
There are very few things that I would deem worthy of staying awake past 10pm for. But if ever there was going to be something to successfully convince me to stay up past my bedtime, it’s an unlimited supply of tea and biscuits. Oh, and access to a beach, a ball pit and perhaps even a bubble machine, too. So it’s pretty darn convenient that there is, in fact, a cafe in London that ticks each and every box on my reasons-I-would-ever-consider-staying-up-until-3am list. And then some.
London Night Cafe is the bizarre and brilliant late-night locale, that offers Londoners and beyond a cosy, relaxed, and oh-so inviting space to chill, chat, and chomp on as many custard creams as their heart and stomach desires. And look, I know that we can sometimes be a little bit liberal with our use of the term ‘hidden gem‘. But this alcohol-free spot truly is one of the twinkliest jewels we’ve ever found whilst rummaging around the treasure trove that is our capital city.
What looks from the outside like a teeny-tiny, neon-lit box is actually two futuristic floors full of eclectic décor, stimulating activities, and comfortable corners to settle down in for the evening. It’s playful, it’s quirky, and there really is nowhere else like it.
When you arrive, you’ll be given instructions on how the space works via a charming old telephone. You’ll pay a £7 entrance fee, and then have access to the entire space (complete with unlimited tea, coffee, and biscuits – not sure if I’ve mentioned that yet?) until closing time, which is 3am on weekdays and 5am on Fridays. Blimey.
Inside London Night Cafe
Upstairs you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped straight inside your lo-fi playlist. Think big cosy armchairs, a VHS fire, a record player, old-school cameras, books, bubble machines, and an indoor beach with its very own heater. Because why not? Downstairs you’ll be greeted with a hacker-style desk to work from, video games, board games, a ball pit, and plenty of comfortable seating to snuggle up on and people watch from.
Every item inside London Night Cafe has been collected from secondhand stores and skips, and so it feels like you’re having a cuppa inside somebody’s perfectly peculiar and chaotically cosy living room. It’s an Aladdin’s cave, full of things to look at and play with. The toilet even comes complete with a ‘rave mode’ button to truly level-up your lavatory experience.
They sell a selection of soft drinks and allow people to bring their own food in, too (for those of you who might want something slightly more substantial than a Jammie Dodger). The perfect place to hangout in London, whilst being as sociable or as introverted as you fancy. And it’s certainly a place I’d consider staying up late for – which is some of the highest praise you could ever get from me.
Find out more about London Night Cafe here.
📍 56 Middlesex Street, E1 7EZ.