Late night London venues
No need to mind the gap between trains, the night tube launch date is now approaching. These are the late night London venues worth staying up all night for
Late night London venues
On Friday 18 August, London's underground labyrinth goes late-night, with the Central and Victoria lines running around the clock on Fridays and Saturdays. Other lines are set to be added to the mix, as the Northern, Piccadilly and Jubilee stations will spring into action from September.
For now, though, we've compiled a stop-by-stop guide to eating, drinking, dancing and – no word of a lie – getting your hair cut and working out on a nocturnal night tube adventure. We reckon New York might have competition as The City That Never Sleeps.
Central Line:
If you start west and head eastbound, you may want to hold off on the first few stops, although Notting Hill Arts Club (Notting Hill Gate) often holds late-night events that would be worth staying west for. If not, sit tight until Marble Arch, where the scarlet Red Bar at Grovesnor House (2:30am) offers a classy Mayfair affair, rivalled by The Churchill Bar (2am) and their Churchill Craft Gin cocktails.
Bob Bob Ricard
At Bond Street, preening happens around the clock at the 24-hour Neil Cornelius salon, just down the road from popular burger joint Meat Liquor (2am). Then it's on to Oxford Circus (a stop on the Victoria line, too), where you can pay a visit to the exquisite Bob Bob Ricard, which boasts a 'press for Champagne' button in every booth – it's no surprise that they serve the most fizz anywhere in the UK. For an even later drinks date, Milk and Honey stays open until 3am for members, and The Aviary Bar (4am) which, despite its gaudy decor, "the quirkiest bar in London" will liven up your evening.
Tottenham Court Road is home to VQ Bloomsbury, a 24-hour restaurant, along with 3am bars including Balans, Mexican restaurant and tequila bar El Camion, and The 100 Club; ideal for those of you spilling out of a West-End show. Alternatively, spend your night at St Moritz's Friday Blow Out – a breeding ground for Brit Pop, back in the day.
Head to Holborn for a touch of novelty at Bounce (1am), a restaurant-cum-ping pong bar. Or, for retro Americana, the All Star Lanes restaurant diner-turned bowling alley with its studded leather seats and pin-up posters is a good bet. If you're after something more classic, you can't go wrong with the cocktails at Scarfes (1am).
Scarfes
Stop off at Chancery Lane to carry on your drinking into the small hours, with Beduin open until 5am, and Oriole until 'late' – vague, but the tube has you covered, leaving you worry-free knowing your journey home is guaranteed. Meanwhile, by St Pauls, bar and tapas restaurant Madison (2am) and the catchily-named The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar (1:30am) is known for its comedy schedule.
For all you city-slickers, slightly kitsch American-themed Steam & Rye (3am) and less kitsch cocktail bar Be At One Monument (2am) are both within walking distance of Bank. Or, for a lofty late dinner, 24-hour Duck and Waffle on the 40th floor of Heron Tower is a well-known favourite, and a stone's throw from Liverpool Street.
If we were you, Bethnal Green would be the final stop on the Central line soirée: raucous bar The London Cocktail Club and recently renovated pub The Birdcage both stay open until 1am, but anywhere further and you might be left high and dry.
Duck and Waffle
Victoria Line:
It's slim pickings at the top of light blue line, save for Ye Olde Rose & Crown at Walthamstow Central, late-night pub The Beehive at Seven Sisters or the go-to favourite for all karaoke and bowling lovers out there (us included), Finsbury Park's well-known Rowans Tenpin Bowl (2:30am).
Your night picks up at Highbury & Islington with award-winning Little Bat Bar (1am), where 'Lobster Mac n Cheese Balls' features on its bar menu and, once that closes, The Dead Dolls House which stays open until 4am – it's far more elegant in atmosphere than its macabre name would have us believe.
At Euston, there's Shaker and Company – who do a mean cocktail – while Green Park offers up The Scotch of St James, whose website cites everyone from The Rolling Stones and David Bowie to John Legend and Suki Waterhouse among its 'alumni'.
Tamesis Dock
Closing relatively early compared to most on this list, charming underground bar Clarendon Cocktail Cellar near Pimlico would be a great place to stop in at early on, before heading on to Vauxhall where you're spoilt for choice. Gay club Eagle (4am), Arabic-themed Ashtar (6am) and Counter Vauxhall Arches (1:30am) are all great choices, as is legendary gay venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (3am on Fridays, 2am on Saturdays). As an out-there alternative, Tamesis Dock – a 1930s Dutch barge moored on the Thames – stays open until 1am, although we hold no responsibility for any ensuing sea-sickness.
If you've been reading this list, waiting for a healthier alternative to boozing, The Gym Group's Stockwell branch is open 24-hours; answering all our (imaginary?) prayers for a 3am workout.
