Late-Night Karaoke in London: 24-Hour Options

It’s 2 a.m. in London. The pubs are quiet, the clubs have shut their doors, and the Tube’s running on a skeleton service. But somewhere in the city, a microphone is still hot, a spotlight’s still on, and someone’s belting out Adele like they’re at Wembley. If you’ve ever needed karaoke after midnight - whether you’re celebrating, recovering, or just can’t sleep - London has you covered. You don’t need to wait until morning. There are places that never turn off the music.

Where to Find Karaoke That Never Closes

London’s 24-hour karaoke scene isn’t big, but it’s fierce. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re real spots with real sound systems, real staff who know the lyrics to every Britpop hit, and real regulars who show up at 3 a.m. with a bottle of cheap champagne and zero shame.

Boxpark Shoreditch has a hidden karaoke room that stays open until 4 a.m. on weekends and runs 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s not fancy - think neon lights, foam microphones, and a playlist that jumps from Queen to Stormzy - but it’s loud, loose, and always packed. You book by the hour, no minimum spend, and they bring you free water every 30 minutes. No one cares if you can’t hit the high notes. Everyone cheers anyway.

Down in Peckham, Bar Rumba doesn’t officially advertise 24-hour karaoke, but ask for the ‘Late Night Singalong’ after midnight, and they’ll wheel out the karaoke machine, dim the lights, and let you loose. It’s BYOB, no cover, and the staff will even help you pick a song if you’re stuck. Regulars call it ‘the therapy room.’

For something more polished, head to Karaoke Box Soho. It’s a private booth system - think VIP, no stage, just you, your friends, and a touchscreen with 50,000 songs. They open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 a.m. daily. On New Year’s Eve, they stay open until 8 a.m. You can order sushi, cocktails, or just a cheese toastie. The soundproofing is solid, so your off-key rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ won’t wake the neighbors.

What Makes a Good Late-Night Karaoke Spot?

Not every bar with a karaoke machine counts. A real late-night karaoke joint has three things: flexibility, atmosphere, and staff who don’t judge.

Flexibility means no strict closing time. Some places claim ‘24-hour’ but shut the karaoke room at midnight. Avoid those. Look for venues that let you book slots past 1 a.m. and don’t rush you out.

Atmosphere matters too. You don’t want a sterile hotel lounge with a dusty speaker. You want dim lighting, sticky floors, maybe a few glittery wigs hanging by the door. The best spots feel like a secret. Like you’ve found the only place in the city that understands you need to scream ‘I Will Survive’ at 2:30 a.m. after a bad breakup.

And then there’s the staff. The best karaoke hosts don’t just hand you a mic. They know your name by the third visit. They remember you sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ last time and saved it for you. They don’t roll their eyes when someone picks ‘My Heart Will Go On.’ They hand you a tissue and a high-five.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices vary, but here’s what you’ll actually pay in 2025:

• Private booth (KTV style): £15-£25/hour, includes drinks discount. Karaoke Box Soho and similar venues charge this rate.
• Open floor (no booth): £5-£10 entry, pay per song or free with drink purchase. Bar Rumba and Boxpark follow this model.
• 24-hour special nights: Some places offer £10 all-night karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays. You get unlimited singing from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with two free drinks.

Don’t be fooled by ‘free karaoke’ nights. Those usually mean you have to buy a £12 cocktail to even get a turn. The best value is always the places that charge a flat rate and let you sing as long as you want.

What’s on the Playlist?

London’s late-night karaoke songs are predictable - but in a good way. You’ll hear the same classics every time, because they’re the ones that make strangers hug and cry and dance together.

Top 5 songs you’ll hear between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.:

1. ‘I Will Survive’ - Gloria Gaynor - The breakup anthem. Always sung with one hand on the mic, the other holding a half-empty glass.
2. ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ - Bon Jovi - The group singalong. Everyone stands up. Everyone screams ‘woah-oh’ at the top of their lungs.
3. ‘Wonderwall’ - Oasis - The UK’s unofficial national karaoke song. Even the quietest person in the room will grab a mic for this one.
4. ‘Bad Guy’ - Lizzo - The new classic. The one you sing while doing the ‘bad guy’ walk across the room.
5. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ - Queen - The ultimate test. If you can make it through this without crying, laughing, or both, you’re not human.

Most venues have a digital screen with a search bar. Type in your song, and it plays. No need to know the artist. Just type ‘song about heartbreak’ or ‘80s rock’ and let the system pick.

Who Goes to Late-Night Karaoke?

It’s not just drunk tourists. The crowd at 3 a.m. is diverse:

• Post-clubbers who can’t face the walk home without one more song.
• Shift workers - nurses, security guards, taxi drivers - who need to let go after a long night.
• Groups of friends celebrating birthdays, breakups, promotions, or just surviving another week.
• Solo visitors who come alone and leave with five new friends.

There’s no dress code. You’ll see suits next to pajamas. People in full glitter makeup. Someone in a Batman cape. No one cares. The only rule? Don’t be rude. If someone’s singing, listen. Applaud. Even if they’re terrible. That’s the point.

Pro Tips for the Best Experience

• Go on a Friday or Saturday. That’s when the 24-hour spots are truly open and the energy is electric.
• Bring a friend who knows the lyrics. You’ll need someone to help you find the right song when you’re half-asleep.
• Order water. You’ll be shouting for hours. Your throat will thank you.
• Don’t be the person who picks 10 slow ballads in a row. Mix it up. Save the sad songs for last.
• If you’re shy, start with a duet. Two people singing together feels safer.

What If You Can’t Find a 24-Hour Spot?

Not every place stays open all night - but many stay open past 3 a.m. If you’re stuck, check out these spots that close at 4 a.m. or later:

• The Slaughtered Lamb (Islington) - Karaoke until 4 a.m. every night. Tiny space. Loud crowd. Best for punk covers.
• Carrie’s (Camden) - Open until 4 a.m. on weekends. Has a real stage, not just a screen. Great for performers.
• Barbican Centre’s Late Night Jazz & Karaoke - Yes, really. Every third Friday, they host a karaoke night until 5 a.m. with live piano. Free entry if you’re over 25.

Use Google Maps and search ‘karaoke open now.’ Filter for ‘open 24 hours’ or check the venue’s Instagram stories - that’s where they post last-minute updates.

Why This Matters

Karaoke after midnight isn’t just fun. It’s therapy. It’s the last place in the city where you can be loud, messy, and totally yourself without anyone looking at you weird. You don’t need to be good. You just need to show up.

London is a city that never sleeps - but most of its nightlife shuts down by 2 a.m. These karaoke spots are the exceptions. They’re the quiet rebellion. The last holdouts of raw, unfiltered joy.

So if you’re out late, tired, wired, or just plain lonely - find one of these places. Grab a mic. Sing like no one’s listening. Because in London, at 3 a.m., someone always is. And they’re cheering for you.