For most tourists, London is a whole new world. Innovative and exciting, the city has much to offer from galleries to cafes to unforgettable landmarks. With so much to see, it’s easy to get carried away and before you know it, the sun will have set. One thing most travellers from Asia will find surprising is how early everything closes, especially on Sundays. Most shops shut their doors promptly at five, the more popular museums and attractions also close by five thirty. But that hardly means the night is over. Here are a few night-time attractions to check out during your stay.
Enjoy a Musical/Play At the West End
London’s equivalent to Broadway comes to life in the evenings. Step into the Strand and you’ll find yourself in the glitzy Theatreland, populated by - you guessed it, theatres! London’s West End is home to over thirty eight theatres, each beautifully designed in traditional Edwardian or Victorian style. These include the Apollo Victoria Theatre and the Palace Theatre. The whole area encompasses several of the more popular districts, such as Oxford Street and Regent Street.
Whether you’re an avid theather fan or a first-timer, there’s a show on the West End for everyone. Kids will love Disney’s Aladdin down at The Prince Edward Theatre and The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Other well-loved shows include Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera and Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Miserables (the longest running show on the West End!) If you prefer something a little more modern, shell out for a ticket to Hamilton, the musical about America’s founding father that kicked off a global phenomenon.
For those that just don’t “get” the singing and talking thing, the West End also boasts an abundance of plays, from rocking comedies like The Play that Goes Wrong to adaptations of Shakespeare’s classics such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Measure for Measure.
There are also several eateries within walking distance, making it easy to grab a pre-show dinner or snack. Grab a slice of pizza at Franco Manca or get yourself in the mood by soaking up some smooth jazz at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Shows usually run seven to eight times a week, with both evening and matinee timings to choose from, so be sure to search up schedules when making your plans. Also check out websites like Ticketmaster and London Theatre Direct or one of the several stalls along the Strand and Regent Street to score some last minute deals on tickets (also known as rush tickets)
Attend the Ceremony of Keys
London has a rich and extensive heritage that the English have preserved over centuries, and once you’re swept up in it, it’s hard to ever call it a day. If you haven’t had your fill, head down to the Tower of London for the Ceremony of Keys. But be punctual, the ceremony happens at 9.53pm everyday and only lasts a total of seven minutes.
Once a formidable dungeon that was the execution site of the infamous Anne Boleyn, the Tower of London was once a state prison that housed the likes of Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes. Today, The Tower welcomes over a thousand tourists a year, and has been refurbished to include an ice rink. The former fortress still guards the precious crown jewels and ominous Ravens, as part of its horrific history.
The Ceremony of Keys is a ceremony enacted to close the tower gates at night. It is widely recognised as the oldest military ceremony in the world, and is thought to have originated in the middle ages. The ceremony is taken very seriously, with the Chief Yeoman Warder donning the uniform of his Tudor predecessors to pass the keys on. Soldiers that march by salute the keys, symbolic of the monarch’s power.
Precision is key- from the minutes down to exact dialogue, the ceremony’s proceedings are strictly observed every evening such that the last speaker, the Guard, answers with “Amen!” in time for the clock at the Waterloo Barracks to strike ten, much to the delight of the crowd.
Marvel at the discipline and the renowned “stiff upper lip” of the British, and the pride they take in their very own royal family during this ancient ceremony, it’s a sight that’s not to be missed.
Indulge in Champagne on the Thames
The River Thames is part of the longest river in the whole of England, though it’s course most famously winds through London, few know that the Thames actually starts in the small town of Cotswold, West of London, and ends up pooling in the gigantic North Sea. Its name is rumoured to be derived from the Sanskrit word “Tamas”, which means dark, accounting for its murky waters.
Every year, there are several festivals held along the banks of the River Thames such as The Swan Upping and The Thames Traditional Boat Rally. There are also many other activities including fishing and boating that locals engage in, the Thames is very much a part of everyday life in London, whether it’s spotted whilst crossing a bridge, or the location for an early morning jog. It has graced millions of postcards, and inspired hundreds of literary works including those by Rudyard Kipling of Jungle Book fame and William Wordsworth.
