A local’s guide to the best 24 hour places to study and work, libraries and cafes open late in London from Covent Garden to Soho and more!
Before we get started, here’s the reality: there aren’t many libraries in London open 24 hours to the public—even for students, unless you have a student card.
It’s something I’ve noticed myself, and it makes finding a quiet, late-night study spot a bit tricky.
That said, there are quite a few cafes that stay open late, so for this guide, I’ve focused on places that are open at least until 8.30 pm.
I want to save you time and energy by narrowing it down to spots where you can actually get work done after regular hours.
London at Night: 12 Cafes Open Late and 24 Hour Study Spots
If you’re after free study spaces, there are some around, but very few of them stay open late into the night.
It’s a balance between finding somewhere comfortable and somewhere that fits your schedule.
Of course, you know what you need most—whether that’s quiet, reliable WiFi, power outlets, or just a place to settle in for a few hours.
Wherever I can, I’ll flag up the details so you’re prepared before you go.
Best 24 Hour Places To Study in London: Polo Bar, Liverpool Street
One of the best 24-hour places to study in London is Polo Bar on Liverpool Street, right across from Liverpool Street Station and Eataly.
It’s also called the Great British Cafe, and it’s literally open all day and night.
You can’t miss it — the window is packed with cannoli, a delicious Italian pastry. The coffee’s really good, the pancakes too, and the kitchen never closes.
If you’re looking for a study cafe open 24/7 in London, this is one of the best spots. It’s central, has free WiFi, but from what I’ve seen, not many power outlets, so come with your laptop charged.
Address: 176 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4NQ
Best 24 Hour Places To Study in London: VQ Restaurant
VQ Restaurant (Vingt-Quatre) has a few branches in London, including one in Bloomsbury near Tottenham Court Road, plus others in Aldgate and Chelsea.
It’s not exactly a coffee shop, but if you’re after a 24-hour place to work, it does the job.
From what I’ve seen, East London and Chelsea have some decent study spots, but most close early or turn into party places—not great for getting stuff done.
VQ Bloomsbury is one of the few 24-hour places where you can actually work. It’s more of a restaurant than a café, but it’s laptop-friendly and you’ll probably spot others working there too.
Address: 111A Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NQ
Libraries & Cafes Open Late in London
As you’ve seen, there are actually not a lot of 24 hour places to study in London.
However, I’ve looked a bit more into the study spaces and coffee shops I’ve visited in the past, and I’ve found that some of them are actually open late, from 8.30 pm onwards.
Cafes to Work in London Open Late: London Night Cafe, Aldgate
One of East London’s best hidden gems, the London Night Cafe in Aldgate was established as a late-night coffee shop to do calm things.
A blend between cozy and futuristic, this space offers free WiFi, complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits, comfortable seating, and power outlets.
Entry is £7 per person, or £10 on Fridays. It does get busier between 7 pm and 9:30 pm, so try arriving earlier or later to guarantee a spot solo, with friends, with your other half, or with your laptop.
Anyway, the cafe is open late most nights, closing at 3 am, except on Fridays when it stays open until 5 am, although Fridays are more event nights than calm vibes.
Address: 56 Middlesex St, London E1 7EZ
Libraries to Study Late in London: Senate House Library
Senate House Library mainly serves University of London students and staff, but the public can join too with paid memberships.
You can get a day pass, weekly ticket, or sign up for 3, 6, or 12 months, with or without borrowing rights.
- The library’s open:
- Monday to Friday, 9 am to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 9:45 am to 9 pm
Inside, there’s a reflection and prayer room on the 6th floor, south side, right at the top of the main staircase.
Free WiFi is available, and there are power outlets here and there, though not everywhere. It’s a good spot if you want somewhere quiet and central to get work done!
Address: Senate House, Malet St, London WC1E 7HU
Best 24 Hour Places and Cafes Open Late to Study in London: Mackbear Coffee
On Mile End Road, close to Stepney Green, Mackbear Coffee Co is a decently-sized cafe with the most amazing opening hours: from 6 am to 11 pm every single day.
Its rustic, vintage coffee shop vibe might make you think it’s more of a breakfast spot, but you’ll find lots of people working on their laptop there.
Mackbear Coffee Co has another branch in East Ham; another really instagrammable and more secret cafe with power outlets embedded on almost each table, although this one closes at 9 pm.
Address: 132 Mile End Rd, London E1 4GL
Places to Study Open Late in London: Coffee Island, Covent Garden
Four days out of the week, Coffee Island on Upper St Martin’s Lane is open from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.
