Open All Hours: 16 London Late-Night Bars
From dive bars to live music playing into the wee hours, we’ve rounded up London’s best late night bars that keep the good vibes going until late. If your clubbing days are over but you’re still longing to get your late night fix, read on to find out favourites.
Sabine
See London in a whole new light at the city’s hottest rooftop bar. Not only does this late night bar boast killer views of St Paul’s Cathedral, its bountiful list of cocktails is hard to beat in London.
Settle into the late-night oasis and sip cocktails like the Piggy Luck, made with Piggy Back Rye Whiskey cacao butter fat washed, Gutierrez Colosia Sherry Fino, homemade walnut bitters and roasted sesame seed syrup; and the Sweet and Cosy, a mix of Bayou Pink Spiced Rum, fig liquor, lime juice, gomme syrup and egg white.
Sabine is open until midnight Sunday – Wednesday, and until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Where: 10 Godliman Street, EC4V 5AJ
Website: www.sabinelondon.co.uk
Doña
A space where anything goes, Doña is renowned for its pink hues and sparkly jazz club vibes. Cosy up in one of their velvet booths or pull up a pew at the golden bar to see the bartenders do their thing. Open Wednesday through to Sunday, the bar specialises in good Mezcal cocktails so you know you’re the right hands if you love a cocktail.
WHERE: 92 STOKE NEWINGTON HIGH ST, LONDON N16 7NY
WEBSITE: WWW.BARDONALONDON.COM
Gibney’s
If you hail from Dublin or are a regular frequenter, the chances are you’ve hit the pubs. They are an Irish staple, part of the furniture that you would never throw out. But here in London, there aren’t that many Irish pubs to venture into. Thankfully we have Richard Corrigan who has brought the same charm, atmosphere and hospitality of a little seaside town’s local, Gibney’s pub, to the heart of London.
Drawing inspiration from the original Gibney’s pub found nine miles out of Dublin, Tony Gibney, Richard Corrigan and John Nugent joined together to bring the experience to London. Here you’ll find endless nights of fun filled with live music, sports and of course, Guinness. Open until the wee hours Thursday through to Sunday.
Where:70-74 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ
Website: www.gibneyslondon.com
Bunga Bunga
It doesn’t matter what time of day you go, Bunga Bunga always knows how to party. From bottomless brunching parties to late-night drinking with a side of entertainment, there’s always something to see, do and drink here.
Expect late night karaoke, private areas and flamboyant acts that go on into the early hours.
WHERE: 167 Drury Lane, covent garden, WC2B 5PG
WEBSITE: WWW.BUNGABUNGA.COM
The Litte Violet Door
This flatshare turned bar and restaurant serves some top-notch food and drinks to be enjoyed over silly (but fun) games for the ultimate house party experience. An equally great option for brunch or late-night drinks, this is one spot that brings some great party vibes with a punchy playlist and entertainment.
where: 9 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PH
website: www.thelittlevioletdoor.co.uk
The Blues Kitchen
Go hard or go home – The Blues Kitchen is a restaurant by day but come night time, it’s a late night jazz dive you can dance the night away in. With located in Shoreditch, Brixton and Camden, there’s always something going on late here. Check out their events section for the latest jazz and soul line-up.
Where: camden, shoreditch & brixton
Website: www.theblueskitchen.com
The American Bar at The Stafford
The American Bar, located in The Stafford, is home to the great tradition of American cocktail bars that became popular in London and Paris during the 1920s and 30s, and to this day, remains one of the longest-surviving American bars in the capital.
Expect an array of classic and signature cocktails, from the Old Fashioned to the Penicillin, plus a few seasonal hits too, including our favourite the Blanco Negroni. A lighter take on the classic.
On the interiors, the bar blends English heritage with contemporary sophistication and has cosy corners perfect for date nights, as well as offering a clubby atmosphere come late evening.
Where: 16-18 St James’s Place, SW1A 1NJ
Website: www.thestaffordlondon.com
Amazonico
Mayfair’s Amazonico knocks it out of the park in every way possible. From its jungle interiors to the Latin American-inspired menu, and now to our delight late night drinking too.
The restaurant stays open late and those who want to keep the party going can head down the stairs to the bar. There are often live DJs pumping out the tunes too.
Where: 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR
Website: www.amazonicorestaurant.com
Cahoots
Prepare to head back to the 1940s at this all-immersive bar from the legendary Inception Group. Located in Soho, its interiors replicate an abandoned train station and is made up of three parts: Signal Station, Ticket Hall and Underground.
