by The best nights out are the ones that stretch into the evening – suddenly it’s 4am, and you’re dancing in a bar, and you don’t remember the circumstances that led up to it. Since the pandemic – and probably before, too – London, despite being a world capital, has lost more than 1,000 venues that would have made this possible, with 24-hour neighborhoods the clock as Soho bringing this loss forward. A combination of rising costs, a lack of late licenses and a struggling transport infrastructure has created a terrible late-night culture: basically, after midnight in central London, it’s hard to find things to do.
Italian cities are famous for their late-night dining, where families gather over a well-cooked dinner long after sunset, and yet in Milan, this tradition is also under threat thanks to overzealous tourists in the busy Porta Venezia area. A temporary ban on takeaway food sold after midnight came into force at the weekend in Milan after angry residents demanded the change.
“I believe that cities should be like us as people and have timetables that are a little more suitable for everyone,” said Giuseppe Sala, the city’s mayor, as the changes were enacted. If you want to follow that timeline, an aperitivo at Lacerba is highly recommended.
Unfortunately, this is not the case across Europe. Because of the milder weather, longer working hours and midday siestas, it is perfectly possible to eat dinner at half past nine and have drinks early. These are the best late night cities across the continent.
the Athens
Once a place to stop before heading out to the islands, Athens has become a destination in its own right. Attractions like the Acropolis are bustling by day, and by night, those history-hungry visitors are, quite simply, wild.
The Greek capital is not a city for early dancing, either. As is the case throughout southern Europe, warmer evenings mean a culture of sitting out on a terrace, drinking slowly and eating ever-larger portions of mezze into the night. The best spots are in the Kypseli neighbourhood, where punters spill out onto the pavement, and the weekend crowds are a delight to be amongst. Try Au Revoir, the oldest bar in the city, which was a favorite of Frank Sinatra.
When it’s time to call it a night, some Metro and tram lines run until 2am and others until 12am. There are plenty of cheap taxis available to take you back to your hotel.
Read our guide to Athens nightlife here.
Berlin
If a night out must mean a nightclub, Berlin is always the European highlight. The true devotees will already know about Berghain, the former legendary power station in the east of the city. Stories of six-hour queues, and specific dress code rules, are now the stuff of myth. No photos are allowed inside – regulars report an overflowing dance floor and enviable DJ sets on the upper floors, and something seedier on the lower levels. Parties start after midnight, and a good session should last until the next day.
If bouncer Sven’s mercurial taste isn’t your thing, however, there are plenty of other options in the city, from the old-fashioned to the intimidatingly modern. Serving beer 24 hours a day, a trip to Bei Schlawinchen is a travel rite of passage. Or soak up a night of drinking at Melek Pastanesi, which serves baklava around the clock.
If the hotel bed is successful, the U-Bahn is open from 4am to 1am and on weekends it runs a 24 hour service.
Read our guide to Berlin nightlife here.
Madrid
In Spain, late night culture is a matter of national identity. So much so that when a government minister suggested that restaurants close earlier than usual in the morning, the public responded with bravado. In fact, its closing times – even by continental standards – are lower than that. According to the Spanish newspaper El Paso, the most common time to have dinner is 9.20pm; research carried out by the Spanish government indicates that their country sleeps much less than the European average. However, this stubborn refusal to give medical advice has resulted in wonderful outdoor terraces and outdoor dining rooms.
Madrid is the model city for this, and its sleep-phobic citizens will certainly show when you walk the cobbled streets of the capital at night. Head to Toni2, a lively piano bar, to hear Spanish music all night long – it closes at 6am most days. Finish the evening with a trip to San Ginés, a traditional chocolatier that is open 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday and until midnight Monday to Wednesday.
When it’s time to go back to the hotel, the Madrid Metro is the best bet. It runs from 6am to 1.30am, with trains leaving every 15 minutes after midnight.
Read our guide to Madrid nightlife here.
Amsterdam
British tourists are still attracted to Amsterdam, despite the Dutch’s many attempts to keep stag parties away. Locals and visitors looking for a quieter type of holiday may have a problem as a place for flamboyant travellers, but it does mean nightlife is plentiful. Those looking to dine at night are advised to head to local favorite BAK, or Daalder, whose menu is fully refined. stroopwafel. Clubs abound, of course (favorites include De Melkweg, where weekday performances give way to wilder parties on Fridays and Saturdays). And if you want to avoid some of the more central spots, places like De Japanner, a restaurant group serving izakaya-inspired finger food, stay open until the early hours.
Ready to hit the hotel pillow? Amsterdam is a safe and very walkable city. The last tram leaves Central Station at 12.15am and there is a night bus service.
Read our guide to Amsterdam nightlife here.
