Top 5 post-lockdown nights out in London
The pandemic has meant that the last year has been a strange time for everyone. Lockdown has prevented us from going to our favourite places and doing the things we love. Fortunately, we can now see a faint light at the end of the long coronavirus tunnel.
As it stands, it's not too long now until we can get together with friends to enjoy a night out, and London is the ideal place to go post-lockdown. The capital is packed with fantastic venues and great fun entertainment, whether you want an evening of culture laughs or to put your skills to the test.
Here are five ideas for great post-lockdown nights out in London.
1. Crazy golf
The beauty of crazy golf is that it combines everything you could want in a night out - good food, drinks, plenty of laughs and a little friendly competition. London has many great late-night crazy golf courses where you and your friends can enjoy some putter-based fun. It doesn't matter whether you have experience of being on the green or it's your first time holding a club, crazy golf is easy and fun to play - the perfect activity for a night on the town.
2. Comedy show
After the year we've had, we could do with a good laugh, so where better to head after lockdown than a London comedy show. The capital is home to some of the world's best comedy clubs, where you can catch some famous names perform alongside the newest talent on the comedy circuit. You can have a laugh, sip cocktails and forget what's been happening in the world. Some of London's best comedy clubs include:
- The Comedy Store
- Seven Dials Club
- Backyard Comedy Club
- The Top Secret Comedy Cluv
- Camden Comedy Club.
3. Check out a West End show
London's West End is positively bursting with excellent theatres and incredible talent. A night out at the West End promises to be a fantastic and hugely memorable experience. Some of its shows come and go, but many favourite classics have been running for years. If you've never caught a show before, make your first one of the famous classics such as Wicked, Les Misérables or The Phantom of the Opera. There are also plenty of new productions to check out too.
4. Karaoke
If you are really looking to let your hair down, then there's nowhere better than one of London's many karaoke bars. Karaoke shouldn't be underestimated for a great night out! It requires a level of skill, confidence, perseverance and generally a good amount of alcohol. You can book a private karaoke booth where you can belt out all your favourite songs for as long as you want (until closing time). Some of the top karaoke bars in London include:
- Lucky Voice
- The Karaoke Hole
- The Old School Yard
- Bunga Bunga.
5. Escape rooms
A night out in London doesn't have to mean sitting in a bar or restaurant for hours on end. If you want to try something completely different, London's escape rooms are a must. Escape rooms vary from the traditional locked room you must escape from, a Sherlock-themed mystery to solve or even a recreation of the splendid 90s classic The Crystal Maze. Your team will have to work together to solve puzzles within a certain time. If you think you have what it takes to beat an escape room, grab your friends and head to one of these venues:
- Clue Adventures
- The Crystal Maze
- Enigma Escape
- Escape London
- AI Escape.
Things to remember
Before you book your first night out post-lockdown, there's a few things you should keep in mind to avoid any surprises or disappointments. Most venues have had to make considerable changes in light of the pandemic, so even if you've been there before, it might look rather different on your next visit. Before you book tickets or make arrangements to go, check the venue's website first. Most places now require advanced booking, so it's a good idea to check in advance and any changes to their opening and closing times. Also, find out if there are any restrictions on group numbers and if you have to wear a mask during your visit. Expect to be required to wear a facemask in pubs, bars and other indoor venues and stick to the common sense advice of sanitizing hands and not touching your face while you're out and about.
There are plenty of fantastic places to go and things to do on a night out in London post-lockdown. Whether you want to sit back and enjoy a show or test your skills against your friends, London has it all and more.