Practical information : Going out London
Timetable
The English usually work between 9am and 5pm. They are free from 6pm and invade the pubs for lively afterworks. This is the busiest time of the day in pubs. Happy hour is not very common in London, except in some very touristy places. It starts earlier, sometimes even around 4pm. British people who do everything earlier will be in the clubs by 9pm. Bars often close their doors between 11pm and 12am maximum. The clubs stay open until 2 or 3 am in general. After hours are open until 6am.
Budget & Tips
It usually costs at least £30 to get into a club. Expect to pay around £8 for a pint of beer and between £10 and £20 for a cocktail. No tipping in pubs and bars.
To be booked
Another typical occupation of London nights: attending a musical. West End theaters offer all the great classics, so all you have to do is choose. To be sure of getting tickets and not paying a fortune, book in advance. You can also visit the Leicester Square ticket office (TKTS - The Lodge, officiallondontheatre.com) for discounted prices on the day's shows. You can also use the TodayTix app to get discounted tickets (www.todaytix.com).
Theater in 2025. The theatrical adaptation of the animated film My Neighbor Totoro returns to the Gyllian Lynne Theatre to delight the whole family. In a more classical vein, the Bridge Theatre will present Richard II, starring Jonathan Bailey, best known for his role in The Bridgerton Chronicle. Finally, Shakespeare will also be in the spotlight at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest, starring Tom Hiddleston, Hayley Atwell and Sigourney Weaver and revisited by director Jamie Lloyd.
Musicals in 2024/2025. On the novelty side, Just for one day is scheduled for the Shaftesbury Theatre from May 2025, and will revisit the historic Live Aid concert. If you prefer something more classic, take your seat for Mamma Mia! the must-see musical based on the hits of the immortal Swedish band Abba. Other highlights include Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Matilda the Musical andBack to the Future.
Night transport
5 of the main subway lines run at night on Friday and Saturday nights. These are the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern and Picadilly lines. Many bus lines also run 24 hours a day on these two evenings.
Age restrictions
You can order alcohol from the age of 18, but you may be asked for your ID until you're 25. Whatever your age, always take it with you when you go out, just in case. This is especially true when entering certain clubs and pubs at night, where the minimum age is 18.
What's very local
One of the traditions of English parties: the pub crawl. It simply means going from pub to pub with friends. You take it in turns to buy your own round. Some organizations even offer to join a pub crawl tour organized with other travelers. On Friday nights, the English drink a lot. They binge drink. Friday night drinking has almost become a national sport, and the spectacle is not always charming. As early as 9pm, men and women end up drunk on the sidewalk. When it comes to going out, even in bars, the English often dress to the nines.
Smokers
The anti-tobacco law is similar in France: no smoking in public places. This is why gatherings are formed in front of pubs. In clubs, you will have to go to organized smoking areas.