The best late-night bars in Soho

The Perception, perched atop the luxurious W London hotel, is a sleek and stylish bar with striking modern interiors and panoramic views over Soho's bustling streets. Known for its innovative cocktail menu, it serves sensory-driven drinks alongside a diverse food offering that includes breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea. With live DJ sets, seasonal events, and Saturday cocktail masterclasses, this dynamic venue ensures there's always something fresh to experience.

Ain't Nothin' But in Soho is a legendary London blues bar that has been hosting lively, boozy nights of live music since the early 1990s. With daily performances, including acoustic sets, full-band shows, and legendary jam sessions featuring dozens of musicians, it offers an authentic grassroots blues experience. Open late every day, its intimate atmosphere, free early sessions, and dedicated community of musicians and fans make it a must-visit for live music fans.

Tucked away behind a jade-green door in Chinatown, Opium invites guests into a multi-layered cocktail and dim sum experience spread across three uniquely styled bars. This late-night hideaway features The Academy Bar, a warm and inviting lounge; The Apothecary Bar, reminiscent of a vibrant tea parlour; and the intimate Peony Bar, perfect for private soirées. Serving up Asian-inspired cocktails such as the Umami Martini alongside expertly crafted dim sum platters, this opulently decorated venue is the perfect place to kick off an evening – or bring it to a stylish close.

Albert's Schloss is a Bavarian-inspired beer hall where Oktoberfest spirit lasts all year. It offers Munich's famous Big Six lagers on tap, alongside fresh Pilsner Urquell from Czechia, complemented by a contemporary take on Bavarian cuisine, from Alpine breakfast sandwiches to schnitzels and fondue. There's no need to say Gute Nacht, either, as live music, cabaret shows, and DJ nights keep the party going at this late-night Soho bar.

Jack Solomons Club, set in a former boxing gym, is a stylish, dimly lit Soho hideaway perfect for intimate meetups or lively gatherings, featuring a buzzing bar, private hire spaces, and a discreet entrance. The drinks menu boasts house-speciality cocktails, classic mixes on request, and bottle service, alongside an impressive selection of whisky and gin, including rare Scotch and botanical-infused gins.

Soho Residence, a vibrant nightlife destination in a beautifully restored 1892 building, welcomes guests every day of the week. Step into the stylish ground-floor cocktail bar to sip on expertly crafted drinks while indulging in delicious bar bites. From there, you can either unwind in the elegant upstairs lounge, ideal for casual conversation and mingling, or head down to the energetic basement club, where DJs keep the party alive with crowd-favourite beats until the early hours.

NQ64 is a retro gaming bar brand offering a nostalgic mix of classic arcade and console games. Guests can test their skills on favourites like “Double Dragon”, “Mario Kart”, “Guitar Hero”, and dance machines while sipping on craft beers and themed cocktails. As the night progresses, local DJs take over, keeping the energy high and the good times rolling late.

An iconic restaurant and bar, 100 Wardour Street is a top spot for live music, dinner dates, and lively Saturday brunches. Its bold and colourful interior, adorned with floral displays and neon lights, creates a striking atmosphere. Throughout the week, guests can enjoy a variety of live performances, from vinyl-spinning DJs to soulful R&B acts with the Soho bar open late most days of the week.

A beloved Soho institution for more than half a century, Bar Italia delivers the kind authentic Italian experience that usually requires a trip to Italy. Boasting classic red-and-white Formica tables, apron-clad waiters, and a distinctive neon sign marking its entrance, this bustling café is a key hub for London's Italian community. While espresso is available almost any time of day or night, the menu also includes a selection of alcoholic drinks.

Just because the night goes long doesn't mean you should be left destitute at the end of it. The budget-friendly Thirst Bar is a lively independent spot in Soho, spread across two floors. The ground-floor bar provides a relaxed setting with plenty of seating and an extensive cocktail menu, while the basement turns up the energy with DJs, dance-floor anthems, and plenty of shots to keep the party going late into the night.

Cahoots is undoubtedly one of the more unique late-night bars in Soho. Set within the former Kingly Court Underground Station, it transports guests back to the post-war era with its themed décor, ration-style snacks, and timeless cocktails. The space retains its nostalgic charm, adorned with long-forgotten relics unearthed by its new custodians, creating an immersive experience where late-1940s revelry continues well into the night.

Disrepute takes its name from its infamous past as a private basement club in the 1960s, rumoured to be where the scandalous Profumo affair first unfolded. Echoing the glamour of that era, its plush interiors and sleek leather booths set the scene for a sophisticated drinking experience. Unlike those days, however, its reputation today regularly lands it in the company of the best cocktail bars in London and beyond. It's open late every day, making it perfect for any late-night dealings.

The entrance to the Experimental Cocktail Club is so discreet that you're almost certain to walk past it on your first, second, even third attempt. But once you do manage to track it down, you'll step into a hidden gem where expert mixologists work their magic in an opulent setting. The drinks menu is just as refined, featuring rare and unusual spirits that elevate each creation at this Soho cocktail bar.

Thanks to its 24/7 opening hours, the Kings Sports Bar at the Empire Casino in Leicester Square is a go-to destination for sports enthusiasts and night owls alike. The sleek, modern bar features 17 screens of varying sizes, showing a wide range of live sports, including North American leagues and esports tournaments.

The Little Door bars in Soho recreate the feel of a stylish house party, where guests can roam through the different rooms of a hip flat. The stars of the show are the playful sharing cocktails, served in disco balls and Warhol soup tins, adding to the fun, laid-back vibe. True to any great house party, there's a selection of tasty bites, including burrata and Vietnamese meatballs, to keep the energy going.

Soma is a contemporary take on the underground speakeasy, drawing inspiration from the Indian subcontinent and beyond, brought to life by the team behind the acclaimed Kricket restaurant. This late-night Soho gem is renowned for its expertly crafted cocktails, including inventive creations like the chaat cocktail – a bold mix of smoky mezcal verde, Tapatio Blanco tequila, kumquat, and chaat masala spices.

The Room Where It Happens is a dream destination for musical theatre fans, where singing servers deliver food and drinks while a live pianist takes song requests. Group singalongs of beloved show tunes add to the lively, immersive atmosphere, making every visit a performance in itself. This unique Soho bar combines a fun dining experience with great entertainment lasting late into the night.

Trisha's, also known as New Evaristo Club, is another of Soho's hidden gems – an infamous jazz bar tucked behind an unassuming blue door and down a slightly questionable staircase. Once a gambling den, this intimate bar has hosted famous names like Anthony Bourdain and Jarvis Cocker while maintaining its cosy, unpretentious charm. With smooth jazz, a laid-back vibe, and a no-fuss drinks menu, it's the perfect spot to escape and unwind after a long night.

Bar Soho is a trendy late-night cocktail spot with quirky décor, featuring bathtub seating, mirrored walls, and roomy dance floors. By day, it offers a relaxed setting for sipping expertly crafted cocktails, but as night falls, DJs take over, transforming the space into a lively party hub. With music pumping until the early hours, it's the perfect place to dance the night away.

Circa Soho may be compact, but it packs plenty of style, with sleek leather banquettes, polished wood floors, and exposed brick walls – not to mention its notoriously good-looking staff. Located near Soho Square and open daily, it's a vibrant gay bar known for its lively DJ nights, spinning everything from house to RnB and chart hits late into the night.