London ● the Nightlife Guide.
For those willing to dive head-first into the London experience, it is doubtful that expectations will fall short. Reputation proceeds this city in ways that few others can rival, and yet it manages to exceed even the wildest aspirations time and time again.
Marching to the beat of its own drum, you could spend a lifetime exploring proudly independent music venues, clandestine cocktail bars, panoramic rooftop lounges and industrial mega-clubs strewn across the sprawling boroughs of London — and it’d be a life well spent.
🍺 Pubs.
Integral to British culture, pubs are the beating heart of communities throughout the nation. Simple in premise, the best pubs assume the purpose of sociable taverns, in which locals mingle and fulfil their desire for malt liquors, with an emphasis on draught ale, lager and stouts.
Named in ode to the legendary passenger ship, the Mayflower Pub (📷) has provided cosy refuge on the banks of the River Thames since 1550. the intimate dining room on the second floor creates a spellbinding medieval ambience. Suspended iron lanterns hang overhead, circulating golden candlelight throughout the dark-wooded interior, and diamond etched window panes from the Tudor era cast views across the river.
Straddling a corner in posh Kensington, the striking façade of the Churchill Arms is regaled in a stunning floral patchwork of lush greenery. Each spring, thousands of plants blossom from their carefully arranged fixtures, adorning the building in dizzying shades of vibrant colours.
Certified by the National Trust to hold immense historic significance, Southwark’s medieval George Inn is a treasure. Conceived in the late 17th century, the current structure is a charming relic of yesteryear, serving as a sanctuary for stagecoaches and the weary travellers that accompanied them. Inter-connecting rooms weave through the beautiful multi-tier gallery, culminating at a spacious courtyard.
Highbury’s hidden gem, Bank of Friendship embodies its name by fostering a crowd of pleasant patrons. Compact inside, the no-frills digs are abuzz with local characters and free-flowing chatter. The relaxed vibe spills out to the beer garden, decorated with fairy lights, communal benches, and heated booths.
A sturdy bar comprised of varnished mahogany acts as the centrepiece of the Prince Alfred (📷) — one of the most authentic Victorian pubs in London. Decidedly antique decor conjures an immersive atmosphere, with high vaulted ceilings, misty embossed glasswork and monochrome portraits.
In a natural evolution, traditional pubs across London are increasingly infused with modern sensibilities to reflect the lifestyle of locals. One such example is the Myddleton Arms, a hideaway beloved by locals in Islington. An eye-catching new coat of paint beckons curious pedestrians to settle down inside to enjoy cold drinks and charismatic company.
🎹 Music + Culture.
Never afraid to be the vanguard, London has had an immeasurable influence on modern culture as we know it, acting as a creative incubator for untold millions. Ethereal magic permeates the city, capturing the imagination and adoration of dreamers across the globe.
Nestled on the third floor of a new cultural centre in North London, NT’s Loft (📷) is an endlessly chilled hangout attracting a youthful crowd of trendy locals. Tucked out of sight, this urban utopia is an absolute must-visit for fans of all things jazz, funk and soul.
Energetic live jams on weekdays allow guests to admire the lightning-in-a-bottle improvisations that ensue with a drink in hand. Across the hall, step through an unmarked door to the heated terrace, a place where patrons chew the fat as the Overground train passes by.
At large, East London is a truly exciting hive of activity for avid music fans. A large population of artistic residents are evenly dispersed across its boroughs, from the gritty inner-city feel of Brick Lane to the sleek sheen of Shoreditch, gems are awaiting your discovery.
In Hoxton, Folklore is an important ventricle to the lifeblood of the local music scene, boasting a small venue covertly hidden out of sight. In the laid-back lounge area, hip clientele knock back drinks and enjoy contemporary sounds balanced by timeless funk, hip-hop and disco throwbacks.
Epitomising the current day cultural landscape, Brick Lane is a thriving market area strewn with incredible street art, record stores and — of course — music venues. On the fringe of Brick Lane Market, a handful of the best music bars in the city cluster around the site of the Old Truman Brewery.
