101 things to do at night in London

1. Bring your camera to snap the city’s famous landmarks as they’re dramatically lit up at night: Top picks include Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Houses of Parliament and Harrods.
2. Watch the sunset with a picnic on Primrose Hill: The view from the top is one of London's best, affording a fantastic panorama across the city.

1. Put your general knowledge to the test at The Old Queens Head: Team up and enter one of its regular pub quizzes.
2. Grab some food at one of the city's best street vendors: Tuck into everything from bao buns to New York-style pizza.
3. Visit a bar or pub during happy hour for cut-price drinks: Dirty Martini offers half-price martinis and cocktails during its daily happy hours.
4. See a cheap gig in London: Bag yourself some wallet-friendly tickets.
5. Get cheap tickets for major West End shows: Visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square on the day of the performance.

1. Be part of the action at an immersive theatre show: From Mamma Mia! The Party to Witness for the Prosecution.
2. Treat yourself to a glittering night out at a top West End musical: Watch The Lion King London or Wicked the musical.
3. Enjoy a pint and a play at one of London's pub theatres: Find some of London's best quality theatre shows and cutting-edge comedy nights in the capital's pubs.

1. Swing by Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho: See top jazz stars perform at this legendary venue.
2. Spend an evening at The 100 Club: Follow in the footsteps of music legends Oasis and The Sex Pistols.
3. Tap your feet to a brilliant jam session at Ain’t Nothin’ But Blues Bar: The intimate venue is open seven days a week.
4. See up-and-coming bands at Camden's The Dublin Castle: Both Blur and Coldplay have graced its stage.
5. Enjoy a night out at the Grade II-listed Roundhouse: The iconic venue counts The Doors and Jimi Hendrix among its past performers.
6. Visit revamped music venue KOKO: This is where Madonna had her first UK show.
7. Listen to live music at The Piano Works: Hear pianists perform audience-requested playlists live.
8. Venture below St Martin-in-the-Fields church after dark with Crypt Lates: Enjoy an evening of live jazz music in atmospheric surroundings.
9. Enjoy a gig at Hootananny Brixton: Bop along to roots, reggae, ska and folk music.

1. Shop till late at Westfield London: Discover luxury and high-street shops under one roof.
2. Or head to Westfield Stratford City: Shop at one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe.
3. Flex your credit card until late along London’s famous Oxford Street: Home to department stores, designer brands and high-street favourites.
4. Shop through the evening at Duke of York Square: Find big-brand stores and more.

1. Step aboard a Ghost Bus Tour: Hear stories from London’s murky past.
2. Hop on an open-top-bus tour: See top sights sparkle at twilight.
3. Relax on an evening cruise: Kick back with drinks and canapes, and enjoy live music as you drift past some of the best London landmarks.
4. Treat yourself to a dinner cruise: Journey through the capital on a relaxing cruise.
5. Foodies should book a tour with Bustronome: Enjoy French-inspired fine dining on the top deck of a bus.
6. Glide across the Thames: Enjoy dinner on a Jazz Cruise as you sweep along the river.
7. Enjoy a themed night cruise on the Thames: Take a boat tour with a difference with a murder mystery or an Elvis tribute night. 

1. Go on a Jack the Ripper Ghost Walk: Follow an eerie route through the old alleyways of the East End.
2. Enjoy a stroll along the Thames to see bridges glow as part of the Illuminated River installation: Admire some of the capital’s top attractions prettily lit up at night, including the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
3. Keep an eye out for bat walks: Available on select dates in London's Royal Parks.

1. Party the night away at one of London's top 10 clubs: Experience the cream of the city's nightlife scene.
2. See a risqué cabaret or burlesque show: Expect an eye-popping display of sequins and much more.
3. Step aboard a Night Bus Tour: See some of London’s major attractions lit up at night.
4. Enjoy a lively game at an activity bar: Sip a cocktail as you battle it out during ping pong, shuffleboard, darts and more.
5. Sing your heart out at one of London's karaoke bars: Belt out your favourite tunes.

1. Sip a pint or two in one of London's old haunted pubs: Check out The Grenadier, The Spaniards Inn and former jail The Viaduct Tavern.
2. Soak up hundreds of years of history in a traditional pub: Try Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, where Charles Dickens used to drink.
3. Enjoy a drink with a view at a riverside pub: Seek out London's top waterside hangouts.
4. Try London-brewed beer on the Bermondsey Beer Mile: Sample the capital's craft beer scene in a stretch of former railway arches.

1. Sip a flamboyant cocktail at Opium: A late-night drinking den and dim sum parlour.
2. Check out London's top lesbian and gay bars: Explore the city's LGBTQ+ scene.
3. Raise a celebratory toast at one of the city's champagne bars: Treat yourself to a glass of bubbly or two.
4. Enjoy a night out with a difference at one of London's quirky bars: Go off the beaten track and find yourself a quirky basement bar, secret drinking hole or themed boozer.
5. Drink in the neon lights: Find the bar among the wall-to-wall lights and signs at Gods Own Junkyard.

1. Chow down on steaks and burgers at Balans Soho Society: Enjoy a meal at this swanky Soho brasserie until the early hours.
2. Check out Brick Lane Beigel Bake, open 24 hours a day: Pick up a tasty bagel after the clubs have shut.
3. Experience London’s highest 24/7 restaurant Duck & Waffle: Fill up on crispy leg confit and fried duck egg washed down with champagne cocktails.
4. Feeling peckish at 5am? Grab a late-night snack at 24-hour diner VQ Bloomsbury.
5. Grab coffee and cake at late-night Soho institution Bar Italia: Follow in the footsteps of musicians and film stars.

