Nightlife in London

You can’t come to London without visiting a pub or three. The UK capital is full of places where they pour a good pint, from the cool and quirky to the seriously historic.

For a pub full of character, you can’t beat Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. This Fleet Street watering hole has been here since the Great Fire of London and has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Or head across the river to Greenwich, where the Trafalgar Tavernboasts riverside views and bags of Victorian charm.

Is the sun shining? Time to try out that time-honoured tradition of sitting in a pub beer garden. The Edinboro Castle in Camden Town is perfectly placed for exploring Regent’s Park or Camden Market. Its outdoor area has room for 300 hipsters, all hungry for the regular outdoor hog roasts. Or try the Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath - a pub with an idyllic location matched only by its garden that comes complete with heated huts, an outdoor bar and a barbie.

Up for exploring some of London’s temples to dance music? Well, why not, when there’s an all-night Tube ready to take you back to your London hotel again? Five Tube lines run a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays - Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines - and they’re always packed full of party people!

Heaven is one of the best-known gay superclubs in the UK. It burst onto the scene back in 1979 and now has a capacity of over 2,000 people. With its happy-go-lucky crowd and playlists of bubblegum pop, house and techno, it’s always a fun night out. Located under Charing Cross railway station, there’s a Premier Inn hotel near Heaven for when you’re all partied out.

Planning a big night out in the big smoke? Head to clubber’s paradise, Ministry of Sound to enjoy one of the best sound systems in town, award-winning light shows and some of the world’s best DJs. This superclub continues to be a phenomenon in the dance scene and guarantees a good night.

Back by popular demand is Fabric. Once one of the capital's most famous clubbing spots, it was closed down by authorities in 2016. But after a campaign, it was allowed to reopen and has clearly lost none of its edge - it was ranked World Number 2 in DJ Magazine’s top 100 club poll in 2017. Expect electro, techno and disco music, as well as drum ’n’ bass and grime.

In the heart of Shoreditch, Cargo is a bar, club and a great spot for drinks in the sun on their outdoor terrace. With international and resident DJs making the hotlist most nights, you can expect an eclectic mix of music genres throughout the week. With space to boogie on not one but two dancefloors, there’s also a Premier Inn hotel near Cargo that’s the perfect place to rest your dancing feet.

Fancy a cocktail? London has plenty of places that will foot the bill. From secret speakeasies to transformed air raid shelters, the capital has somewhere to booze, whatever the occasion.

Love your bars quirky? Try BYOC in Camden - if you can find it, that is. Look for a mysterious black door across the road from Mornington Crescent station then step inside to what looks like a 1920s casino, full of vintage blackjack tables. But this is one speakeasy that takes Prohibition seriously – you have to bring your own booze! Staff will then wheel their antique drinks trolley round to your table and mix you the drink of your choice.

Or try Cahoots in Soho. This disused air-raid shelter has been reinvented as a post-war tube station and inside you’ll find black market cocktails, carefully rationed bar snacks, plus staff in costume who never break character. You’re allowed two hours of drinking time so you’ll need to book in advance.

After something more upmarket? Try Dandelyan on South Bank. Perfect for date night, this swish bar is ultra glamorous and exactly what you’d expect from a venue that won World’s Best Cocktail bar at the Spirited Awards, one of the industry’s most prestigious events. Its botanical themed cocktails really push the boundaries of flavour - try the surprisingly yummy Monkey Puzzle, which is made with Courvoisier, hogweed, elderberry and apricot.