10 things to do in London at night

From comedy, theater and music to a night on the town at the best clubs and bars, there are plenty of fun things to do in London at night.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

7 min read

10 things to do in London at night

London Eye | ©David Geib

London is undoubtedly one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. Energetic is the way to describe London at night. Activities are plentiful, so don't worry. As limited as your options may seem, there are actually always plenty of things to see and do in London.

Immerse yourself in the best of London's nightlife with world-class London theaters, views from Hampstead Observatory, cool nights in Shoreditch and much more Go on!

1. Wine and Dine on the Thames

Thames River Night Cruise| ©Graham Hobbs
Thames River Night Cruise| ©Graham Hobbs

Fancy cruising the River Thames with a glass of champagne in hand? Enjoy an evening cruise on the Thames, with a four-course meal, jazz and spectacular views.

See the world's most striking buildings, such as St. Paul's Cathedral, the Shard, Big Ben, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge - and all with extra sparkle!

Book a Thames Dinner Cruise

2. Take a scenic night bus tour

London Night Bus Tour| ©saxman1597
London Night Bus Tour| ©saxman1597

London' s breathtaking landmarks become even more magical when lit up at night.

There's no better way to enjoy their grandeur than to climb aboard an open-top double-decker bus! The bus will take you around London's various sights without fear of getting lost. Try to listen to the live guide as he entertains you with fascinating facts and fun stories.

The bus crosses Tower Bridge, passes the Tower of London, the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye. Be dazzled as you approach the vibrant Trafalgar Square and the west end of the city, Piccadilly Circus. And when you see that Big Ben, you'll know you're really in London!

London night tours on the London sightseeing bus are one of the best plans you can opt for; especially if walking a lot is not something that appeals to you.

Book the London night bus

3. Hop on the London Eye

London Eye cabins at night| ©Martin Hesketh
London Eye cabins at night| ©Martin Hesketh

Taking a ride (never better said) on the London Eye at night is an iconic London experience. The London Eye is nothing more than a giant Ferris wheel located on the south bank of the River Thames and is 135 meters above the ground. I recommend you to know the London Eye prices and London Eye schedules to go up to this tourist attraction, as it is worth going up at least once.

Once up, the London Eye will allow you to enjoy the most emblematic places of the city.

Book tickets for the London Eye

4. Go to a museum at night

British Museum at Night| ©Jey han
British Museum at Night| ©Jey han

Many of London' s best museums and most famous galleries are open late on selected days, including the British Museum, the Science Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the London Transport Museum. Often busy during the day, these spaces are quieter in the evening, allowing you to take your time and explore every detail at your leisure.

Not only can you browse their exhibitions, but you can also take part in workshops or listen to talks organized by the museum.

Book a guided tour of the British Museum

5. Attend the Key Ceremony

Ceremony of the Keys in London| ©Vane
Ceremony of the Keys in London| ©Vane

The Ceremony of the Keys is a 700-year-old ancient ceremony that is one of the things to see at the Tower of London. It takes place every night from 9:53 pm to 10:05 pm and involves the handing over of keys by the head of the Tower Guard to the Governor of the Tower.

In the past, securing the tower was significant because it protected the monarch who resided there. Although this is no longer the case, the Crown Jewels and other valuables are still there, which makes the ceremony still have some meaning.

The event is free; however, due to its limited space and popularity, it pays to go early.

Book tickets for the Tower of London

6. Stroll through Harrods

Harrods by night| ©ramonbaile
Harrods by night| ©ramonbaile

Harrods is one of the most famous stores in the world and sells mainly luxury goods. I recommend starting a night tour of London by taking a walk through Harrods, it will be fully illuminated.

The twinkling lights that surround the building at dusk give it an undeniably magical atmosphere. Shopping at Harrods can be expensive if you splurge your money on luxury items; however, walking around each floor is enough to admire the incredible nighttime setting.

Two important things to know for your visit: entrance to Harrods is free but you will have to go before 9:00 pm which is closing time every day except Sundays when it closes at 6:00 pm.

