Gametime: London

If there’s one thing London isn’t short of it’s nightlife. Clubs and bars in the city are some of the best known in the world, with names like Ministry of Sound and Fabric being synonymous with the music culture of this incredible metropolis.

If you’re travelling through London, or studying, then finding the best nightlife in the city isn’t difficult.

Although it’s a vibrant global city, London still doesn’t really do 24 hours quite like New York. But that’s not to say you’ll be looking hard for somewhere to party. Even on a wet Tuesday night you’ll find a dancefloor packed full of crazy, sexy, cool people.

For club nights and gig listings, keep an eye on Time Out magazine which can be picked up for free across the city. Apps like Dice, Skiddle and BandsInTown will tell you where to find everything from live music and DJ gigs through to intimate acoustic sessions and festivals.

But, to get in the know about the best nightclubs in London, these are a safe bet.

 

Ministry of Sound

103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP

Probably the best known nightclub in London, Ministry is known for its pumping house, tech and trance nights. With four rooms spread out across the complex you’ll easily lose your friends and make new ones, which is surely the sign of a good night, right?

You’ll often find the biggest name DJ’s on the bill here, think stalwarts of the scene like Avicii (RIP), Todd Terry and Martin Solveig. But you’ll also find regular r&b and hip hop, drum and bass and UK bass music nights.

 

Corsica Studios

4-5 Elephant Road, SE17 1LB.

Just down the road from Ministry of Sound, Corsica Studios is more of an intimate and less hectic venue. But don’t let that put you off. If anything Corsica is the place for people in the know. You’re more likely to find a DJ or band who are on the way up with less of that hectic mainstream superclub vibe.

Corsica Studios is also slightly cheaper for cover charges than it’s famous neighbour. So if you want a big night out with less chance of queueing for the bar or toilet then check out the line up.

 

Egg

200 York Way, N7 9AX

One of the best late night clubs in London, Egg has a 24 hour licence and a banging line up of some of the most cutting edge DJs in electronica.

The venue is very popular with students, hosting a regular student night on Wednesdays (check lineups first, and don’t forget your student ID). Don’t expect to get any study done the next day though.

Fabric

77a Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ

It was nearly closed down, but London’s best nightclub was bought back from the brink! Fabric is probably the London superclub with the biggest reputation, it’s sprawling industrial interior playing regular host to some of the best known names in house, drum and bass and EDM.

You’ll find cover charges among some of the most expensive on the list (around £20 is standard), but you will be in the company of big name superstar DJs.

XOYO

32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AP

Shoreditch is the hipster heart of London and XOYO is the personification of this. The street art adorned interior and the mixed up music policy ensure that you’ll always find London’s coolest crowd in here.

Music wise you’ll find a lot of drum n bass, house and techno, with a smattering of Grime, the local hip hop derivative.

 

Cargo

83 Rivington Street, EC3A 2AY

Popular Shoreditch club playing a variety of genres throughout the week. Often hip hop and r&b themed, but occasionally with a house or electronica slant.

The cavernous interior gets pretty rammed most nights, and in the summer even the outdoors terrace can be a bit of a squeeze.

 

Heaven

Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG

London’s most vibrant gay club is a raucous night out whenever you go. Although Soho, down the road, is packed full of gay venues, Heaven is where the everyone ends up after the bars close.

Hidden in arches under Charing Cross station, you’ll find big name DJs and live music, tribute acts and themed nights. Dress fabulous. Seriously.

 

Fire

44 Parry Street, SW8 1RT

Another club which previously had a rep as a gay venue, you’ll now find a buzzing electronica line up most nights of the week. With three rooms and an industrial vibe, Fire plays host to a lot of UK music such as grime, UK garage and drum and bass.

The area around Fire, Vauxhall, also has a great choice of bars and clubs to set you up for a night out.

 

Brixton Jamm

261 Brixton Road, SW9 6LH

Brixton used to be a bit of a no-go area, but these days it’s the place to go for cutting edge music, food and ‘real’ London culture. Not many tourists down here!

Jamm hosts everything from hip hop, reggae dancehall and grime acts to house, drum n bass and UK garage. If you’re looking for an authentic London nightlife experience get down to Brixton.

 

CLF Art Cafe

The Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST

Staying south of the river, the Bussey Building is found in the heart of Peckham, a favourite of hipsters and art students. The regular soul train nights are fun and funky night out, with an eclectic music lineup from jazz and funk to house and hip hop.

And, unlike the superclubs in central London, cover and drinks charges are quite reasonable. If you want to meet the locals (and maybe steal some style ideas) then this is the place to come.

 

KOKO

1A Camden High Street, NW1 7JE

Camden isn’t short of buzzing nightlife that’s for sure. Pick a pub and there will likely be a live music act or soul/funk DJ playing. KOKO is the big club at the foot of the high street and a favourite of students and visitors to London.

The grand concert hall layout is made for live music, and you’ll find hip hop, soul/funk and rock acts most nights of the week.

 

Zoo Bar

13-17 Bear Street, WC2H 7AQ

Right in the heart of town, Zoo Bar in Leicester Square has a very international crowd. Despite its tourist trap credentials it’s a fun night out, attracting a diverse clientele.

With three rooms and a mainly mainstream vibe, Zoo Bar is where those on a Soho pub crawl will invariably end up at 2am.

 

Some Nightlife Tips

In the UK you need to be 18 to buy alcohol, so licenced venues won’t let you in if you’re under 18. You will almost always need to show a form of valid ID to get in to any venue with door staff, so carry something like a driving licence or ID card.

When it comes to dressing up, there is no hard or fast rule. If in doubt keep it smarter, especially if you don’t know where you’ll end up.

Most venues are fine with jeans and trainers (sneakers to you ‘Mericans), but on occasion a doorman might turn the group away because one person is wearing the wrong footwear. Shorts or sports wear are pretty much never permitted in a club.

You don’t need to tip bar staff in the UK or Europe, making a night out in London less expensive than in the USA.

In terms of music, London is at the cutting edge of new music, with UK garage, UK funky, grime, drill, dubstep and drum and bass all widely represented. You’ll also find plenty of mainstream music bars and clubs and even niche venues like salsa clubs, jazz dives and latino bars.

If you’re looking for the cheapest nightclub in London, you’ll find smaller bars and venues offer the best value. Cover charges and drinks prices drop further away from central London, but expect to pay over £5 for a beer or £6-8 for a spirit and mixer in most venues.

There are a lot of nightclubs in London, and although these are some of the most popular and best, things change. Keep an eye on local listings, social media and this website!