Late Night Bars In London Perfect For A Nightcap

If you’re looking to party into the morning hours, London’s late-night bar scene does not disappoint. Whether you’re after jazz, karaoke, or a place to linger with friends over a drink (or a bowl of noodles), these are the venues that keep London buzzing long past bedtime.

Nightjar

Part jazz bar, part speakeasy, and entirely devoted to great cocktails, Nightjar thrives after dark. Drinks are the main event, with an extensive 27-page menu that blends classics with rare vintage spirits, including bottles that date back decades.

If you need something to soak it up, gluten-free-friendly sandwiches and bar snacks — think mozzarella and sun-dried tomato melts, girrafa olives, and nachos with guac — make it easy to linger for a final nightcap after the music winds down.

Part jazz bar, part speakeasy, and entirely devoted to great cocktails, Nightjar thrives after dark.

Where: 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB
Website: www.barnightjar.com

Ellie’s

Blending casual vibes with great music, Ellie’s is the perfect place to settle in for the night. Open until 2 am on weekends, the dimly lit spot draws a lively crowd who come for the inexpensive cocktails and stay for the easygoing, music-loving atmosphere.

In the heart of Dalston, this spot has gained a loyal following, and you can easily spot it by the neon green “Ellie’s” sign out front. Most importantly, £8 martinis are served all day and night — and honestly, that’s all you really need to know.

Where: 428 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AA
Website: www.elliesbar.com

£8 (actually good) dirty martinis which is a rarity in London now days! The best music and it’s always packed to the brim. Hard not to have a great night with affordable martinis and a great soundtrack!
Caitlin, Senior Campaign Success Manager

The Blues Kitchen

At The Blues Kitchen, live music is the main event. The venue hosts blues, soul, and R&B performances every night, drawing crowds looking to dance. Weeknights are especially intriguing, with free entry and regular drink specials — think £6 Margaritas and half-price top-shelf tequila on Tuesdays, plus £6 cocktails across the board on Wednesdays. Behind the bar, you’ll also find an impressive list of rare and vintage whiskies, making it just as good for a relaxed nightcap as it is for a full night out.

Te venue hosts blues, soul, and R&B performances every night.

Where: Multiple locations
Website: www.theblueskitchen.com

Below Stone Nest

Tucked beneath the theatrical sidestreets of Soho, Below Stone Nest has become one of the West End’s best-kept secrets. Set inside a former Presbyterian church, the intimate, low-lit space feels equal parts speakeasy and underground jazz club. A daily lineup of live, jazzy performances sets the mood while an elite drinks list and inventive vegetable-forward plates keep the crowd lingering late into the night.

TikTok has crowned it Soho’s best hidden bar, but its walk-ins-only policy means you’ll need a little luck to snag a spot. If you do, settle in — the music and cocktails flow until 2 am Tuesday through Saturday.

Where: 136 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EZ
Website: www.stonenest.org

Below Stone Nest is one of those places that everyone sort of knows about, but still has the allure of flying under the radar. It’s a large space with innovative cocktails, feeling like a bit of a lock in once you descend the stairs to the basement. The crowd is trendy and the vibe is cool.
Mallory, Junior Food & Drink Editor

The Star Shoreditch

If your ideal late night involves belting out a few songs with friends, The Star Shoreditch has you covered. Open until 4 am, the lively spot offers private karaoke rooms plus open karaoke in the bar. Feel free to move about the space as the night progresses, from an upstairs terrace for early evening, gigs downstairs, and a bar crowd once the singing starts.

The drinks list is long — cocktails, mocktails, shots — and weekday happy hour keeps things affordable with two cocktails for £12. It’s also a solid place to catch a football match, with screenings listed on the venue’s website so you know exactly what’s on before you go.

Where: 243 Old St, London EC1V 9EY
Website: www.starinshoreditch.co.uk

Northcord Records

Northcote Records has built a reputation for exactly what its motto promises: “music every freakin’ night.” The venue is celebrating its 15th year, and it still draws crowds with its easygoing mix of live music, strong drinks, and a reliably lively atmosphere. By day, the spacious 250-person garden fills up with groups easing into the evening, while the dimly lit interior takes over once the sun sets.

The pizza-only menu keeps things simple, but the drinks list runs deep, with house cocktails that riff on classics alongside plenty of beers, wines, and bubbles. Swing by earlier in the week, and you’ll catch happy hour Monday through Thursday until 7 pm before the night really gets going.

Where: 8-10 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NT
Website: www.northcoterecords.com

Northcote Records is my favourite local late night spot around Battersea. It’s always busy but never uncomfortable, the music is epic and the atmosphere electric. Plus it never takes long getting a drink at the bar.
Robyn, Managing Director

Oslo

In Shoreditch, Oslo keeps the energy high with a mix of live music and generous drink deals. The spacious venue features a large bar where bands play nightly, while weekday specials — like £5 cocktails on Thursdays and 2-for-14 cocktails or 2-for-10 spritz until midnight — make it easy to keep the night going. On Thursdays, the doors stay open until 2 am, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the music and drinks roll on until 3:30 am, giving late-night revelers plenty of time to linger.

Oslo keeps the energy high with a mix of live music and generous drink deals.

Where: 1A Amhurst Rd, London E8 1JB
Website: www.oslohackney.com

Opium

With three hidden cocktail bars inside, Opium Cocktail Bar has a space for whatever vibe you’re chasing that night. The Apothecary Bar on the second floor has a Cantonese-inspired vibe, with comfy booths and stools, perfect for watching bartenders craft cocktails. The Peony Bar shares the floor, designed to feel like a Hong Kong drinking den, while the Attic & Academy Bar upstairs is made for cozying up in corners and nooks until the early hours.

With a different cocktail menu to align with each bar and a dim sum menu to complement them all, the Opium Bar makes it easy to spend the whole night hopping between spaces, sampling drinks, and nibbling on small plates without ever leaving Soho.

Where: 15-16 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JE
Website: www.opiumchinatown.com

Noodle and Beer

For something a little different from the usual late-night bar crawl, Noodle and Beer proves that a great night out can revolve around a steaming bowl of noodles. The small, always-busy Soho spot specializes in Chongqing Xiaomian — a famously spicy and delicious dish. The space is intimate and fills up quickly, but if you manage to snag a table, you can settle in long after most kitchens close.

On Fridays and Saturdays, hot food and drinks are served until 4 am, and, side note — the dining room is small and usually packed, so it’s worth reserving a table in advance.