You don’t have to splurge to have a good night out in London. Save those all-important pennies with these great value things to do at night.

Going out for nights out in London can add up. If you don't fancy paying full price, we have plenty of money-saving tips for a great value night out in the capital. From thirst-quenching happy hours to live music for less, a London night out with your mates needn't break the bank.

Many bars and entertainment venues have reopened with safety measure in place following the coronavirus lockdown, but some venues remain closed. Check what's open when.

If you're not yet able to visit London, plan a night in with free performances, music and more with our Virtually London guide.

2. Catch a cheap West End theatre show Take in some musical theatre or a drama in London’s West End. If you want to enjoy a West End show but are looking to avoid paying full price, you can head to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square on the day of the performance and get cheap West End tickets for all major shows. Book theatre tickets in advance online for the latest London theatre offers.

4. Take an open-top London bus tour See the best of London at night. For just £21, take a London by night open-top bus tour and marvel at some of London’s best sites in the twilight. The two-hour tour, which is available in multiple languages, includes the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace.

6. Sample a free comedy club night Laugh the night away and don’t pay a single penny in the process at one of London's many free comedy nights. Try Angel Comedy at both the Camden Head and The Bill Murray or head to London comedy's worst kept secret, the Top Secret Comedy Club where most evenings are either free, or as little as £1 for entry. If you're happy to splash out a little of your hard-earned dosh, try the Comedy Carnival at Leicester Square and Covent Garden with tickets starting from £12.

12. Tuck into delicious London street food Sitting down and eating is overrated! Head to one of London’s numerous street food havens and grab quick, delicious food for under five pounds before continuing your night. Check out Street Feast's venues, including Dinerama in Shoreditch and Model Market in Lewisham; or pick from the traders at uber-cool Flat Iron Square, which is also home to music venue O'Meara. Find more street food in London.

14. See some of the world's best opera stars Sample some serious culture at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and have the pleasure of watching some of the finest opera performers in the world at discount prices. Most performances offer tickets for just £10, with some as little as £3, so book quickly to avoid missing out. If you're keen to take the teens on a low-cost night out, the English National Opera offers up to four free tickets for under-18s with every adult ticket purchased.

16. Eat well and pay what you like Define your own affordable costs at one of a handful of London restaurants operating on a "pay what you like" system. Watch out for Save the Date Café's monthly pop-ups or start the night early with The Brixton Pound Cafe's vegan and veggie dishes made from surplus ingredients brought in by chefs and volunteers. And, while Amrutha Lounge's healthy boxes cost £13.50, the vegan eatery's "fair price policy" allows customers to pay what they like if they're not satisfied – or you can even volunteer to help out in the kitchen!

18. Stay the night in a cheap London hotel Stay the night in comfort without breaking the bank at one of hundreds of affordable London hotels. Try one of the city’s many budget hotel chains and cheap hotels in London to save on those all-important pennies. Or for those who love to meet people, how about a night or two in one the city's coolest hostels? Find more cheap accommodation in London.

Discover more top of London on a budget, including our money-saving tips and free things to do in London. Make sure to check out the latest offers on attractions and London theatre tickets to save even more money.

If you're planning a big night out in London, find more inspiration for things to do at night in London, from top clubs, to live music and all-night dining.