A Guide to Late-Night London

Insomniacs, night owls and early-hour revellers dismay at the ring of the bell signalling last orders in the pub or the tiny subscript on the menu stating kitchen closed at 10pm. For all its bright lights and big talk, it can be difficult to find places to go in London when you’re not quite ready to go home. We’ve compiled a guide to late-night London so you’re never wandering around at 3:00am craving a lobster burger with nowhere to go.

Late-Night London: Best Restaurants

A C&TH Guide to Late-Night London

Balans Soho Society Café, Soho

If your idea of drunk food is less chips & gravy, and more lobster and avocado served on an English muffin, then Balans is one to bear in mind for a late-night London bite. Dishing up a delicious all-day-and-night brunch (and a great burger) in a classy and decadent setting, it’s ideal for a post-drinks dinner or a martini-fuelled binge. If you’d like to wake up feeling (a little) less guilty, healthy options like a kelp noodle salad and mozzarella & peach salad are available. Open 24 hours, balans.co.uk

Brick Lane Beigel Bake

The famous bagel spot attracts queues down the street during the day, but less so at 3am in the morning. Once the clubs have shut and the lights come on, chow down on a delicious salt beef bagel to satisfy all your cravings. It’s a late-night London must. Open 24 hours, bricklanebeigel.co.uk

Duck & Waffle, Bishopsgate

Perching on Heron Tower’s 40th floor, Duck & Waffle is the highest 24/7 eatery in London – and it’s a gooden. Offering spectacular views of London’s glittering cityscape alongside delicious favourites like the duck burger and salt beef grilled cheese made with gruyere, farmhouse loaf and pickles. So used to catering to late night Londoners, Duck & Waffle also have their own Late Night Menu serving up smaller plates like ‘the wings’ and fried bocconcini mozzarella, as well as larger comfort food like Duck n Cheese (confit duck leg, macaroni, American cheese, and a drizzle of Mornay sauce). With exquisite cocktails also on offer, you can rest assured that the party doesn’t have to stop after dining. Plus, being situated in Soho, it’s likely you’ll be close by after a night on the town anyway. Temporarily open till 12:00am, duckandwaffle.com

Vingt Quatre, Chelsea

West London is drastically less known for its all-nighter scene than the likes of Soho or East London, but Vingt Quatre is an exception. The 24/7 eatery on Fulham Road possesses the covetable 24 hour alcohol license because the perfect accompaniment to a Full English is of course, a glass of Champagne. Open 24 hours, vqrestaurants.com

The Prince Charles Cinema, Soho

Taking movie marathons to the big screen, The Prince Charles Cinema appeals to night owls with its screenings of 7 movie long franchises or genre-themed nights that stretch into sunrise. Sure beats watching with microwave popcorn in your jammies. Reopening in October. Full listings available to view at princecharlescinema.com

Bar Italia, Soho

Trade in your Prosecco for a cappuccino instead. Bar Italia is a Soho landmark, opened in 1949 to cater to the area’s vast Italian population. Still now, the red and white formica heralds back to a past era of classic Italian cafes. A favourite amongst post-club crowds and musicians, you’ll be amongst a mix of people – but with a buzzy (not rowdy) atmosphere, it’s always a winner for a late-night London hangout. Go on, have a taste of la dolce vita. Open till 5:00am weekdays and 12:00am on the weekend, baritaliasoho.co.uk

Ronnie Scott’s, Soho

A late-night London institution since it hosted Miles Davis, Ronnie Scott’s is undoubtedly the capital’s most renowned jazz bar and in true jazz spirit is open till the early hours. Catch the Late Late Show from 1-3am for some after-hours (cheap) entertainment. Who knows, you may even spot a big-time celebrity with past surprise guests including Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga. Temporarily closed and live-streaming on Mondays, ronniescotts.co.uk

Get a haircut at Neil Cornelius, Marylebone

The only 24 hour salon service in the capital, celebrity stylist Neil Cornelius is your go-to for a (very) late night trim, early hour balayage or quick blow-dry in-between pub stops. With clientele including the likes of Kate Moss, Keira Knightly, and Sam Smith, it’s safe to say your tresses are in good hands. While 24hr appointments are available at no extra charge no matter the time, appointments do need to be made between 9am-6pm. Open 24 hours, neilcornelius.com

A (very) late night or (very) early morning gym session at The Gym Group

Sometimes warm milk just doesn’t cut it; sometimes what you need to cure a bout of insomnia is an hour on the cross-trainer or to tire yourself out with weights. For those of us not lucky enough to have a home gym (not that we’re bitter or anything…) The Gym is a 24 hour fitness-junkie haven with multiple outposts across London so you can get your exercise fix no matter where you or what time it may be. Open 24 hours, thegymgroup.com 

Featured image: Gordon Williams on Unsplash

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Al Fresco Dining: London’s Best Outdoor Restaurants / The Best Champagne Bars in London