London remains the place to come if you want to party after dark. The sheer diversity of dance music has enabled the city to maintain its status as Europe’s dance capital and the capital attracts DJs from all around the world.
With the relaxation of late-night licensing, many venues now serve alcohol until 6.00 am or even later.
Admission charges vary enormously with small, midweek sessions starting at around £5 while large weekend events can charge up to £25.
There is also plenty of live music; whether you’re into R&B, indie, jazz or rock you’ll find something to suit you on almost any night of the week.
Also popular are club-bars: essentially bars with dance music and a club clientele.
London’s comedy scene is also lively. The Comedy Store is one of the best-known venues but there is a huge number of smaller venues. Many venues only operate on Friday and Saturday nights.
London offers a great variety of nightclubs, bars, casinos, comedy venues and more to keep you busy through the night.
Montezuma London Club
Over 21s nightclub with a stylish modern feel and a smart elegant dresscode.
Annabel’s
Nightclub Elegant private club with starlit dance floor for the famous, the dressed-up and the well-heeled. 44 Berkeley Square Great cocktails · Groups · Wine Opens at 20:00
Website: http://annabels.co.uk/
Tape London
Nightclub Live music and DJ sets in a sophisticated setting with a full bar and trendy atmosphere. 17 Hanover Square
Website: http://tapelondon.com/
Cirque le Soir
Nightclub Plush, circus-themed nightclub with DJs, burlesque snake charmers, fire eaters and indoor funfair.
Website: http://www.cirquelesoir.com/
Drama
Nightclub Exclusive members’-only dance club and cocktail bar popular with celebrities. London Hilton on Park Lane, 35 Hertford St Great cocktails · Groups · Wine Closed today.
Website: http://dramaparklane.com/
Maddox Club
Nightclub Chic members’ nightclub with stylish minimalist interior, Italian restaurant and celebrity crowd. 3-5 Mill St
Website: www.maddoxclub.com
The Cuckoo Club
Nightclub Stylish split-level, members-only nightspot with rock-chic aesthetic and LED ceiling on dance floor. Swallow St Great cocktails · Groups · Beer Opens at 22:00
Website: http://www.thecuckooclub.com/
DSTRKT London
Chic, low-lit restaurant & lounge for eclectic small plates & glamorous late-night partying.
9 Rupert St
COYA Mayfair
Peruvian restaurant Upmarket venue with 3 open kitchens, serving Peruvian sharing plates, char-grill dishes and ceviche. 118 Piccadilly 020 7042 7118
Bars
a.k.a.
Attached to The End nightclub (with which it combines on Saturday nights), this is a decent, spacious bar in which to kick off a Big Night Out. During the week, its ‘Midtown’ location ensures a decent mix of City and West End types.
18 West Central Street, WC1 – Tel: 020-7836 0110 – Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Apartment 195
Set on a first floor overlooking King’s Road, Apartment 195 is a real find. It is more akin to a classy drawing room than a bar, with refined leather chairs & sofas that are perfect for relaxing in & deep red shades creating a seductive atmosphere.
354 Kings Road, SW3 – Tel: 020-7351 5195 – Tube: Sloane Square
Babushka
Vodka-lovers congregate here! The best reason to head down to Babushkas blood-red chamber is for the wide selection of vodkas. Try the homemade vodka infusion shots and then move on to the premium stuff. DJs spin house tunes all week long. If you work up an appetite, bar snacks are available.
41 Tavistock Crescent, W11 – Tel: 020-7727 9250 – Tube: Notting Hill
Beaufort House
Beaufort House is set on Kings Road and offers a wide choice of food and drink, including some of the best-mixed cocktails in Chelsea. There is an outside patio and large French windows which give you the feeling of being outside when you are still inside. The horseshoe bar dominates the ground floor against a backdrop of wooden floors and sumptuous sofas.
354 Kings Road, SW3 – Tel: 020-7352 2828 – Tube: Sloane Square
Cafe Latino
At this popular Hispanic restaurant-bar, drinking takes precedence over eating – and there are Spanish wines, Mexican beers and an array of cocktails on offer. The menu offers Spanish dishes of the tapas type, as well as sizzling Latin mainstays. Friendly and fun atmosphere.
25 Frith Street, W1 – Tel: 020-7287 5676 – Tube: Leicester Square
Covent Garden Brasserie
Situated in the Covent Garden Piazza, this cafe-bar does a great job packing in the tourists visiting the market. Small, but charming, there are plenty of tables on the outdoor terrace which is prime people-watching territory. Choose from a great selection of food.
1-2 The Piazza, WC2 – Tel: 020-7240 6654 – Tube: Covent Garden
Cuba
A dependable ‘fun’ choice at most times, this crowded Kensington bar’s main selling point is that it is open late, and lively until the wee hours. Downstairs there’s a dance floor where nightly salsa classes are a fixture. Wednesday night is Cuban night.
