Clapham nightlife: the High Street and the Junction after dark
Drag cabaret every night, a disco with a famous queue, a rooftop that runs to 3.30am and the Grand by the Junction. Clapham after dark, with closing times.
By Clapham London Editorial
Clapham's nightlife lives on two streets: Clapham High Street, SW4, for clubs, cabaret and late bars, and St John's Hill by the Junction, SW11, for the Grand. Start with a drink on Venn Street, move down the High Street to dance, and save the Grand for the night you want a proper event. Here is where everyone goes after dark, and how late they stay open.
Clapham High Street
The Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street
The Two Brewers is the High Street's LGBTQ+ institution, and it says it runs drag cabaret seven nights a week, 365 days a year, with lip-sync, quiz, karaoke and club nights too. It is open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, 2am Tuesday to Thursday and on Sundays, and 1am on Mondays. It is 18 and over with photo ID, no flip-flops or sliders, and last entry is an hour before closing. Get there for the show, stay for the dancing.
Infernos, 146 Clapham High Street
Infernos is the disco club, and it does not pretend to be anything else: glitter, anthems and themed nights including Pure Anthems, Ultimate Power, Forbidden Nights on Saturdays and Studio 38 for the over-30s. There are private karaoke rooms and booths to book. Its FAQ is honest: yes, the queue is long at peak time. Buy an advance ticket, which gets you discounted entry, and note that differently timed tickets have different prices and you need to turn up on time. Q-jumps are sold on the night. Groups with one or two under-21s should email ahead.
Aquum, 68-70 Clapham High Street
Aquum is a bar, restaurant, club and heated rooftop in one building. DJs play commercial R&B and hip hop at weekends. It is closed Monday to Wednesday, then open from 5pm to 1am on Thursday, 5pm to 3.30am on Friday, noon to 3.30am on Saturday and noon to 2am on Sunday. Weekend bottomless brunch is £35 for 90 minutes of drinks with a dish from the brunch menu, served noon to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Comedy at The Railway, 18 Clapham High Street
If you want laughs before the dancing, The Railway hosts Comedy Bandits on Wednesday and Thursday nights, free to watch, though it is worth reserving a seat. On the last Friday of the month the bigger Most Wanted show starts at 8pm, with tickets from £13.20. It is 18 and over.
Just off the High Street: Venn Street
Venn Street Records at 78 Venn Street is the warm-up. It is a two-floor, vinyl-themed bar with live bands and DJs, a heated garden and a 2-for-1 cocktail hour from 5pm to 8pm on Mondays. It stays open until 2am Thursday to Saturday and midnight the rest of the week. Booking is wise at weekends, though walk-ins are welcome.
The Junction after dark
The Clapham Grand, 21-25 St John's Hill
The Clapham Grand has been London's palace of variety since 1900, and these days it does club nights, gigs, comedy, cabaret, drag, Bongo's Bingo and movie nights. Late nights such as Grand Afters run until 2.30am, and the big seasonal parties at Halloween, Christmas and New Year sell out. Tickets are sold through the Grand's website links, so book ahead rather than turning up.
Northcote Records, 8-10 Northcote Road
Northcote Records is the sister bar to Venn Street Records, with live music, a garden and 2-for-1 cocktails until 7pm Monday to Thursday. It is open until 1am on Fridays and 2am on Saturdays.
The Thieves, 51 Lavender Gardens
Just off Lavender Hill, The Thieves is a multi-level venue with karaoke, live music and an arcade, open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, with a quiz on Wednesday nights.
A night out, planned
- 8pm: comedy at The Railway, or cocktails at Venn Street Records.
- 10pm: drag cabaret at The Two Brewers.
- Midnight: disco at Infernos with your advance ticket, or Aquum for R&B.
- Big night instead: a club night at the Grand on St John's Hill.
Know before you go
Friday and Saturday are the busy nights, so book what you can. Bring photo ID everywhere: most of the late venues are 18 and over, and Infernos says no under-21s unless you have arranged it in advance. Buy tickets in advance for Infernos and the Grand. And plan your route home. Network Rail staff are on hand at Clapham Junction around the clock from Friday to Sunday, and the High Street sits on the Northern line at Clapham North and Clapham Common, so check TfL for late services before you set out.
