There's nothing better than unpacking a brilliant book after you've read it; connecting with others over characters, plot twists, and themes. That's where book clubs in London come in, offering you a chance to switch off your phones, get a little wholesome, and find joy in between the pages with like-minded readers.
From monthly meet-ups with famous names at the forefront to dedicated bars that are all about character development with a glass of wine, this city has a mix of clubs waiting to welcome you. Don't know where to start? That's where our handy guide comes in - as avid readers, we're here to narrow down the best book clubs for you to dive straight into.
📚🍷📖
Our Guide To The Best London Book Clubs
1. Cosy London Book Club
- Location: varies
- Price: varies
- How to join: instagram/cosylondonbookclub
- Why we recommend: this book club offers you the chance to make meaningful connections with its fantastic prompts, and its themes will really pique your curiosity, asking you to look beyond the page
Founded by Ria, Cosy London Book Club is an incredibly popular group that runs sessions at various venues across the city. It offers a real sense of community and brings monthly themes to the table, as well as opportunities to socialise with 'speed book dating' segments (fear not, there's no actual matchmaking).
It's all about thoughtful and reflective prompts. What's more, Ria has proved so adored that she now runs a two-hour-long bookshop crawl in partnership with Airbnb. And if you're wondering how to join? Simply sign up for the WhatsApp chat.
The Cosy London Book Club is a great way to make friends.
2. Bookbar Book Club
- Location: 166 Blackstock Road, Islington, N5 1HA
- Price: ÂŁ18 per person
- How to join: bookbaruk.com/bookbar-bookclub
- Why we recommend: we think that, whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile or someone tentatively finding their way back to books, this is a book club that feels like being invited to pull up a chair at someone else’s kitchen table
BookBar’s Book Club is built on a simple but seductive idea: that books are better when shared. Blurring the lines between bookshop, wine bar and social salon, it offers a monthly ritual that pairs a thoughtfully chosen paperback with a virtual author interview and a lively group discussion, recreating the pleasure of talking literature over a glass of wine or a perfectly made coffee.
Rooted in Islington-based BookBar’s wider philosophy of celebrating the social side of reading, the club is refreshingly uncompetitive and warmly inclusive.
Tickets include paperback versions of the book you'll be reading.
3. Brunch Book Club
- Location: varies
- Price: from ÂŁ15 per person (excluding booking fee), or ÂŁ5 for online event
- How to join: brunchbookclub.com
- Why we recommend: because of the multiple venues, there's been a chance to try a variety of brunches at the likes of The 411, No 32 The Old Town, and more
When it comes to book clubs, London has a healthy handful that began as a cure for big-city loneliness and have quietly become some of the capital's most joyful literary communities. Brunch Book Club was born in 2019, when founder Taragh floated the idea of a book club over brunch in a Facebook group called London New Girl and was met with an overwhelming response.
Since then, the club has read its way through a small library, collaborated with authors and literary prizes, and welcomed members from all over the world, all while polishing off eggs, prosecco and plenty of opinions. The format is deceptively simple: read a brilliantly chosen book (sourced via BookTok, Bookstagram, publishers and gut instinct), discuss it online with thoughtful, inclusive prompts, then meet IRL for brunch at a different London hotspot each month.
Dig into eggs as you discuss books.
4. Rebel Book Club
- Location: varies
- Price: from ÂŁ10 per month for an annual membership
- How to join: rebelbook.club/membership
- Why we recommend: whether you want to deepen a hobby, turn insights into real-world action, or simply meet brilliant people along the way, this book club makes it easy
Since 2015, Rebel Book Club has been a hub for curious minds eager to read, learn, and connect over nonfiction that challenges, inspires, and sparks action. Every month, members vote on a hotlist of three books - or explore the topic via audiobook, podcast, documentary, or talk - then dive into high-energy discussions both online and in-person.
From expert insights to author Q&As, the club transforms reading into a dynamic, interactive experience. With membership perks like free audiobooks, city meet-ups, topic-based events, and shared-interest groups, it’s a place to explore, debate, and grow at your own pace.
Fiction lovers, this one's for you.
5. London LGBTQ+ Community Centre Queer Book Club
- Location: 60-62 Hopton Street, Blackfriars, SE1 9JH
- Price: free or pay what you can
- How to join: londonlgbtqcentre.org
- Why we recommend: this free book club in London is a brilliant opportunity to meet new friends and explore an array of dazzling queer literature
For anyone looking to celebrate queer voices through literature, the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre’s Queer Book Club offers a welcoming, inclusive space to read, discuss, and connect. Meeting on the second Saturday of each month, the club encourages open, accessible conversations around queer stories and themes. There's also no need to have finished (or even started) the book to join in.
Each month highlights a title by a queer author, with members invited to suggest the next read, keeping the discussion fresh, dynamic, and community-led. You'll also find heaps of other activites here, such as film clubs, board game afternoons, and more.
The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre is a safe and welcoming space for all.
6. Turning Pages
- Location: varies
- Price: varies:
- How to join: turningpagesclub.com
- Why we recommend: every meetup is tailored to its venue, whether that means sipping coffee or cocktails while discussing the latest read
Turning Pages wil make you fall in love with both literature and London itself. Founded in 2024 by best friends Danay and Molly, it was born from a simple idea: to get Londoners excited about reading, and to do it somewhere unforgettable.