11-13 Kensington High Street, W8 – Tel: 020-7938 4137 – Tube: High Street Kensington
Isola
Is this the plushest drinking space in London? With its imposing, chrome columns, this Knightsbridge cocktail bar seems almost like a cathedral to the god of alcohol. It certainly enjoys more success as a bar than as the overpriced restaurant the space once was.
145 Knightsbridge, SW1 – Tel: 020-7838 1044 – Tube: Knightsbridge
Ling Ling Bar, Hakkasan
This beautifully designed oriental bar/restaurant has been a smash hit with a chic thirty-something crowd. The cocktail bar is only a small part of the whole, but it’s a high-quality operation which makes a cool spot to hang out, and you can dine from a excellent bar menu.
8 Hanway Place, W1 – Tel: 020-7907 1888 – Tottenham Court Road
Long Bar at Sanderson
The most decadent cocktail bar in London. The focus is the long bar which is slashed across the middle. Around the walls are fashionable net curtains. Cocktails are excellent, with a huge selection to choose from. Fantastic, cool atmosphere.
50 Berners Street, W1 – Tel: 020-7300 1444 – Tube: Oxford Circus
Momo Bar
Sumptuous Ottoman-style low-slung couches and cushions make for decadent comfort – if difficult to get up from! The bar is a privilege to enjoy, loved by ‘A-list’ celebrities. Try to get there early as the place packs a crowd.
25 Heddon Street, W1 – Tel: 020-7434 4040 – Tube: Bond Street
The Collection
A truly impressive space – and there aren’t many of those around South Kensington – has made this popular Eurotrash rendezvous an ongoing success. There’s a mezzanine restaurant too, which makes a vantage point from which to watch the goings-on in the bar – quite a zoo, but fun if that’s what you’re looking for.
264 Brompton Road, SW3 – Tel: 020-7225 1212 – Tube: South Kensington
The Elbow Room
The Elbow Room takes the humble pool hall to new heights. Since it’s habitually busy, you can enjoy the bar while waiting for your turn on the purple tables. Food is freshly prepared on the premises.
103 Westbourne Grove, W2 – Tel: 020-7221 5211 – Tube: Bayswater
The Lab Bar
Take two masters of mixology and what do you get? London’s phenomenally successful Lab Bar. The Lab has quickly become famous throughout London for its funky atmosphere, great food and the most extensive cocktail menu in London.
12 Old Compton Street, W1 – Tel: 020-7437 7820 – Tube: Tottenham Court Road
The Met Bar
The number of celebrities inside this ultra-exclusive society hangout is matched only by the number of paparazzi waiting outside its doors. Consequently, unless you’re a member or are with a member, or you’re famous, you won’t be able to get in after 6.00 pm. The interior has a slick, metallic feel to it, with plenty of low, leather sofas hidden in dark corners. As for the drinks, the list is extensive and expensive.
19 Old Park Lane, W1 – Tel: 020-7447 5757 – Tube: Hyde Park Corner
The Zoo Bar
The first floor is hailed by many as the ultimate party destination. Featuring DJ’s every night, playing the latest Chart and Pop music. With a generous happy hour until 7.00 pm daily, Zoo bar is a great place to escape after a long day. The party is split over two floors with the Basement Club featuring a mix of Commercial Dance throughout the Bars and Private Rooms.
13-17 Bear Street, WC2 – Tel: 020-7839 4188 – Tube: Leicester Square
Zeta Bar
You’ll find the Zeta Bar at the side of the Hilton Park Lane, along Hertford Street. A sleek, funky Feng Shui inspired design is superb. The cocktail list is impressive. An award-winning bar with great style and elegant surroundings.
35 Hertford Street, W1 – Tel: 020-7208 4067 – Tube: Hyde Park Corner
Bunglaow 8
Bungalow 8 is an exclusive members only lounge where you’ll find elegant cocktails and top name DJs.
St Martins Lane Hotel, 45 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4HX – Tube :Charing Cross Station (<0.1 km) / Leicester Square Station (0.1 km)
Supperclub London
12 Acklam Road, London W10 5QZ
Adam Street Club
7 Adam Street, Charing Cross, London WC2N 6AA
Maya Club
1 Dean St London W1D 3RB 020 7287 9608
Jalouse
17 Hanover Square ,London W1S 1HU 020 7629 8871
The British Luxury Club
70 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1DE
JETBLACK
18 West Central St, London, WC1A 1JJ
Amika
63 Kensington High St London W8 5SE – tube – High Street kensington
Kensington Roof Gardens
99 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London, W8 5SA
Movida Club
8 Argyll Street London W1F 7TF – 020 7734 5776
Raffles Night Club
287 King’s Rd LONDON SW3 5EW – 0207 351 4964.
Tramp Club
40 Jermyn Street St. James’s, London SW1Y 6DN – 020 7734 0565