Best Nightlife in Waterloo

"The view from Rafael Viñoly’s Sky Garden, also known as the Walkie-Talkie building, is unlike any other in the city. From here you can survey London’s ever-growing sprawl with the city stretching up to the north, Tower Bridge and the Shard to the south, and Canary Wharf to the east. It’s free to explore the tower’s three stories of landscaped public gardens, but make sure to book in advance."

"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"Occupying what used to be the headquarters of Christian Dior, Sketch is chic, glamorous and trendy. In the Michelin Guide 2020, it was elevated to the maximum three stars, putting it in an elite group alongside Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Lecture Room & Library, at the top of the Grade II listed building, offers haute-cuisine by the extraordinary chef Pierre Gagnaire in a plush setting of studded ivory leather walls, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and rich furnishings in purple and crimson."

"A Narnia-style hub of Instagrammable restaurants, bars and art on Mayfair’s Conduit Street, sketch is a dining emporium like no other. Dreamed up by restauranteur Mourad Mazouz, it’s made up of four uniquely designed restaurants and a bar which sits beneath the pod-style toilets – most likely the most photographed bathroom in the city. Other famous snap spots include the pastel pink Gallery with David Shrigley artwork adorning the walls, and the Swarovski-encrusted bathroom: Instagram gold."

"While the powder pink Gallery restaurant is more instantly recognisable, it’s dinner in the upstairs Lecture Room and Library that will really wow your other half. Pierre Gagnaire’s food has earned it three Michelin stars (and a dazzling price tag to match), while the dining room boasts red and gold surroundings so sumptuous you’re in danger of falling more in love with the room than your date. 9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG, sketch.london"

"The “highest 24/7 restaurant in London”, Duck & Waffle in the Heron Tower is almost as spectacular as the ride up the lift is thrilling. Dishes, which are matched, but not limited to their appropriate time of the day include duck egg en cocotte with soldiers; ox cheek doughnuts and their signature crispy duck confit and waffle; and corn dogs, duck kebabs, and crispy pig ears. Duck and waffle at Duck and Waffle, in the City — a 24-hour restaurant that is more than a late-night outlier"

"Food isn't the only thing that's elevated at this slick City space. Nestled on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck and Waffle is known for its 24 hour menu, unrivalled views and signature dishes; from the eponymous plate to the ox cheek doughnut."

"It’s on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, making it one of the highest bars in London and Europe, for that matter."

"One of London's properly iconic restaurants, Sheeky's have been serving up seafood to Londoners for over 100 years. The setting, tucked in an unassuming passageway linking Charing Cross Road to St Martin's Lane, means it's always been popular with London's theatre folk, popping in here post-performance as well as other A-listers. Here's where you'll find local thespians enjoying the restaurant's classic fish pie and oyster platters."

"Restaurants British Covent Garden. J Sheekey lures lovers in with its red canopies on St Martin’s Court. What could appeal more than the chance to knock back a plate of native oysters overlooked by photos of the finest stars of stage and screen?"

"Cheese, cold cuts, sardines, carabineros, and boquerones are all available for click and collect from this Spanish tapas specialist in Bermondsey and Esher. There’s also a range of ready-to-eat and finish-at-home dishes like octopus with parsnip purée, croquetas, and a whole leg of suckling lamb for two."

"A characterful option in a handy location above a glorious pub, this delightful hotel offers just six small but sumptuous rooms, each individually decorated and many with roll-top zinc bathtubs."

"The Book Club & Stories in Shoreditch and Broadway Market respectively serve a special Pancake Day menu, ranging from the wildly sinful sounding ‘Deep Fried Banoffee inspired Pancakes with Salted Caramel Rum Sauce’ to the healthier option of ‘Gluten Free Buckwheat Pancakes’ with coconut yoghurt, berries and pistachios. There are savoury pancakes on the menu too, and Beer and Bacon ‘Mancakes’, whatever they may be. The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RH, +44 20 7684 8618"

"Shoreditch’s shabby-chic aura is captured well by The Book Club. On a side street splattered with art murals, its daytime cafe culture gives way to a mob of partygoers as the sun goes down. Framed by whitewashed brick walls and anchored with table tennis, the main lounge is a social spot that’s amplified by a playlist from buzzy new bands."

