The Vanishing 24-Hour Licence: London's Nightlife Crisis Deepens
Sixteen years ago, 24-hour licences were hailed as the solution to revitalise Britain's night-time economy, with permissions being granted liberally to bars, pubs, and clubs. In 2010, the UK reached a peak of 1,000 venues operating round-the-clock, yet London accounted for a mere 91 of these establishments. Today, the situation has deteriorated significantly, with exclusive figures revealing that the capital now possesses just 58 of these coveted 'gold dust' licences.
A Stark Decline Despite Mayoral Ambitions
This sharp reduction occurs despite the Mayor of London's concerted efforts to restore the city's reputation as a thriving night-time destination. An investigation into council data paints a bleak picture, with many boroughs reporting zero venues holding 24-hour licences. Westminster Council, located in the heart of London, disclosed only five such venues, all of which are casinos—hardly appealing for those seeking a casual drink or social atmosphere.
Misleading Figures and Genuine Exceptions
Some local authorities initially provided surprisingly high numbers, but closer examination revealed that these included hotels, off-licences, and petrol stations, rather than traditional nightlife venues. Greenwich Council listed 17 premises, though most were off-licences or restaurants within the O2 arena, with only The Mitre pub operating independently with a 24-hour licence. Similarly, Redbridge Council reported 10 venues, none of which were pubs or clubs.
However, there are pockets of hope. Lambeth Council indicated over 30 pubs and bars with 24-hour licences, including Brixton Storeys, which received its licence in April 2025. Islington Council stands out with 10 venues offering continuous service, featuring iconic establishments like Fabric nightclub and the nostalgic gamer's bar NQ64.
Where to Find Late-Night Drinks in London
Possessing a 24-hour licence does not guarantee that a venue serves alcohol or remains open to the public throughout the day. Conversely, some bars serve drinks past midnight without holding such a licence. Excluding casinos, notable spots for an alcoholic beverage after 12am include:
- Fabric, Islington
- NQ64, Soho and Shoreditch
- Blondies, Clapton
- Below Stone Nest, Shaftesbury Avenue
- Old St Records, Shoreditch
- Noodle and Beer, Chinatown
- Slim Jim’s Liquor Store, Islington
- Forge, City of London
- Opium, Soho
- The Star, Shoreditch
- Amazing Grace, Shoreditch and London Bridge
- Supermax, King’s Cross
The High Cost of Operating Round-the-Clock
Even with a 24-hour licence, venues rarely stay open all day due to prohibitive expenses. The late-night levy, introduced in 2011, allows local authorities to charge businesses selling alcohol from midnight to 6am to fund policing. While exemptions exist for hotels and rural pubs, central London venues must pay this additional fee.
Alun Thomas, a licensing solicitor, explains: 'The late night levy is on top of all the VAT and staff costs they have to maintain as well. A lot of businesses would like to stay open later. But not only are the chances of getting a 24-hour licence remote, but there are so many restrictions and obligations.' For instance, Balans in Westminster could technically operate 24 hours, but its alcohol licence expires at 11pm, and VQ on Fulham Road has strict restaurant conditions, preventing it from being classified as a bar.
Businesses Struggle to Secure Extensions
Many establishments face immense challenges in obtaining or extending licences. Mark Fuller, owner of Sanctum Hotel and a Soho nightlife veteran since the 1980s, notes that while licences once ended at 3am, many now struggle to secure permissions past midnight. He warns: 'If independent venues aren’t allowed to thrive, then you can bet Soho will just become filled with American sweet shops and other chains like in Leicester Square.'
Even Michelin-starred restaurants encounter hurdles. Victor Garvey of SOLA sought a one-hour extension to enhance the dining experience but was advised it was unlikely to be approved, leading him to question the viability of investing in such efforts.
Cherishing a Rare Privilege
Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association urges venues with 24-hour licences to 'treat it like gold dust. Don’t take it for granted. Defend it and cherish it.' The decline in numbers has been exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns, which forced many night-time businesses to close permanently, and the reduced issuance of new licences.
This year, the Mayor is expected to gain new licensing powers from the Government, enabling a London-wide strategic policy and 'call-in' authority for key applications. However, Kill emphasises that infrastructure remains a barrier: 'Past a certain time, customers will have to rely on cabs to get home which are expensive, meaning people stay out less anyway. All the stakeholders need to be brought together to deliver consistent operating hours, then we can think about rivalling New York and Berlin as a 24-hour city.'
A spokesperson for the Mayor confirmed: 'The Mayor currently has no powers over licensing in the capital, however this is set to change this year with the introduction of new licensing powers from Government that will help to cut red tape for businesses and unlock the potential of our capital’s nightlife.'
