11 Best Things to Do After Dinner in London

British pub crawls are among the most popular ways to spend the evening in London. Given that there's a pub practically on every street corner in town, you won't have to go far to visit some of the best establishments. One of the best options, however, is the Circle Line Pub Crawl in Victoria.

There are 27 stops in total, so no one will judge you for not making it through the entire night, but the pubs you visit are some of the best around. This crawl is particularly famous as it covers the area Karl Marx once got so drunk, he started hurling slabs of the sidewalk at streetlamps.

London has a long and rich history, and not all of it is pretty. In fact, the city is known to be one of Europe's spookiest places to explore at night, provided you know where to go. Fortunately, there are all sorts of ghost tours available that can offer thrilling frights and valuable insight into the city's history.

London Ghost Walks offer several ghost tours in which Richard Jones, the master of the macabre, will take you through the spookiest spots in town. He literally wrote the book on London hauntings, so you know you're in good hands.

Various comedy shows take place virtually every night in London. There are dozens of comedy clubs and theatres around town that host talented comedians giving side-splitting performances. There are so many venues available that it's fairly easy to customize your experience as you see fit, whether you're looking for a more intimate gathering or something with a larger crowd.

Among the best options in London is The Comedy Store, operating since 1979. A staple of the London comedy scene, it hosts around 6 to 7 performances a week, including standup and improv.

West End theatres are among the most iconic staples of London culture. Similar to Broadway theatres in New York City, West End theatres represent the best of the commercial theatre productions in the UK. You'll find large and small theatres alike offering plays and musicals.

Given the quality of the performances, you can expect an immersive musical experience that will evoke emotions as no other performance can. Among the most famous venues is the Palace Theatre, an opera house that dates back to 1891.

Alexandra Palace, or "Ally Pally", as it's affectionately known by locals, is one of London's biggest independent entertainment and sports venues. Situated in Alexandra Park in North London, near Hornsey, it's a great place to visit after dinner.

The views from the top of the hill are incredible, and you can spend time just watching the lights of London, or getting that perfect picture. The events are worth looking for too, so make sure to check the calendar while you're here. Parking is cheap, and past events have seen names like Suede, Liam Gallagher and Fatboy Slim take the stage.

Most people see museums as a daytime experience, but several establishments open late in London. Friday nights are especially popular for museums to operate past sundown, including Tate Modern and the V&A. In fact, it's somewhat common for art museums and galleries. The Science Museum in South Kensington opens until 10 pm on the last Wednesday of every month, letting you explore this massive scientific playground after normal hours.

London lights up at night – both literally and figuratively – and there are few ways to experience it quite like an open-top bus tour. London by Night is among the most popular options, thanks to its convenience and comfort. Its itinerary shows off some of the best that London has to offer.

During the tour, you'll be able to see landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace brightly shining against the night sky. There's also a guide who will describe what you're seeing throughout the tour, allowing you to learn the most important facts about the city as it comes alive after dark.

Watching a film is an excellent way to spend a night in London, especially with kids in tow. Not only will you find the latest releases in a lot of local movie theaters, but cult classics are often played as well. At some establishments, such as Prince Charles Movie theater, you can even take part in 'Sing A Long' screenings in which you're encouraged to sing along with some classic musicals.

The movie theater also has some of the best offerings in town, showing everything from Disney musicals to remastered classics like Blade Runner and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Studio Ghibli animated films are also commonly shown here, along with the entire catalog of James Bond films dating back decades.

Hippodrome Casino is the largest and most popular casino in the UK. You don't need a membership, and you're welcome at any time, making it one of the best spots for night owls in London. There's quite a bit on offer within, including 3 floors of gambling, a cabaret theatre, a steakhouse, and 6 bars.

It abides by international Vegas-style regulations and features NFL games showcasing a bit of American influence. Given the popularity of this casino, it's not uncommon to see big-name performances here either – Prince played his final UK show here in 2014.

Cabaret is a unique form of theatre that's incredibly popular throughout London at night. While there are plenty of places where you can see these incredible shows, nothing has offerings quite like the famous Soho Theatre. It's known for its vibrancy and proclivity for modern styles of theatre, so you may see something that isn't shown anywhere else in the world.

While Soho Theatre's program lineup expands beyond cabaret with comedy and traditional theatre performances, its cabaret offerings are what made it such a prominent spot in London's nightlife and cultural scene.

Mercato Metropolitano is a sustainable market excellent for foodies who can't get enough of fresh ingredients, delicious eats and craft brews. More than 40 food and beverage businesses have a place here, but that's just the beginning. You'll also find a communal kitchen and even a movie theater experience, so there's much more than solely food on offer.

The market was created to help revitalize London's neighborhoods and protect the environment, so you can take comfort in knowing that doing business there will help make the surrounding area a better place.