"One of the best clubs in London, this sprawling venue is channelling Brooklyn vibes with its urban interiors and effortlessly cool vibe. From dedicated G&T nights, to hip-hop fuelled Fridays and hilarious weekend drag brunches, The Book Club can do it all."

"One of the top 50 brunches in London, Bashment Brunch is bringing Carnival vibes to secret locations across the city. Expect the party to be in full swing, with unlimited rum punch, Carribbean eats and a soundtrack of reggae, soca and dancehall hits."

"Richmond Theatre is established as one of the most successful theatres in the country; presenting a wide range of quality drama, record breaking musicals, opera, dance and family entertainment each year. Richmond Theatre welcomes a quarter of a million theatre goers to over 40 outstanding productions annually, performing for about 49 weeks every year!. Key accessible facilities include ramped access, audio description, and designated spaces for wheelchair users."

"Situated opposite the famous Green, Richmond Theatre is one the South East’s leading entertainment venues showcasing the best UK and West End productions throughout the year. Richmond Theatre welcomes a quarter of a million visitors to over 40 productions annually, performing for about 49 weeks per year. Built in 1899, by the famous theatre architect Frank Matcham, the theatre is a charming Grade 1 listed building which retains most of its original features."

"Occupying disused bare-brick railway arches in Waterloo underground station, The Vaults is a striking space for alternative arts and immersive theatre. As well as jazz sets, indie plays, and alien-themed musicals, you can discover a continual rotation of art in its tunnels. This unique contemporary art gallery is said to feature artists who ‘have a natural affinity for the unusual, the daring, and the unknown’, and that is easy to see."

"The Leicester Square Theatre has an illustrious past, as it was the venue of the Cavern Club in the swinging Sixties. The group The Small Faces had a residency there, the Rolling Stones played there with the Who, and the Sex Pistols held several gigs there, including their preview of 'London Calling'. Over the last few years, it's been a venue to some of the world's top comedy acts."

"This farm is little further out of London, but a whole day of adventure and fun can be enjoyed here, thanks to a huge array of facilities, besides the friendly animals. There’s indoor soft play at the Bundle Barn, an alpine toboggan run, Dino Dig and Splash play area and an adventure playground. Unlike most of the other city farms in London listed, there is a small entry price for this one (£10) but this includes entry to all indoor and outdoor play areas, activities, animals, bird shows and a tractor ride to the dairy farm."

"A post shared by Georgiebd (@georgie.bd) on May 26, 2018 at 10:23am PDT. Cycle along the paths or take a stroll at Lee Valley Regional Park. Stretching 42km (26 miles) along the river Lee, past Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and up to Ware in Hertfordshire, there is plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, relax or play."

"This Stoke Newington spot has held a Green Flag award since 2006, and is deservedly popular. It's very child friendly, with a decent play area and even a small zoo (and, like Richmond park, boasts deer also). In a pre-lockdown world, the park often hosted events, from twilight walks in search of bats to football festivals to sessions discovering the edible fruit and flowers which grow in the grounds."

"It’s got tennis courts and bowling green for when you’re feeling particularly energetic, but the park itself is big enough to get a good stroll in. You can see the whole thing by walking the perimeter, looping in the Grade-II listed Clissold House and the lakes on the way. If that doesn’t earn you a picnic after, nothing does."

"Clissold Park is a great park to come and enjoy some nature in London. Easy to get to from Stoke Newington you can enjoy peaceful waters and cute, inquisitive deer within minutes of leaving central London."

"Sometimes a visit to such a quintessentially British town as Windsor causes a hankering for a meal that’s unapologetically not British (don’t ask us why). If that’s the case, you want to check out Bluegrass BBQ – an American restaurant committed to smoking meat properly. Open morning, noon and night, it’s a great spot for a calorific fix."

"Sometimes restaurants near Windsor Castle can come off as a bit uptight, but never fear because barbeque is here. Nestled beneath a chocolate brown wooden façade on the corner of Castle Hill and Market Street, it’s a little slice of the American South in the heart of England. The interior is all intimate booths and window-side seating."