Drinking And Dancing In London

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By Jasmine Lee Kennedy Lead Editor, DesignMyNight Jasmine is our Lead Editor, specialising in restaurants, bars and culture, with 10 years' experience in the industry. Last updated on 4th September 2026

We get it, one minute you're out with friends sipping G&Ts on some rooftop bar and then someone suggests going out out... Next thing you know you're at the front of a forty-minute queue for an underground hipster haunt, having lost your buzz and already thinking about those post-night-out chips and bed. Whether you're a hip-shaker, bump'n'grinder, or more likely to be found dusting off those moves under the disco ball, read on for London's best spots to drink and dance.  

If you're looking for somewhere to dinner and dance, check out our guide.




Caribbean Night at Leonardo City

@ Leonardo Royal Hotel London City on Various dates from Saturday 19th September 2026

For an evening of fantastic food, drink and entertainment, head to Caribbean Night at Leonardo City. This stylish hotel will be filled with vibrant, island-style vibes, promising live entertainment that will have you singing and dancing to all your favourite tunes.

There's a Caribbean buffet until 9.30pm, featuring the likes of jerk chicken, oxtail stew, macaroni cheese and much more. Plus, tickets include a complimentary rum punch or fruit punch on arrival.

Exale Brewery

Pints for £4 on selected beers on Thursdays (not bank hols or match days) and 2 other offers

If you're looking for somewhere to let your hair down in East London then hit up Exale Brewery, a characterful converted old furniture factory, only a moment from Blackhorse Road Station. Here you will find DJs spinning tunes 'til late on Fridays and Saturdays, plus a large mix of craft concoctions to sip on underneath pink, puffy cloud lights and neon signage.

A Wee Pop-up ceilidh at Small Beer

@ Small Beer on Friday 18th September 2026 and 7 other Fridays

Make your way to Small Beer Brewery in South Bermondsey for a unique night out: Fiddle Paradiddle's pop-up ceilidh. There's a spacious dancefloor to let loose on, with a live ceilidh band leading proceedings.

This roomy venue boasts fresh beer brewed on site, alongside a top choice of wine, cider and spirits. Plus, there are tasty snacks to enjoy in between dances. Plus, they host an event in Balham too.

Parasol

Tucked beneath the streets of Dalston, Parasol is a vibrant cocktail bar blending retro glamour with a rebellious edge, inspired by the underground disco scene of 1980s New York. Created by the minds behind Ruby's, The Sun Tavern and Corrochio's, it offers a menu of bold, house-crafted cocktails and a wine list curated by Provisions, all served in a space filled with reclaimed materials and global influences.

Whether you're after a drink somewhere with a great atmosphere or a night of dancing to DJ sets, Parasol delivers a unique, intimate experience that feels like a well-kept East London secret.

The Bootlegger Richmond

HAPPY HOUR 🍸| £8 Cocktails | £4 Bottles of beer | £18 Bottles of wine | £20 Bottles of prosecco

On Hill Street in Richmond, the coolest speakeasy-inspired bar has popped up to keep the Prohibition vibe alive. As a nod to 1920s glitz and glam, The Bootlegger's cocktail menu is carefully whipped up to whisk you back to that time, dishing out a delightful range of classic cocktails mixed by their ace bartenders. If your taste buds sway elsewhere, they've got a top-notch selection of spirits and a tasty assortment of inspired grub to savour while kicking back.

They're also offering an elite seasonal lineup of six custom drinks for their daily Sunset Hours event, locking the price at just £9.50 all the way until 11pm. Forget basic, watered-down happy hours and gather your crowd to enjoy serves like the citrus-and-tequila Altos Paloma Picante with its signature chilli kick, or the incredibly lush Malibu Coconut Mojito. Not in the area? Check out their Covent Garden site instead.

Gambit Bar

A sleek, speakeasy-style venue in Fitzrovia, Gambit Bar is a cool underground space. They host all kinds of events throughout the week, perfect for dancing the night away.

Expect live DJs, disco evenings and jazz performances, with talented musicians playing on stage. Plus, their cocktails are fantastic.

Silent Sounds Boat Party

@ The Silent Disco Boat on Saturday 19th September 2026

Set the stage for an unforgettable night with Silent Sounds. This one-of-a-kind silent disco takes place on The Dutch Master, a two-storey boat cruising down the Thames and passing by London's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and Tower Bridge. Tickets start at an affordable £27 per person.

