London after dark – the best things to do in London at night

Looking for some ideas for your night out in London? The city comes alive after dark and you don’t want to miss seeing its streets lit up in all their twinkling glory. Whether you’re visiting London for a few days or a Londoner looking for new ideas, here are our favourite things to do in London at night. We have also included safety tips and night transport information.

Our top 5 London at night activities

1. Book tickets to a West End show > click here for cheap tickets!
2. Get spooked on a Jack the Ripper ghost tour > click for all the gory details
3. Sip the best London gin on a walking tour of the East End > learn more
4. Stroll along the Southbank and admire the city lit up
5. Take a night bus tour of London > click here for more info

Catch a show at London’s West End theatres

London is home to some of the most beautiful theatres and longest running shows in the world.  From Cats, to Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, if a show is successful in London it is likely to tour the world. Your trip to London would not be complete without experiencing a show in the West End. And there’s a theatre show or musical for every taste.

Some of our favorite shows currently or soon to be showing include:

• Mamma Mia – All your favourite ABBA songs in a feel good musical
• The Book of Mormon – Cheeky satire about the Mormon faith that ultimately endorses love and service
• Wicked – Take a journey to the Land of Oz to meet unlikely friends, witches Glinda and Elphaba 

Taking the kids to see a show will be a highlight of their trip to London. If you are visiting London as a family keep a look out for these shows. Some of them have been running on the West End for almost 20 years.

• Mary Poppins – the classic movie and book about a magical nanny flown in to save a London family from self destruction brought to the stage. It’s supercalifragilistic fun.
• The Lion King  – transports you to the Serengeti from the first Hakuna Matata!
• Matilda – Roald Dahl’s much loved fun story about a little girl with an incredible imagination 

These shows have been running for years and are always popular. So make sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Best night tours in London

We are huge fans of taking tours on our travels and also to discover a different side to the city we call home. London has some brilliant night tours that take you back in time, on a foodie journey of discovery or simply seeing the sights. Here are some favourite London night tours:

Jack the Ripper ghost tour

Not for the faint of heart, this spooky tour takes you around the reported sites of the 19th century Whitechapel murders. Victorian era London was a dark and grimy place full of characters like the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper. The identity of the Ripper is an ongoing mystery and on the tour you get to make up your own mind about who he was >> Click here for Jack the Ripper tour info

London gin tour

In recent years there’s been a revival of the classic British cocktail – gin and tonic. Discover all the latest gin trends in this tempting tipple on a walking tour of some of the East End’s newest distilleries, hippest bars and interesting pubs > Click here for more info

Kings Cross night tour

One of London’s famous districts, Kings Cross has a long and interesting history and, thanks to rejuvenation works, an exciting future. Join this fun evening tour and discover the hidden secrets of Kings Cross and nearby Regent’s Canal. This fascinating tour takes you on a journey from a bar in a Victorian bath house and into the magical world of Harry Potter! > more information

Thames cruise with dinner

The Thames River weaves its way through the city of London past iconic landmarks and historic sites. What better way to enjoy the lights of London at night than on a Thames river cruise. Spot St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament along with many other favourite London sights as you relax over a 5 course meal. Landmarks like the London Eye often have special light installations that look amazing from the river. Some tours take you as far as Greenwich > Click here for Thames dinner cruise info

More night tour options

• Ride an open top London bus through the city at night for a sparkling view of the city landmarks and attractions – click for more info and ticket prices
• An cycling tour along the River Thames taking in the highlights of London and stopping for a beer at a local pub – click for more info and ticket prices
• Capture London’s landmarks at night on this photography tour – click for more info and ticket prices

London pubs and bars

When you think of London, proper British pubs immediately spring to mind right? Sadly pub culture is on the decline in favour of European style bars but there are still plenty to visit on your London trip.

Pubs to visit in London

Cosy, warm pubs with patrons sipping their ale is one of those iconic experiences you must have when you visit London. There are around 7,000 pubs in London and many of them have a long and fascinating past. These are the best establishments to visit in my opinion.

One of the oldest pubs in the city  is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Here you can drink in the same venue as Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson once did. How British right? Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – you can’t make this up – isn’t it a fabulous name?