A defining statement, 93 Feet East is such a versatile venue that it’s impossible to pin down the agenda at any given time. Hosting events that transcend genres, 93 Feet East also ornaments its outdoor space with disco balls, DJ decks and LED lights every Thursday and Friday with the chill pop-up Paradise Alley. Package all that talent, hip appeal and ingenuity into an industrial space with an air of attitude and you’ve got something really special.
It seems there’s always a party in full swing at Juju’s Bar + Stage. A steady rotation of local East London talent spin fiery sets to welcome the weekend, soulful, funky grooves are laid down on Thursdays, and weekly events celebrate the music of Brazil and Cuba. When the weather’s fine, sharing a table at the outdoor tiki bar is hands down one of the most relaxed ways to pass time in London.
Ever-evolving and trendsetting, London is a forward-thinking city on the cutting edge of modern music — and yet there remains a surprising reverence and passion for its musical roots. Jazz clubs are thriving in London, drawing in attention from aficionados across the world. Whilst in Brick Lane, there’s the newly established Ninety One Living Room, which is turning heads.
Most attention, however, is directed at Soho, where two of the finest examples of rhythm-and-blues based music can be heard. Open late ‘til 3am nightly, Ronnie Scott’s is a veritable temple of the jazz scene, blowing minds since 1959.
Close by, catch some lowdown and dirty blues at Ain’t Nothin’ But, a high-octane affair that wouldn’t be amiss in Memphis. Local musicians are joined by guests from America, who pound out the authentic sounds of the Mississippi Delta and the smooth urban Chicago blues in the heart of Soho.
Keep a keen eye on Peckham Rye. The South London borough is on an unstoppable trajectory to claim the title of the most exciting hub in London. Propelled by an outpouring of love and inclusivity that flourishes here, entrepreneurial minds have reclaimed disused buildings and multi-story car parks, transforming them into thriving cultural centres.
Part of the larger Copeland Park complex, the Bussey Building is a pillar of the local community; a beacon drawing in people from Peckham and beyond to soak up the convivial atmosphere of its countless workshops, boutiques, studios and bars.
Joy is distilled down to formula at CLF Art Cafe — a sprawling multi-floor venue occupying Block A of the building. If your recipe for happiness includes any of the following: funk, soul, hip-hop, disco, hypnotic techno or thumping house, consider yourself satisfied to know this place exists.
Housed within Block A, specialist record store Rye Wax doubles as a live venue, scheduling in-store performances from emergent names in the realms of dance and grime. A short 10-minute walk away, you’ll find a largely uncharted jewel that also takes pride in vinyl. Funkidory (📷) is an amazing contribution to the community, enabling music fanatics a space to take the edge off with delicious craft cocktails, sincere service and tasteful choice cuts from their eclectic library spinning on the turntable.
🍸 Cocktails + Mixology.
Burrowed beneath Smithfield Market, Oriole (📷) is a sensory experience and figurative goldmine for those in search of the perfect cocktail bar. Approach the discreet entrance — a tiny door jutting out from the side-street — and descend the staircase to a truly luxurious hideout.
Sharp-witted bartenders are concise in their craft, guaranteed to create flawless flavourful infusions tailored to your tastebuds. Visual stimulus presents itself in an assortment of explorer themed trinkets and intricate murals.
At the cutting edge of cocktail design, Lyaness mastermind Mr. Lyan developed a mixology empire for himself. Entrenched in the culture as a pioneer and innovator, now with a solidified space in the iconic Sea Containers, the question arises: Why the fuss? A visit to Lyaness reveals all.
The sophisticated space boasts an astounding view across the Thames, with London’s glistening skyline lending a formidable backdrop to the artistry showcased in the drinks. Defined by a tendency to experiment and willingness to embrace new flavours, expect offbeat botanical concoctions that make use of seemingly alien spirits, liqueurs, and spices.
Birthed unto the world as a private members club for West End theatre acts, no one would anticipate the momentum with which London Cocktail Club would snowball into an institution. Cropping up far-and-wide, these bars are frequented by an easy-going clientele who contribute to the nonchalant vibe.
