The best nightclubs in Shoreditch

Xoyo in the heart of Shoreditch is one of the capital's most beloved nightclubs, distinguished by a sharp ear for compiling line-ups on the cutting edge of contemporary electronic music. It spans two floors and is fitted out with a state-of-the-art sound system. It hosts some of the best affordable parties in London with its signature Pleasurehood nights, and Xoyo residencies by acts such as Bicep and Skream have become the stuff of legend.

Village Underground is a multifaceted venue that started out as a pair of shipping containers and four tube carriages atop a viaduct. Today, it's an internationally renowned creative and cultural hub that hosts live music, exhibitions, co-working spaces and regular club nights. Expect a wide range of international and UK acts taking charge of the dancefloor and guiding revellers late into the night.

Colours Hoxton is a multi-arts venue in Hoxton Square that features a striking LED ceiling installation, a top-notch sound system, and a diverse and varied programme. On club nights, techno, house, disco and other energetic music keeps the dancefloor going late into the night, with an emphasis placed on booking inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly acts, for example for the popular Pxssy Palace nights. 

This Shoreditch mainstay spans three circus-themed floors, from the funfair-inspired main bar and a VIP area on the mezzanine, to an open-plan bar and dancefloor in the basement. There's bound to be something going on whenever you stop by, from Trapeze's own circus shows to bottomless brunch. The 200-cap basement club features showy lighting and hosts resident DJs playing hip hop, R&B, commercial bangers, ‘90s hits and other floor-fillers.

Basing House is a contemporary electronic music venue on Kingsland Road, open primarily on Fridays and Saturdays, with the odd Thursday bash thrown in for good measure. The venue can accept up to 300 partiers and has been open since 2010, with a range of promotors throwing house, techno and disco events – among others, Basing House has hosted acts such as A Guy Called Gerald, Ilario Alicante, Onur Özer and Maya Jane Coles. 

Part pub, part gig venue and part nightclub, The Old Blue Last is an infamous Shoreditch establishment that spans three floors. Its stage has been graced by the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Diplo and Lily Allen, and today's unknown up-and-comer here often turns into the next big thing tomorrow. The live music is complemented by DJ nights, as well as the regular pub activities of pints and chats.

Everyone's a baller at Ballie Ballerson, a Shoreditch party spot whose claim to fame is a pit filled with a million glowing plastic balls, ready for you to dive in and frolic. That's not all, however, as the venue features a bar serving signature cocktails and pizzas, as well as a dancefloor to round things off. You can really go balls-out on weekends, with the DJs spinning banger after banger late into the night.

Rolling Stock is a bar and an underground dance and live music space, tucked away in brick railway arches. The latter provide an intimate, moody interior setting, while the walled beer garden is a popular choice for al fresco relaxation. Below, DJ play house tunes and leading underground bangers to get the people going, with visuals adding to the atmosphere throughout the venue and creating a cool backdrop.

This buzzing live music and nightclub venue is part of the Old Truman Brewery complex on Brick Lane. It spans two main floors, both equipped with quality sound and lighting systems, and outdoor spaces, including a courtyard. 93 Feet East has hosted some of the biggest names in music, from Radiohead to Burial, and regularly hosts house, techno, garage and disco club nights in its industrial setting.

Located in the back streets of Shoreditch, the Queen of Hoxton is known for changing its rooftop terrace theme in line with seasons, switching up the decor, drinks and even the street food. Add the main bar on the ground floor of this three-floor area and that's your pre-drinks sorted. Once the sun goes down, the basement club beckons, with resident DJs spinning the freshest hip hop, R&B, pop and other crowd-pleasing genres. 

The flagship venue of the Mothership Group, which also runs the Queen of Hoxton and Colours Hoxton, The Book Club is a much more vibrant and lively spot than its name might indicate. A laidback café-bar by day, it turns into a cool party venue at night, with a bustling crowd downing cocktails, munching on pizza, admiring the art on the walls and going into the early hours thanks to the DJs.

Gazing around the ground-floor bar and restaurant at Gigi's, with its long stone bar, bespoke murals and a chill crowd enjoying cocktails and American-style comfort food, you might not think of it as a particularly party-crazed establishment. But venture downstairs into the Underbelly on club nights and things change quickly, with the snug basement club blasting hip hop, R&B, Afro beats and other popular genres in an intimate setting with red drapes and booths.

Q Shoreditch is a sleek pool and gaming bar and club that brings the thrill of Vegas to the heart of East London. Beneath the elegant lounge with upmarket pool tables, it houses a futuristic nightclub with lasers, neon lighting and a state-of-the-art Pioneer sound system. The music policy ranges from Ibiza vibes to fresh R&B, with table service available as well.

Overflowing with clashing colours, vibrant decor and Latin flavour, the Shoreditch outpost of the barrio cocktail bars is a lively spot. Before you know it, sipping on a classic cocktail or South American wine and nibbling on Mexican-inspired dishes turns into a crazy night of banging music, wild dancing and all-around merriment.

This beloved East End tavern doesn't believe in stopping the good times early, turning into a disco-fuelled club on weekends. The traditional rustic setting of the Horse & Groom pub is well suited to late-night dancing on a packed floor, with DJs spinning soul, funk, hip hop, boogie and R&B best-ofs into the early hours. The usual range of pub drinks, from beers and spirits to cocktails is on hand as well, of course.