Another favourite near Borough Market and London Bridge is the George Inn – the last galleried inn in London. Dickens was here too and the pub was even mentioned in his book Little Dorritt. This site has a great list of pubs by area in London so you can find one near where you are staying.

Guided pub tour

Take a guided pub tour earlier in the day and find out the history behind the famous watering holes. Soho is a great area to do this thanks to the rich music history of the area. You can drink in the same watering holes as the Beatles and David Bowie and hear stories about how they rose to fame. As most pub tours start in the afternoon you can return to your favorites later in the evening and really soak up the atmosphere > Click for more info

If you’re more interested in literary London, you can follow in the footsteps of Dickens and join an historic London pub tour starting at St Paul’s Cathedral. 

Pubs start to get busy around 5pm as the working day finishes. They stay open until 11pm. If you are travelling as a family I’d probably avoid this activity after dark unless you find a pub that specifically welcomes children.

London bars

There are countless bars in London, from the divey to the downright swanky.I choose bars that offer a more upscale experience and an ambience where you can talk. Here are a few picks for heading out on the town.

• Bar Termini – classic Italian style in Soho – make mine an Aperol Spritz
• Pennethorne’s – elegant Somerset house bar with amazing cocktails
• The Connaught Bar – a posh stop where martinis are made to order from a trolley wheeled to your table

Some more suggestions here. If you like your bars noisy and crowded, head to Shoreditch or Camden where you find revellers spilling onto the streets.

Best night views of London

There’s something about a city at night that gets your spine tingling. I love the sparkling lights and night time reflections. Some favourite night time activities in London include taking in the views of the city. Go to these places at dusk and watch London as the sun sets and its pretty lights light up the sky.

London Eye

With views over the Houses of Parliament and down the Thames, the 30 minute rotation of the London Eye is simply breathtaking.Time your ride perfectly for dusk and you will enjoy one of the most memorable experiences of your trip to London.

This site tells you when dusk falls in London. The last hour of rides will give you the full night time experiences – more info on opening times. For a truly special occasion or even just because you’re in London you can even sip champagne as you take in the views.

Sky Garden

One of London’s best free attractions, the Sky Garden offers sweeping views of the city from its 34th and 37th stories.Known to Londoners as the walkie-talkie building due to its shape, the sky scraper soars over Leadenhall Street and looks to the south over the river.

You can see the London Eye lit up from there and many other famous landmarks along the Thames.If you are hungry or like dinner with a view there are three restaurants on site. I like to enjoy a sip of champagne at the bar.

The Shard

Dining with a view is one of my favourite activities and you can’t beat the glamorous atmosphere at  The Shard  where you eat with the whole of London twinkling below your feet. Favourite restaurants at the Shard include Aqua Shard and Hutong. Both are quite luxurious with incredible menus. You will need to book well in advance for all the restaurants in this iconic building.

Or, you can just take in the view. The View from the Shard is open late all year round and has some of the best vistas in London.You get some of the best views of the Tower of London from that vantage point and it’s best to book your tickets in advance >> click here for the Shard info and ticket prices

Portrait Restaurant – National Portrait Gallery

For views that are a little more out of Mary Poppins or Peter Pan, we love Portrait, the National Portrait Gallery’s rooftop restaurant. Here you dine and look out across Trafalgar Square and over the rooftops of London to the Houses of Parliament – read my full review. Please note the Gallery is currently closed for renovations until 2023.

London museums and galleries at night

With so many London galleries and museums to explore, why not take advantage of late openings and visit them when they are not as crowded – after dark.Many of these venues are open late on Thursdays, Fridays and even Saturdays – here’s a quick list for you to plan your time.I always recommend checking their websites for special opening times during your visit.

Thursday late night openings

• The National Portrait Gallery closes at 9pm
• The Barbican Art Gallery is open until 10pm

Friday late night openings

• The British Museum stays open until 8:30pm
• The National Gallery – 9pm | National Portrait Gallery until 9pm
• The Tate Modern – 10pm
• Royal Academy of Arts closes at 10pm
• Victoria & Albert Museum shuts at 10pm

Saturday late night openings

• Tate Modern is open until 10pm

London’s Soho and Covent Garden at night

For several hundred years Soho has been the centre of London nightlife.Though now the area is gentrified and home to fashionable restaurants, bars and clubs, this area was once home to music halls, grungey pubs and the heart of the red light district.