Book a night tour of London

7. See the night sky from the Hampstead Observatory

At Hampstead Observatory| ©Guillermo Goldes
At Hampstead Observatory| ©Guillermo Goldes

If the views from The Shard aren't exciting enough for you, you should try the next level, the Hampstead Observatory. This is one of the few observatories in London that allow stargazing and night sky viewing.

Hampstead observatory is one of the most visible places to view space, including the moon, planets and other celestial objects. However, be aware that opening hours are very limited.

Hampstead Observatory is only open from mid-September through mid-April on Fridays and Saturdays from dusk until 10:00 pm. Being lucky enough to see almost every point in the city and the sky is an unforgettable experience.

8. Attend a show at The Comedy Store

Attending the Comedy Store| ©Mike Dillon
Attending the Comedy Store| ©Mike Dillon

British humor is a genre of comedy based especially on satire and focusing a lot on people's lives and habits. Sarcasm and self-deprecation are two main themes used by British comedians, so when in London, try to open your mind to this kind of classic humor if you have a good level of English that allows you to understand the show.

Located near Piccadilly Circus, The Comedy Store is the most famous of all British comedy clubs and has played a key role in the growth of British comedy. It has approximately 400 seats, enough to attract a crowd of tourists.

Programs at The Comedy Store cost between GBP 8 (EUR 9.52) and GBP 24 (EUR 28.56), depending on the program. There are also many other venues around London that offer comedy shows (many are even free), so you have no excuse not to go.

9. Movie night

Movie Night| ©Tima Miroshnichenko
Movie Night| ©Tima Miroshnichenko

It's normal, I hear you, after a busy day of sightseeing, sometimes you're looking to sit back, relax your muscles and enjoy a good movie.

Scattered throughout London are the Curzon cinemas. These feature comfortable seating and licensed bars, ideal for a relaxing evening with the family or a romantic evening with your partner. With their quirky yet luxurious interiors, these cinemas are perfect for extra comfort on your trip.

10. Party night and music

Party Night| ©Sebastian Ervi
Party Night| ©Sebastian Ervi

If you're looking for a more party plan, London is full of funky nightclubs that are open until the wee hours of the morning, providing a variety of music genres and experiences.

Head to Shoreditch if bars and nightclubs are your thing, or stop by Camden for live music venues like the Spiritual Bar or Electric Ballroom. If you're a music lover, wait for the London Moon to kick off your evening.

Does London have a good nightlife?

Nightlife in London| ©Recal Media
Nightlife in London| ©Recal Media

London is one of the nightlife capitals of the world. If you have a night off after a long tour of London, you can't miss a night on the town.

I would recommend you to take a night bus tour to identify the most striking nightlife sites, and thus make decisions more firmly and, above all, more in line with your tastes. London has everything and for everything!

Places to go shopping at night in London

Aerial view of Westfield London:| ©Ramidjea
Aerial view of Westfield London:| ©Ramidjea
  • Westfield London: Here you will discover luxury stores and an indefinite number of premises for all tastes and styles.
  • Westfield Stratford City: Here you will find one of the largest urban shopping centers in Europe.
  • Oxford Street in London: In this street you will find designer and high quality brand stores.
  • Duke of York Square: Here you will see famous brands and an unlimited variety of clothing items.

Is London safe at night?

London in style| ©Pixabay
London in style| ©Pixabay

In general, London is safe at all times, including at night. However, as with all big cities, there are areas or parts of the city that are safer than others.

In London, people like to walk around, even at night. This means that you will always see people wandering the streets and avenues regardless of the time of day.

Best neighborhood/district for a night out in London?

The shard at night| ©Som Thapa Magar
The shard at night| ©Som Thapa Magar

I think Shoreditch is the hippest and most hipster neighborhood in London. It has some of the best street art (like graffiti) to accompany an evening in this neighborhood. Despite the noticeable big luxuries, much of the area still retains its original jovial and urban vibe.

The bars in Shoreditch have a unique atmosphere. I would definitely recommend bar-hopping around the area to get the full experience of some of London's nightlife. And if you want to know more about the neighborhoods of the British capital I recommend this article of London neighborhood by neighborhood so you don't miss anything during your trip.