Camden might not be the top recommendation for nightlife in London, but it’s definitely still worth considering! It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a more laid-back, alternative night out—an area that’s not as flashy as Soho or Clapham. Camden would be the side of the city that offers a local and authentic nightlife experience.
Camden is a vibrant part of London known for its quirky charm, offering unique music venues, jazz bars, and traditional England pubs. The area features colorful buildings, scenic bridges, and canal barges, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxing yet lively and playful nightlife experience in London.
Camden also has a rich musical heritage, once home to legendary venues like The Roundhouse, where artists such as Amy Winehouse and The Clash performed. Its streets are lined with colorful buildings, quirky shops, and diverse restaurants for dining.
Culinary and Sighting in Camden Lock Market
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📍 Location
Camden Lock Market is the perfect location to start your exploration. Located in the heart of Camden, the market originally focused on crafts but has since expanded to include books, second-hand clothing, accessories, and much more.
Besides people selling various items, it’s also a one-stop spot for food vendors, restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Not all of them stay open until late at night, so it’s best to explore Camden Lock Market before 5 pm and then continue your walk and sightseeing from there.
📍 Camden Lock Regent’s Canal and the 📍 Iron Footbridge are also nearby. Locals and tourists often walk and sightsee around this area while enjoying snacks and drinks they’ve purchased from the market.
Some standout vendors include Yorkshire Burrito Camden, Argentine Steaks & Burgers, Yaki Box, Indonesian Coconut Curry, and many more offering multicultural cuisine. Camden Lock Market has plenty to offer before your night even begins in the city.
Drink Like Local Hipsters in Camden’s Popular Pubs
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Pubs cannot be missed on the itinerary once you visit England, it is also all across the country, so it’s hard to ignore. From the classy high class to the underground, hipsters with great music taste are the patrons of most pubs in Camden. Not far from Camden Lock Market on Castlehaven Road, 📍 The Hawley Arms is one of the hottest pubs. It’s a pub with a walled garden, upstairs bar, and roof terrace.
It is popular as it was where musicians and rockstars went, such as the late Amy Winehouse (where you can see the mural not far from the pub). You can also see all the pictures of famous artists with their autographs on their walls like the ‘Hall of Fame’.
📍 The World’s End is also a local favorite. Located on Camden High Street, this traditional corner pub is where the crowd from Camden Market goes for round two. Part of the same establishment, The Underworld is a basement music venue beneath the pub and is one of the hottest spots in town.
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More than just a pub and music venue, The World’s End is considered a landmark, having stood for over 400 years. It was originally called The Mother Red Cap until it was renamed in 1985.
For a late-night craving, there’s King of Falafel beside the pub’s entrance. This street food vendor offers Fish & Chips, burgers, fries, pizza, and many other fast food options.
There are also many other pubs where you can stay for a good time. Back to Camden Lock market, there is Lockside Camden. Along Camden High Street, there are The Oxoford Arms and The Elephants Head, as well as The Camden Eye in Kentish Town Road.
Night Walk Along Camden High Street
Image Source: Camden Town
Camden is a vibrant and lively town at night, featuring quirky shops, traditional corner pubs with old-school exteriors, and the sounds of various music genres echoing as you pass by different bars and music venues along Camden High Street. This main road glows with neon lights, stretching from Camden Lock Market to 📍 KOKO, an iconic music venue in London.
The night walk along this route takes around 13 minutes, give or take. It is generally safe, as the area remains busy all night with pubs and music venues operating.
This route captures the essence of Camden’s nightlife. You may want to stop at a safe choice of international fast food chains or explore a variety of multicultural restaurants, such as Max Orient for Chinese food or Bunsik for Korean cuisine, as well as options for Italian, Japanese, and more.
If you head to Hawley Crescent (a street on the left at the first intersection from Camden Lock Market), you can enjoy fish and chips from Poppies Fish & Chips.
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You might also catch glimpses of jazz bars like The Blues Kitchen Camden and Jazz Cafe as you pass along Camden High Street, along with many beautiful corner pubs. Numerous restaurants and shops have decorative exteriors that contribute to the quirky and artsy atmosphere of Camden High Street at night. It’s a feast for the eyes and an ideal subject for night photography.
Camden’s nightlife is full of energy and unique experiences. With its mix of lively bars, music venues, and colorful shops, there’s always something to see and do. Whether you’re enjoying live music, trying different foods, or just soaking in the atmosphere, Camden is a great place to explore at night.