Bohemian bombast is in full swing in the West End, a bustling centre of affluence, indulgence, and bars exhibiting the excellence of London’s mixology scene. Tiny treasure Bar Termini bares a demeanour indebted to the slickness of 1960s Italian music & film. The classy ambience is indicative of the refined drinks menu, featuring time-tested favourites like espresso martini and others that use signature exports from Italy like Aperol Spritz and almond bitters.
Just around the corner, uncover mesmerising Jimi Loves Gloria, an endlessly cool haunt that vows to reignite the vicarious lifestyle of icon Jimi Hendrix by inciting free-flowing festivities with potent party potions. This chic cubbyhole is gaining some well-deserved hype, riding the wave set in motion by Blame Gloria — the outfit’s first venue located mere minutes away in Covent Garden.
On the path to Bethnal Green infamy, Satan’s Whiskers cloaks itself in darkness, hiding in plain sight with only a small cursive neon sign proclaiming its name to those in-the-know. The effect is a trusted troupe of familiar faces, drawn by the cordial atmosphere, finely-tuned cocktails and constant rotation of dusty drums and boom-bap beats. The dimly-lit ambience is fitting of its name, with critters embalmed in taxidermy propped up in corners of the room for a playfully nefarious feel.
Giving North London some shine, the cultural melting pot of Dalston harbours one of the coolest hidden gems in the city. The ramshackle charm of Ruby’s is evocative of New Orleans, a sentiment echoed by the sounds of jazz that accompany refreshing cocktails from their classically informed menu.
🍷 Beer + Wine.
Stretching from floor to ceiling, racks upon racks of bottles display the vast inventory of tantalising wines at Diogenes the Dog (📷), a cosy wine bar that strikes a nice balance between leisurely and fanciful.
Warmth from the staff is consistent, genuine, and — with career sommeliers at the helm — you can expect reliable recommendations to guide you through the weekly rotating selection. Seasoned in the trade, owner Sunny brings his expertise in cuisine with him, offering up delicious light lunches and evening small plates.
Proclaimed as London’s oldest, Gordon’s Wine Bar continues to draw in dedicated vino enthusiasts from across the city. Like being thrust back hundreds of years, descend the creaky steps into a mystical subterranean bunker, a place draped with memorabilia from decades past, weathered wood panelling and immense selection of wine.
Candlelight illuminates your path as you approach the ‘wine cave’, a hopelessly romantic alcove providing seclusion and respite beneath the bustling streets of Charing Cross. Clinking glasses, loose lips and fluttering eyes flow through this place as steadily the wines being poured.
Furthering Highbury’s rise to prominence, Top Cuvée has cultivated connoisseurs from the local area, establishing itself as one-to-watch. Premium speciality wines are sold by the bottle, and you can expect the price tag to reflect quality. Their staggering assortment from across the European contient gives equal parts representation to France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and local British winemakers. Peckish patrons mull over the delectable menu of small plates, with the option of glancing at a concise cocktail menu.
An enlightening experience, the wonderful family-run treasure trove of El Vermut is a wise choice for anyone in search of a wholly authentic and memorable outing. Its relative isolation in Nunhead — an area adjacent to Peckham — prevents this place from surfacing on most visitor’s radar. However, El Vermut takes this aspect in its stride, offering an intimate time-capsule in which you can get lost for hours.
Inspired by the vermuterias of Spain, the place has an unfathomable, broad collection of vermouth — a fortified wine made with a slew of botanical infusions — that will make novices blush. Alongside a house blend sourced from Californian vineyards, bottles are specifically imported from across Aragon, Galicia, and Catalonia to appease distinguished palates with robust flavour and distinctive aromas.
As if that wasn’t enough, the bar also offers other delicious wines, beer and cocktails to pair alongside mouth-watering Spanish tapas. You can’t go amiss.
Churning out lovingly brewed beers, Wild Card Brewery is a Walthamstow institution that coaxes craft beer devotees far out from the centre of town. This microbrewery doubles as both a taproom and manufacturing plant, pouring ice-cold pints of home-brewed hoppy beers on-site.
Lacking in a polished veneer, this place allows their golden nectar to speak for itself. Guests cram into an iron-clad hangar and rest upon wooden benches. During spells of sunny weather, the action spills out to the courtyard, from which it is common to hear the industrious clang of metal apparatus in the back-room.
