Going out in London: 8 activities not to be missed

On your vacation, you'll probably want to going out in London.

In this article, I take a look back at the best things to do in the English capital.

Going out in London: article summary

Going out in London: dance the night away

London is the perfect place to spend entire nights dancing. There are plenty of clubs where you can share it with hundreds of people until the wee hours of the morning.

Fabric in Clerkenwell is still a firm favourite with the locals, attracting international DJs and playing music all night long.

Elsewhere, East London remains a clubber's paradise: head to XOYO in Shoreditch for a commercial sound or The Steel Yard for an eclectic electronic program.

Elephant and Castle is a more surprising part of London, ideal for party-goers. Discover the superstar line-up at Ministry of Sound or dance the night away at Corsica Studios.

Going out for a late-night drink

You're spoilt for choice at the weekend if you fancy a nightcap. Spend chilly winter evenings at Ruby's Bar & Lounge in Dalston or people-watch at Soho from the wide windows of the Café Bohême.

For a more intimate evening, venture over to Kricket and discover the speakeasy-style bar SOMA, a stylish cocktail bar from the same team as the famous Indian restaurant.

Connaught's Red Room serves innovative cocktails in an ultra-aesthetic setting. At the Savoy, the American Bar is London's oldest cocktail bar. There's no denying that it's a place to splurge.

For something a little more contemporary, head to Lyaness, an award-winning bar within Sea Containers London, for spectacular views and sipping opportunities.

Dining out in London after midnight

If you're feeling peckish after midnight, you don't have to settle for fast food. In fact, there are plenty of restaurants where you can sit back and enjoy a good meal.

In Soho, you'll find delicious food at Bar Italia, while Balans stays open 24 hours a day on weekends.

In East London, Kingsland Road is almost as busy at 3am as it is at 3pm: most local Turkish restaurants stay open until the early hours.

For a gourmet bite, take the elevator to the 40ᵉ floor of 110 Bishopsgate and enjoy a unique view of London from Duck & Waffle.

See you at the Beigel boutique

Bagels are perfect for any time of day, but they're especially delicious when you're on your way to Brick Lane in the early hours of the morning.

Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery serves homemade bagels 24 hours a day, topped :

• Salted beef
• Mustard
• Smoked salmon
• Cream cheese

The perfect snack to round off an evening.

Going out in London: to the market

If you want to explore the city early, the morning markets have to be the liveliest places. Smithfield Market takes place from midnight to seven o'clock on weekdays in a large building near Farringdon, selling every type of meat you can imagine.

If you're looking for fish, head to Poplar, where Billingsgate Market traders sell seafood from 4 to 8:30 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday.

Take a tour of the theater

If you're looking for a great night out, you can enjoy long-standing performances in the West End with shows such as :

• Phantom of the Opera
• Wicked
• Les Misérables
• Mamma Mia!

Dozens of fringe theaters host productions on tour at home for short periods.

Southwark Playhouse Borough, the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham and the Arcola Theatre in Hackney are some of my favorite places.

You can also discover London's theatrical history at the Globe Theatre. You'll discover a reconstruction of Shakespeare's famous theater. Not to be missed.

Out and about in London: cruise the Thames

On a night cruise on the River Thames, watch the sun set over the city as you dine at several courses while sipping wine in front of a concert.

Dinner cruises on the Thames offer many options, including evening river cruises (tickets include wine and canapés) and Friday night jazz cruises, where a quintet plays late into the night.

Take a trip to the cabaret

While nothing beats the ambience of the legendary Moulin RougeA growing number of cabaret halls were opening in the capital.

Central London is a mecca for theatrical restaurants, and you'll find places like The Windmill.

Here, circus stars and burlesque dancers entertain hungry spectators. Lío London is one of the scene's newest venues.

The formula follows that of the lively venues of Ibiza and Mykonos. Then stay a while; the venue transforms from a chic cabaret into a 700-seat superclub. Enough to party the night away in London.

What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?

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