Dance to your own beat with three music channels, each offering a different vibe. When it's time for a break, grab a drink at one of the two onboard bars and enjoy the incredible city views. And if you're not ready to call it a night, keep the party alive at Ballie Ballerson's ball pit cocktail bar, where select tickets include free guest list entry.

Amazing Grace London Bridge

Once a church, Amazing Grace is now a buzzing late night bar and music venue. Still intact with its original alter, it blends old world charm with modern 3D mapping and animated projections. Like its sister venue in Canary Wharf, it's all neon lights, artistic finishes and high energy.

Of course the bar is perfect for pre and post gig drinks. But it's well worth stopping by even if you're not taking in a band. Settle in beneath the stained glass windows for craft beers, signature cocktails, Asian-inspired sides, sharing platters and brilliant burgers.

Best Latin Club London – Tequila Sundays at Bola 8

@ Bola 8 - The Pool Lounge on Every Sunday

The best Latin club night in London? You decide. Tequila Sundays at Bola 8 are the perfect way to let loose after a long week; this hidden pool lounge transforms into a full-blown Island party come Sunday evenings, with a guest DJ spinning reggaeton, perreo, Latin favourites and party hits.

The upbeat music is paired with 2-4-1 tequila shots – a combo that's sure to keep you on the dance floor until the last song at 4am. 

Hannah

Just moments from Clapham Junction, Hannah Battersea is a neighbourhood bar that doubles up as a late-night hangout, making it a versatile choice for drinks that can easily turn into a livelier evening. The space itself sets the tone, with exposed brickwork, velvet seating and statement chandeliers.

Here, you could start with a few relaxed gin and tonics, perhaps out on the terrace in warmer weather, before the atmosphere builds indoors as the night goes on. With music and a busy crowd, the space naturally shifts towards a more upbeat, social environment where standing, mingling and moving to the soundtrack becomes part of the experience.

Prezzaman Birthday Celebration

@ The Phoenix on Sun, 13th Dec 2026 @ 17:00 - 22:00

Celebrate the birthday of Presley Carl Timothy, aka Prezzman, on the 13th December at The Phoenix. A legend among those who know, Prezzman has featured on Phoenix FM and his performances include Project Talent UK alongside N-Dubz and JLS. 

From 4pm to 7pm there'll be Clash Of The Hits, then from 7pm,  Prezzaman will perform "Don't Throw It Away," "So Much Better," and "Clash That," along with a special 6-minute remix of "Gotta Get Thru This." Following that, it's all about Smash That Clash until 10pm, mixed by DJ Gootm. 

Aquum

Birthday Package and 3 other offers

With three bars to choose from, keep the drinks flowing and that body popping all night long. Throw funky shapes in the basement bar, get your freak on in the main terrace area or settle down for a sophisticated sip in the split-level VIP lounge. With great entertainment too, you can even enjoy the likes of burlesque performance, guest DJs and fire-eating for a stellar night out on the town.

Blind Spot

Nestled in the beating heart of London's Leicester Square, Bling Spot is a smooth, sultry cocktail bar that offers guests a serene location to sit back and unwind with top-notch cocktails. With a flavoursome arsenal of spices, fresh fruits and international spirits, and a stunning line-up of resident DJs filling the air with thudding bass and trembling melodies, you'll struggle to find a better central London venue to dance the night away in.

The Old Nun's Head

Set on a quiet residential stretch near Peckham Rye, The Old Nun's Head might look like a traditional neighbourhood pub from the outside, but it's long been a go-to for those in the know seeking a livelier, music-led night out. Inside, while the setting's classic with wood-panelled walls, fireplaces and a well-stocked bar, the atmosphere regularly shifts up a gear once the evening gets going.

Drinks are rooted in pub tradition, with a solid lineup of local ales, craft options and wines that make it easy to settle in for a few rounds. As the hours roll on, though, the focus turns more towards music and socials, with the pub hosting DJ nights, live gigs and dancefloor-friendly events that draw a mixed, local crowd.

Northern Soul at the Rivoli Ballroom

Pair your drinks with the sounds of classic Northern Soul at the Rivoli Ballroom, where the cocktails flow and the music keeps your feet moving.

Resident DJ Mr Max, alongside Ian Levine and Val Palmer, spins the best '60s and '70s soul, rarities, and forgotten gems, creating a lively, nostalgic atmosphere perfect for a night of drinking, dancing, and fun.

