Best Things to Do in London for Young Friend Groups
Home · London · Young Friend Groups
From the classic Shoreditch and Soho, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
Explore Shoreditch, East London's ever-changing hub of street art and startup energy. Wander past rotating murals near Great Eastern Street, browse Brick Lane's vintage shops and Sunday market, then hit the rooftop bars around Old Street by night.
Wander Soho, London's tangled hub of theatres, bars, and late-night energy. Stroll Old Compton Street's LGBTQ+ scene, browse Berwick Street's record stalls, and drift into Chinatown's edge on Gerrard Street after the West End curtains fall.
★ 4.7 · 994 reviews
Discover Bambi, Hackney's intimate listening bar where music and food take equal billing. Settle in for eclectic small plates and inventive cocktails while carefully curated tracks set the mood for a memorable night out.
★ 4.5 · 2,465 reviews
Discover BRAT on Redchurch Street, where live-fire Basque cooking takes centre stage. Watch whole fish and char-grilled dishes come off the open flame as you share plates in a lively, stylish Shoreditch setting.
★ 4.4 · 287 reviews
Discover Camille, the small plates spot near Borough Market that some diners rank as London's best. Share a table of maximalist, savoury dishes with a friend or partner, guided by warm staff happy to accommodate walk-ins.
★ 4.5 · 625 reviews
Discover Levan, the Peckham restaurant reviewers say is worth crossing London for. Settle into a high-end yet relaxed setting with warm, family-friendly service for a lunch or dinner that makes the whole evening feel like an occasion.
★ 4.8 · 1,207 reviews
Discover Plaza Khao Gaeng in Borough Yards, a canteen-style counter dishing out Southern Thai curries over rice. Pick your dish, sit back for warm, unfussy service, and taste bold, punchy flavours that far outdo their humble looks.
★ 4.2 · 2,636 reviews
Dig into Smoking Goat, Shoreditch's buzzing Thai barbecue haunt. Grab char-grilled noodles, mackerel, and massaman at the bar while the loud, energetic crowd keeps the night lively around you.
★ 4.9 · 5,705 reviews
Step into Immersive Gamebox on London's South Bank for a competitive twist on gaming night. Strap on an AR headset and battle your team through themed challenges like Angry Birds during a fast-paced 90-minute session.
Discover Dalston, East London's scrappy nightlife hub. Wander Kingsland Road's cluster of live-music pubs and DJ bars, browse Ridley Road Market's Caribbean and Turkish stalls, and grab cheap grills on the side streets.
★ 4.6 · 5,291 reviews
Step into Cahoots Underground, a wildly themed hideaway tucked beneath Carnaby's Kingly Court. Soak up the immersive decor and live music while sipping cocktails on a night out built for groups and celebrations.
★ 4.4 · 3,405 reviews
Discover Manteca, a Shoreditch Italian spot built around nose-to-tail cooking. Watch house-made salumi and pasta take shape in the open kitchen while you settle into counter seating for a casual but considered lunch or dinner.
★ 4.7 · 12,375 reviews
Discover Padella near Borough Market, where the queue is half the fun. Join locals for handmade pasta like tagliarini with Dorset crab, plus starters such as burrata with peas, at wallet-friendly prices.
★ 4.8 · 1,957 reviews
Step into the Old West at Moonshine Saloon, London's immersive cocktail bar in Houndsditch. Sip themed drinks as in-character actors pull you into their unfolding saloon storyline all night long.
★ 4.8 · 1,158 reviews
Step into full-body virtual reality at Sandbox VR in Holborn. Suit up in a haptic vest, roam freely with your team, and dive into immersive game worlds, including a strikingly realistic Squid Game adaptation.
★ 4.7 · 2,494 reviews
Discover OMA, a lively Borough Market spot built around live-fire Greek cooking. Gather friends or a date over sharing plates of grilled fish and vegetables in a warm, celebratory atmosphere.