1. Feast on global street food galore at pop-up malls Boxpark Croydon, Boxpark Shoreditch and Boxpark Wembley: Each is home to a different selection of top-notch independent food and drink vendors.
2. Explore cool food market Mercato Metropolitano: Try everything from handmade pasta to Argentinian steak.
3. Alternatively, head to Mercato Mayfair: Feast on world foods and delicious drinks inside an old church with towering stained glass windows. 
4. Discover alfresco dining destination Kingly Court in London's West End: Eat out in one of more than 20 restaurants and cafes.
5. Check out north London's bustling food hall Bang Bang Oriental: Find 27 kiosks serving up top-notch Asian fare.
6. Discover eclectic eateries, cocktails and live music at Flat Iron Square: You'll find the foodie hub under the railway arches at Southwark.
7. Head to Chinatown: Its restaurants serve up everything from sushi and satay to Szechuan and stir fry.
8. Treat yourself to dinner in Soho: Explore a rich mix of opulent and down-to-earth restaurants.

1. Go on an after-dark trip to The View from The Shard: See London sparkle at night from above.
2. Watch the sun set over London at the free-to-enter Sky Garden: Book in advance online to guarantee yourself a spot.
3. Soar across the sky in an IFS Cloud Cable Car: Soak in spectacular night-time views of London.
4. Take an evening trip on the London Eye: Gaze at 360-degree views of London’s skyline.

1. Enjoy after-dark exhibitions, talks and art: Many museums and galleries regularly open late, including institutions like Tate Modern and Saatchi Gallery. 
2. Throw yourself into an immersive experience: A huge array of experiences are on offer, from The London Dungeon to Monopoly Lifesized.
3. Visit Dennis Severs' House after dark: Soak up the atmosphere of the home left behind by an imaginary 18th-century family.
4. Catch a show at the Royal Opera House: Watch some of the world's finest opera stars on stage.
5. See the Tower of London's Ceremony of the Keys: Witness a 700-year-old ceremony.
6. Take a guided history tour of Wilton's Music Hall: Discover the world's oldest and last surviving grand music hall.
7. See Sir John Soane's Museum by candlelight: Book tickets for one of its after-hours events.

1. Spend the night at the Natural History Museum with Dino Snores: Enjoy a night of fun, food, science, movies and music at the museum's sleepover for grown-ups.
2. Book a stay at the London Zoo’s Lion Lodge: Sleep within roaring distance of the majestic Asiatic lions.

1. Ice skate until late all-year-round at weekends at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink: Or enjoy the city’s magical outdoor ice rinks, most of which open from November to January.
2. Enjoy a thrilling evening at one of London’s climbing centres: Scale walls or try bouldering at venues that are open late.
3. Take a dance class at Pineapple Dance Studios: Classes vary from tap and ballet to contemporary styles.
4. Go bowling in style at the plush All Star Lanes: Enjoy great cocktails and American fare.
5. See a breathtaking sunset at Up at The O2: Climb the roof for a spectacular view of the city as the sun goes down.

1. Enjoy lates at the Royal Observatory Greenwich: Featuring stargazing and film screenings.
2. Attend a late-night debate at the Houses of Parliament: A memorable London experience.
3. Cook up a culinary masterpiece at the Cookery School at Little Portland Street: You can book evening classes for all abilities.
4. Master the art of mixology: Learn how to make a range of cocktails at a cocktail making masterclass*.

1. Experience “hairclubbing” at Blade Soho: Sip cocktails while getting your hair cut or treated.
2. Sing along to your favourite movie at the Prince Charles Cinema: Croon along to Grease, Frozen, Dirty Dancing and more.
3. Play an old-school board game at Draughts: Choose from more than 800 games to play at the board game cafe.
4. Enjoy a game of mini-golf at Junkyard Golf Club: Get a hole-in-one at this quirky mini-golf bar.
5. Play darts in style at cool bar Flight Club Shoreditch: While drinking craft beer and cocktails.
6. Battle your way out of an escape room: Use brainpower and teamwork on a nail-biting night out.

1. Experience Christmas at Kew: See Kew Gardens lit up with more than one million sparkling festive lights.
2. Go on a festive adventure at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland: Enjoy ice skating, fairground rides and Christmas markets.
3. Marvel at London’s dazzling Christmas lights: Look up and snap away at the magical sight of thousands of twinkling lights throughout the capital.
4. Visit the Winter Festival at Southbank Centre: Celebrate Yuletide with a Christmas market and festive shows.
5. Treat yourself to a Christmas show or pantomime: Enjoy a classic show over the festive season. 
6. Check out one of London’s cosy pubs: Snuggle up with a pint next to a crackling fire.
7. Order a festive drink at one of London's many rooftop bars: Sample tasty winter cocktails.
8. Whizz around an ice skating rink at Christmas: Get your skates on at twinkling ice rinks in iconic locations.

1. While away a balmy summer night in a beer garden: Make the most of London's outdoor drinking spots.
2. Spend a leisurely evening at an alfresco restaurant: From rooftop terraces and riverside balconies to hidden courtyards and restaurants in parks.
3. See one of the Bard’s famous plays at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: Experience a show in a reconstruction of the original open-air playhouse.
4. Catch a movie in the great outdoors at one of the city’s open-air cinemas: Watch all-time classics outdoors or from the comfort of your own car.
5. See theatre under the stars at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: Enjoy a season of Shakespeare, comedy, family fun and musicals in a magical setting.

For more nightlife inspiration, discover some of the top things to do late in London.