On the rise in many ways, East London is known as a real hotbed for miraculous malt flavours. Take for example the triumphant success of Hakcney Wick's CRATE Brewery + Pizzeria (📷), poised elegantly on the banks of the River Lea.
This spot celebrates the high density of creatives in the local community, many of whom took part in renovating a former print factory that lay derelict until 2012. Now, the space has been re-defined as a respectable brewery in its own right, where patrons wash down thin crust stone-baked pizzas with branded lager, IPA, cider and stout.
Connoisseurs of all things zesty, hoppy, smooth and crisp, Mother Kelly’s pulls no punches, startling first-time visitors with a mind-boggling inventory. Working closely with independent breweries on a global scale, Mother Kelly’s paints an all-encompassing portrait of the craft beer movement at large.
In this fantastic and joyous hangout, impassioned staff elevate the atmosphere with down-to-earth chat, and appetising antipasti platters ward off unforeseen pangs of hunger with cured meats and cheeses. Flaunting a handful of locations primarily in East London, the Bethnal Green tap-house, in particular, is a noteworthy pit-stop.
🌇 Outdoor + Roof terraces.
When the summertime sizzle starts to roll around, Londoners rush out in droves to soak up the seasonal sunshine in style. Coalesce with the clear blue skies by ascending to the city’s many pop-up rooftops, paradisiacal places where positive vibes float around, entwined with passing clouds.
In a glorious twist of fate, a sprawling multi-story car park in Stratford has undergone a complete overhaul, masking the cracked concrete with bursts of colour and personality to create a harmonious hideaway suspended high above the city. Existing for what feels like a series of fleeting moments, time is relative at Roof East (📷), the heart of Stratford and a vital hub that unifies people in an unprecedented manner.
There is a colossal amount of open space to roam around, with not a single ounce of space wasted. Fun fairground activities courtesy of the SFG Club reduce even the most stoic patrons into giddy kiddies.
Whack your way through the quirky Birdies crazy golf course, visit Sluggers to take a swing at baseball, or maybe try and grasp the trans-Atlantic staple of shuffleboard. The on-site bar is open to fuel you through the night, whilst appetites are satisfied by street food vendors and an alternating line-up of stalls peddling global cuisine.
Looking to South London, the vibrancy of Peckham shines through in an unrivalled way during summer. Umpteen sun-soaked afternoons are spent lounging atop the borough’s many roof terraces, the preferred rendezvous for Peckham’s diverse and close-knit locale.
💡 Some of these rooftops do not operate outside of summer — always check before you go!
A fine example, Frank’s Cafe is a bustling rooftop bar accessed via vivid pink staircases, leading to easily one of the best spots in the city to chill out with the distant backdrop of London’s skyline.
Literally across the road, landmark cultural powerhouse the Bussey Building flaunts not one, but two idyllic rooftops. The most prominent of which is the aptly named Bussey Rooftop Bar, situated on the pinnacle point of this gargantuan complex. Tropical themed fixtures create relaxed surrounds, the perfect space for multi-faceted events such as Rooftop Film Club to play out.
Over on adjacent Roof D, Rye Society is relative secret, swapping skyline views for an intimate atmosphere, craft cocktails and hip-hop soundtrack.
In a constant state of flux, Netil 360 has been a functioning work-in-progress for 6 years strong; cycling through countless aesthetic changes at the behest of its founder — keen carpenter Ben. Integrated with nearby Netil Market, a steady flow of interesting characters kick-it on this scenic rooftop day and night.
A similarly adaptable venue, Queen of Hoxton is a lively three-storey affair, part ritzy cocktail bar and part lively nightclub. Summit the stairwell to the alluring rooftop, where smoky barbecued meats and sweeping views of Shoreditch await.
Naturally, a city of London’s stature is rife with extravagance. The dominant, futuristic skyline lends itself to opulence and romance, an advantage that many luxury hotels, restaurants and private members’ clubs have seized, yielding extraordinary results.
Perhaps the finest example of this is the hopelessly glam Coppa Club, a sleek restaurant with an unbeatable view overlooking Tower Bridge. Frequented by the fashionable and the famous, Savage Garden sits atop the Hilton DoubleTree, hosting an international crowd.
