9 Best Things to Do in London At Night Time (2023)
“A man who is tired of London is tired of life” said Dr Samuel Johnson and I think he was on to something.
Your England bucket list is not complete with out a visit to London. London is such a vibrant city during the day with so many things to see and do. No matter whether you have 24 hours or a whole month, you will be left wishing you had more time.
While London is the place to be during the day, London at night feels like another world, the restaurants, the bars, the lights, the music, the shows. There is something for every one in London City at night time.
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London at Night attractions for your bucket list
Are you trying to find the best things to do in London at night? You’ve come to the right place. In this blog post you will find the best recommendation for the most epic things to do in London at night, the best time to go, where to stay, how to get the best photos and everything in between.
If you think I’m missing something that MUST be included on this list, let me know in the comments below.
Little Venice Pub Crawl
Abi, Igoa Adventure
One of the best ways to enjoy London at night is to head towards Little Venice and enjoy a handful of modern and traditional pubs lining the canal. Little Venice is a picture perfect spot close to Paddington station which sees less tourists than the city centre.
It’s a great place to experience London night time like a true local! Expect to find a peaceful canal away from the hustle of the city with trees lining the river and magnificent white stucco facade buildings characteristic of Regency architecture.
The best way to reach Little Venice is to jump on the Bakerloo line northbound to Warwick Avenue. It’s in Travelcard Zone 2 and close to paddington station. Come rain or shine these pubs are good whatever the weather with beautiful gardens or cosy fireplaces!
The night begins at The Prince Alfred, a traditional pub which dates back to 1856. It features some beautiful Victorian craftsmanship retaining its original ‘snob screens’ and beautifully-detailed high ceilings. There’s a secret room known as ‘the cellars’ which was originally used for storing coal; now turned into an exclusive private room which can be enjoyed with friends. P.s They also do the most delicious Sunday roast!
Stop two visits The Waterway. A true hidden gem tucked away behind a block of flats overlooking the canal. There’s choices to sit inside or outside with most people opting to enjoy the deck. In winter the heaters come out to provide enough heat to melt an iceberg, but should that fail each chair is adorned with a blanket. Try the Blue Moon which comes with a slice of orange or the Bartlett Bounce cocktail!
Next up head over to The Warwick Castle, another traditional pub with modern flair. It’s full of charm and character nestled down the small mews of Warwick Place. It’s been around since 1867 and has a stunning marble fireplace which has been recognised as a local treasure! It’s a small pub with limited outside seating but it does have an open log fire come winter!
The Bridge House W2 is the penultimate stop on this Little Venice pub crawl. It’s located on the opposite side of the river which can be crossed at Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge; the bridge is a fantastic place to grab a photo overlooking the canal and little Venice junction! Known for its craft beer residency this pub has some of the best selections of craft beer and cask ales in London!
It’s finally it’s time to head over to Pergola Paddington where the night ends. This forgotten corner of London has everything needed to end the night on a high. It’s a fantastic myriad of green walls, trees and plants. There’s four self-service restaurants, bars, bookable daybeds and weekend DJs!
Not quite ready to call it a night? Head over to The Beachcomber on Queensway to dance the night away!
Marvel at the view from the top of The Shard
Paulina, ukeveryday
Visiting the Shard at night is a magical experience. You can admire the city skyline in a viewing gallery or one of the bars. On level 52 you can visit the highest hotel bar in London. Bar Gong is open until 1 am from Thursday to Sunday. If you would like to visit it between Monday and Wednesday, you will be able to enjoy cocktails by 12:30 am.
Another option is visiting Bar 31 which is at the lowest level of the building and can be easily accessed via St. Thomas Street. It offers a lovely place where you can taste some of the best beers from Bermondsey breweries. Also, meals are amazing, made with fresh ingredients from the local market.
However, if you would like to see the London skyline at night make sure to visit Shard’s viewing gallery. Opening hours depend on the season. Only every couple of weeks the gallery is open until 11 pm so make sure to book your visit in advance. A few times a month you can stay at Shard’s viewing platform by 9 pm.
London at night looks amazing and views from the Shard are the best in the capital. You can see the Tower of London, River Thames, Sky Garden, and many other amazing landmarks. The extensive panorama of the city makes it one of the best places to visit at night in London.
Kayaking on the River Thames
Eniko, Travel Hacker Girl
If you want a truly unique sightseeing experience, then kayaking in London might be the perfect activity for you. The London Kayak Company offers guided kayak tours at night. This is a great opportunity for you to see the most famous landmarks at night.
