A Nightlife Guide To Camden London

As the cradle of counterculture and the home of loads of live music, Camden is the perfect place for a lively night out in London. From bars and pubs to nightclubs and music venues, here’s a guide to nightlife in Camden.

Nightclubs and live music

1. Electric Ballroom, London

Restaurant, Nightclub, Street Food

Electric Ballroom has been at the heart of Camden’s music scene since the 1930s. It’s located on Camden High Street, just one minute’s walk from Camden Town tube station. You can catch both up-and-coming and big name artists here. On Saturday nights the venue hosts a weekly indie rock party, Propaganda, until 3am.

2. Camden Underworld

Pub, Nightclub, Pub Grub

The Worlds End Pub and Underworld music venue in Camden, London

Camden Underworld is a music venue in the basement of The World’s End, a pub that’s been a stalwart of Camden High Street for hundreds of years. This is the go-to spot for the alt crowd – expect a heavy programme of metal, punk, screamo and everything in between. Head here on Friday and Saturday nights for rock music you can dance the night away to.

3. KOKO

Concert Hall, Music Venue, Theatre, Building

KOKO first opened as the Camden Theatre in 1900 and has since been known by many other names, including The Music Machine and Camden Palace. Now operating as a live music venue and nightclub, KOKO brings new flavours to Camden’s historically rock-heavy music scene, hosting grime artists, soul nights and a big hip-hop bash every Friday. With a capacity of almost 1,500, it’s one of the biggest clubs in London.

4. Jazz Café

Concert Hall, Music Venue

The London home of soul, jazz and disco, the Jazz Café is one of Camden’s most iconic venues. It has previously welcomed the likes of Amy Winehouse and Bobby Womack, and continues to host local and international stars in an intimate setting. With live music seven nights a week, there’s never a bad time to go; if you’re looking to dance the night away, a soul-themed club night takes over at the weekends.

5. King's Club at Shaka Zulu

Nightclub, Restaurant, Market, African, South African

Injecting some opulence into rough-and-ready Camden, King’s Club at South African restaurant Shaka Zulu is a huge nightclub situated above Stables Market. Saturday nights see circus performers, from contortionists to fire breathers, entertaining the club’s stylish crowd.

6. FEST

Nightclub, Restaurant, British

Taking over from Camden’s Proud, Fest is a club and restaurant housed in a 200-year-old former horse hospital in Stables Market. Visit for the cabaret club, the cinema and the heated rooftop.

Pubs and bars

7. The Hawley Arms, London

Pub, Pub Grub

Despite being famed for its unruly clientele, The Hawley is not one to be missed. With hearty English food on the menu and a large selection of drinks on offer, this famous pub remains a favourite with the locals. Amy Winehouse frequented the pub on a number of occasions and tributes to her adorn the pub, adding a touch of personality to this North London drinking spot.

8. Fifty Five Bar

Bar, British

Fifty Five Bar, with 200 different cocktails on offer, stakes a convincing claim for Camden’s cocktail crown. This is the perfect spot for happy hour (did someone say two-for-one cocktails?) or to kick off a big night out. Beware: it gets loud.

9. The Assembly House, London

Pub, Pub Grub

Formerly known as The Barfly, over the years this intimate venue has welcomed all the greats, including Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand and Muse. Even if you’re not seeing a gig, it’s a cool hangout spot with a great menu.

10. The Blues Kitchen, Camden High Street

Bar, Nightclub, Pub, Restaurant, American, European

Camden’s rock ‘n’ roll restaurant, The Blues Kitchen is not only a great spot for American diner fare, it also hosts live bands and DJs every day of the week. Head here for your fill of blues, soul, country and folk.

11. Lockside Camden

Bar, Restaurant, American, Mexican

Lockside is a bar and terrace overlooking Camden’s famous lock, and at weekends it’s the place to be if you’re after hip-hop and R&B. There’s also a weekly karaoke night, a full bar and a menu of delicious American and Mexican dishes, perfect if you’re after unfussy food and an unpretentious night out.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.