The Belle Affair Dinner Show

@ The Royal Bell on Every Saturday

If you're looking for the ultimate girls' night out in South East London, look no further. The Belle Affair is a dazzling supper club experience, bringing together fantastic food, free-flowing drinks and spectacular entertainment.

The night kicks off with 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco and pizza, served to your table while the atmosphere builds. When the entertainment starts, expect an immersive spectacle filled with glamour, music, dance and unforgettable performances. Got more in the tank? Stick around for the after party until 1am.

Bar Italia Uxbridge

HAPPY HOUR 4PM-6PM EVERYDAY!

For a lively yet relaxed night out, Bar Italia Uxbridge delivers. With DJs bringing the vibe every Friday and Saturday until 3am, this spot is perfect for good eats, affordable drinks, and catching up with friends.

Indulge in fennel salami pizzas or spicy wings, hit their Saturday bottomless brunch for £25, or enjoy 2-for-1 pizzas on Sunday. It's got it all going on, including signature sips like The Tempest, made with wild berry pink gin. 

Burns Night Celebration with poetry, Burns supper and Ceilidh

@ The Bedford on Saturday 23rd January 2027

The Bedford is bringing the tartan to Balham this January with a lively Burns Night celebration. Doors open at 6pm, with Live Canon taking to the stage at 6.30pm to perform Robert Burns' finest poems and songs, including traditional speeches such as the Selkirk Grace and Address to a Haggis.

You can tuck into a hearty Scottish feast, starting with scotch broth, followed by a classic Burns supper of haggis and clapshot, and finishing with cranachan to keep spirits high. Every attendee is treated to a dram in honour of the Bard. Later in the evening, Fiddle Paradiddle takes over, turning the pub into a ceilidh playground. With an expert caller guiding the steps and the band's energetic nu-folk sound filling the room, dancers can expect a mix of traditional and adventurous ceilidh numbers that keep the floor buzzing until late.

Old Street Records

2-4-1 Cocktails and 1 other offer

For a night out full of music and dancing, Old Street Records stands out as one of East London's most reliable dancefloor destinations. Spread across two floors, the venue blends a working record store aesthetic, with vinyl stacks, vintage NME covers and mural-lined walls - with a busy weekly programme of live performances and DJ-led sessions, too.

Upstairs, the focus is on live music, with a rotating line-up that ranges from emerging artists and EP launches to established weekly fixtures like the Hip Hop House Band. Downstairs, the basement shifts gears into a more intimate, club-style setting, hosting DJ sets that keep the crowd moving well into the night. Drinks are a key part of the appeal, with a menu of bespoke cocktails alongside classics, plus a 2-4-1 happy hour running from 5pm to 8pm that makes it easy to settle in before things ramp up.

Albert's Schloss London

The perfect place for a few steins and a boogie with your mates, Albert's Schloss is the German-themed bar in Soho that's hosting events almost every single night of the week. Whether you're parting under the disco ball to live DJ sets, singing along to their house band or being mesmerised by a cabaret performance, all their sessions are entirely free, with a tasty German menu up for grabs too.

Tonight Josephine Waterloo

If you're looking to dance the night away in a luminous pink disco den then Tonight Josephine Waterloo is the bar for you. This fantastic spot plays all the best hits and even hosts themed bottomless brunches dedicated to ABBA. It's open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and its drinks menu is hard to resist as it packs delicious classics like espresso martinis, along with signature sips like Hot AF, featuring tequila, Cointreau and tabasco. 

UNDR

A restaurant, cocktail bar and nightclub all under one roof, UNDR is a cool, Caribbean-inspired destination in Notting Hill. This place is filled with dark, sultry decor, from the main bar to the balcony - think comfy leather seating, mirror-lined walls and low lighting.

There's a killer drinks menu on offer, alongside tasty plates like pan-fried salt fish fritters, jerk cauliflower wings and slow-roasted pork belly. That's not all though, as live musicians and DJs will be getting you on the dancefloor until late.

Howl At The Moon

For a more laid-back alternative to Shoreditch's clubs, Howl At The Moon offers a pub setting that still delivers when it comes to music and late-night atmosphere. Known for its easygoing attitude, this is a place where the night can start with a quiet pint and gradually build into something more lively as the crowd and soundtrack pick up.

The drinks list is a strong starting point, with a wide range of craft beers, real ales and ciders sourced from both local and international producers. It's well-suited to groups looking to settle in for a few rounds. As the evening progresses, live music from emerging bands brings a more energetic edge, often drawing people closer to the stage and creating a natural, informal dancefloor.