Where to find the best South London nightlife
“What are you doing tonight?” The group chat rally has begun as someone sows the seed of a night out. Whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment get-together or one planned months in advance, every night out has its own personality. It could be a big one, a quiet one, one that drinks pints in the corner or that orders shots at the bar. Like a MBTI but for late-night institutions.
Based on your night-out’s personality, these are the best places to go in South London if you’re looking for a late one.
Infernos (you knew it was coming)
I’ll get this one out of the way early. If it’s a trad club you want, you’ll probably end up in Infernos. It’s a rite of passage. But, of course, South London has so much more nightlife on offer than light-up dance floors and five shots of Jägermeister for £25. Although I’d argue there is always a time and a place for those.
Jumbi
For low-key South London vibes with a hi-fi system, you can dance under a giant disco ball at Jumbi in Peckham as tracks bounce around the room from its vinyl-only system. You can select records to play on the single turntable, a concept that encourages deep listening, dancing and prioritising selection above mixing. It also serves up batches of Jumbi Rum Punch, which flow like the tunes.
Jazu
Across in Deptford, there's another bespoke listening set-up. Jazu has had multiple pop-ups and residencies across South London and now it has its first permanent bricks-and-mortar site, with an exceptionally good late license. Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s Jazu’s version of everyone’s favourite place to be – a bar.
Jazu has a cocktail list that puts mezcal and tequila on a pedestal – my favourite being the Mezcalita, which is fresh with lime and hot from the jalapeño and Tajín combo – you’ll also find a varied music schedule with gigs from big-name DJs as well as locals and lots of dancing after dark. Jazu is the place to go for stylish drinks that will hook you in and make you want to boogie into the night.
Little Orange Door
I’m the lead campaigner of Bring Back House Parties but who really wants to host them anymore? The recycling bin overflows, a glass might smash, and someone always drinks from the bottle you stashed away in a random cupboard hoping for it to stay hidden.
But being able to replicate that feeling on a night out, is genius. Little Orange Door in Clapham invites you into its home where you can have any party you want, including climbing into the bathtub by the toilets. How very Skins of you. You can also find other multi-coloured Little Doors around London – are you feeling Yellow, Blue, Violet or Scarlet?
The Blues Kitchen
Brixton’s Blues Kitchen is for the late night that’s got soul. Its Friday nights are all about hip hop, afro beats and R&B, with DJs and live musicians taking to the stage to play old and new school goodness until the early hours. It also has a karaoke room that hosts up to 20 people; take inspiration from the live performance and take to your own personal stage.
Effra Social
Also in Brixton, on the way to Herne Hill, you’ll find Effra Social. This spot is a Victorian pub masquerading as a does-it-all venue – DJs, artists, performers; it’s on every day at Effra. If you’re a Pop Queen, join Mike Urban’s Mega Pop Party each and every Friday. There are also Saturday Spins seeing special DJs take to the decks to bring you bangers.
The Railway
The Railway in Tulse Hill is another late night for music lovers. Come for a bev, devour a slice from resident pizza slingers Bad Boy Pizza Society, and stay for its events schedule. What looks like a timid local boozer – right by the train station may I add – transforms into a salsa club when West Norwood’s 12-piece Tulsa Latino takes you on a trip through Latin America, or a blues bar when they invite brass bands to blow their own trumpet. Boasting a 2 a.m. close, this is the ever-changing night out and one that will take you by surprise if you didn’t expect to Cha Cha on a Friday night.
The Carpet Shop
Some night outs are night owls, they thrive at 1 a.m. when most people are Lime biking home. The Carpet Shop in Peckham is one of those. A somewhat regular slot at this spot is “All Night Long”, which does what it says on the tin, bringing you tunes under the arches of Peckham’s railways, all night long. Some people say the music is “unnecessarily loud”, I say, always pack your earplugs. Get sweaty, dance and enjoy.
New Cross Inn
Continuing on that basement feel, New Cross Inn in New Cross has Stocks Bar downstairs, under the main bar, and it should be your go-to South London gig venue. It hosts live music seven days a week, touting up-and-coming artists and welcoming back local legends on the reg. Cosy into one of the booths or get up front as close to the artist as possible, but either way, it might have you up until 3 a.m. on a Monday night.
Putney Pies
Lastly, it’s Putney Pies. I know what you’re thinking, “Did you just say pies?” Serving traditional British pies during the day and then house music DJs playing through the night, Putney Pies is the Yin and Yang of South London nightlife and all-in-one location. The Vault at Putney Pies is where the late-night magic happens, and you’ll forget you're in a pie shop. If that’s even possible.
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