You will pass The London Peace Pagoda, the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Gherkin, Skygarden, HMS Belfast and the Tower of London along your journey. The highlight of the trip is paddling under the Tower Bridge. You will be mesmerized by all these London night attractions.
You will cover about 17 km in under 3 hours, so you will need to be relatively fit to take part in this trip. However, the tour is planned to coincide with the falling tide so you don’t need to be worried about your lack of kayaking experience.
Complete beginners are also welcome. The guides will ensure your safety throughout the trip. The double kayaks that the company provides are very stable and of course, all the equipment like jackets will also be provided.
The guides have waterproof cameras and they will take photos of you along the way. A snap under the Tower Bridge is a must!
The tour starts at Battersea and finishes at Greenwich. Both locations are easily reached by public transport.
Take in a show in the famed West End
If you’re looking for something to do in London at night, don’t miss a trip to the theatre.
London has some of the best shows in the world and you shouldn’t miss them while you’re in London.
You can see one of the popular West End musicals like The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, or The Phantom of the Opera. The Harry Potter play (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) is also very popular and worth going to, even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan.
There’s also hundreds of smaller musicals and plays if you wanted to go to something less mainstream.
Tickets can sell out quickly, especially for the popular shows like Hamilton and Harry Potter which sell out months in advance, so you should book your tickets in advance if you have a particular show you want to see and only limited time in London.
If you don’t mind what you see, you can get cheap tickets on the day (just look for the little stalls dotted around the West End). Just be aware there might not be tickets available for the bigger shows.
Since it’s inside, you can go any time of the year. Each of the theatres is in a different location so make sure you check where it is in advance, but it’s easy to get around London by tube. If possibly, try to stay somewhere reasonably central in London to make it easier to get around.
Dining in an Igloo at Canary Wharf
Rachel, Rachel’s Findings
London comes alive in the winter, especially at night when the whole city is illuminated with lights. One of the best things you can do in London at night is to take the underground to Canary Wharf on the east side of London. It’s a great laid-back spot to walk around, bar hop, eat and shop.
During November-March, The Sipping Room in Canary Wharf features igloo dining tents right along the river channel. You’ll stay warm and cozy because each igloo comes complete with comfortable dining chairs, a couch, pillows, blankets, and a heater.
This is the perfect romantic experience for you and a loved one. It would also be great for a private family gathering or event. Just make sure to book ahead of time because group sizes are limited.
Email: info@thesippingroom.co.uk Ph: +44 20 3907 0320
Canary Wharf also hosts the Winter Lights Festival every year in January. It’s completely free to the public and you can download a map that gives you a route to all the different light displays. The best area to take photos is in Montgomery Square, hundreds of lights dangle from above and you can walk through them. Afterward, warm up with mulled cider or coffee from 640East. In 2022 this event was canceled due to COVID so make sure to stay up to date here for next year.
Point A Hotel in Canary Wharf is unbelievably priced without a compromise in quality. The rooms are small but they are modern, clean, and comfortable. A fun touch is the mood lights above the beds. Before your trip comes to an end make your way through the best London restaurants.
Explore the dark side of London with a Jack the Ripper tour
Ada, Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: A Travel Blog
There was a time when being out in London at night was a scary, even life-threatening, prospect. Luckily, times have changed. Now you can stroll through East London after dark on the Jack the Ripper walking tour to learn about some of the city’s Victorian horrors.
In the autumn of 1888, a serial killer who became known as Jack the Ripper terrorized residents of the East London slums. This vicious killer murdered at least five vulnerable women and may be responsible for several other murders.. Although recent DNA research sheds some light on the identity of Jack the Ripper, for more than a century, his identity was shrouded in mystery.
Every evening, London Walks, the oldest walking tour company in the world, leads a group through the streets of Whitechapel and Spitalfields to learn the facts and legends of Jack the Ripper. You’ll even pass by a couple of his crime scenes. The London Walk guides don’t hold back any punches on this tour that reveals some of the worst aspects of human nature. Although this part of London is now very safe, the guide’s stories will definitely give you a chill.
This walk starts daily at 7:30 p.m. at the Tower Hill Underground Station. If the thought of going after dark feels too spooky, the walk also goes at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Group size is currently limited to 15 people and costs £15. You can book online ahead of time to guarantee a spot. Then just meet up with your guide near the tube station entrance where they’ll be holding up a London Walks brochure.
