How to have a cheap night out in London

For all of London's Michelin-starred restaurants, luxurious bars and five-star hotels, a great night in the city doesn't have to cost the earth.

Whether it be through cheap tickets, cut-price drinks or even free things to do, there are affordable experiences to be had all over the capital throughout the year.

Whether you're looking to save a little cash, or just trying out new things at little expense, here’s how to have fun, affordable nights out in London.

Head to the pub for pre-drinks

[[gallery-0]]

Sam Smith’s are always a good place to start when it comes to a cheap pint. The brewery’s boozers serve up an honest selection of beers and spirits in some of the most characterful setting in London. The Angel in Bermondsey, and both the Crown and Sugarloaf and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street are all all highly recommended places for a few pints of Taddy Lager. That said, when it comes to affordable pubs, Wetherspoons are pretty hard to beat. The chain looks after some lovely venues in the city, including our favourite, the Crosse Keys by Leadenhall Market — if punters are feeling especially frugal, they should seek out the £1.89 Greene King IPA offer at Spoons pub The Edward Rayne in Raynes Park. We're pretty sure it is the most affordable pint in the city.

If a £1.89 pint still sounds too much, there are plenty of ways for Londoners to bag a free drink. Downloading the apps for Young’s and Fuller’s makes users eligible for free drinks, while Drinki, which compiles all the drink offers in the capital every day, is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Hit up the happy hours

[[gallery-1]]

Drinks always go down a little easier when they’re on offer, and there are dozens of fantastic happy hours all over the city to try. Head to Simmons in Soho every Sunday and Friday from 4-9pm for offers on two for £10 cocktails and beers for £2.50. Abbey Bar in the City offers beers and spirits for less than £3 between 5-8pm, while Thirst Soho’s £6 cocktail offer is also well worth seeking out. Check out our guide to London’s best happy hour deals for more information.

Get a London Nightlife Ticket

London Nightlife Tickets, available from VisitBritain, offer free entry and drink offers in 19 participating clubs and bars, including the likes of Ministry of Sound, Tiger Tiger in Piccadilly Circus, Nordic Bar and Roadhouse in Covent Garden. Two-day passes cost £10, while seven-day passes are priced at £20, so if you’re planning on going out more than once in that time, it’s certainly worth it.

Head to the (cheap) clubs

[[gallery-2]]

London clubs aren’t always affordable, as everyone who’s ever paid £20 on the door before forking out £12 for a spirit and mixer can attest to. However, it needn't be quite so pricey. The key is to purchase tickets early — some of the best small venues in London, including Phonox, the Pickle Factory and Corsica Studios, offer £5 early bird tickets for those who book in advance. They increase in price closer to the date, while clubbers can expect a great deal more on the door. Make sure to check out our guide to cheap London clubs too.

Go to the theatre

London is blessed with the best theatre anywhere in the world, but – despite the reputation – you don’t have to pay through the nose to see it. There are plenty of ways for punters to grab tickets for as little as a tenner. The Globe is fantastic place to see affordable theatre, with the theatre offering £5 standing tickets. The National Theatre also offers tickets for £15 on many of its productions, with a number of seats available on the day for £10. Elsewhere, opt for “restricted view” tickets at venues like the Almeida Theatre, which offers tickets for as little as £9 and also offers fans under the age of 25 the chance to buy passes for £5. Check out our extensive guide to cheap theatre tickets here.

Laugh it up

Treat yourself to a cheap laugh at London’s comedy clubs, which boast the chance to see incredible talent for loose change. Angel Comedy Club at the Bill Murray regularly welcomes high-profile acts performing work in progress shows, with shows usually less than £10. Eddie Izzard is a frequent performer. Otherwise, enjoy spontaneous nights at the London Improv Theatre, which puts on shows from as little as £5, or check out the reliably excellent line-up at the Soho Theatre, which hosts many shows for less than £15.

Go to a free gig

Forget pricey nights at the O2 or Wembley Arena: there are dozens of venues hosting free gigs across London every week. The Old Blue Last is a good place to start — the vast majority of shows at the Shoreditch venue are totally free of charge, showcasing up and coming talent. It’s always worth keeping an eye out for shows at the House of Vans in Waterloo, which put on showcase gigs for new acts and sometimes welcomes high-profile artists too; last year they hosted the Vaccines. Elsewhere, the Daylight Music series at the stunning Grade I-listed Union Chapel sees a diverse range of artist perform on Saturday afternoons, with the venue operating a pay-what-you-can policy.