You might have heard this before, but London is huge. Not only is it big, but every area has its own distinct personality and vibe. The areas become their own towns or communities, and of course, the nightlife scene follows. That’s why you can’t categorise London’s nightlife – it’s an extremely eclectic mix. But we can present you with the best areas to go to. With thirty-three official neighbourhoods, choosing where to go for a night out is a tough decision, whether you’re a tourist or a local. So, we’ll help you out – here are seven of the best nightlife areas in London.
1. Camden
Camden was once an unknown, underground area that actually dropped in popularity once it, ironically, became popular. Go figure. However, Camden never stopped being cool, and it’s on the rise again. Located in northwest London, Camden is known for its famous market, edgy bars, traditional pubs, and live music scene. If you love live music, Camden is definitely the place to visit, namely the Electric Ballroom. It’s been going since the 1930s and has solidified itself as a Camden institution. Another historic music spot is KOKO, which first opened as Camden Theatre in 1900.
While Camden has a reputation for its rock and alternative scene, KOKO brings a taste of something different, with performances from grime artists, hosting soul nights, and a hip-hop bonanza every Friday. There are so many more music venues in Camden, but one that we simply can’t miss out on is Jazz Café. It’s one of the area’s most iconic venues. It’s the London home of jazz, disco, and soul, and puts on live performances every night. On the weekend, it becomes a soul-themed club, the perfect place to dance the night away. It’s safe to say that Camden is one of the best nightlife areas in London.
2. Mayfair
Let’s just say, if you’re coming to Mayfair for a night out, let’s hope you’ve got a few bob. It’s London’s swanky district, frequented by celebrities. The devastatingly exclusive Cirque Le Soir is a particular favourite amongst A-listers, with previous clientele including Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, Mayfair actually had a reputation for drinking, fighting, and general scandalous behaviour. Well, it’s certainly come a long way. It’s home to some of London’s most iconic spots, including Sexy Fish, serving up seafood and sushi, and Sketch, which is an Instagrammer’s dream. When it comes to seeing out the wee hours in a nightclub, Tape is one of the most popular clubs in Mayfair. If you like the idea of rubbing shoulders with celebrities, sultry lights, and live DJs, you’ll like it here.
3. Shoreditch
This east London district is one of the coolest areas in London. The bars in Shoreditch are some of the best in the city, with quirky underground bars, smoky cocktail spots, edgy pubs, and energetic music venues. It’s become the trendiest hotspot of London, with places like BOXPARK being a total trailblazer in the pop-up food scene. Plus, there are just so many cool bars to choose from, it’s near impossible to visit them all. Places like Found, Happiness Forgets, Ever After, Old Street Records, and so much more, all serve up incredible cocktails with even better vibes. And when you’re walking the packed streets, on to the next bar, you might even see some original Banksys around.
