18 Places To Stay Up All Night In London

Now we've got the night tube, we better use it.

Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed

1. Bar Italia, Soho

Flickr: arthurjohnpicton

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 5am

Jarvis Cocker loved this place so much he wrote a song about it. With its neon signs, chrome fittings, and ‘50s decor, it’s the perfect spot for late-night espressos and cake. Or order a Negroni and sit in the back to watch the nighthawks of Soho drift in and out.

2. Experimental Cocktail Club, Chinatown

instagram.com

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 3am

It’s not cheap, but it’s proper glamorous London fun. It's best to book a table (they take walk-ins, but don't risk it at weekends). The door is barely noticeable on Cheshire St in the heart of Chinatown – it looks like the entrance to an office. Upstairs, the bar is dark and atmospheric – the perfect place to get drunk on top-notch cocktails.

3. Cahoots, Soho

Laura Gallant / BuzzFeed

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 3am

Bars that stay open til 3am are thin on the ground in central London. Avoid those weird Soho clubs where ladies drink free, and settle into one of the old tube seats at this London Underground-themed cocktail bar instead.

4. Beirut Express, Edgware Road

Instagram: @safeerasarjoo

Nearest tube: Marble Arch

Open till: 2am

This place is buzzing for 19 hours a day, and it’s the perfect choice for late-night feasting with friends. Get fat on juicy shawarma, garlicky dips, and other Lebanese treats.

5. Balans, Soho

Instagram: @reynffo

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 5am

As dawn breaks in Soho, pull up a seat in Balans for cocktails and kedgeree. Old Compton Street is the perfect place for people-watching, and you’re bound to be caught up in atmosphere as party people wind down after a night of debauchery.

6. Royal Dragon, Chinatown

Instagram: @lesiabilo

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 3am

Mountainous platters of Cantonese food + karaoke = great night out.

7. The Pink Chihuahua, Soho

instagram.com

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 3am

This is the cocktail bar where bartenders go to drink. It was founded by Dick Bradsell, creator of the bramble and the espresso martini, so the cocktails are first-class. Ask a Londoner in the know for their favourite cocktail in town, and they'll probably send you here.

8. VQ, Bloomsbury

Twitter: @VQRESTAURANTS

Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Open till: Open 24 hours

VQ describes itself as a “concept”, which is always concerning, but when there are so few 24-hour venues in London we’ll take it. It’s got the chic-ish vibe of a Wagamama, with benches and funky metal lampshades. Order pizza for breakfast or eggs Benedict at midnight, because why not?

9. Ain’t Nothin' But…, Soho

Twitter: @JackJHutchinson

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: 2am

It can get uncomfortably crowded at the weekend, but if you bag a place at the bar this is a great place to sip beer and bourbon while listening to the blues.

10. Maroush, Edgware Road

Instagram: @maroush

Nearest tube: Marble Arch

Open till: 2am

Ideal for when you fancy a proper sit-down dinner at 1.30am plus some belly-dancing. Portions are huge, so don’t over-order. Your stomach can only handle so much excitement this late at night.

11. Duck and Waffle, Bishopsgate

duckandwaffle.com

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Open till: Open 24 hours

Who wouldn’t have fantasies about eating duck and waffles and drinking mimosas while watching the sun rise at London’s highest 24-hour restaurant? Nobody, that’s who. Book in advance – this place is packed out night and day.

12. The Horse & Groom, Shoreditch

Instagram: @east.londoner

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Open till: 4am

Also known as the Disco Pub. You can either settle yourself into one of the chesterfield sofas and set the world to rights until the sun rises, or dance like a ninny to the DJs who play at weekends.

13. Beigel Bake, Brick Lane

Instagram: @alisabeatqueen

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Open till: Open 24 hours

It’s late, like, really late, and you’re hungry. Wander down Brick Lane to Beigel Bake, where, if you want, you can spend 24 hours a day watching people do wonderful things to dough and salt beef. You’ll leave happy and with change in your pocket – bagels here start from 30p.

14. Trisha's, Soho

Instagram: @briananand

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Open till: Officially 1am, but sometimes later

Trisha’s bar (aka New Evaristo Club) is probably central London’s only proper dive bar. It’s members-only, but you should be able to join for around a fiver. The walls are covered in Italian football memorabilia and sometimes there’s a Staffie wandering around. Wine will be served lukewarm in plastic cups. Weird things will happen. It’s great.

15. The Bridge, Shoreditch

Instagram: @txikiguillen

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Open till: 2am

Just when you’ve given up hope of getting a seat in a bar late at night, you stumble on The Bridge. This strange, kitsch cafe is a jumble of neon, brass, and vintage knick-knacks. It’s a Mary Poppins’ handbag of a bar: It's small on the outside, but venture out back with your drink and it opens up into a cavernous space. Bring cash! They don’t take cards.

16. Polo Bar and Cafe, Bishopsgate

Instagram: @donnaromina

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Open till: Open 24 hours

You know when you really want a fry-up, but it’s 3am? Hello, Polo Bar. It’s just a regular ole caff, but with a twist: It never closes. It’s got tiled surfaces, proper coffee, and grilled bacon. Ideal.

17. Somine, Dalston

Instagram: @rootandbone

Nearest tube: A short bus or cab ride from Liverpool Street or Highbury & Islington

Open till: Open 24 hours

Sit under bright lights eating the finest Turkish stew with fresh bread and dips. This is a great place to while away the night with friends over little glasses of Turkish tea.

18. Vogue Fabrics, Dalston

instagram.com

Nearest tube: A short bus or cab ride from Liverpool Street or Highbury & Islington

Open till: 4am? 5am? Little is certain here except the fun.

This is the place to end up if you want to dance but don’t fancy a proper club. It’s basically a small, dingy basement, made glamorous by partying drag queens. It’s like something from New York in the '80s, and it’s kind of perfect.