London’s best nightclubs

Over its 16-plus years, Fabric has established itself as one of London's clubbing landmarks – a reputation built through consistently high quality programming that showcases all strands of the UK’s electronic music underground.

It’s been five whole years since Printworks first opened its doors to the party people of London. Just a few minutes’ walk from Canada Water station, it’s essentially a massive industrial complex that used to be where newspapers including the Daily Mail were printed. But don’t let that put you off... the venue is known for its top-quality audio-visual production, hyped-up crowds and some seriously sought-after artists.

This Kingsland High Street hangout is a bit of a face on the east London party scene. In true Dalston style it’s home to all: popular with a large and diverse LGBTQ+ crowd, but welcoming to all and everyone. 

This industrial-ish space in Tower Hamlets is owned by the same team that run Oval Space. Sitting directly opposite that venue, TPF did indeed used to operate as a working pickle factory, but after being used for foodie pop-ups and exhibitions in 2013, Oval Space has fully revamped the intimate venue as an excellent club and live music space.

Established in 2010, this excellent Shoreditch venue quickly cemented itself as one of the most on-point clubbing spaces and gig venues in London, thanks to a booking selection that ignored genre and simply focused on quality.

If you thought east London is past its clubbing prime, think again. FOLD is a brand-spanking-new club venue, blessed with a 24-hour licence. Located in a non-residential area between Bow and Canning Town, it’s also conveniently close to the Jubilee line and its night tube service.

A hugely welcome addition to London’s music and nightlife ecosystem, this newish two-roomed venue has a fantastic arched main room, replete with exposed brickwork. The bar room also doubles as a second room for club nights – and on the right night can feel like an absolute riot.

This Brixton club has a similar feel to XOYO – a sleek, dark dance cavern with plenty of space for dancing – and the programming leans very much towards the leftfield side of dance music – don’t expect cheesy ’80s nights here, it’s quality underground house, techno, disco and bass all the way. 

You can’t miss Village Underground thanks to the four brightly coloured, graffiti-covered tube carriages, now artists’ studios, perched on its roof. Its renovated Victorian warehouse space hosts exhibitions, concerts theatre, live art and – most impressive of all – some amazing club nights.

A hip nightspot in Hackney from the team who run the Shacklewell Arms and Lock Tavern, Moth Club is a former trade hall that houses a military veterans’ club alongside its hipper clientele. It borrows its name from the Memorable Order of Tin Hats, an order of ex-military servicemen and women who still regularly meet and drink at the venue. Regardless of the recent refurbishment, these words continue to ring true, right down to the last commemorative plaque, preserving the original feel of the club. Well, almost. The venue’s back room has been entirely covered in gold glitter, a look which somehow works remarkably well with the retro, dated interior.