Finally, if you're still going strong – or if you're working your way north from here – Brixton is bursting with late-night haunts. Three Eight Four stays open late, our old favourite Hootananny welcomes people in until 3am, and the Dogstar until 4am.
For now, though, we've compiled a stop-by-stop guide to eating, drinking, dancing and – no word of a lie – getting your hair cut and working out on a nocturnal night tube adventure. We reckon New York might have competition as The City That Never Sleeps.
Central Line:
If you start west and head eastbound, you may want to hold off on the first few stops, although Notting Hill Arts Club (Notting Hill Gate) often holds late-night events that would be worth staying west for. If not, sit tight until Marble Arch, where the scarlet Red Bar at Grovesnor House (2:30am) offers a classy Mayfair affair, rivalled by The Churchill Bar (2am) and their Churchill Craft Gin cocktails.
Bob Bob Ricard
At Bond Street, preening happens around the clock at the 24-hour Neil Cornelius salon, just down the road from popular burger joint Meat Liquor (2am). Then it's on to Oxford Circus (a stop on the Victoria line, too), where you can pay a visit to the exquisite Bob Bob Ricard, which boasts a 'press for Champagne' button in every booth – it's no surprise that they serve the most fizz anywhere in the UK. For an even later drinks date, Milk and Honey stays open until 3am for members, and The Aviary Bar (4am) which, despite its gaudy decor, "the quirkiest bar in London" will liven up your evening.
Tottenham Court Road is home to VQ Bloomsbury, a 24-hour restaurant, along with 3am bars including Balans, Mexican restaurant and tequila bar El Camion, and The 100 Club; ideal for those of you spilling out of a West-End show. Alternatively, spend your night at St Moritz's Friday Blow Out – a breeding ground for Brit Pop, back in the day.
Head to Holborn for a touch of novelty at Bounce (1am), a restaurant-cum-ping pong bar. Or, for retro Americana, the All Star Lanes restaurant diner-turned bowling alley with its studded leather seats and pin-up posters is a good bet. If you're after something more classic, you can't go wrong with the cocktails at Scarfes (1am).
Scarfes
Stop off at Chancery Lane to carry on your drinking into the small hours, with Beduin open until 5am, and Oriole until 'late' – vague, but the tube has you covered, leaving you worry-free knowing your journey home is guaranteed. Meanwhile, by St Pauls, bar and tapas restaurant Madison (2am) and the catchily-named The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar (1:30am) is known for its comedy schedule.
For all you city-slickers, slightly kitsch American-themed Steam & Rye (3am) and less kitsch cocktail bar Be At One Monument (2am) are both within walking distance of Bank. Or, for a lofty late dinner, 24-hour Duck and Waffle on the 40th floor of Heron Tower is a well-known favourite, and a stone's throw from Liverpool Street.
If we were you, Bethnal Green would be the final stop on the Central line soirée: raucous bar The London Cocktail Club and recently renovated pub The Birdcage both stay open until 1am, but anywhere further and you might be left high and dry.
Duck and Waffle
Victoria Line:
It's slim pickings at the top of light blue line, save for Ye Olde Rose & Crown at Walthamstow Central, late-night pub The Beehive at Seven Sisters or the go-to favourite for all karaoke and bowling lovers out there (us included), Finsbury Park's well-known Rowans Tenpin Bowl (2:30am).
Your night picks up at Highbury & Islington with award-winning Little Bat Bar (1am), where 'Lobster Mac n Cheese Balls' features on its bar menu and, once that closes, The Dead Dolls House which stays open until 4am – it's far more elegant in atmosphere than its macabre name would have us believe.
At Euston, there's Shaker and Company – who do a mean cocktail – while Green Park offers up The Scotch of St James, whose website cites everyone from The Rolling Stones and David Bowie to John Legend and Suki Waterhouse among its 'alumni'.
Tamesis Dock
Closing relatively early compared to most on this list, charming underground bar Clarendon Cocktail Cellar near Pimlico would be a great place to stop in at early on, before heading on to Vauxhall where you're spoilt for choice. Gay club Eagle (4am), Arabic-themed Ashtar (6am) and Counter Vauxhall Arches (1:30am) are all great choices, as is legendary gay venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (3am on Fridays, 2am on Saturdays). As an out-there alternative, Tamesis Dock – a 1930s Dutch barge moored on the Thames – stays open until 1am, although we hold no responsibility for any ensuing sea-sickness.
If you've been reading this list, waiting for a healthier alternative to boozing, The Gym Group's Stockwell branch is open 24-hours; answering all our (imaginary?) prayers for a 3am workout.
Finally, if you're still going strong – or if you're working your way north from here – Brixton is bursting with late-night haunts. Three Eight Four stays open late, our old favourite Hootananny welcomes people in until 3am, and the Dogstar until 4am.
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
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