London Nightlife: Get Ready to Be Amazed at Heaven Nightclub

If you’ve ever looked up London nightlife, you know Heaven Nightclub isn’t just another place near Charing Cross. It’s a slice of history right in the middle of the city, especially known for being a loud, proud icon among LGBTQ+ clubs. For decades, people from all walks of life have started their London parties at Heaven before spilling out into Soho for a 3am kebab.

The location is pure genius if you’re counting on the last train—Heaven’s steps are just seconds from Embankment station. You don’t need to get fancy for entry, but trainers and simple clubwear will sort you for most nights, especially student events on Mondays and Thursdays. Don’t fancy a giant queue? Show up before 11pm to avoid the long, winding line that’s a regular sight outside Villiers Street. Weeknights can be quieter, but weekends are packed. Want a solid tip? Check for tickets online first—door prices sometimes jump, especially if a big DJ or Eurovision star is performing.

• Heaven’s Legendary Status in London
• Planning Your Visit: Location, Entry, and Dress Code
• Events and Club Nights: What’s On
• Making the Most of Your Night Out
• Insider Tips and Local Essentials

Heaven’s Legendary Status in London

Ask anyone who knows their Heaven nightclub history, and they’ll tell you: this place has been shaking up London’s nightlife since 1979. It started underneath Charing Cross, taking over what used to be an old roller disco. Fast-forward to now and Heaven’s still running the show while other clubs come and go.

Heaven is famous for pushing boundaries—and not just with its laser shows. The club was at the centre of London’s LGBTQ+ movement long before the rainbow-washed ads and parade floats. Boy George and the Pet Shop Boys? Both had early gigs here. Even Lady Gaga’s strutted on this stage. It’s not just the popstars—Heaven’s LGBTQ+ nights set the tone for what nightlife could be in London: wild, inclusive, and unapologetic.

"Heaven was never just a nightclub. It was a safe space where an entire generation felt seen and free," says Philip Kolvin KC, author of 'Licensed to Party: Nightlife in London'.

Back in the '80s and '90s, it wasn’t uncommon to see a crowd outside Heaven even during protests or after police raids. The club’s legacy is now woven into London’s social fabric, and it’s one of the few venues from that era still going strong. From hosting G-A-Y club nights to being on the must-visit list for queer tourists, Heaven remains a beating heart for West End partiers.

It’s not just for the LGBTQ+ crowd either. Straight, gay, trans, drag queens, students, tourists, and off-duty Londoners all end up here. Between the live pop acts, mega drag shows, and the packed-out dancefloors, it’s pretty clear: Heaven isn’t just surviving—it’s defining what it means to go out in London.

Planning Your Visit: Location, Entry, and Dress Code

Heaven Nightclub sits tucked under the arches on Villiers Street, right between Embankment and Charing Cross stations. If you’re new to central London, the quickest way is hopping on the Northern, Bakerloo, or District lines, then sticking to the left as you exit Charing Cross—just follow the music and crowd.

Getting in isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things to know. Standard entry prices usually start around £10 to £15, though prices can shoot up for special nights or if a celeb is rumoured to make an appearance. Student nights drop the cost to around £5 with an NUS card. It’s nearly always best to buy tickets online through Heaven’s official site or Eventbrite if you want to guarantee entry, especially on massive weekends like Pride or New Year’s Eve.

You need to be at least 18, and yes, your ID will get checked—usually passport or UK driving licence. Security is pretty strict but friendly. Big bags are a no-go, and Heaven now has scanners and a cloakroom (£3 per item, card or cash). Save time by packing light and skipping anything you wouldn’t need in a busy club.

Dress code is chill. Trainers, jeans, and crop tops are normal, and there’s no pressure to dress to the nines. You’ll see everything from drag and glitter to basic t-shirts. The vibe shifts a bit by night—weekends have people glammed up, but Mondays and Thursdays (G-A-Y nights) cater to comfy clubbers and students. The only rule: no sports kits or tracksuits, and no big football logo stuff. Otherwise, just wear what you feel good dancing in.

Handy tip: if you’re heading out as a big group, get there well before midnight. The queues get brutal after 11. And don’t try and sneak drinks—security at Heaven nightclub is eagle-eyed about that. Save your cash for the bar; the famous Heaven Jägerbomb buckets are part of the fun.

Events and Club Nights: What’s On

Heaven’s calendar is always packed, so it’s worth knowing what nights have the kind of vibe you’re after. The most famous regular is G-A-Y, running every Thursday and Saturday. Thursday nights are all about pop and dance hits. You’ll hear everything from Kylie to Dua Lipa and see drag performances that are honestly better than half the stuff in the West End. On Saturdays, the place gets busy with clubbers from across London nightlife, and some nights feature special celebrity appearances—Sam Smith and Lady Gaga have both performed here, no big deal.

