Top London night clubs

London isn’t just a fantastic place to visit and spend time during the day, soaking up culture and history; in the evening, there is a plethora of things to do, from dining in a vast array of restaurants, taking in a West End show, embarking on a creepy ghost tour, or hitting one of London’s renowned bars or nightclubs.

London is home to a fabulous range of night spots, from the intimate and elegant to the larger and busier clubs. Here are just a few of the best, and in this list there is something for everyone, from vibrant dance clubs to cosy pubs…

• Cargo is a located in Shoreditch underneath railway arches, and is the heart of the music scene in East London. The line up lists live music ranging from jazz to hip hop to electronic pop to psychedelic rock. There is also a regular DJ and an appealing bar menu offering global street food.

• Mahiki, made famous by patrons including royalty such as the Princes William and Harry, the unmarried Kate Middleton, and the Princesses of York, as well as Hollywood celebrities, has a Hawaiian Tiki theme and attracts a Jet-Set, Sloane clientele. This bar, lounge, and dance club in Mayfair is the place to go to feel like and potentially rub shoulders with A-listers.

• KOKO is a Camden nightclub with both DJ and live music nights, covering music styles including rock, pop, blues and dance music. The site used to be Camden Palace and can host a crowd of 1500 patrons. Theatrical in style, it has six bars, a stage, and dance floor, with a rooftop bar also open during the summer months.

• Experimental Cocktail Club. For something a little lower key, head to this hidden drinking den. Located in Chinatown, it has three levels of trendiness with a cosy and opulent atmosphere and exceptional cocktails.

• Fabric is a London institution; it reflects gritty London style with techno and house sub-genres of music. A fantastic dance club, it opens late and attracts a very diverse crowd.

• XOYO is packed to the brim each Friday and Saturday night, it is a unique space in Shoreditch that hosts DJ’s, live bands, art exhibits, and dance music that are of a quality above the rest. Pumping dance areas exist alongside a more chilled out bar area.

• Ye Olde Mitre Tavern is the epitome of the true old London pub: built in 1546 by Bishop Goodrich at Ely Court, Holburn, and extended in 1782, it is a traditional and cosy pub with a rich history, real tap ales, beer festivals, and a distinct London atmosphere, accessed via narrow alleyways. Wines and hearty food are also served. Patronising this pub, you literally walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth I and Lord Nelson!

Staying in one of the Central London hotels near Covent Garden makes the entire city’s buzzing nightlife easily accessible.