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Discover the Best Late Night Pubs in London: The Best Guide
15 of the Best Late-Night Pubs and Bars in London
London may have a reputation for calling last orders earlier than other major cities, but a great late-night drink is still easy to find when you know where to look.
Across the capital, pubs, cocktail bars, music venues and neighbourhood locals keep serving well beyond midnight. Some offer DJs and dancing, while others focus on live music, games, late-night food or expertly made cocktails.
For anyone looking south of the river, Prince of Peckham is one of London’s best late-night pub options. Open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, it combines the warmth of a proper community pub with DJs, parties, food, cocktails and private spaces.
Here is our guide to the best late-night pubs and bars in London, followed by everything you should consider when planning your night.
The Best Late-Night Pubs and Bars in London
1. Prince of Peckham, Peckham
Best for: South London parties, DJs, food and a proper pub atmosphere
Open late: Until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays
Prince of Peckham is a neighbourhood pub that knows how to throw a party.
During the day, it is a relaxed South London local serving food and drinks in a welcoming setting. As the evening develops, the atmosphere turns up with DJs, parties, screenings and special events.
Unlike venues that become full-scale nightclubs after dark, Prince of Peckham retains the sociable feel of a pub. You can start with dinner and a few drinks, settle in for the evening, then stay for the music without needing to cross London in search of somewhere else.
The pub is open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a particularly strong choice for a late night in South London. It is also recognised by Time Out as one of the capital’s notable after-midnight pubs and bars.
Prince of Peckham also offers private rooms for birthdays, celebrations and group nights out. Depending on your plans, you can arrange your own private party before joining the atmosphere in the main pub.
Check the What’s On page before visiting, as the music, events and offers change throughout the year.
2. Bloodsports, Covent Garden
Best for: Live sport, horror films, darts and a lively group night
Open late: Until 2am every night
Bloodsports gives the traditional sports bar a darker and more playful identity.
Alongside live matches, you can expect horror films, pool, darts, karaoke and a menu of burgers and cocktails. It is loud, lively and well suited to groups that want more entertainment than a standard round of drinks.
Its 2am closing time throughout the week also makes it a useful option when other Central London pubs have already called last orders.
3. Below Stone Nest, Soho
Best for: Cocktails, late-night food and an atmospheric basement setting
Open late: Until 2am, Tuesday to Saturday
Hidden beneath a former chapel near Shaftesbury Avenue, Below Stone Nest offers a more sophisticated take on late-night drinking.
Its subterranean setting feels removed from the crowds outside, while the combination of cocktails, music and unusually good bar food makes it somewhere you can settle into rather than use as a final emergency stop.
This is a strong choice for anyone who wants a stylish late-night bar without the atmosphere of a large club.
4. Opium, Chinatown
Best for: Creative cocktails, dim sum and hidden-bar atmosphere
Open late: Until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays
Behind an understated Chinatown entrance, Opium unfolds across several distinctive drinking spaces.
The cocktails take inspiration from Chinese ingredients and apothecary traditions, while the food menu includes dim sum and small plates. It works well for date nights, smaller groups or anyone looking for something more intimate after dinner in Soho or Chinatown.
Its late weekend licence makes it especially useful when you want good drinks and food after midnight.
5. Disrepute, Soho
Best for: Martinis, glamorous interiors and late-night Soho drinks
Open late: Until 3am on most nights
Disrepute is an underground cocktail bar in Kingly Court with deep connections to Soho’s nightlife history.
The room is filled with velvet seating, low lighting and polished details, creating the kind of setting that suits a late Martini or celebratory round of cocktails. Although it has the atmosphere of a private members’ club, it accepts bookings and walk-ins from non-members.
It also stays open later during the week than many London venues, making it worth remembering for spontaneous post-dinner drinks.
6. The Star in Shoreditch, Shoreditch
Best for: Dancing, party anthems and very late weekends
Open late: Until 5am on Fridays and Saturdays
For a night that is definitely not ending at midnight, The Star in Shoreditch offers DJs, dancing and a lively rock-and-roll-inspired party atmosphere.
It sits somewhere between a pub, party bar and nightclub, making it a good option for groups that want to begin with drinks before heading to the dancefloor.
Its 5am weekend closing time puts it among the later options in the capital.
7. Noodle and Beer, Chinatown
Best for: Late-night noodles, cocktails and Japanese beers
Open late: Until 4am on selected nights
Sometimes the most important part of a late night is finding somewhere that still serves proper food.
Noodle and Beer offers spicy Sichuan-inspired dishes alongside cocktails, whisky highballs and Japanese beer. Its basement space has a distinctive, cinematic quality that suits late-night Chinatown.
On weekends, the venue stays open until 4am, making it a strong choice when you want both food and another drink.
8. Four Quarters, Peckham
Best for: Retro arcade games, craft beer and informal group nights
Open late: Until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays
Four Quarters combines a bar with classic arcade machines and console games, offering a more interactive alternative to a standard pub night.