★ 3.8 · 3,015 reviews
Discover fabric, one of London's most legendary superclubs in Farringdon. Feel the bass-shaking Bodysonic dancefloor beneath you as you move between three rooms of house, techno, and drum & bass through marathon nights.
Explore Peckham, South London's vibrant mix of old and new. Wander the African and Caribbean market stalls on the high street, then head up to Frank's Cafe or Bold Tendencies for rooftop views and art in a converted car park.
Explore Hackney Wick, East London's raw canalside enclave of converted warehouses. Wander past murals and graffiti-covered buildings, duck into taproom breweries in old factory units, and stroll the canal right up to the Olympic Park.
Dive into Camden Market's canal-side maze of stalls and warehouses. Browse vintage and alternative fashion racks, independent jewelry makers, and street food from around the world across the Lock and Stables Market sections.
★ 4.9 · 2,759 reviews
Discover clueQuest, a top-rated escape room venue near King's Cross. Team up to crack varied themed puzzles while enthusiastic game masters guide your group through the challenge.
★ 4.6 · 3,300 reviews
Step into the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience on Shaftesbury Avenue. Guide your team through Aztec, futuristic, medieval and industrial zones, tackling physical challenges to collect crystals and beat the clock.
★ 4.7 · 2,083 reviews
Discover Hijingo Bingo, Shoreditch's high-energy twist on a classic night out. Play lively bingo rounds paced by hosts, mixed with games, music and party vibes alongside friends or fellow groups.
★ 4.8 · 2,923 reviews
Discover TOCA Social at The O2, where football meets fine dining. Compete in screen-tracked football-skills challenges between courses and drinks, making it a lively group night out for celebrations or birthdays.
★ 4.6 · 1,570 reviews
Step into Phantom Peak, a fully built frontier town hidden in Surrey Quays. Interact with costumed actors, chase storylines through the streets, and shape quests with your own curiosity instead of just watching from a seat.
★ 4.6 · 3,008 reviews
Step into Carnaby Street, the pedestrianized heart of 1960s Swinging London. Browse independent boutiques and familiar fashion chains beneath colorful seasonal decorations, soaking up street art that echoes the area's rebellious music history.
★ 4.5 · 950 reviews
Discover Brick Lane, East London's buzzing hub of curry houses, bagel shops, and Sunday market stalls. Browse vintage clothing and vinyl, sample multicultural street food, and wander past ever-changing street art before continuing on to nearby Spitalfields.
★ 3.9 · 3,304 reviews
Step into Ministry of Sound, the Elephant and Castle superclub that's powered London's house scene since 1991. Dance to a legendary sound system across multiple rooms, with VIP tables and birthday packages on hand for a proper big-club night out.
★ 3.8 · 771 reviews
Discover The Cause, a community-run outdoor rave space tucked into a Tottenham garden. Dance through sun-soaked daytime parties with solid acoustics, knowing proceeds go straight back into grassroots music culture.
★ 4.4 · 1,640 reviews
Discover FOLD, an industrial techno warehouse in Canning Town built for serious clubbing. Lose yourself in extended sets on a powerful sound system, phones away, alongside London's underground dance crowd until deep into the night.
London · 🚶 Neighborhoods
Shoreditch
1h15
Soho
London · 🍽️ Food
Bambi
BRAT Restaurant
1h40
Camille - Borough Market
1h45
Levan Restaurant Peckham
Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards
1h
Smoking Goat Shoreditch
London · 🎭 Entertainment
Immersive Gamebox - Southbank, London
Dalston
London · 🍸 Drinks
Cahoots Underground
1h30
manteca
Padella Borough Market
Moonshine Saloon
Sandbox VR
OMA
London · 🌙 Nightlife
fabric London
2h30
Peckham
Hackney Wick
London · 🛍️ Shopping
Camden Market
clueQuest - The Live Escape Game
The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Hijingo Bingo
TOCA Social, The O2
2h
Phantom Peak London
Carnaby Street
45 min
Brick Lane Market
Ministry of Sound
The Cause
FOLD