London’s nightlife is packed with clubs, theatres, bars, restaurants and pubs, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a fun-filled time in England’s capital city.
As with many types of evening entertainment alcohol is readily available, but not everyone wants to drink when they embark on a night out.
Whether you are looking to reduce your intake or completely teetotal, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a night out in London without drinking.
A night at the casino
There are some excellent casinos in London, each of which offers visitors the chance to play a wide range of table games and slots.
If you’re worried that the casino bar will look too tempting while you’re trying to focus on your game, this article by slots.info suggests that playing from the comfort of your hotel room can be at least as fun as going to a casino in person.
It lists the pros and cons of each option, so you can decide which option is best for you. Bear in mind that if you consume alcohol while playing, your mind may not be sharp enough to play strategically after a few drinks.
The recently refurbished St Giles Casino is well worth a visit as it is located next door to a stunning hotel on Tottenham Court Road in London.
Attend a comedy club
One of the best ways to enjoy a night out in London without drinking is to check out some of the comedy clubs dotted around the city.
The 99 Club Leicester Square regularly has some of the top comedy talents in the country appearing on stage, guaranteeing you a barrel load of laughs.
However, when it comes to laughter in the capital city there is no more iconic venue to visit than the world-famous Comedy Store in Soho.
Opened in May 1979, the Comedy Store has been responsible for setting some of the finest comedians in the world on the road to stardom.
Peter Kay famously performed at the Comedy store in the 1990s, testing out much of the material that became a staple part of his act over the following years.
Head to the West End
It would be fair to say that no visit to London would be complete without experiencing the buzzing atmosphere of the West End.
Famous for its shopping, culture, food and drink, the West End is also home to some of the finest theatre venues on the planet.
There are dozens of theatres to choose from, which have top London musicals, shows and plays most nights of the week throughout the year.
While a night out at the theatre can be expensive, the TKTS Booth in Leicester Square is a great place to find discounted tickets for various theatres.
If you would rather avoid shelling out money for tickets, the annual West End Festival in Trafalgar Square puts on free performances from the casts of top London musicals.
Visit a museum at night
If the prospect of visiting a museum when the school parties are in town leaves you feeling cold, plenty of venues run regular evening sessions for adults.
One of our favourites is Tate Modern, which opens its doors every Friday and Saturday night to give visitors the chance to avoid the daytime hustle and bustle.
You can casually wander around the extensive permanent collection for free, while the last Friday of each month features music, film and workshops.
The Science Museum is another venue offering night-time opening, although some of their events can only be accessed by ticket-holders.
If vehicular history is more your thing, the London Transport Museum’s regular Friday Lates sessions are well worth checking out.
Go on a river cruise
If you want to see London’s plethora of famous sites, there is no better way than taking a night-time boat cruise down the River Thames.
The Sundowner evening cruise is an ideal way to end your day in London or to kick-off a packed evening of entertainment activities.
The cruise has a live performer on board playing a selection of relaxing music, providing the perfect backdrop to sit back and enjoy the sights.
The two-hour cruise meanders through some of London’s most iconic riverside sights, giving you the chance to view them from a unique perspective.
If the weather is suitable, you can even head upstairs on the open panorama deck for a truly romantic trip down the Thames.
