Lates at the Science Museum
Late night openings at London's museums and galleries
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By Sara O'Reilly
Updated: Thu May 13 2010 -
After-hours museum visits cater perfectly for people who want to combine a bit of culture with a sociable night out. An evening at a museum allows you to visit an exhibition or a new gallery, have a drink and a chat, and perhaps listen to a talk or join a tour. Here's our guide to which museums are open late on which nights of the week
Tuesdays
Sir John Soane’s Museum
On the first Tuesday of each month, until 9pm (last entry 8.30pm). Monthly late opening during which the atmospheric museum is lit by candles. Visitor numbers are generally high on these evenings and there is frequently a queue. See what's on at Sir John Soane's MuseumBritish Library
Weekly, 9.30am-8pm. See what's on at the British LibraryWednesdays
Science Museum
Open until 10pm once a month (usually the last Wednesday of the month). Adults-only opening with activities, gallery tours, music, a bar and child-free playtime in the interactive Launchpad gallery. See what's on at the Science MuseumCamden Arts Centre
Weekly 10am-9pm. See what's on at Camden Arts CentreChelsea Physic Garden
Late-night openings until 10pm on Wednesday in July & August. The café is open until closing time. See what's on at Chelsea Physic GardenThursdays
Barbican Art Gallery
Weekly until 10pm, with talks, screenings and other events linked to major exhibitions. And it’s open till 8pm on Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun, too. See what's on at the Barbican Art Gallery
Handel House Museum
Wekly late opening with concerts from 6.30 to 7.30pm (£9, £7.50 concs). See what's on at Handel House Museum
ICA
The galleries are open late on Thursdays during exhibitions. The bookshop is open daily 2.30-9.30pm Wed-Fri; noon-10pm Sat; noon-8.30pm Sun. The bar is open noon-11pm Wed; noon-1am Thur-Sat; noon-9pm Sun. The entire building is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. See what's on at the ICALondon Canal Museum
Open until 7.30pm on the first Thur of each month. See what's on at the London Canal MuseumNational Portrait Gallery
Weekly, till 9pm, on Thursdays and Fridays. See what's on at the National Portrait GallerySomerset House
Regular late opening of the Embankment Galleries only, during exhibition, until 9pm Thur (last admission 8.30pm). Courtyard and fountains open until 11pm in in summer. See what's on at Somerset House
Wellcome Collection
The galleries are open weekly, till 10pm, often accompanied by talks. See what's on at the Wellcome Collection
Whitechapel Gallery
Weekly late opening of the galleries on Thursdays, until 9pm. On Fridays there’s music in the café/bar until 11pm. See what's on at the Whitechapel GalleryWomen's Library
Regular late opening until 8pm on Thursdays. See what's on at the Women's Library
Fridays
British Museum
Selected galleries of the museum are open until 8.30pm every Friday evening. See what's on at the British Museum
Design Museum
Design Overtime takes place every eight weeks on a Friday night, when the museum opens from 6pm to 10pm for talks and workshops based on the current exhibitions. See what's on at the Design Museum
National Gallery
Weekly, till 9pm, with tours, talks and music events. See what's on at the National Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
Weekly, till 9pm, on Thursdays and Fridays. See what's on at the National Portrait Gallery
Royal Academy
Weekly until 10pm (last admission 9.30pm), with jazz in the restaurant. See what's on at the Royal Academy
Tate Britain
On the first Friday of each month, with performances, talks and screenings. See what's on at Tate Britan
Tate Modern
Weekly till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. See what's on at Tate Modern
V&A
Selected galleries remain open until 10pm on Fridays. In addition, Friday Lates, held on the last Friday of the month (except December), comprise mostly free, mostly drop-in events, workshops and entertainment, with a different theme each month, until 10pm. See what's on at the V&ADesign Museum
Until 10pm (last admission 9.15pm) once every two or three months for themed 'Design Overtime' events, featuring talks, workshops, music and entertainment. See what's on at the Design Museum
Saturdays
Tate Modern
Weekly till 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. See what's on at Tate ModernEvery day
London Eye
10am-9pm Sun-Thur; 10am-9.30pm Fri, Sat (May, June). 10am-9.30pm daily (July, Aug). 10am-9pm daily (Sept, Apr). 10am-8pm daily (Oct-Mar). See what's on at the London Eye
Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
10am-midnight daily (last adm 10.30pm). See what's on at Ripley's Believe it or Not!Advertisement- Add your comment to this feature
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2 comments
V&A opens late not only last Friday of the month, but every Friday. The last Friday of the month is a themed contemporary event night.
See http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/events/friday_evening s/index.html
"Selected galleries of the museum are open until 8.30pm every Thursday and Friday evening. The Great Court is open Thursday to Saturday until 11pm with regular talks, screenings and music"
No, the British Museum is no longer opening late on Thursdays because of the cuts.