The River is also known for being the only river in Europe to have a national trail along its entire length, but after a day of walking, you’ll be more than happy to kick up your heels on the cruise. Glide along the Thames as you watch the sun set against London’s gorgeous skyline, illuminating the arches of the ornate bridges and the towering beams of the houses of parliament.
It isn’t just a feast for the eyes. Champagne is provided, so toast your glass of bubbly under the stars, and with platters of delicious finger food, you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience sailing along the river.
Go on Pub Crawls
Pubs are arguably England’s national treasure. Forget the dingy, dusty establishments that immediately come to mind. In Britain, Pubs are very much a family affair, with parents often opting to bring their kids in for a tasty dinner down at the pub. Beloved by all ages, they are a great place to settle down for some Sunday Roast, or just to grab a pint. London is filled to the brim with them, with such a dizzying array of choices from your modest family pub to Michelin-star decorated fares, it calls for a proper pub crawl!
There’s a huge assortment of pub crawls to embark on, including the popular Monopoly Pub Crawl, where the goal is to make it to 26 different pubs located along the 26 different tube stations of London, complete with a website modelled after the actual game so you can check off your “properties”. If Monopoly has been ruined by family game night for you, opt for the Circle Line Pub Crawl, which covers over 27 pubs off the 27 tube stations that make up London’s circle line, supposedly because the tube line is shaped not like a circle but like a beer bottle.
Other pub crawls like the The Literary Pub Crawl or the Historical Pub Crawl invite you to visit the favourite haunts of famed figures, like Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot. Consider knocking back a beer whilst nursing your favourite book or penning your next great work. Esteemed author Ernest Hemmingway said it best: write drunk, edit sober!
For the more loyal followers amongst us, there’s the Sam Smiths Challenge, where the goal is to visit every single one of the Yorkshire Brewery's locations in London during your stay. That’s over thirty locations, spread across London. If you’d like to avoid liver failure in the foreseeable future, you can opt for the condensed version, which just covers Sam Smiths in central London.
For those who want to carve out their own routes, it may be helpful to know these crawls mostly cover well-known spots like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Little George and well, Sam Smiths.
Enjoy a Cabaret/Burlesque Show
Now time for a little more risqué entertainment. Cabaret shows typically refer to a series of stagings held at a nightclub, pub or restaurant, and governed by a master of ceremonies. Performances at these shows are usually of the more “adult” nature, such as stripteases, burlesque acts or drag shows. Far from seedy and perverse, these colourful performances are high-energy and tasteful, the highlight of any evening.
The performers dedicate a high level of artistry to their craft, and strive every night to put on a memorable show. Even the tame amongst us will find it hard to resist the allure of a glamorous Cabaret Show.
Though some say the French do it best, the English have their own version of Cabaret shows and Burlesque Shows that take center stage in London. Whilst shows are held on an arbitrary basis at pubs and other similar establishments, there are dedicated cabaret clubs were you are guaranteed to catch a show every night.
London Cabaret Club offers the chance to sample delectable British-style tapas and acts as an endearing love letter to the musical history of Britain. The show which comprises of three acts, traces the history of Britain Pop from the 60s to the 2000s, has been well attended by celebrities in the past, including notable music snob and x-factor judge Simon Cowell. Tickets range from £35 to £75 depending on the package you choose.
Don’t let the name throw you off—Café de Paris is one of London’s oldest and most established cabaret venues located near Piccadilly Circus. The quirky decor and lavish furnishings also make it one of the best. Audiences love the Disco Cabaret Show, which promises thumping disco beats to accompany death-defying acrobatic and fire eating acts as well as performances by their in-house dance troupe, 54ers. With the vision of recreating a hedonistic nightclub on stage, Café de Paris is the place to be on Friday nights, though as of now, most shows are sold out.
Ending the night
Transport services in London run until 11pm on most days. However, London’s night tube runs until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays across the major lines (Northern, Victoria, Central, Piccadilly and Jubilee) , so you don’t have to worry about making your way back to the hotel.
Night buses are also available, with services running until 6.00am.
