Live on the Realtime map

Where to go out in London

London is not one night out, it is dozens of them stacked on top of each other, and the only real question is which part of the city you are starting from. Soho and east London run late and loud. South London spreads across Brixton, Peckham and Clapham. North London does pubs better than anywhere. West London does the smart end.

Pick an area below for the detail, or use the map in Realtime to see live activity from venues right across the city and work backwards from wherever is actually busy tonight.

493venues on the map

Within 8km of London

Jump to an area

Central London North London South London East London West London

Worth a look

Places to try in London

A selection of venues on the Realtime map. Open the app to see which are busy tonight.

The Half Moon - JD Wetherspoon

Pub

The pub is open for breakfast until 12 noon and offers free refills (all day every day) on tea and Lavazza coffee. For lunch and dinner, there are lighter bites, with deli deal options and vegetarian choices, gourmet burgers and freshly made pizzas. Wetherspoon has championed a wide range of drinks, including real ales, craft beers, gins and soft drinks. Table service is available via the Wetherspoon app, using our unlimited free Wi-Fi. This pub has step-free access.

213-223 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4AA, United Kingdom

Simmons Bar

Bar

Simmons Oxford Street is a certified party starter. This twisted take on a cocktail bar is a short walk from the station and brings a fresh dose of nostalgia to the area. Best known for its 5 hour long happy hour, bangin' tunes and unique interiors that include neons, novelties and funfair-themed seating. Available for both full and semi-private hires, the DJ booth is housed in a video rental booth, making it a real showstopper for your event!

203 Wardour Street, Westminster, London, W1F 8FY, United Kingdom

Shakespeare's Head

Pub

Expansive traditional-style pub with columned facade and large windows, popular with local students.

WC2B, Westminster, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

601 Queen's Road

Bar

A first floor light filled all day bar & restaurant in the heart of Wimbledon. Boasting a delightful roof terrace oasis where you can sit back and relax in style. Sustainably sourced menus from Breakfast through to dinner, all day brunch, bottomless brunch and Sunday Roasts. A Superb selection of house cocktails, draught beer, wine, fresh juices & coffee.

Wimbledon Quarter, 4 Queen's Rd, London SW19 8YE, United Kingdom

How London splits up

Central is the default and the busiest — Soho, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and the tail end of the West End. East is Shoreditch, Dalston and Hackney, and it runs the latest. South covers Brixton, Peckham, Clapham and Bermondsey, and has the most going on per square mile outside the centre.

North is Camden, Islington and Angel, and it is the best of the lot for pubs. West — Notting Hill, Kensington, Fulham, Hammersmith — is the quieter, smarter end, with a strong river pub scene along the Thames.

Getting between it all

The Night Tube on Friday and Saturday nights changes what is realistic — the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines all run through the night, which is why Brixton to Soho or Dalston to Oxford Circus is a normal part of a London night out.

Outside those hours, night buses cover most of the city and are considerably cheaper than the alternative at 3am.

Seeing it live

The size of London is exactly why a live view helps. Realtime maps activity from venues across every one of these areas, so instead of guessing whether Dalston is worth the journey, you can see it. Offers and weekly specials from venues show up in the same place.

Other places on the map

Mr Fogg's Tavern

Bar

58 St. Martin's Lane, Westminster, London, WC2N 4EA, United Kingdom

Jamaica Wine House

Pub

St. Michael's Alley, City of London, London, EC3V 9DS, United Kingdom

Cahoots Postal Office

Bar

18 Stoney Street, Southwark, London, SE1 9AD, United Kingdom

Pulse Bar London

Bar

18 New Globe Walk, Southwark, London, SE1 9DR, United Kingdom

Old Tom's Bar

Pub

10-12 Leadenhall Market, City of London, London, EC3V 1LR, United Kingdom

Cahoots Underground

Bar

13 Kingly Street, Westminster, London, W1B 5PW, United Kingdom

Bunch Of Grapes

Pub

SE1 1LY, London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Yorkshire Grey

Pub

2 Theobald's Road, Camden, London, WC1X 8PN, United Kingdom

The Marquis Of Granby

Pub

41 Romney Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3RF, United Kingdom

The Princess Of Wales

Pub

27 Villiers Street, Westminster, London, WC2N 6ND, United Kingdom

Shakespeares Head

Pub

1 Arlington Way, Islington, London, EC1R 1XA, United Kingdom

STEREO Covent Garden

Bar

35 The Piazza, Westminster, London, WC2E 8BE, United Kingdom

Going out in London — the basics

Which part of London is best for a night out?

It depends what you want. Central London (Soho, Covent Garden) is busiest and most convenient. East London runs latest. South London has the strongest neighbourhood scene, north London the best pubs, and west London the smarter bars and river pubs.

How do I find out which London bars are busy right now?

Realtime shows live activity from venues across London on a map. You can see which areas and which venues are busy before you travel. It is free on iOS and Android.

Does the Tube run all night in London?

The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on several lines including the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly. Night buses cover the rest of the city and the rest of the week.

Explore London