Its Peckham location makes it easy to include in a wider South London evening. You could begin with food and drinks at Prince of Peckham, play a few rounds of arcade games, then return for music and late-night drinks.
Time Out lists the Peckham venue as staying open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
9. George and Dragon, Greenwich
Best for: Drag, cabaret and a classic pub setting
Open late: Until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays
The George and Dragon may look like a traditional pub from the outside, but its late-night entertainment is anything but predictable.
The venue is particularly well known for drag performances, cabaret and a lively, inclusive crowd. It is a great South London option for anyone who wants entertainment and personality rather than a conventional cocktail bar.
Its weekend closing time of 3am gives you plenty of time to enjoy the performances and atmosphere.
10. Old Street Records, Shoreditch
Best for: Live music, DJs and dancing
Open late: Until 2am
Old Street Records blends the energy of a live music venue with the accessibility of a neighbourhood bar.
The programme regularly includes bands, singers and DJs, with the atmosphere shifting from after-work drinks to late-night dancing as the evening develops.
It is particularly useful for mixed groups because the live entertainment gives the night a focus without requiring everyone to commit to a formal club.
11. The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston
Best for: Gigs, indie music and late-night pub energy
Open late: Until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays
The Shacklewell Arms is a popular East London pub and music venue that regularly hosts emerging bands, club nights, launches and afterparties.
It remains recognisably a pub, but its dedicated music space and late weekend licence give it the energy of a small independent venue.
For gig lovers who want to stay out after the final song, it is one of East London’s most reliable options.
12. Slim Jim’s Liquor Store, Islington
Best for: Rock music, whisky and unpolished late-night fun
Open late: Until 3am from Thursday to Saturday
Slim Jim’s Liquor Store is a compact Upper Street bar with rock music, DJs, cocktails and an extensive whisky selection.
This is not the place for a quiet conversation in elegant surroundings. It is designed for loud music, energetic crowds and nights that develop spontaneously.
Unlike many London venues, it also stays open late across several weekdays.
13. Eastcheap Records, Monument
Best for: Live music and late-night drinks in the City
Open late: Until 2am from Thursday to Saturday
The City can become very quiet once office workers begin heading home, but Eastcheap Records keeps the energy going with live music, DJs, beer and cocktails.
It is a useful option for after-work parties, birthdays and groups that want a late venue without travelling to Soho or Shoreditch.
The combination of entertainment and a 2am closing time gives it broader appeal than a typical City bar.
14. The Tattershall Castle, Victoria Embankment
Best for: Drinking on the Thames and views of Westminster
Open late: Until 2am on Saturdays
Moored on the Thames, The Tattershall Castle offers one of the more unusual settings for a late-night London drink.
The floating pub serves familiar food, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails, with views towards some of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks.
It is particularly well suited to visitors who want their night out to feel unmistakably London.
15. Balans, Soho
Best for: Extremely late drinks, food and boozy breakfasts
Open late: Until 5am or 6am on selected nights
Balans on Old Compton Street is a Soho institution for people who are not ready to go home.
Part restaurant and part bar, it serves food and drinks into the early morning. That makes it just as suitable for a final cocktail as it is for a late meal or post-club breakfast.
With closing times reaching 5am on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6am on Fridays and Saturdays, it is one of the West End’s most dependable very-late options.
Why Prince of Peckham Is One of London’s Best Late-Night Pubs
Plenty of London venues stay open late. Fewer combine late opening hours with the character and accessibility of a genuine neighbourhood pub.
Prince of Peckham stands out because your whole evening can happen in one place.
Start with proper food
A long night is always better when it begins with a good meal.
Prince of Peckham serves food until 9.45pm, giving you time to eat before the late-night atmosphere takes over. It is useful for birthdays and group nights because nobody needs to leave the venue to search for dinner.
Stay for the music
The pub regularly hosts DJs, themed parties, screenings and community events.
The programme changes, so one weekend may be built around a major sporting event while another focuses on a DJ lineup or celebration. Checking the What’s On calendar before you visit will help you choose the right night.
Enjoy a proper pub atmosphere
Some late-night bars can feel like nightclubs with a few tables added. Prince of Peckham remains rooted in the culture of a busy South London pub.
You can sit down with a pint, order cocktails, catch up with friends or head towards the music when you are ready. That flexibility makes it a good option for groups containing a mix of dedicated dancers and people who would rather stay near the bar.
Book a private space
For birthdays, work parties and larger celebrations, Prince of Peckham has private rooms available to hire.
Depending on the space and setup, your party can have access to features such as a private bar, sound system, karaoke and room to dance. You can host your celebration privately before joining the main pub later in the night.
Stay until 2.30am
On Fridays and Saturdays, Prince of Peckham remains open until 2.30am. From Sunday to Thursday, it closes at 12.30am.
