Girls Night London: The Real Guide to a Memorable Evening

So, you’re planning a girls’ night in London and want it to go off without a hitch? Skip the endless group chats and polls—London has something for literally every kind of crew, but knowing where to start can save you a lot of headaches. The biggest mistake? Picking a place too far out or so cramped you end up yelling over the music. Time to get smart about your options.

Central spots like Soho or Shoreditch are packed with bars that take group bookings (a must—trust me on this one). If you want to start with dinner, try a buzzy restaurant that has sharing plates. It keeps the energy lively and lets you order a bit of everything. Many places now let you pre-order menus, making split bills way easier at the end.

• Where to Start: Picking the Right Spot
• Food, Drinks, and Prep Moves
• Fun Ideas That Go Beyond the Basics
• Tips for a Smooth Night Out

Where to Start: Picking the Right Spot

The first move for any girls’ night in London is choosing a spot that’ll actually work for your group. It sounds obvious, but loads of nights get derailed by ignoring this. Zone 1 will save you travel drama—think Soho, Covent Garden, or Liverpool Street. These areas have late-night transport options (including Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays) and plenty of safe, well-lit streets after hours.

When you’re picking a venue, ask yourself a few things:

• Does everyone actually enjoy the vibe—cocktail bar, rooftop, cozy pub, or somewhere more lowkey?
• Is there space for groups, and can you actually hear each other?
• Can you book ahead to avoid queue stress?

Some popular go-tos for a girls night London include Tonight Josephine (famous for neon and pink everything), Cahoots (underground 1940s speakeasy vibes), and Queen of Hoxton if you want a big rooftop.

Here’s some quick, useful info on average costs for groups in top London spots:

TripAdvisor’s London nightlife guide sums up what most groups are after:

"The best nights out in London start with an easy-to-reach spot, great music, and a place to sit when you need it!"

Check group size limits for each venue. A lot of central bars cap tables at 8-10 people, so if you’ve got more, call ahead or look for private areas. Booking early (sometimes weeks in advance for Fridays or Saturdays) can save you a ton of hassle.

Food, Drinks, and Prep Moves

If you want your girls night London to actually run smoothly, food and drinks need to be locked in first. London has loads of restaurant choices, but not all are group-friendly. You want places that let you book for more than six (many don’t), or that even have special group set menus — like Dishoom (works well for shared Indian food) or Pizza Pilgrims for easy, affordable slices in a relaxed vibe. Look up places that do bottomless brunch deals at night, like Nic’s in Soho—good value and the prosecco refills never stop coming.

When it comes to drinks, bars in areas like Covent Garden and King’s Cross often have happy hours. Simmons Bar is popular for its 5-9pm £2.50 G&Ts, and Tonight Josephine is all pink neon, deals, and sugar-high cocktails. Booking a cocktail-making class can break the ice and give everyone something to talk about — All Bar One and Dirty Martini both run these, and you can usually score a slot for under £40 per person.

Sorting the bill is classic girls’ night stress, but you don’t have to do mental maths all night. Loads of places now support apps like Splitwise or built-in table tabs. Going cashless is the norm—most London venues don’t even take cash now.

• Call ahead—double check dietary needs; most places offer good veggie, vegan, and gluten-free choices.
• Pre-order drinks or set up a tab to avoid crowds at the bar.
• Plan travel home. Late-night tubes run on Fridays and Saturdays, but checking the night bus map is never a bad idea.

You get more out of a chilled dinner, so don’t overbook. A study last year by OpenTable showed 68% of London party reservations for eight or more were made mid-week, meaning Friday gets booked out fast. Hop on it early.

Fun Ideas That Go Beyond the Basics

If your crew has hit the same old cocktail bars a million times, it’s time to shake things up. London is full of group experiences you can’t get anywhere else, and they sell out quick (especially on weekends), so booking ahead is smart.

Ever tried a karaoke booth at Lucky Voice in Soho? Everyone gets their private mic—no judgment, just laughter. If singing isn’t your style, check out the ball pits at Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch—yes, it’s adults only, and yes, you will want pics for Instagram. If adrenaline’s your thing, Flight Club does social darts in a super chill setting, way more fun than your local pub and perfect for big groups.

If your group likes something hands-on, there are pizza-making classes in Covent Garden or gin-tasting at the East London Liquor Company. Bottomless brunch? There are dozens, but Tonight Josephine’s wild themes are hard to beat—think drag queens, sing-alongs, and sparkly drinks galore.

Check out this quick showdown of what’s trending for a girls night London right now:

One thing to remember: these ideas fill up even faster than regular bars. I’ve seen Saturday slots disappear weeks in advance, especially for karaoke and brunches. Quick booking can be the difference between nailing the plan or ending up split in different places. Make use of group deals—some spots toss in free drinks or food for bigger bookings if you ask up front.

You don’t have to stick to night-time, either. Afternoon teas at Sketch or Sandy’s Piano Bar’s early sessions can work if your crew likes a slower pace. The best nights come from activities everyone actually wants to do, instead of just the usual pub crawl. A tiny bit of upfront planning nets way better memories.

Tips for a Smooth Night Out

London's busy streets and packed venues can turn what should be a fun girls’ night out into a logistical mess if you’re not prepared. A little planning means less stress and way more actual fun. Here’s what works in the real world, tested by anyone who’s survived a Saturday night in Soho.

• Girls night London tip one: Sort your ride home before you even leave. Night tubes run Fridays and Saturdays but don’t assume they’ll get you all the way home. Apps like Bolt and Uber are fast, but between midnight and 2am, expect price surges. Book minicabs in advance for larger groups—it keeps everyone together and means you’re not waiting in the cold.
• If you’re a group bigger than five, always book venues ahead. London’s bars fill up, especially on weekends, and walk-ins get turned away all the time. Some spots (like Cahoots in Kingly Court) require a card to secure the booking, but it’s worth it to avoid wandering around with tired shoes.
• Decide on payment before you order anything. Split bills with apps like Splitwise or even simple bank transfers. Lots of places won’t do itemised bills for groups, and nothing kills the vibe quicker than an argument over who had the extra olives.
• Pick one or two places—max. Trying to ‘bar crawl’ across several postcodes always sounds good, but in reality you waste half the night on busy tubes or lining up outside. Most girls’ nights get the most laughs when you stay put and actually enjoy where you are.
• Look up the dress code before you go. Some London rooftop bars and clubs (think Madison or Aqua Spirit) have a no-trainers rule. You don’t want a friend turned away at the door—it happens all the time.

Keep phones charged, set up a group chat, and agree on a backup meet spot in case anyone wanders off (big venues like Ballie Ballerson can get chaotic). Snap some pics, but don’t get glued to your screen the whole night—half the fun is just catching up in person. Finally, if you’re all staying over together, a stash of snacks and water for the next morning is a lifesaver.