Not only that, but if Coffee Island is more of a minimalist coffee shop, it certainly still boasts a large mezzanine, with only a few power outlets but still free WiFi.
You’ll often find people typing on their laptops there, solo or in two or three; amazing cakes, good coffee, and amazing opening hours if you want to come from early.
Address: 4b Upper St Martin’s Ln, London WC2H 9NY
Best 24 Hour Places and Libraries Open Late to Study in London: Idea Store Whitechapel
One of the best libraries to study in London, the Idea Store in Whitechapel, is close to Brick Lane where you’ll find plenty of cafes to work in during the day.
The Idea Store is part of a few branches scattered across East London, including ones on Chrisp Street and in Canary Wharf. They’re open from 9am to 9pm.
It’s not a 24-hour spot, but if you want free libraries to work in, it’s a solid option to get good work done.
Address: 321 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BU
Best 24 Hour Places and Cafes Open Late to Study in London: Caffè Vergnano
Caffè Vergnano is one of my favorite Italian cafés in London. It’s close to Oodles Chinese—great for affordable lunch noodle boxes—the British Museum, and Holborn and Chancery Lane stations.
If you want a café open late not far from Central, Caffè Vergnano 1882 is open every day from 7am to 11pm, and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.
There’s indoor and outdoor seating, so depending on the weather you can read a book on the terrace or drop by after work if you’re looking to grind.
Address: 337-338 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PX
Best Late Night Places to Study in London: The Hoxton Shoreditch
There are plenty of hotel lobbies in London where you can work, and The Hoxton Shoreditch is one of the best. It’s close to Brick Lane’s street art, vintage shops, and all the cool markets.
The Ace Hotel nearby used to be one of the best 24-hour study spots in London, but it’s closed now. The Hoxton is the next best thing.
It has a certain vibe—you feel like a freelancer or digital nomad, like you can get things done. But it does get busy, so I’d recommend going early. The lobby is open daily from 7am to midnight.
You can grab a drink or a bite if you want, or just work quietly all day and into the evening.
Address: Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU
Best 24 Hour Places and Cafes Open Late to Study in London: Barbican Centre
Although the Barbican Library is only open until 7:30 pm a few days a week, you can still stay in the Barbican Centre to work and study.
There are plenty of things to do in London at night, but if you’re central and want to get work done beforehand, it’s a great spot—one of the few free study spaces in the city.
The Barbican Centre itself is open from 9:30 am to 11 pm every day. So even though it’s not a 24-hour library, it’s still a solid place to work.
The centre is huge, with several areas to settle in. The main hall feels welcoming, with free WiFi and some power outlets scattered around.
If you want a break, you can walk to nearby historical sites like Roman ruins or the beautiful St Giles Cripplegate church—just minutes away and perfect for a quick dose of London’s past.
Address: Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
Best 24 Hour Places and Cafes Open Late to Study in London: National Theatre
Another spot we often overlook when hunting for 24-hour study places in London is the National Theatre. The Espresso Bar might close early, but the foyers don’t.
The main foyers are open every day except Sundays, from 10 am to 11 pm. There are tables, chairs, and power outlets scattered around.
It’s not exactly 24 hours, but it’s one of the best places to study near London Bridge and Southbank when you need to focus and don’t want to work from home.
Nearby, the Royal Festival Hall stays open until 11 pm from Wednesday to Sunday, and closes at 6 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays unless there’s an event, in which case it stays open until the event finishes.
Address: London SE1 9PX, UK
Best 24 Hour Places and Cafes Open Late to Study in London: Scootercaffè
I’ve always struggled to find good study cafés in Waterloo. There are definitely more spots around Southbank, the Strand, and Covent Garden.
But if you need somewhere open late near Waterloo, Scootercaffè on Lower Marsh is worth checking out.
It’s not huge, but it stays open until 11 pm most days and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It turns into a bar in the evenings, so it can get busy and loud.
Still, it’s a safe spot to work late, which you can check out and see if it matches your vibe, and it’s one of the cutest themed cafes in London.
Address: 132 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE
London at Night: 12 Cafes Open Late and 24 Hour Study Spots
There you have it — all the best 24-hour places to study in London, plus libraries and cafés open late where you can actually get some work done away from home.
Hopefully, you’ve found everything you need here.
I’ve done my best to make this the most complete guide possible, though sadly, many great late-night study spots and coffee shops have closed over the past few years.
If you want to keep exploring London beyond study spots, here are some guides you might like:
They’ll take you off the usual path and show you quieter corners worth your time 🙂