London does “new” better than almost anywhere, but some of its best nights out are the ones that haven’t changed very much at all. Look beyond the latest pop-ups and short-lived openings and you’ll find places that combine historical intrigue with decades of stories – and a good night out. Here, we list six of the best old-school nights out in London, from Victorian music halls and frozen-in-time ballrooms to the cinemas and theatres that helped shape British culture – and still deliver a memorable evening today.
Rivoli Ballroom, Crofton Park
The Rivoli’s impeccably plush, velvety ballroom is still the same as it was when this former cinema was converted into a dance venue in the late 1950s. From ballroom to northern soul, reggae to rare groove, the Rivoli has something for everyone who wants to dance the night away on its sprung maple dance floor. Unsurprisingly, the Rivoli has featured countless times on film and TV, including Strictly Come Dancing, and pop videos by Florence and the Machine, The White Stripes and Kings of Leon.
350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY; rivoliballroom.com
Wilton’s Music Hall, Whitechapel
In 1859, John Wilton wanted to bring a bit of West End glamour to London’s impoverished East End. He created Wilton’s: one of many music halls established to keep Victorian Londoners entertained. In time, most disappeared but Wilton’s managed to cling on – and its full restoration in 2015 made a virtue of the “shabby chic” of the building’s fabric. Nowadays, perhaps in keeping with the spirit in which it was founded, it offers audiences a rich variety of theatrical offerings. Smaller events also take place in an attractive upstairs bar.
1 Graces Alley, E1 8JB; wiltons.org.uk
The Savoy Theatre, Westminster
Sitting on The Strand next to the famed hotel, The Savoy Theatre opened in 1881. As the only theatre in the world lit by electricity, its primary purpose back then was to showcase the operettas – or Savoy Operas as they became known – of Gilbert and Sullivan. In 1929 the theatre was refurbished in an Art Deco style with the help of the architect, Basil Ionides. Despite a fire in 1990, and efforts to modernise the theatre, Ionides’ rich and elaborate décor has been preserved and continues to provide a stunning setting for Savoy audiences.
Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET; thesavoytheatre.com
The Mildmay Club, Newington Green
Originally called the Mildmay Radical Club, this much-loved institution has been the focal point for the Newington Green community and beyond since 1888. To this day, it has an impressive array of events – from dance nights and bingo to film-evenings and live music. The jewel in the Mildmay’s crown is its gloriously dated ballroom, which has remained pretty untouched since the 1960s. So too is its dark and cavernous snooker hall that’s often used as a backdrop for feature films and adverts.
33-34 Newington Green, N16 9PR; mildmay.club
Regent Street Cinema, Marylebone
In 1896, the Lumière brothers debuted a short film on a cinématographe machine, the first motion picture ever to be screened in Britain. The venue was Regent Street Cinema. Housed in an attractive 1920s Art Deco building, it was used as a lecture theatre from 1980 to 2012 before a public campaign saw it returned to its original function in 2015. It continues as a proudly independent cinema, and even has its own purpose-built cinema organ which can be enjoyed on every first Monday of the month before the matinee screening.
307 Regent Street, W1B 2HW; regentstreetcinema.com
Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill
Ally Pally’s fabulous views are already enough reason to visit, but what happens inside this Victorian landmark is equally impressive, with different spaces to keep everyone happy. The Alexandra Palace Theatre dates back to 1875 and is now a listed building, not least because of its unique Victorian stage machinery. After significant restoration, it reopened in 2018 after an 80-year absence. It immediately made an impact with its eye catching “arrested decay” look. For something completely different, each winter Alexandra Palace hosts the PDC World Darts Championship.
Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY; alexandrapalace.com
Mathew Tucker is a freelance TV producer and journalist