💃🏽 Nightclubs.
Taking up residency in the what was once Europe’s largest printing factory, cultural force Printworks (📷) is a dynamic events space that has helped catapult London’s status as a 21st-century clubbing capital. Equipped to host up to 5,000 attendees at any given time, the sheer scale and volume of the mammoth main room is an inspirational environment, instilling emotions of taking part in something truly special.
At the apex of London’s invigorating after-hours scene, it’s easy to become swept away in that sentiment. Routine appearances from world-class DJs are the norm, seizing an opportune moment to flex its earth-shattering sound system and light fixtures. A far cry from tabloid news, that’s for sure.
Founded right before the arrival of the millennium, Fabric has traversed the volatile tides of London’s cultural scene with finesse and grace. Three enormous events spaces comprise the venue, each one showcasing the diverse sonic palette of current dance music. Hypnotic loops and deep resonant bass induce euphoria in veteran clubbers who make a pilgrimage here in search of future sounds.
Buried in the bowels of an industrial estate beyond Canary Wharf, an adrenaline-pumping free-for-all is unravelling at FOLD — an exciting cultural centre with an aversion to faux flashiness. The unapologetic rawness of this venue is more reminiscent of Berlin than London, with an unprecedented 24-hour license that sees shindigs spiral on for days at a time.
Emphasis is given to underground artists with a visceral appeal, its monstrous sound system blasting out transcendental techno and acid-soaked grooves. This place takes the conventional rule book, sets it alight and dances on its ashes – ushering in a new frontier that has clued-in clubbers salivating over a promising future with boundless possibilities.
It was inevitable that the fledgeling cultural scene in Hackney Wick would pave the way for a defining statement – and Mick’s Garage is exactly that. Engrained in the local community, this is an esoteric venue that recognises the diverse demographics of modern-day London, unifying people in celebration of love, life and the music that binds us together. Neon signs and shimmering disco balls adorn the cavernous warehouse, spinning funky grooves and high-octane house until 4am on weekends.
It is impossible to downplay the iconic status of London’s trailblazing Ministry of Sound (📷). Far from the big city lights of central London, the club has procured a far-reaching band of worshippers, sustaining a place on the pedestal of UK dance music over the decades. Welcoming heavy hitters in house, its mark etched on the landscape still holds weight.
An inspirational success story, Corsica Studios is hallowed ground for enthusiasts of techno, house and electro. Spread across 2 inter-locking railway arches in a residential area of South London — a stone’s throw from Ministry of Sound — this club exudes a palpable grit. The agenda is ever-changing, closely following up-and-coming artists and prevailing trends.
🎧 Feel the vibe.
Attempting to sum up the kaleidoscopic sound of London with meagre words ultimately seems futile. Instead, our compiled playlist encompasses a rise to prominence during the 1960s all the way to the deep, resonant grooves that define current day London.
Firmly in the grasp of the clubbing hysteria since the early 90s, the emergence of dubstep, drum and bass and UK garage was an exciting time in the city’s history. Vanguard artists such as Burial and his Hyperdub Records perfect a sound evocative of London’s gritty urban boroughs through dissonant warped vocals and steady shuffling drums.
Native to London, grime is set to take the world by storm after decades of groundwork laid by pioneers Dizzee Rascal and Wiley. Enjoying commercial success with a young, open-minded demographic, artists Trim, Skepta and Novelist represent grime in its purest form; spitting rapid-fire flows over hard-hitting beats, whilst rising acts such as Little Simz carve their niche in the market.
A clear nod to the resurgence of funk and disco, pop mega-stars from London are joining the revisionist movement. Firm favourite Dua Lipa breaks records with her new material indebted to nostalgic reflection.
In Camden Town, a statue commemorates local icon Amy Winehouse, an incredible talent who shared her soulful spirit with the world for too brief a time.
Strike a pose at the famous zebra crossing featured on the cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road, gaze upon the sunset at Waterloo Bridge soundtracked by the Kinks anthemic song on the subject, or discover pioneers of the snot-nosed punk scene founded here with raucous cuts from the Clash and the Who.