The Underground will see your step inside a vintage tube carriage, complete with underground signs and booth seating, while The Ticket Hall is now home to the black market for liquor and cocktails for all your scoundrels. The Control Room, set in the centre of the disused train station, is filled out with danger-marked levers, wires, switchboards and flashing lights. Oh and plenty of cocktails and shindigs too.
wherE: 5 Kingly Court, Carnaby, W1B 5PF
WebsitE: www.cahoots-london.com
Bar Italia
A Soho institute for over 70 years, Bar Italia is a little slice of Italy’s café-turned-night scene. Just about every celeb and influencer worth their salt has wined and dined here.
With late night opening hours until 4am, it’s a must-visit if you’re drinking in the area late at night.
Where: 22 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RF
Website: www.baritaliasoho.co.uk
Opium
Chinatown’s best kept secret, Opium has three cocktail bars hidden inside. Inspired by 1920s Shanghai, the cocktail bar houses three oriental-theme bars within the venue, all boasting their own cocktail theme and seating style.
Up top there’s the Academy Bar, split into two sections and is home to an ‘attic’ area, where you lounge and cosy up in. While the Apothecary Bar, located on the second floor, houses two main seating areas and a Tea Parlour. Lastly, the Peony Bar, is the most exclusive of all, hidden behind the red curtains offering an intimate space to enjoy drinks and catch-ups with pals.
Where: 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE
Website: www.opiumchinatown.com
Park Chinois
Looking to add some spark to your night is Park Chinois, Mayfair’s opulent Chinese restaurant that’s as much about the entertainment as it is about the food. For late night drinks though, head to our favourite of their bars, The Wave Bar.
Rich with lavish gold detailing and fuchsia finishes, the cocktail bar boasts one of London’s largest collections of artisan spirits. It’s also part of the Club Chinois every Thursday to Saturday night, making it the perfect haunt for an entertaining evening.
Where: 17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EA
Website: www.parkchinois.com
London Cabaret Club
From exquisite dining to live performers, London Cabaret Club entertains guests into the early hours.
Located on Bloomsbury Square in Holborn, you won’t have to worry about booking a restaurant prior or a late-night bar to head to after, as they offer it all. Start your night with cocktails and dinner as stars from London’s West End dazzle you with their cabaret. See out the night here too with drinks at the bar and see the live entertainment magic unfold before your eyes.
Where: Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, WC1B 4DA
Website: www.thelondoncabaretclub.com
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Tonight Josephine
Pink hued everything! Tonight Josephine, with branches in Waterloo, Shoreditch and Birmingham, is the place to go for a wild time and endless ‘gram opportunities.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate a missed lockdown birthday, somewhere to take your bridal party or just somewhere you can dance it out into the wee hours, they tick all of the right boxes.
Where: Waterloo & Shoreditch
Website: www.tonightjosephine.co.uk
Ronnie Scott’s
For the self-confessed jazz-ers out there, Ronnie Scott’s is a weekend go-to. The jazz club opened up in 1959 by the legendary jazz musician Ronnie Scott and continues to be a favourite amongst Soho dwellers and late-night lovers.All of the jazz greats have walked through the doors and played here, with the shows going on until the early hours. The late-late shows go on until 3am so there’s plenty of time to enjoy drinks with old friends and listen to musicians working their jazz magic.
Where: 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4HT
Website: www.ronniescotts.co.uk
The Piano Works
The Piano Works brings you live music every night. With locations in both Farringdon and the West End, the venues play host to two piano vocalists and accompanying musicians to form a six-piece band. And the best part? The live music is requested by you, the audience!
Slip your favourite song on a request slip and let the musicians do the magic, performing late into the early hours. It’s hugely popular, making it perfect for events, work outings and hen dos.
Where: Farringdon & West End
Website: www.pianoworks.bar
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Vagabond Urban Winery
Whether you’re after red, white, rose or sparkling, Vagabond Urban Winery has all bases covered with their offering.
They boast venues all over the city, including Battersea Power Station, and have over 100 wines available to enjoy by the glass. For something extra special, they also offer bespoke tasting sessions, perfect for parties, hen dos or date nights.
Where: Various London Locations
Website: www.vagabondwines.co.uk
The Chelsea Bar, 11 Cadogan Gardens
Chelsea’s best kept secret, The Chelsea Bar is the theatrical late night bar hidden inside 11 Cadogan Gardens. Home to dark and moody tones, leather seats and dramatic colour, this is a bar that’s best for nightcaps and intimate conversations. This is a great one to visit whether you’re looking to impress on a first-date or if you’re staying over at the hotel.
Where: 11 Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, SW3 2RJ
Website: www.11cadogangardens.com