London is one of the nightlife capitals of the world. If you have a spare evening after your London tour, a night out on the town is not to be missed.
Going out can be a tricky business though. You don’t want to be spending the whole night stuck in one bar, but you don’t want to spend it trekking halfway across the city either. Where you go out is of crucial importance to the success of your night. You need to find a great scene with lots of venues close together, preferably near to your hotel in London.
And that’s where we come in. We’ve put together a list of all the best areas in London for a great night out. Each famous party spot in London has a unique flavour of its own, so think carefully about what fits your style. If you’re looking for more suggestions, check out our London nightlife guide.
Disco Bonanza – Soho
Soho is the centre of all nightlife in London, both spiritually and geographically. Slap-bang in the centre of the city, this world-renowned party place is known for some of the craziest dance nights in town.
From outlandish and decadent disco venues like Freedom Bar, Club 49, and Barrio Bar, to quirky music joints like Garlic & Shots and Ain’t Nothin’ But…, Soho has a little something for everyone. Prices can be high, but you’re bound to find a great night amidst the madness of central London.
Down and Dirty – Camden
Picture yourself in a rough-and-ready rock pub packed to the gunnels with local vagabonds and hipsters. Clutching your pint of home-brewed ale, you look over to the corner where a lanky lady with a black beehive haircut is getting ready to sing her first number.
The words “Tonight: Amy Winehouse & Band” are scrawled on a chalkboard over the fireplace. This was a regular picture during the late 2000s and plays a testament to the musical heritage of this raucous nightlife hub. If you like the alternative scene, Camden is most certainly the place for you.
The cool kids – Shoreditch
To London locals, Shoreditch is synonymous with one word only: hipster. For sure, it’s one of the coolest spots in the city, featuring cool speakeasy cocktail clubs and trendy disco bars. XOYO is one of the best venues if you’re looking for a relaxed bar scene with a bit of underground dance flair thrown in.
For an edgier fringe music experience, check out The Hoxton Pony and the Village Underground. A night out in Shoreditch is nothing if not memorable.
Made in Chelsea – Kensington to Putney Bridge
Some prefer the champagne cocktails and disco-in-heels experience to sweaty, thumping clubs. If that sounds like you, West London could be just the place. Famous for the exclusive Raffles Nightclub, the stretch of the river from South Kensington to Putney Bridge has a host of upmarket drink-and-dine establishments for you to enjoy.
Maggie’s Club (Chelsea), The White Horse (Parson’s Green), Tequila Mockingbird (Putney Bridge), and Harbour Bar (Imperial Wharf) are all refined drinking establishments. You’ll need a taxi to get around them all, but if you’re comfortable paying these drink prices, that shouldn’t be a problem.
A slice of history – Greenwich
Greenwich is more renowned for its maritime heritage than its night scene. However, dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a great mixture of relaxed pubs and cool clubs to shake together. IndigO2 is one of the best clubs in the city, whilst the Venue will give you a no-frills great night out.
For an elegant bar and dining experience, check out the North Pole Piano restaurant before rounding out the evening with some late-night stand-up at the Up the Creek comedy club. The best thing about Greenwich, though, is its beautiful selection of pubs; the craft beers at the Greenwich Union are not to be missed.
With all these options to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find something that matches your picture of a perfect night out. If you’d rather someone else did all the planning for you, check out our Hard Rock London Rock Tour.
