Cross)
• BJ’s White Swan (Limehouse)

What time is last call in London?

Average last call is between 11 PM to 1 AM, depending on the bar/pub. Clubs are usually open later. Alcohol can be served as long as the club is open. There are some bars that are open 24 hours – Aspers Casino, Empire Casino, Palm Beach Lounge, VQ, Balans Soho Society, Duck and Waffle Bar, Hippodrome Casino, Bar Italia, and Egg London.

What time do pubs / clubs shut in London?

The majority of pubs close at 11pm, though recent statute reforms allow premises to apply for 24 hour licensing. Some pubs have stuck to 11pm closing but chain pubs, bars (close between 12:30 and 1:30am weekdays, 1-3am weekends) and clubs (most close at 4am, some open until 7 or 8am) generally stay open later.

What are the best music festivals in or around London?

The best recurring annual music festivals in London include:

• Brixton Disco Festival
• We Are FSTVL
• Junction 2
• Mighty Hoopla
• Field Day
• Cross the Tracks
• Lovebox
• BST Hyde Park
• Naked City Festival
• Milestones Festival
• Creamfields (Liverpool)

Is weed legal in London?

Recreational cannabis remains illegal to possess, grow, distribute, sell or grow in the UK. Being caught with cannabis comes with a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

Medical forms of marijuana are available over the counter or by prescription in the UK – but it is heavily monitored and regulated.

Can you drink in public in London?

In some areas – as mentioned, there are alcohol prohibitions in place – these restrict having open drinks in these areas. it is typically only an offense to continue to drink or possess alcohol once a police officer or PCSO has requested you to stop/move/surrender alcohol. this is mostly used to move people deemed to be anti-social and especially used against “street-drinkers.”

Is London safe at night?

London, like other popular European cities is very safe. Violent crime is rare and there is very low probability that, as a tourist, you will experience anything more than petty crime.