Maybe you’ve just got off a long-haul flight, and while the clock in London says 11 pm, your body still thinks it’s midday and you need to eat, drink and relax before heading to your hotel. Soho in London’s West End has you covered; you’ll find plenty of businesses in these three categories open until the wee hours of the morning. And if you’re a local or an expat who’s a bit of a night owl, these places will suit you just as well.
You don’t even need to leave the West End to experience all of this. Let’s take a circuit of the area right now.
Street food, pop-up restaurants and holes-in-the-wall are what late-night dining in this hub is all about. Here are three places all within walking distance of each other. The only question you need to ask yourself is what cuisine are you in the mood for?
Bar Italia
In 1995, the band Pulp released a song about this venue, claiming it to be where “all the broken people go” at all hours. It does get an eclectic gathering of people and Italian football fans when there’s a local match on. It serves hearty, wholesome, home-cooked-style paninis, pizza, pasta and an all-day breakfast—perfect when your body is telling you it’s morning. Bar Italia, bang slap in the centre of Soho, on Frith Street, is open until 5 am, closes for a quick two hours, then reopens again at 7 am.
Balan’s
Go a block and a half deeper into Soho and you’ll find Balan’s. Famous for its late-night breakfast menu served from midnight until 6 am, this is the after-party venue you go to when you need refuelling before sleep. Lady Gaga wore her iconic lace-meets-deadly-jacket there, and Amy Winehouse was a frequent visitor who kept getting kicked out for trying to smoke inside. Make sure to try the signature Porn Star Martini with your eggs.
MEATliquor
MEATliquor, decked out like an American-style diner, is half a mile away on the other side of Soho. If you’ve got cravings for burgers, fried chicken, mozzarella strips or Mac N Cheese all washed down with tap beer, this is your nirvana. It’s open until 3 am nightly and reopens right at midday for lunch.
Drink After Dark in Soho
There are so many pubs and bars in London that you couldn’t visit them all if you went every night for a year. Also, you cannot visit London and not go to a traditional English pub; your entire holiday cancels out if you don’t. Here are two iconic venues in Soho, one where tech is banned and one where you need a thick skin.
The French House
The French House in Dean Street has had a few name changes since it opened in 1891. It has numerous claims to fame and even has its own Wikipedia entry. You can only buy half-pints here, except on April 1 when full pints are poured—no joke! Rumour has it that Charles de Gaulle wrote his famous “À tous les Français” speech at this venue. Today, it’s well-known for its no music, no machines, no television and no mobile phones policy, which encourages conversation and attentiveness, an ideal escape from the digital world. Be sure to sample one of the UK’s 5 must-try dishes while you’re there. The French House is open from midday until 11 pm daily.
Coach and Horses
Coach and Horses in Greek Street is voted #1 by the Standard and has quite a history. It’s best-known as the home of “London’s Rudest Landlord” Norman Balon, who released his memoir You’re Barred, You Bastards in 1991, halfway through his tenure there. Coach and Horses is open from midday to 11 pm daily except Sunday, when it closes at 8 pm.
Play All Night in Soho
Your night in Soho isn’t complete until you’ve had some fun. Here are two very different concepts: arcade games or casino games, so take your pick. Or why not visit both?
NQ64
Old-school arcade gamers, this is the place for you. NQ64 in Berwick Street, Soho, is a bar with 31 arcade machines, 2 pinball machines and 8 retro consoles. Even the cocktails are retro gaming-themed. Take a step back in time and act like a kid again (only this time with alcohol). NQ64 operates weekdays from 3 pm to 3 am, Saturdays midday to 3 am and Sundays 11 am to midnight. It’s best to book on the website to avoid getting there and missing out.
Hippodrome Casino
Sure, you could sit in your hotel room and play online at one of the UK casinos offering Trustly deposits and withdrawals, but why not head to the real thing? Hippodrome Casino is on the edge of Soho at Leicester Square and is open 24/7, so you don’t even need to wear a watch. The seven-floor complex comprises three casino floors, including a poker floor, a cabaret theatre (currently showing Magic Mike Live), nine bars and a bunch of restaurants.
A Night Out in London
There you have it—one action-packed night in London without ever leaving Soho. The area has late-night food options like all-day breakfasts and American-style comfort food. Once you’re full, head to a pub. Go to one where mobile phones need to be off, or head to the one the Standard votes as the best in London. Wrap up your night playing some old-school arcade games, or try your hand at poker or slots at the casino. Plan it right and this will be a night you can tell stories about for decades.