If you want a wilder crowd, Popcorn Mondays are legendary among students and 9-to-5ers with stamina. It’s a multi-room night—think house music in one part, chart bangers in another, and a relaxed chillout vibe in the upstairs lounge for those who can’t keep up all night. The drinks deals are much better on Popcorn nights, and there are often themed parties around Pride, Eurovision, or any excuse they can dream up.

Here’s how the main weekly line-up usually looks:

• Monday: Popcorn (multi-room, student crowd, drink deals)
• Thursday: G-A-Y (classic Heaven, drag shows, chart anthems)
• Saturday: G-A-Y Late (biggest crowds, famous acts, energetic club nights)

Special events around London Pride in July are massive, with queues running down Villiers Street—even people not planning to club end up swept inside. Major Eurovision viewing parties sell out quickly, and Heaven often puts on all-nighter raves for Bank Holidays or New Year’s, so it’s smart to buy tickets in advance. Keep an eye on their social channels for updates, surprise guests, and odd one-off events—once they hosted a live screening of RuPaul’s Drag Race final that packed every room with people in full glitter drag.

Making the Most of Your Night Out

If you want your night at Heaven nightclub to stand out, it’s all about having a game plan. This isn’t your average London club—here, the right moves will help you dodge long queues, find the best drinks, and actually remember your night.

• Arrive early for deals: Mondays and Thursdays often have free or cheap entry before 11pm. Student ID? Don’t forget it; they love a student night here with £2.50 single mixers and £3 beers.
• Find the chill spots: If the main dancefloor is a sweaty mess, slip downstairs to the second bar. It’s less packed, and the bartenders move fast. Want some air? There’s a small smoking area past the cloakroom, but step outside if it’s crowded.
• Know the set times: Big acts start late—headliners usually come on around 1am. If you’re here for a Eurovision queen or Drag Race star (hello, Bimini Bon-Boulash in 2024!), don’t leave early.
• Keep your stuff safe: The cloakroom is £2.50 per item, and it’s worth every penny—yes, even for your Primark jacket. Bags on the dancefloor are an instant headache.

The crowd is mostly under 30, with new faces mixing in with London’s regular LGBTQ+ scene. Famous drag acts and club hosts are common—last year alone saw RuPaul’s Drag Race winners popping up for midweek performances. Weekends pull in crowds from across the Home Counties, so expect a mix of accents and serious Saturday night energy.

Most people skip the VIP—but if you want a quieter spot to chat or snap Insta pics, ask nicely at the bar and you might blag your way in. Finally, Oyster card loaded? Trains and night buses at Embankment and Charing Cross are your friends, since cabs after 3am can cost as much as three rounds of drinks.

Come prepped and flexible, and you’ll see why regulars swear there’s nothing else in the city quite like it.

Insider Tips and Local Essentials

Here’s the stuff regulars and Londoners don’t always tell out-of-towners. Getting the most out of Heaven nightclub is all about timing, awareness, and knowing a few of the city’s quirks.

First, bags are checked by security, so keep it simple. No big backpacks or anything that’ll hold up the line. The cloakroom is fast, but it fills up on Saturdays. Expect to pay about £2 per item. Want quick bar service? There’s more than one bar—head to the one upstairs when the main floor gets busy. And don’t get caught by surprise: drinks are straight-up London prices, so keep an eye on happy hour deals before midnight if you want to save.

• Age & ID: Strictly 18 and over. Passport or UK driving licence only. No student ID or digital copies.
• Lost phones: They happen. Head to the DJ booth or ask a staff member; staff are used to dealing with phones found on the dancefloor.
• LGBTQ+ friendly: Always. But straight allies absolutely welcome—just respect the space.
• Late-night food: Decent options line Villiers Street. Try “Gordon’s Wine Bar” if you want a quirky spot before clubbing or grab chips at the 24-hour McDonald’s after closing.

The club is busiest after midnight, especially during Friday G-A-Y nights and when Eurovision acts swing by. Bear in mind:

Remember, Heaven’s got a strict no drugs rule—bouncers don’t mess about. And if you’re worried about getting home, buses run all night from Trafalgar Square. Ubers cluster around Strand, but you’ll want to walk out of the crowd before booking to dodge surge pricing.

Last but not least—charge your phone fully before heading out. There aren’t plug points inside, and reception can be patchy when the place is packed. Screenshot directions if you don’t know your way back, in true London style.