Don’t know what to do at night in London? Whether you’re a party animal or a quiet night owl, a lover of bars, pubs, concerts and clubs, what better way to feel the atmosphere of an area where it’s good to go out than by going out at night in London
Here is my selection of the best places to spend a good evening.
Table des matières
Top places to go out in London: the London Eye
With a panoramic view of Parliament and the Thames, taking a 30-minute trip around the London Eye is simply a breathtaking experience you won’t soon forget.
Wait until nightfall has completely taken over the city to board the Ferris wheel and you’ll enjoy one of the most memorable outings of your stay in London.
If you choose to pick up your ticket just before the ride closes, you’ll be diving deep into the London night.
Top Tip: Book your London Eye tickets directly online so you don’t have to wait around – check out the prices on the Ferris wheel’s official website.
For a really special occasion or just to celebrate your visit to London, you can even have a glass of champagne with your loved one or friends while admiring the sublime view of the British capital.
What to do in the evening in London: The Sky Garden
Simply one of the best free evening attractions in London, the Sky Garden offers a breathtaking view of the city from the 34th and 37th floors of this skyscraper, also known as the “walkie-talkie” because of its unique shape.
The huge building flirts with the clouds and overlooks Leadenhall Street and faces south for a breathtaking view of the Thames.
You can see the London Eye lit from above and many other famous landmarks along the banks of the Thames.
If you’re feeling peckish or want to dine with a great view, there are three restaurants at the top of the tower. We recommend treating yourself to a glass of champagne at the bar to celebrate the moment.
The most beautiful views of London at night
There’s something inexplicably chilling about walking around a city after the sun goes down. The lights, the smells, the population, everything changes and the city is often unrecognizable. In London, this is even more obvious than in any other capital in the world.
I’m going to show you some of the most beautiful outings you can do after dusk to admire the world-city dressed in its light.
Head out into the night to these iconic spots to see the city in a different light..
Book a restaurant in London:
Not sure where to go out at night in London? Try The Shard
Dining out in London at night with a great view is always unforgettable, and you can’t beat the glamorous atmosphere of The Shard where you can enjoy delicious food while London sparkles under your feet.
I recommend Aqua Shard and Hutong restaurants – two quite luxurious addresses where you can choose from incredible menus. Don’t forget to book well in advance if you want to eat in one of the restaurants located in the tower.
If you don’t want to eat there, you can simply enjoy the view.
The platform to enjoy the incredible view of the whole city is open quite late throughout the year and offers some of the most beautiful views of London.
If you want to see the Tower of London in all its splendor and light, this is the perfect place to spend a great evening in London.
Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery.
If you prefer the London of Mary Poppins or Peter Pan, you can book a table in the evening at Portrait, the rooftop restaurant of the National Portrait Gallery.
You’ll dine with a splendid view of Trafalgar Square, the London skyline and the Palace of Westminster.
Go out at night and visit London’s museums and galleries
With the myriad of galleries and museums London has to offer in the evening for a nighttime visit, why not take advantage of the late openings and do the tours when the corridors and halls are not as crowded with hordes of tourists as they are in the middle of the day – after dark.
Many of these sites are open late on Thursdays, Fridays, and even Saturdays – you can check the individual museum websites for information on closing times.
I recommend that you plan your itinerary and schedule carefully if you want to visit several sites in the same evening so that you don’t get caught up in time.
Thursday nights
The National Portrait Gallery closes at 9pm | The Barbican Art Gallery is open until 10pm
Friday night openings
The British Museum stays open until 8:30 p.m. | The National Gallery – 9 p.m. | The National Portrait Gallery until 9 p.m
The Tate Modern – 10 pm | The Royal Academy of Arts closes at 10 pm | The Victoria & Albert Museum closes at 10 pm
Saturday Night Hours
Tate Modern is open until 10:00 pm
Prefer to see an evening show in London?
London is home to some of the world’s finest theaters and has been putting on shows for decades. From Cats, to The Phantom of the Opera, to Les Misérables, if a show is successful in London, it is likely to go on a world tour.
Your stay in London wouldn’t be complete without seeing a show in the West End.
And you are sure to find a show to your liking.
I recommend the musical “42nd Street” which is really good. If you like a more sassy show, be sure to check out The Book of Mormon which has received rave reviews.
If you’re traveling with your family, you can’t miss The Lion King or Matilda. These shows have been playing for years and are still very popular.
Check out the websites of the different theaters to book your theater tickets
What to do in London at night – Visit Soho and Covent Garden after dark
Soho has always been the beating heart of London’s nightlife and has been for hundreds of years.
Although the area is now increasingly gentrified with trendy restaurants, bars and clubs for the elite, it was once the home of music halls, gambling dens and prostitutes.
Soho’s recent past is also colorful, as it is known for being the home of rock legends like David Bowie and the Sex Pistols, who played and made their name there.
