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Best Nightlife in London (2026)

London's nightlife covers everything from centuries-old pubs to award-winning cocktail bars and live music clubs. Ronnie Scott's on Frith Street has hosted jazz in Soho since 1959, with shows every night and late sessions that often sell on the door. Nightjar, a basement speakeasy by Old Street station, pairs historically inspired cocktails with live jazz, blues and swing from 21:00 every night, and booking is recommended. For a classic hotel bar, the Connaught Bar in Mayfair, twice named the world's best bar, is known for its martini trolley.

Traditional pubs remain at the heart of an evening out. The Lamb & Flag, tucked down an alley in Covent Garden, and the flower-covered Churchill Arms in Kensington, with its long-running Thai kitchen, both serve Fuller's ales in characterful rooms. The Mayflower in Rotherhithe, which calls itself the oldest pub on the Thames in London, has a riverside jetty that is ideal on a summer evening. Most pubs close around 23:00, while cocktail bars and clubs stay open later, so plan transport home; the Night Tube runs on some lines on Friday and Saturday nights, and buses run through the night.

6 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 nightlife in London

  1. Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club, SohoA celebrated Soho jazz club, founded in 1959 and now on Frith Street in Soho, with two shows a night and dining until late.
  2. Connaught Bar Hotel cocktail bar, MayfairThe Connaught hotel's award-winning Mayfair cocktail bar, named the world's best bar in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2020 and 2021.
  3. The Churchill Arms Traditional pub with Thai kitchen, KensingtonA flower-covered Fuller's pub in Kensington dating from 1750, known for its memorabilia, real ales and long-running Thai kitchen.

Bar

4. Lamb & Flag

Historic pub$$Covent Garden

A historic Fuller's pub hidden down Rose Street in Covent Garden, with wood-panelled rooms, a real fire and classic pub food.

View details — Lamb & Flag

Bar

5. Nightjar

Speakeasy cocktail bar with live music$$$Shoreditch

A basement speakeasy by Old Street station, pairing historically inspired cocktails with live jazz, blues, swing or funk every night.

View details — Nightjar

Bar

6. The Mayflower

Historic riverside pub$$Rotherhithe

A historic Rotherhithe pub that calls itself the oldest on the Thames in London, with a riverside jetty near the Mayflower's 1620 mooring point.

View details — The Mayflower