Alfresco dining, art galleries and awesome pubs: three reasons why we love Waterloo

Music, art, theatre, movies – whatever you want, Waterloo has it. If live music is your thing (Alexa, play ‘Waterloo Sunset’) then you’ve got to book a gig at the Southbank Centre. Home to the legendary Royal Festival Hall, National Poetry Library, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room, it’s welcomed everyone from Jeff Buckley to David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker to Nile Rodgers. You’ll also find the legendary Hayward Gallery in the same complex, which is home to a wide range of brilliant art. There’s also the BFI Southbank, where you’ll catch the latest releases – Oppenheimer in the IMAX is a necessity – alongside classic screenings and hot new releases as part of the BFI London Film Festival. Meanwhile, the National Theatre shows new and old productions featuring some of the world’s leading actors. See, anything you’re interested in, you’ll find it here.

In a hurry to catch your show? No problem: on average, your private ride or black cab is just six minutes away on FREENOW.

Waterside dining doesn't get much better than Truffle Burger, which is right on the edge of the Thames. That means chowing down on a thick, juicy patty while bathing your face in the sun come summertime. Delicious. Further down the riverbank is KERB’s The Table, where London’s longest banqueting table is ready for you to tuck into fluffy Korean bao buns, Venezuelan cachapas, Japanese ramen and more street food specials from some of the city’s best vendors. It’s proper theatre-meets-dining vibes. And a good excuse to chat to whoever is next to you for food recommendations. If you’re heading on a date night, swing  by The Green Room, where you can dine on a menu of modern British cuisine within a charming covered garden that’s sure to encourage some major swooning.

The commuters of Waterloo need their thirst quenched somehow. Luckily, you’ve got an abundance of pubs to choose from. Vaulty Towers is like the weird theatre kid on the scene, what with its junk shop interiors, complete with flags, mismatched furniture and dedicated ‘Cave of Wonders’ private room. Events here range from comedy nights to art classes. Then if you head more toward Kennington, you’ll stumble across The Tankard – from beer-focused pub group BrewDog – which overlooks the former Bethlem Hospital (aka Bedlam) and was once frequented by Charlie Chaplin. A good excuse to soak up some local history with top-tier brews.

Planning a trip to another city? You’re in luck: FREENOW operates in cities across the UK including Manchester, Edinburgh and Brighton, as well as Europe-wide.