Things to do in London at night

The short answer

The best things to do in London at night are taking a Thames cruise past the lit-up bridges, riding the London Eye, seeing a West End show, catching jazz at Ronnie Scott's and visiting a museum late. There is far more to it than bars and clubs, and many of these options suit people who would rather not be out until dawn.

It helps to base your evening in one area, as London is big and travel eats into your night. The West End, Soho and the South Bank are the easiest choices, since shows, dinner, bars and river walks can all be reached on foot. As always, check opening hours, tickets and prices with each venue, as schedules change with the seasons.

See the city lit up

London after dark is a sight in itself, and a walk along the South Bank between Westminster and Tower Bridge costs nothing at all. The London Eye is the obvious way to see it from above, and Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street offers another view, with free timed tickets generally available if you book ahead. The bars and restaurants at The Shard and Heron Tower are good for a drink with a view, and our rooftop bars guide has plenty more.

For a change of perspective, try the river. City Cruises and Bateaux London both run evening dinner sailings on the Thames, passing the Tower of London, St Paul's and Parliament. Dinner on a boat takes up most of the evening, but you get a moving view for the whole time. Lift 109, inside a chimney at Battersea Power Station, is another option if you are nearby, though you should check its closing time first.

Shows, music and comedy

The West End is the city's great evening draw, and it has something on most nights of the week. Have a look at our guide to choosing a London show for how it works. If you want live music, Ronnie Scott's on Frith Street in Soho is London's best known jazz club, and its programme includes late sets as well as main shows, so look at the listings.

The Comedy Store on Oxendon Street, near Piccadilly Circus, puts on regular stand-up and has a late show at weekends, while the long-running Comedy Store Players do improvised comedy on Sundays. Big gigs happen at KOKO in Camden, and for classical music or ballet, the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House have full programmes. A ticket for something like this also gives your evening a fixed time and a natural structure.

Culture after hours

Several of the big museums and galleries open late, usually with a bar and special events on top of the collections. The V&A's Friday Lates, the Science Museum's adults-only Lates and Tate's evening openings have all been popular. Natural History Museum events vary too. Each runs on its own calendar, and some are free but ticketed, so check the details before you go.

For something older, the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London takes place each night and has run for centuries. Tickets are only sold through Historic Royal Palaces, and they are released in small batches and sell fast. Guided evening walking tours through the East End and the City are another good way to hear some of London's darker stories, without having to plan very far ahead.

Eating and drinking late

Soho and Chinatown are the most reliable places for food late at night, with a lot of choice around Gerrard Street and Old Compton Street. Duck & Waffle in the City has long been known for its unusually late hours, though it is worth confirming this before you travel. For a late drink, a hotel bar is a quieter choice than a club. See our best bars guide for ideas, whether you want a quick nightcap or a place to settle in.

Getting home safely

The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines, and on part of the London Overground, but not on every branch. Night buses cover much of the city too. Weekend engineering works are common, so check Transport for London on the night. Use a licensed black cab or a booked minicab or app, never an unbooked car that approaches you on the street.

If you would like some company on a night out, you can browse our ladies, call us with her name and a time, and we check she is free and arrange the rest.

A simple plan for one evening

If you only have one night, try this. Start with a walk along the South Bank at dusk, when the river and the buildings look their best, and have an early drink near the Southbank Centre or at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden when it is open. Cross the Golden Jubilee Bridge on foot for the view of Parliament and the London Eye, then head up into Covent Garden for dinner and a show.

Finish in Soho with a late set at Ronnie Scott's or a nightcap at a small cocktail bar. It takes in the river, the West End and some live entertainment, and there is no need to get on the Tube until you head home. Book the show and dinner in advance, and keep the rest loose.