Venues such as The Marquee Club and the Ronnie Scott club played a crucial role in the rise of the British music scene. They have (among others) hosted bands like The Beatles and Oasis. So if you want to pay homage to your rock idols, you should definitely take a walk in Soho.
Take a random stroll through the streets of Soho and Covent Garden at night and you’ll come across some legendary places without even looking for them. If you like bright lights and multicolored neon, you’ll be in heaven. The street and store illuminations are directly inspired by the fashions and trends that are born in the neighborhood.
Don’t forget to stop by Covent Garden and Leicester Square where you’ll always find some of the world’s most talented street performers.
And if you want to discover the local cuisine, you can opt for a guided tour of the best restaurants in Soho.
Fancy an evening drink in London?
Here is a selection of the best Pubs and Bars in London to go out to
When you think of London, you think of the famous pubs with their inimitable atmosphere, right?
Unfortunately, the traditional pub culture is rather declining in favor of European-style bars, but there are still many where you can stop for a delicious pint of beer (English, of course).
Pubs and bars to see and in London
In London, you will obviously find all kinds of bars and pubs, from the most chic to the most popular.
I’ve compiled my list with a focus on bars where the atmosphere allows you to talk quietly while enjoying a high quality service and decor. Here are some of our favorite places to go for a drink in the city with friends and family.
Bar Termini – a classic Italian style bar in Soho – perfect for enjoying a chilled Aperol Spritz
Pennethorne’s Bar – a stylish bar where you can enjoy incredible cocktails
The Gilbert Scott – a sublime wine list in an exceptional location in St Pancras
If you prefer loud, crowded bars, head to Shoreditch or Camden where you’ll find party bars that spill out into the streets.
The best restaurants in London
From fine dining to cheap street food, there’s something for everyone in London. Traveling is always an opportunity to eat well and have an unforgettable time by booking a table in a quality restaurant.
Here are some of the best restaurants in London that I recommend you to try when you come to the English capital, especially if you like fine (and expensive) food but also if you like to eat in original restaurants that offer international cuisine.
Note – you need to book well in advance to be sure to get a table in these restaurants which are often full. I recommend using the Open Table app to book at many of London’s restaurants directly online.
After a long walk through the lit streets to soak up the unique atmosphere of London, we recommend stopping at these quick and tasty restaurants in London
Fine dining – £££
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – the famous chef and expert in experimental cuisine prepares dishes that will surprise you. Try meat fruit
Spring – an elegant menu served in the beautiful Somerset House – a former palace
Chiltern Firehouse – a celebrity favorite with a delicious European-inspired menu created by Chef Andre Balazs
World cuisine in London – ££
Dishoom – chic Indian food and delicious cocktails
Barrafina – charming Spanish tapas bar with an excellent wine list
NOPI – friendly Middle Eastern brasserie run by chef Yotam Ottolenghi
The best evening tours in London
Visiting London in the evening on your own is fine, but you may miss out on the best sights in the city if you don’t have the expert guidance of a guide.
In London, you can enjoy amazing night tours that will take you back in time, discover new flavors or simply admire the capital in a new (night) light.
Here are some of the night tours you can take in the British capital
Jack the Ripper ghost tour
If you’re faint of heart, skip it! This spooky tour takes you in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper who stalked the streets of Old Smoke in Whitechapel in the 19th century. Chills guaranteed!
In the Victorian era, London was a dark and grimy city where the streets were teeming with ominous characters including one of the most notorious serial killers in history, Jack the Ripper.
The true identity of the Ripper has always remained a mystery… Throughout this guided tour, you will be able to form your own opinion about who he really was.
Visit the Jack The Ripper Ghost Tour website for more information.
London food tour
Some of London’s best restaurants are run by people from its former British colonies – Indians and Pakistanis, in particular, have always been a big part of the English culinary scene.
Join a food tour to discover English gastronomy and you’ll taste dishes from all over the world. From Chinese ravioli to fragrant curries from the Indian subcontinent to delicious cured hams from Spain, this Soho Food Tour is a fun way to explore the history of London’s eclectic cuisine and learn more about the culture of Europe’s most cosmopolitan city.
Visit the London Food Tour website for more information.
Thames River Dinner Cruise
The River Thames winds its way through the city of London passing iconic sites and historical landmarks.
If you don’t know what to do at night in London, what better way to enjoy the lights of London at night than on a boat for a sublime and delightful cruise on the Thames.
You can see St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster among other iconic London landmarks while you relax and enjoy a delicious 5-course meal.
Sites such as the London Eye have facilities to enhance the buildings with light and the show becomes even more magical when you have the chance to view it from the river. Some of these cruises go as far as Greenwich.
I hope this list of my favorite places will give you some ideas for going out if you don’t know what to do at night in London. If you have any other suggestions for bars, restaurants etc. to have a good time, please let me know in the comments.
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