Soho also has a more recent colourful past as the place where rock and roll legends such as David Bowie and the Sex Pistols played and got their lucky breaks. Venues such as The Marquee Club and Ronnie Scott’s have played a huge part in the British music scene. They have hosted bands from the Beatles to Oasis. So pay your respects to your rock heroes as you wander Soho.

Simply take a stroll around the streets of Soho and Covent Garden at night. It’s great for people watching and checking out the light installations. The light show above pays tribute to the area’s fashion legacy.

Make sure to stop by Covent Garden and Leicester Square where you always find some of the world’s most talented street performers. And if you are interested in checking the local pub scene, this Soho pub tour comes highly recommended. 

Restaurants in London

From fine dining to cheap eats, there is something for everyone in London. I like to to have at least one special dinner out when I’m traveling and make a night of it.Here are some favourite restaurants you should try from posh (and pricey) fine dining to fun restaurants showcasing international cuisine.

Note – you must book well in advance to secure a table at these popular restaurants. I recommend using the Open Table app to book many London restaurants online

Fine dining- £££

• Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – celebrity experimental chef does classic British fare with a twist. Must try dish: meat fruit (pictured above)
• Spring – elegant produce driven menu in stunning Somerset House – a former palace
• Chiltern Firehouse – celebrity favourite with a delicious European style menu by chef André Balazs

Fun world food – ££

• Dishoom – posh Indian dishes and lovely cocktails
• Barrafina – lovely Spanish tapas bar with great wine
• NOPI – Yotam Ottolenghi’s fun middle eastern brasserie

Stroll along the South Bank

Walk alongside the River Thames from Borough Market to the London Eye.Along the way you pass the Tate Modern, Globe Theatre Millennium Bridge and National Theatre. It’s an area buzzing with people, restaurants and seasonal activities.

On the other side of the river, landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Somerset House, and the modern buildings of the city are beautifully lit. This is one of the best places to take night photos of London.

If you head east along the South Bank, it’s a shorter walk taking in beautiful views of the Tower of London with The Shard soaring overhead. The South Bank is a favourite place to visit in London at night thanks to the unique atmosphere and iconic landmarks.

Late night shopping in London

If you are in London to do some shopping, many Oxford Street stores open until 9pm every day except Sunday and even later on Thursdays. Store hours do vary though so check online to make sure they are open when you plan to go.Selfridges keeps these hours but my favourite store – Liberty of London – closes at 8pm and 6pm on Sundays.In Knightsbridge, Harrods opens until 9pm except on Sundays while Harvey Nichols shuts at 8pm.For affordable fashion and vintage items, Spitalfields Market over in the east of London opens until 8pm most nights.

Is London safe at night?

For the most part, London is a very safe place to venture out at night, especially if you are sticking to the main tourist areas. Due to recent events, London has considerable police presence on the streets. The city also has a huge number of CCTV cameras acting as a deterrent for criminal behaviour. Having said that, it’s always advisable to take precautions when travelling in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Use these tips for staying safe in London after dark.

1. Plan your journey – make sure you are aware of the best routes to get to and from your destination
2. Stick to major roads and streets in well lit areas
3. Keep valuables such as cameras, purses, phones, jewellery and wallets hidden and well secured
4. Make sure you are accompanied when using an ATM – try to use them in daylight hours
5. Avoid walking alone or using headphones
6. Hail a black cab if you are lost – you can use the MyTaxi or Gett apps for licensed black cabs
7. The emergency number in the UK is 999

Getting around London at night

Thanks to the night tube and night buses, public transport in central London runs 24 x 7 and is safe and convenient. Timetables vary so check the Transport for London website for latest information.Since Uber lost their licence in London, I use black cabs at night if I am not near a tube station. Download the FreeNow or Gett apps to hail licensed black cabs.

What are your favourite things to do in London at night?

London after dark is as fun as in the day time. My favourite thing to do in London at night is sip a cocktail at Aqua Shard high above the twinkling city lights and Tower of London. For more ideas and things to do if you’re visiting London for a few days, check out our best ever London itinerary.

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Remember, darkness falls quickly in London during wintertime – as early as 4pm! – so it’s a good idea to plan some of these night time activities if you are visiting from November to March.

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