This makes it one of the stronger late-night pub options in South London, especially when you want more than cocktails in a formal bar.
How to Choose the Right Late-Night Pub in London
The latest closing time does not automatically make a venue the best choice.
Before heading out, consider what kind of night you actually want.
1. Decide between a pub, bar and club
A late-night pub is usually best for groups that want a sociable atmosphere, drinks and music without committing to a full nightclub.
Cocktail bars are more suitable for smaller groups, dates and occasions where the drinks are the main attraction. Clubs are better when dancing is the priority and you are happy to deal with queues, ticketing and stricter entry rules.
Venues such as Prince of Peckham sit comfortably between these categories, offering a pub setting with the energy of a late-night party.
2. Check the closing time for your specific date
Late licences often apply only on certain days.
A venue that closes at 3am on Saturday may shut much earlier on a Tuesday. Special events, private bookings and licensing conditions can also affect normal hours.
Always check directly with the venue before travelling. Opening times included in online guides can change.
3. Look at the entertainment programme
A busy DJ night offers a very different experience from a quiet evening at the same pub.
Check whether the venue is hosting:
Live music
DJs
Karaoke
Drag or cabaret
A major sports screening
A ticketed party
A private event
This is particularly important when you are planning a date or trying to organise a conversation-heavy catch-up.
4. Find out when the kitchen closes
The bar and kitchen will not necessarily have the same opening hours.
Prince of Peckham, for example, serves food until 9.45pm even when the pub continues until 2.30am.
Eating earlier will save your group from beginning a desperate search for chips at 1am.
5. Plan the journey home
Transport should be part of your plan rather than something you consider after closing time.
Check:
Night Tube and Night Overground services
Night-bus routes
The distance to the nearest station
Licensed taxi and ride-booking options
Whether members of your group are travelling in the same direction
The last train for anyone heading beyond London
Keeping the night within one neighbourhood also reduces travel time and makes it easier to keep a group together.
Late-Night Pub Etiquette
Late-night venues are busy, and a little organisation makes the experience better for everyone.
Book ahead when possible, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. Large groups should contact the venue directly rather than arriving without notice.
Bring physical photo identification, even when you are comfortably over 18. Many late-night venues operate strict identification policies as a condition of entry.
Look after your belongings, keep drinks with you and avoid leaving friends to travel home alone. Drink water throughout the night and pace yourself, especially when your plans start early in the evening.
A South London Late-Night Itinerary
One advantage of choosing Peckham is that you can build an entire night within a relatively small area.
Here is a simple itinerary:
6.30pm: Meet at Prince of Peckham for food and the first round.
8.30pm: Move to a private room, join an event or settle into the main pub.
10pm: Head to Four Quarters for retro arcade games, or explore another nearby Peckham venue.
11.30pm: Return to Prince of Peckham for DJs, cocktails and dancing.
2.30am: Head home using a planned night-bus, train or taxi route.
Avoid packing too many venues into the schedule. Two or three good stops are usually more enjoyable than spending the entire evening moving between locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do pubs normally close in London?
Many London pubs close between 11pm and midnight, although hours vary by venue and day. Pubs with late licences may stay open until 1am, 2am or later, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays.
Which London pubs stay open after midnight?
Options include Prince of Peckham, The Shacklewell Arms, George and Dragon, Aces and Eights and The George Tavern. Some venues operate more like music bars or clubs later in the evening, so check the programme before visiting.
What is a good late-night pub in South London?
Prince of Peckham is a great choice for food, drinks, DJs and late-night parties in a proper pub environment. It stays open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Four Quarters in Peckham and George and Dragon in Greenwich are also useful South London options for after-midnight drinks and entertainment.
Where can I eat late at night in London?
Some late-night bars and restaurants continue serving food after normal pub kitchens close. Balans in Soho is particularly well known for very late dining, while Noodle and Beer offers food and drinks until the early morning on selected nights.
Kitchen hours change frequently, so confirm them before travelling.
Do I need to book a late-night pub?
Booking is recommended for Friday and Saturday nights, large groups and special occasions.
Even venues that accept walk-ins may become full later in the evening. A booking also gives you a clear place to meet rather than trying to gather everyone in a queue.
Does Prince of Peckham take group bookings?
Yes. Table bookings and private hire options are available, with private spaces suitable for celebrations and larger groups. Check the booking and private hire pages for current capacities and availability.
Spend Your Next Late Night at Prince of Peckham
The best late-night venues offer more than an extended licence. They give you a reason to arrive early and stay.
At Prince of Peckham, you can begin with food, enjoy drinks with friends, catch a DJ or special event and continue until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays. There is no need to rush across the city after last orders or swap a welcoming pub for an overcrowded club.
For a late night with proper South London character, great music and a lively community atmosphere, make Prince of Peckham your next destination.
Check What’s On, book a table or enquire about private hire to start planning your night.
