Themed Nights London

When you’re looking for a night out in London that’s more than just drinks and music, themed nights London, evening events built around specific vibes, costumes, or decades. Also known as themed bar nights, these events turn ordinary venues into immersive experiences—whether it’s singing along to Britney Spears in a 2000s karaoke dive or laughing through drag bingo in Soho. This isn’t just about dressing up. It’s about showing up to a place where the staff know your name, the playlist is curated to the minute, and the whole night feels like a shared inside joke.

These nights rely on a few key pieces working together: the London themed bars, venues designed or transformed to match a specific theme, from retro diners to underground cabaret dens, the themed venue etiquette, the unspoken rules about dress codes, noise levels, and respecting performers, and the London karaoke nights, where singing badly is the whole point, and venues like Club 88 turn strangers into friends over off-key choruses. Skip the etiquette, and you ruin it for everyone. Skip the theme, and you’re just at another bar. Get it right, and you’ve got a night you’ll talk about for months.

You’ll find themed nights in all corners of the city—not just in Soho, but in Brixton, Dalston, and even quiet corners of Peckham. Some nights are all about nostalgia, like the 90s and 2000s karaoke parties that bring back mix CDs and bad hair. Others are about bold expression, like drag bingo nights where queens call out numbers and the prizes are glitter and laughs. There are venues that blend bowling with American diner food and karaoke, and others that turn a quiet pub into a 1920s speakeasy with live jazz and strict dress codes. The best ones don’t just decorate the space—they build a world you step into.

Planning one? Start with the vibe you want. Want to dance? Go for cabaret or burlesque nights. Want to laugh? Drag bingo or themed trivia. Want to eat? Look for venues that pair the theme with food—like a 2000s night with pizza and soda shots. Book ahead. Many of these events sell out fast. And don’t forget the dress code. A themed night isn’t a suggestion—it’s part of the experience. Show up in jeans and a hoodie to a 1980s neon party, and you’ll feel it. Show up in sequins and sunglasses, and you’ll blend right in.

What you’ll find below are real, tested nights that locals swear by. From how to record your karaoke without breaking the law, to where to grab the best late-night bite after the music ends, to the hidden bars that do themed nights better than anyone else. No fluff. No filler. Just what works, what to expect, and how to make sure your next themed night in London doesn’t just happen—it unforgettable.