London has a huge choice of evening entertainment, from West End musicals to small music venues, rooftop bars and stand-up comedy at clubs like JK Comedy Club. This guide covers the main options for a night out in central London and how to put them together into one evening.
West End Theatres
The West End is London’s theatre district, with dozens of theatres in and around Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Long-running musicals include Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, alongside plays and new productions that change through the year.
Ticket prices vary widely by show, day and seat. Book through the show’s official website or the theatre to see the full range of prices, and check the age guidance if you are bringing children.
Live Music Venues
London has music on every scale. The Royal Albert Hall hosts classical concerts, including the summer Proms, as well as rock and pop; the O2 in Greenwich and the Roundhouse in Camden host touring artists.
Smaller venues across Soho, Camden and East London put on jazz, indie and new bands in rooms where you are close to the stage. Check the venue’s own listings for set times and age restrictions before you go.
Rooftop Bars and Late-Night Lounges
Rooftop bars give you a view of the city after dark. Madison sits on the roof of One New Change, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, and Radio Rooftop is at the top of ME London on the Strand. The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street has free entry with a booked ticket, plus bars and restaurants.
Popular rooftops can need a reservation at weekends and some have dress codes, so check before you go.
Comedy Clubs
Stand-up comedy is one of the easiest nights out to plan in central London. Tickets usually cost less than a West End seat, shows start in the evening and most rooms have a bar. For a wider look at the options, see our guide to the best comedy clubs in London.
JK Comedy Club runs most of its shows at our Covent Garden venue at Arboretum on Charing Cross Road, two minutes from Leicester Square station. We also run shows at our Soho venue downstairs at The Spice of Life and a Saturday afternoon show at our Leicester Square venue. Each show has a host and a lineup of professional comedians, and our shows are for adults aged 18 and over.
Alternative Entertainment in London
If you would rather take part than watch, London has plenty of interactive options. Escape rooms suit groups of friends or colleagues who want to solve puzzles against the clock, and VR venues offer games you play together in the same room. Immersive theatre productions also run in London from time to time, letting the audience walk through the set and meet the characters. Check current listings, as these productions often run for a limited season.
Why Live Comedy Is Worth Adding to Your Trip
Watching stand-up in a room is different from watching it online. The audience reacts together, the host talks to the crowd and every show plays out differently. It is also an inexpensive way to spend an evening in the West End, which suits visitors and locals on a budget. Our guide to a cheap night out in London has more ideas for keeping costs down.
Planning a London Night Out
Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square sit next to each other, so you can walk between dinner, a show and a late drink. A simple plan is dinner nearby, an evening comedy or theatre show, then a drink in a pub or rooftop bar.
Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus stations all serve the area, and many Underground lines run a Night Tube service on Friday and Saturday nights. Check your route home before you set off. If you are in London for a short stay, our three-day London itinerary shows how to fit an evening show around the main sights.
Conclusion
London’s evening entertainment ranges from big musicals and arena concerts to rooftop bars and small comedy rooms. Comedy is one of the simplest and most affordable to plan around dinner and drinks in the West End.
To see the dates and prices for our shows, check What’s On and book the night that suits you.