Since this tour starts and ends at Tube Stations, it’s easy to do this tour if you’re staying anywhere as the tour is based in central London. London House Hotel in Bayswater provides an affordable place to lay your head in London at night.
Just hop on the District line at the Bayswater Underground Station to reach the Tower Hill station in about half an hour. If you arrive a little early, you can take some striking night time photos of the Tower of London.
99 Comedy in Covent Garden
Nina, Nina Out and About
There’s nothing better than British comedy. You can view up-and-coming comedians without breaking the bank at 99 Comedy.
Located in Covent Garden, this stunning venue lets you see great comedians a year before you’ll find them all over British panel shows!
Every night of the week, you can visit London’s West End for a show. Ranging from 9 GBP on weekdays to 20 GBP on weekends, you’ll get to enjoy a lineup of 3 fantastic comedians – some of whom are already hitting it big on Channel 4 programs!
Unlike massive venues, this small intimate hotel area offers you the chance to really feel a part of the performance – and to get mocked by a future comedy star.
This comedy club is very much unknown to tourists but it’s a favourite for anyone living in England. Note: you must be 18+ to enter.
Nearby, you’ll find amazing restaurants for dinner. Browns Covent Garden is located just a street over from Leicester Square (the easiest tube station). There you’ll find every type of cuisine you could hope for. Whether you want a quick meal at Wagamama or a high-class steak dinner, you’ll find it within walking distance.
At nearby Covent Garden, you enjoy some shopping before you head over for your comedy evening.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a solo traveler or here with friends, you’ll love the laughs and fun that come from 99 Comedy. Every night has a new comedy lineup, so you can keep coming back for more.
Visit their website and get your tickets today!
Have a drink on an old train at Cahoots
Cahoots is a 1940s inspired cocktail bar that is housed in an old underground train station. The bar is located in the Soho area of London and is the perfect way to end a night in London.
Cahoots was once used as an air raid shelter during the war and the bric-a-brac left behind is a reminder of times gone by. Cahoots still holds the British spirit with drinks and a sing along around the piano.
Cahoots is the same bar but they have three spaces on two streets that run parallel to each other on Kingly street and Kingly court. I would head to the underground or the control room!!
The drinks menu is extensive and contains classic cocktails, rum, gin and London ale served in quirky mugs, hip flasks or vintage milk bottles.
When you head down the old wooden escalators you will find the stationmaster who will issue a “day ticket” to enter the tube carriage, if you find yourself going more than once you will be issued a “season ticket” with special exclusives at the bar.
Feel the paranormal with a Ghost Bus Tour
Astrid, The Wandering Daughter
For travelers and families looking for a unique and fun London night time activity during their England itinerary, the Ghost Bus Tour of London is the perfect option.
It’s a horror-comedy bus tour that takes visitors through the streets of London on an old double-decker bus. The tour drives past popular tourist sites like London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Trafalgar Square.
Throughout the tour, the tour guide provides humorous commentary on the sites, as well as ghost stories that are sure to entertain. The Ghost Bus Tour lasts around 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the traffic.
While most bus tours of London provide useful, though dry, information about the sites of London, the Ghost Bus Tour takes a different approach. Its focus is on fun and humor, rather than education. This is not a tour where you’ll learn a lot about London. But it is a tour that’s sure to be entertaining and memorable!
Tickets to the Ghost Bus Tour costs 24 GBP for adults, and 16 GBP for children between the ages of 5-15 years. Students and seniors are 18 GBP. And there is also a special family rate for 2 adults and 2 children that is 61 GBP. Tours leave at 7:30 pm and 9:00 pm every day. On Saturdays, there are also tours that depart at 6:00 pm.
The Ghost Bus Tour departs in front of the Grand Hotel on Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square. There are several ways to get to the tour via public transportation.
The Underground station closest to Northumberland Avenue is Charing Cross Station, serviced by the Bakerloo line and the Northern line. However, Leceister Square on the Picadilly line is only about an 8 minute walk away. And Embankment Station on the District line is 4 minutes away on foot.
Before or after the tour, be sure to experience Trafalgar Square and its surroundings, including the National Gallery and the iconic Great Scotland Yard. For an upscale lodging option that’s accessible via the Underground and filled with the comforts of home, consider staying at one of the serviced apartments offered by Mansley: No. 1 The Mansions at Earls Court, 44 Curzon Street, or 10 Curzon Street.
What do you think the best London night attractions are? Let me know in the comments below
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