Recently updated on January 20th, 2020 at 06:31 pm
“No-one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep.” Experiencing a destination at night can certainly cast it in a whole new light. We’ve compiled a few of our favourite cities for night owls.
Shanghai
Futuristic, eclectic and oozing with old-world style, Shanghai’s decadent past has left its sparkly, neon-lit fingerprint on the city’s modern nightlife. The aptly named Glamour, situated in the Bund – Shanghai’s historic waterfront and social hub – features three bars including a chic champagne bar and a wine bar, both serving a large number of fine beverages by the glass.
If the view of the Pudong skyline, or the venue’s eclectic programme of literary talks and events, tempt you to linger past dinner time, the bar menu offers a tasty assortment of snacks and light meals, while the cocktail bar is the perfect place to relax with an aperitif before dinner, or a nightcap before bed.
The elegant style of Three on The Bund offers late-night shoppers an alluring mix of designer brands and fine cuisine, along with an ever-changing array of cultural events and exhibitions, while local Chinese designers at venues like Suzhou Cobblers and White Shanghai Blue are the affordable alternative to all the luxury, offering unique designs at bargin prices.
New Orleans
Sexy, vivacious and brimming with charisma, The Big Easy’s unapologetic ‘let the good times roll’ attitude can’t be overemphasised. Many a traveller
has fallen willing victim to the beguiling charms of Bourbon Street. And bursts of steamy jazz and rousing rhythm and blues provide the soundtrack to a stroll through the French Quarter.
A mix of cultural influences, dinner time is heralded by the rich scent of gumbo, crawfish étouffée and sweet-fried beignets, while the sounds of merriment from local bars, like the famous Old Absinthe House, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and the House of Blues (which also features burlesque and cabaret), spill onto the streets long into the night.
Berlin
Berlin’s chequered past makes it the ideal city for modern history buffs, and a stroll around the city at night offers impressive views of the most important monuments including Brandenburg Gate, Berlin TV Tower and the Reichstag. But, landmarks aside, its changing political and social scene has also given rise to diverse nightlife that ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to the quirky bars and artist hangouts of Kreuzberg.
One of the best, and most conveniently central, areas is Mitte, in particular the Hackescher Markt, where cosy bars like Weinerei, which operates on an honour system, co-exist alongside the candlelit movie-inspired décor of the Café Cinema, and the old-world glamour of historic restaurant and champagne bar Lutter & Wegner.
With a vibrant arts, music and nightclub scene, the trendy Kreuzberg neighborhood in Berlin is perfect for stumbling across quirky little bars and clubs with bags of character. Expect an eccentric and unusual atmosphere, ranging from rustic microbreweries to the enigmatic Swarze Traube, where you must knock 3 times to gain entrance to the exclusive cocktail bar. Once inside, there’s no menu; instead, some of Germany’s finest mixologists will whip up drinks based on whatever is freshest at the market that day.
Rome
From the deepening shadows of the Colosseum at sunset to the golden light bathing the famous Piazza del Popolo; the Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona all swap their impressive daytime beauty for an ethereal elegance once twilight falls. Near to the centre, the lesser-known Piazza del Fico, and local hotspot Bar del Fico, offer a warming taste of Roman life just a few steps from the main tourist attractions; while family-run restaurant Da Nino offers memorably authentic cuisine in a homely atmosphere just a few steps from San Giovanni Basilica.
Just across the Tiber, Trastevere, with its narrow winding alleys, street performers, and authentic trattorias like Da Enzo or newcomer Meridionale, gives a true taste of dolce vita after dark.
London
Scratching below the surface of well-known tourist hotspots reveals a whole other side to the UK capital. Locals’ favourite Seven Dials, hidden behind Covent Garden, plays host to the Cambridge Theatre and Donmar Warehouse, as well as cosy little restaurants and pubs like the nearby Cross Keys, with its beautifully kitsch décor and friendly staff.
The bustle of Waterloo Station is just moments from cultural London icons The Old Vic and The Young Vic, where regularly changing productions vary from classical Shakespeare to fresh new playwrights, and nearby cabbies’ favourite, Masters Super Fish, is the unlikely source of some of the best fish and chips in London.
Further east, artsy Shoreditch and Hoxton are home to galleries, quirky bars and restaurants, including The Princess of Shoreditch (with its excellent roasts), while those looking for a spicy alternative can wander to nearby Brick Lane, Londoners’ favourite destination for deliciously authentic curry.
Written by Sarah Wagner. Edited by Hiten Patel.