The Essential Guide to London’s Best Nightclubs

Consistently rated as one of the world’s best clubs, Fabric is a London institution. Hosting underground DJ talent, electronic music legends and accomplished live acts, it boasts three separate rooms with independent sound systems – two of which feature stages for live performances. Check out Room 1 for its vibrating “bodysonic” dancefloor, where 400 bass transducers emit the frequencies of the music being played. Music genres vary nightly, but you can expect everything from cutting-edge house, techno and electro to classic disco.

This five-storey converted warehouse in Peckham hosts top events in music, theatre, dance, film, art and more. But on Saturday nights the venue transforms into the South London Soul Train, one of the best club nights out in the capital, with resident and guest DJs playing funk, soul and disco bangers.

XOYO is a stalwart of the east London clubbing scene. The venue is split over two floors, and ever-evolving residencies mean the music is always fresh, with DJs spinning house, disco, techno and grime. Be advised, entry is 21+ on Fridays and Saturdays.

You can’t mention London clubbing without the behemoth that is Ministry of Sound. Located between Borough and Elephant & Castle, the club helped spawn the original 1990s ravers. Today it is a global franchise and record label. The club knows its audience and sticks to its house and dance groove – expect to see a variety of DJ legends and newcomers on the decks.

This venue, which unsurprisingly used to be a pickle factory, is an intimate space for music lovers. Expect to see next-big-thing DJs and live bands alongside the kingpins of the electronic dance music scene.

Printworks, in Surrey Quays, specialises in excellent daytime raves. Emerge blinking at 10pm and be home on the sofa by midnight.

Deep in residential Elephant & Castle, Corsica Studios captures the spirit of an illegal rave. Two rooms under railway arches pulse to the beat of one of the best sound systems in London, with nights that range from techno to offbeat electronica.

Phonox joined Brixton’s lively clubbing scene in September 2015 and has cemented itself as the go-to venue for south London partygoers. The popular spot hosts regular drum and bass nights, including Shogun Audio an event featuring both rising stars and seasoned DJs. If you’re coming for a Friday night session, expect an amazing sound system, a large dancefloor and clubbers who are passionate about great music.