The Best Nights Out In London

Down the years, I’ve enjoyed many London nights out. The big city has become a home from home for me. I’d rate it, in fact, as my favourite UK city behind only Liverpool.

Whether I’ve ‘roughed it’ in a hostel or treated myself to a stopover in a swanky hotel, my time in the English capital has always been memorable. If you’re planning a trip to London and are unsure where to go when night falls then these are just a few areas I’d suggest heading to. There’s definitely something for everyone.

Camden

Quite unlike any other London borough I’ve ever visited, Camden is an all-out assault on the senses. By day, it’s a bustling cluster of shops and market stalls selling everything and anything, with the focus firmly on a bohemian atmosphere. It’s at night, though, that the place really comes alive. A vibrant live music scene proves a big draw to a wide range of different people and is one of the reasons why I always make a point of going back again and again. Camden Locks is a perfect setting for a few early evening outdoor drinks providing the weather is nice and dotted around are plenty of interesting pubs each with their own tale to tell, like the World’s End. This massive traditional English boozer has a club beneath it and has a different band playing virtually every night of the week. Koko, a music venue that used to be theatre, is another must-visit Camden hotspot. The building itself is incredible and you can almost get lost in all the random rooms.

Shoreditch

A little bit off the beaten track, but it is well worth taking the time and effort to take in Shoreditch by night. You’ll be spoilt for choice for places to eat and drink, from the traditional English ‘spit and sawdust’ pub, cocktail bars and gastro eateries to restaurants serving up mouth-watering cuisine from around the world. A couple of favourite watering holes of mine in Shoreditch include the Hoxton Pony, Bricklayer’s Arms and the Red Lion. Brick Lane is also a short taxi ride away and this is where you’ll find some of the finest curry houses not only in the city, but also in the country.

Soho

A short walk away from the usual central London hotspots is Soho.  In the past, it had a reputation for being particularly sleazy as it has been at the heart of London’s sex industry for over 200 years where is common  to see sex shops selling this prostate massagers. In truth, though, it’s a world away from somewhere like Amsterdam and can be too easily overlooked by revellers when it comes to planning an evening’s entertainment in the city. Well, give it a go and you’ll be rewarded with a weird and wonderful collection of charismatic pubs like the Duke of Argyll and the French House, as well as a multitude of bars and restaurants. With London’s main theatres a stone’s throw away, it’s an ideal spot for a few pre-show drinks or a spot of dinner.

The West End

You can’t spend time in London without taking in a show in the West End. There’s plenty to pick from and ticket prices can range from anything around the £10 mark to easily over ten times that value. In my experience, going to the box office at the theatres gets you the best offers and if you leave it as late as possible you should be able to get a last-minute deal. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square, then walk five minutes up the road to Covent Garden for post and pre-show refreshments.

Photos by Ruxor, Laazik, Steve Bowbrick, Michela Bettuzzi , Mr Andy Bird