The best nights out are the ones that last late into the evening – suddenly it’s 4am and you’re dancing in a bar, and you can’t quite remember the circumstances that led up to it. Since the pandemic – and most likely before – London, despite being a world capital, has lost over 1,000 locations that would make this possible, with neighborhoods such as Soho bearing the brunt of this loss. A combination of rising costs, a lack of late permits and a struggling transport infrastructure has led to a dismal late-night culture: essentially, it’s hard to find things to do after midnight in central London.
Italian cities are known for their late-night dining, where families gather for a perfectly cooked dinner long after the sun sets, and yet in Milan this tradition is also under threat thanks to over-enthusiastic tourists in the busy Porta Venezia district. In Milan, a temporary ban on the sale of takeaway food after midnight was introduced at weekends after residents, alarmed by rowdy revelers, requested the change.
“I believe that cities, like us, should rest people and have timetables that are a little more suitable for everyone,” Giuseppe Sala, the city’s mayor, said when the changes were implemented. If you want to follow that timeline, an aperitivo at Lacerba is highly recommended.
Fortunately, this is not the case throughout Europe. Due to the milder weather, the longer working hours and the afternoon siesta, it is perfectly possible to have dinner at half past eight and have a drink until the early hours. These are the best nighttime cities on the entire continent.
Athens
Once a place for a stopover before heading to the islands, Athens is now a thriving destination in its own right. Attractions like the Acropolis are bustling during the day, and at night, history-hungry visitors are simply starved.
The Greek capital is not just a city for dancing until the early hours. As is the case throughout Southern Europe, warmer evenings mean a culture of sitting on a terrace, drinking slowly and eating increasingly large portions of mezze well into the night. The best spots are in the Kypseli district, where gamblers spill onto the sidewalks, and the weekend crowds are a joy to be among. Try Au Revoir, the oldest bar in town, a favorite of Frank Sinatra.
When it’s time to call it a day, some metro and tram lines run until 2 a.m. and others until noon. There are plenty of cheap taxis ready to take you back to your hotel.
Read our guide to Athens nightlife here.
Berlin
If a night out necessarily means a nightclub, Berlin remains the European highlight. The truly dedicated already know Berghain, the legendary former power station in the east of the city. Stories about six-hour queues and very specific dress code rules have become myths. No photos are allowed inside; regulars report teeming dance floors and enviable DJ sets on the upper floors, and something seedier on the lower floors. The partying starts after midnight, and a good session should last well into the next day.
However, if bouncer Sven’s spry taste doesn’t appeal to you, the city has a whole range of alternative options, from old-fashioned to intimidatingly modern. Since we serve beer 24 hours a day, a trip to Bei Schlawinchen is a rite of passage. Or enjoy an evening of drinks at Melek Pastanesi, where baklava is served 24 hours a day.
If the hotel bed beckons, the U-Bahn is open from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. and there is a 24-hour service on weekends.
Read our guide to Berlin’s nightlife here.
Madrid
In Spain, nighttime culture is a matter of national identity. So much so that when a minister suggested that restaurants should close earlier than usual in the morning, the public reacted with uproar. In fact, the closing times – even by continental standards – are a lot better. According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, the most popular time for dining is 9:20 p.m.; Research by the Spanish government shows that its compatriots sleep considerably less than the European average. Yet this stubborn refusal to follow medical advice results in remarkable outdoor terraces and open-air dining rooms.
Madrid is the model city for this, and a walk through the cobbled streets of the capital will inevitably reveal its sleep-phobic citizens. Head to Toni2, a lively piano bar, where you can hear Spanish sing-alongs all night long. The bar closes at 6am most days. End the evening with a trip to San Ginés, a traditional chocolatier open 24 hours a day from Thursday to Sunday and until midnight Monday to Wednesday.
When it’s time to go back to the hotel, the Madrid metro is the best choice. The train runs from 6am to 1:30am and trains depart every 15 minutes after midnight.
Read our guide to Madrid’s nightlife here.
Amsterdam
British tourists are still attracted to Amsterdam, despite numerous attempts by the Netherlands to keep stag and hen parties away. Its reputation as a place for marauding travelers can be problematic for locals and visitors looking for a quieter kind of holiday, but it does mean that there is plentiful nightlife. Those who want to dine late into the night are recommended to go to local favorite BAK, or to Daalder, where the menu offers very refined cuisine. stroopwafel. Clubs are of course plentiful (favorites include De Melkweg, where weekday gigs give way to wilder parties on Fridays and Saturdays). And if you’re trying to avoid the debauchery of some of the more central spots, places like De Japanner, a restaurant group serving izakaya-inspired bites, stay open until the early hours.
Ready to hit the hotel pillow? Amsterdam is a safe and very walkable city. The last tram leaves from Central Station at 12.15 pm and a night bus service will take its place.
Read our guide to Amsterdam nightlife here.