Bars with Entertainment In London
London's nightlife and bar scene has diversified, offering an entire avenue of entertainment that the city could previously only dream about. But we're not just talking live music bars, arcade boozers and impressive burlesque cocktail spots - the capital is now brimming with ping pong party spots, circus acts, comedy nights, mini golf and more. Need a hand finding these gems? Here's our guide to the best bars with entertainment and activities in London.
Last updated on 13th January 2023
Throwing darts at a board just went next level. Changing the world of social gaming in London and revolutionising the game of darts itself, we present to you Flight Club. Come here for your standard boozing activities with the added extra of playing darts where the game is radically digitised and packed with fun for beginners and experts alike.
Ping pong bars are all the rage in London right now, and Bounce is one of the best spots for it in the city. This underground haven, just down the road from Old Street, features 17 tables that can host up to 20 guests at one time, and the table service policy means you can set up camp beside your table and order in the traditional Italian pizzas and gin cocktails.
Alongside a fantastic range of delicious drinks and delectable dishes, this live music party spot offers its guests an evening bursting full of smooth semi-tones and perfect pitches. The musicians in the House of Song only play songs requested by the audience, so look no further for a night of metropolitan style and superb sounds.
Nightjar is a Shoreditch and Soho speakeasy with an atmosphere so magical you'll pinch your arm to make sure you aren't hallucinating. It has perfected the 1920's scenery with crooning jazz, candle light, classy cocktails and swing bands playing at weekends. Why not tuck into some of their renowned libations, kick back, and enjoy this vintage affair?
If you're looking for a party bar with a little extra oomph, Bat & Ball is killing it the activity department. Not only does it boast championship-sized ping pong tables and pool, but also beer pong and karaoke. You can also choose from an epic lineup of boozy bevs, as well as Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The renowned team at Pizza Pilgrims are looking East, serving their customers great pizzas coupled with 16-person foosball, plasma screen TVs and vintage video games. The famous pizza chain has made a name for themselves by creating stunning Neapolitan pizzas topped with the freshest ingredients around. Relax with a giant slice and enjoy everything their relaxed atmosphere has to offer.
@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: London on Various dates from Tuesday 31st January 2023
Alcotraz: Cell Block Two-One-Two is an immersive cocktail bar that throws you into America's most notorious prison. Found in Shoreditch, this themed hangout sees you smuggling contraband booze past the warden, which will then be shaken up into bespoke cocktails by the bent guards.
Satisfying all your Spanish party needs and more, Salvador & Amanda is a haven for all things tapas, sangria and of course, flamenco dancing. Expect an industrial but comfortable set-up, coupled with a buzzing ambience, all throughout the week.
One of the most bustling bars in East London thanks to their exotic, eccentric charms, Floripa is a colourful arena of antics. From live music and feather-clad Brazilian dancers, to open mic and burlesque nights, no two evenings at Floripa are the same thanks to their ever changing roster of events.
SINK - Paul Street loves fun and throws weekly events such as salsa dancing and ping pong tournaments to liven up your night. You can hire your own area and book the ping pong table for a fun and competitive night out and even play your own beer pong game. Regardless of where your night takes you at SINK - Paul Street, it's sure to be a corker.
Whether you're looking to watch the best football teams in the world battle it out, or want to have a bash at beer pong, Belushis Hammersmith will keep you partying for hours. The sports bar packs a punch with plenty of themed nights, American bites, and DJs til late, there's also sister venues in Camden, Greenwich and Shepherd's Bush.
@ Chelsea Funhouse on Various dates from Wednesday 1st February 2023
Over at Chelsea Funhouse, The Bletchley Cryptic Cocktail Experience immerses you into the world of old school espionage. You'll need to make decisions throughout, the results of which will be transcribed into ingredients that'll be used by the bartender to make you bespoke cocktails.
Valentines Offer- £27.95 (Meal. Drink, Shot & Class) and 2 other offers
Located just a short walk from Temple Underground Station, Salsa isn't just a great place for South American bites and punchy bespoke cocktails, guests can also soak up the authentic Latin party vibes and get involved with salsa lessons for all levels.
Is it a pub? Is it a restaurant? Is it a...circus? God knows. Hosting a stupendously wide range of activities throughout the week (think anything from swing dances to quiz nights, poetry readings to all-out circus shows), this pub in Acton has more than earned its 'multi-experience' venue tag.
The wild, weird imagination of youth meets the sleek, sexy vibes of adulthood at Soho's Cirque Le Soir. Decorated as a lively circus, and bursting full of character, you'll be thoroughly entertained at this exclusive venue. Whether you're being chased by a snake charmer or having your fortune read by their resident mystic, the devil-may-care ambience is something well worth experiencing.
Nestled in Shepherd's Bush Market, The Hawk's Nest is a gorgeous pub with signature cocktails and craft beers flowing through its veins. But did you know it also hosts all kinds of events? From doggy days out and live music sessions to workshops and vintage sales, there's a lot to fill up your schedule.
This brilliantly unique gem of a spot is sure to have you feeling right at home and keep you coming back for more. Designed to imitate a flat, you can grab some toast in the kitchen, have a cuppa with friends in the sitting room or head downstairs to the party den, complete with a DJ booth and vinyl station, and sip on cocktails whilst playing poker, backgammon or messing around in the fancy dress box.
As a London cocktail bar that plays host to the UK's only indoor petanque court, and boasting a wide range of pastis and absinthe-infused drinks to give its guests a taste of the Provence in the summer; this is a sure choice for one of the best bars with entertainment in London. As a popular private hire venue over the weekend (no minimum spend), this place is sure to fill up quickly.
The authentic pizzas and bespoke cocktails at Old Street Records are one thing, but they're kind of secondary when compared to the live music. Come along on any given night and expect to see EP launches, new bands and established acts taking to the stage in a venue renowned for its record-store-realness.
Nothing beats a great karaoke bar in London when it comes to something outrageously fun on a night out. Lucky Voice, with its private booths for singing and partying, is an absolute favourite for a group night out and a great opportunity to test out that Whitney ballad you've spent so long practising in the shower...