Each month, members gather in culturally and architecturally iconic locations, from the Barbican and Tate Modern to the Hammersmith Quaker Meeting House, with recent events hosted at the RSA. The premise is simple: read first, mingle later, letting the city and conversation come alive together.
Relax among beautiful buildings as you discuss books.
7. Emily's Walking Book Club
- Location: Hampstead Heath or Regents Park
- Price: from ÂŁ8
- How to join: emilyrhodeswriter.com
- Why we recommend: Emily’s club has been celebrated on Radio 4’s Ramblings, featured in The Spectator, and invited onto Monocle’s Meet the Writer, while also popping up at literary festivals, retreats, and even hen parties across the UK
If refreshing strolls and conversations about your favourite reads sound like a dream to you, then you'll adore this North London get-together. Emily’s Walking Book Club turns the simple joys of reading and walking into a ritual that has been delighting Londoners since 2012.
Every month, a friendly, relaxed group sets off on Hampstead Heath - or on Fridays, Regent’s Park - strolling through beautiful landscapes while discussing a chosen book. Meetings start at Daunt Books and conclude there too, often accompanied by a cup of coffee and plenty of shared laughter.
Come rain or shine, Emily's Walking Book Club is very popular.
8. N16 Book Club
- Location: Rose & Crown, 199 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES
- Price: free
- How to join: facebook.com/N16BookClub
- Why we recommend: there’s a warmth to the club that matches its literary ambition: discussions are lively, inclusive, and shaped by the members themselves
The N16 Book Club has quietly been a Stoke Newington institution since 2007, meeting every month at the Rose & Crown pub, but you don’t need to live in N16 to join in.
Welcoming, democratic, and fiercely devoted to reading, the club’s members have explored an impressively eclectic range of authors and genres, from literary giants like Dickens, Orwell, and Murakami to contemporary voices like Z.Z. Packer, Kelly Link, and David Mitchell. Classics, cult favourites, graphic novels, and experimental fiction all make the list, ensuring there’s always something to surprise, challenge, or delight.
This Stoke Newington pub is the cosiest place for a book club.
9. Running Late Book Club
- Location: 249b Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3NS
- Price: free
- How to join: runninglate.uk
- Why we recommend: we love this space for locals to swap ideas, chat about books, and enjoy the simple pleasure of sharing stories (and baked goods) in the heart of London Fields
Running Late started as a humble Hatch coffee shop in London Fields, serving some of the smoothest flat whites in town, but over time, it’s become so much more than just caffeine. What began as a local spot for neighbours to grab a coffee has blossomed into a hub for community and creativity, hosting everything from a running club to a crochet charity project.
One of its quirkiest additions is the Running Late book club, a friendly, informal gathering that reflects the shop’s ethos: inclusive, flexible, and neighbourly. Members pick their monthly read via WhatsApp polls, then meet on the last Sunday of the month to discuss over a coffee (or two).
Coffee and book clubs go hand in hand.
10. Silent Book Club London
- Location: varies
- Price: free, though donations are being encouraged
- How to join: silentbook.club
- Why we recommend: we think this club is perfect for anyone who loves books but not the pressure of traditional book clubs
At Silent Book Club London, the rules are delightfully simple: read, wine, repeat. There’s no assigned reading, no obligation to finish your book, and reviews are entirely optional. Whether it’s over coffee, lunch, or a glass of wine, the club provides a calm, companionable space to focus on your own reading while surrounded by fellow book lovers.
Inclusive, welcoming, and flexible, it encourages you to relax, enjoy, and connect at your own pace. Meetings happen regularly, and anyone is invited, regardless of location or reading speed. For those who want to support the community, a Patreon helps cover meetup costs, keeping this peaceful corner of London’s literary scene alive and thriving.
Silent Book Club is a peaceful way to enjoy reading together.
11. Left Book Club
- Location: varies
- Price: from ÂŁ6.99 per month
- How to join: leftbookclub.com
- Why we recommend: there's options to gift memberships, receive extra perks, and dive deep into the stories behind social movements -from anti-militarist activism to feminist and postcolonial debates
Founded in 1936 to oppose war, inequality, and fascism, Left Book Club remains the UK’s leading not-for-profit book subscription, delivering hand-picked titles on politics, society, economics, and culture from the world’s most provocative authors.
Each month, members receive either a contemporary 'yellow' book or a classic 'black' title, with past books available to order, offering a steady stream of reading that challenges, informs, and inspires. For those looking to combine thought-provoking literature with meaningful engagement, we think that it’s a radical book club with real-world impact.
12. OKHA - The Queer and Black Book Club
- Location: 10-14 Crossway, N16 8HX
- Price: free
- How to join: instagram.com/prim.black
- Why we recommend: with thoughtful curation and dynamic programming, this club offers a unique, inclusive way to discover new stories, engage in meaningful discussion, and experience the richness of queer and Black literature
OKHA - The Queer and Black Book Club is a monthly gathering that celebrates stories by and for Black and queer communities. Curated by PRIM, a digital storytelling platform, the club focuses on works by African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx authors, bringing visibility to voices too often overlooked.
Each session pairs a carefully selected read with an exhibition by a queer and Black artist, and often includes panels, author Q&As, or screenings, creating a multi-layered experience that goes beyond the page. What's more, members are encouraged to purchase from local independent bookshops, reinforcing a community ethos alongside the literary one.
Explore queer and Black literature with this club.
