The 5 Coolest Spots In London Right Now

London is a truly fascinating place to visit. Most people are generally aware of the city as a major travel hub, a lively place full of famous attractions and monuments, and a city that’s played an important role in human history for centuries. But beyond those surface-level impressions, a lot of people wouldn’t know where to begin when actually exploring the town! With big and important cities like London, even though the major attractions are famous around the world, it never hurts to check in on some of the hot spots at any given time. With that under consideration, this guide will fill in any prospective travellers – from abroad or just elsewhere in the UK – on some of the coolest places to go in London right now.

1. Little Venice

If you’re not familiar with London, you might be surprised to learn that the city actually has a relatively high prevalence of canals. It’s not exactly Venice or Amsterdam (cities that are densely crisscrossed by these tame waterways), but London certainly has its share, and gets little attention for it. This is basically because the canals have often been viewed as somewhat unpleasant, and the areas around them have been associated with industrial use. This, however, appears to be changing. Now, the areas around some of these canals are being revamped with new office buildings, residences, and retail spots, and it’s being done in some cases so as to allow riverwalk-like space by the water. It’s still a process, but these developments are creating pleasant new outdoor hot spots that many will enjoy moving forward. London’s “Little Venice,” along Blomfield Road just west of Regent’s Park, is essentially ahead of the curve, and thus a very cool place to hang out at.

2. The London Eye

You may have actually read a recommendation to take a ride on the London Eye (perhaps with a glass of bubbly if you opt for the VIP treatment) in a prior piece here on affordable London sightseeing. It’s certainly a popular stop among people visiting London, and particularly first-timers. However, the reason we’re including it here as a cool place to go in London is that it’s about to get an after-dark facelift. Beginning in February of 2020, the Eye is going to begin lighting up in a captivating shade of pink in the evenings, making it an even more magical piece of the London skyline at night. It should be quite something to take a ride as the massive ferris wheel shines out over the city.

3. The Hippodrome

There would be plenty of logic in assuming a 100-plus-year-old casino in London is anything but trendy. Casinos as live attractions have taken a hit around the world thanks to the rise of internet-based alternatives, and some of the best of those alternatives are actually based in London. Beyond standard poker and card gaming platforms, there are slot arcade sites full of bonuses, propped up by engaging animations and all the bells and whistles people tend to be drawn to real casinos for. At sites like this, gamers can enjoy themselves and play with real money, all without venturing out. The Hippodrome in London, however, has withstood the rise of these sites largely on the grounds of everything it offers beyond the gaming arena. Its live “Magic Mike” show has become somewhat legendary, professional poker tournaments regularly pass through, and the in-house steak restaurant is known as one of the best in London these days. So even if you prefer to game via online slot sites or poker tournaments, or if you aren’t interested in casino gaming whatsoever, the Hippodrome is a trendy, exciting entertainment venue.

4. Circolo Popolare

London’s restaurant scene is constantly evolving and improving, and it’s not uncommon to see trendy new offerings from world-famous restauranteurs, or interesting new places showcasing international cuisines. This makes it almost necessary to include a new restaurant on a list like this, and though narrowing down the options is difficult, Circolo Popolare feels like the perfect pick. This relatively new Italian restaurant from the Big Mamma group (which also runs Shoreditch’s Gloria) made it onto a recently updated list of the trendiest restaurants in town, with good reason. It’s a bright, beautiful place with a menu that changes monthly and enough Italian masterpieces to make your head spin. All of this plus a friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices make it a must for anyone seeking a unique and appealing London restaurant.

5. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

For the sports fans, there’s also Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to consider. And though the venue had a little bit of a rocky start, with construction delays and concerns about seating capacity, it now looks the part of one of the newest and most impressive major sports stadiums in the entire world. Stunning to behold, exciting to sit in, and guaranteed to host some of the best football clubs in Europe on a regular basis, it absolutely represents the new go-to sporting option in town.