23 Wild Birthday Ideas in London (You Haven’t Already Thought Of)

If you’re looking for birthday ideas in London that work for big and small groups, appeal to all ages and don’t break the bank, this is for you.

You’re never too old to go on a treasure hunt, especially as the treasure in question isn’t the kind you can throw in a box and bury on a deserted island. No, treasure hunts like these take you and your team on a journey through a London borough, and it’s up to you to unlock the hidden gems or progress through the story line, one riddle or puzzle at a time.

Practical information: Treasure hunts are self-guided, and available year-round. Prices start from £15 per person. Kids play for free.

If you're in the mood for a birthday night filled with belly laughs, London’s comedy clubs have you covered. 

Obviously, where you go or who you aim to see will largely depend on what your sense of humour is and what you enjoy, but here are my favourite comedy clubs in London if you need a little inspo:  

• 📍Top Secret Comedy Club: The secret is that absolutely everyone’s heard of it and, as such, it’s super popular. I like that tickets are pretty affordable, and you can catch everyone from big-name acts to up-and-coming comedians.
  
  
• 📍Up The Creek: A long-standing favourite on the London comedy circuit. Known for its lively, occasionally rowdy crowd, this is a great and chilled place to have a hilarious night out.
  
  
• 📍The Coach House: Located in the heart of Piccadilly, this pub and comedy club offers an intimate setting with great food, drinks (and you get a 10% discount for going to the show!), and stand-up shows.
  
  
• 📍Freemasons Arms: A charming Covent Garden venue with a cosy vibe and regular comedy nights. 

If you’re looking for birthday ideas in London that are a little out of the ordinary, this is for you.

Escape rooms are a classic way to spend time with friends or family, but there’s a chance you’ve already given the popular ones a try or you’re not sure where to start. That’s where taking the games outdoors can be super handy.

Outdoor escape rooms like these offer all the excitement of solving puzzles, cracking codes and racing against time, but with the added bonus of fresh air and the chance to explore the streets of London. Nicer than being locked inside, and it’s a great way to squeeze some extra fun before a dinner or lunch reservation. 

Practical information: Available every day, with prices starting from £15 per person. Most games last 2-3 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to celebrate after you crack the final code!

Recommendation: If you love a post-apocalypse storyline, Humanity’s Last lets you play as the only people in London not to be infected by a fictitious virus, where you have to hunt down the cure before it’s too late. It’s great fun.)

Theatre and London is a combination that goes back hundreds of years (hello, Shakespeare fans) so it’d almost be rude not to factor a show into your London birthday ideas.

According to the Society of London Theatre, there are a whopping 241 theatres within London’s boundaries, so if you don’t manage to snag tickets to popular favourites, there are plenty of other places you can try.

I’ll actually go a step further and recommend that you do give your local/smaller theatres a go: they’re usually cheaper, easily accessible and the shows are often just as good (in some cases better) than elsewhere. 

Anyway, if a theatre trip takes your fancy, here’s where I’d recommend:

• 📍Southwark Playhouse: An intimate venue known for showcasing cutting-edge productions and rising talent.
  
  
• 📍London County Hall: Home to the immersive production of Witness for the Prosecution (a legal drama), and, fittingly, it’s a courtroom!
  
  
• 📍Palace Theatre: Famous for hosting major West End productions, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It’s a popular one but easily one of my favourites.
  
  
• 📍London Coliseum: I’m as obsessed with the interiors of this theatre as I am the shows I’ve seen there. A great choice if you’re tall (the legroom is great).
  
  
• 📍Criterion Theatre: A charming, smaller West End theatre located in Piccadilly Circus, the Criterion is a 150-year old stunner of a venue which is also good for taller folks. 

Practical information: Theatre performances run throughout the year, with tickets available at a range of prices. I’d recommend finding cheaper tickets on the app TodayTix, and check out seatplan.com to make sure you’re getting a good seat.

If you're looking for birthday ideas in London that combine good food with a dash of adventure, check this out.

Mystery picnics like these are a great afternoon activity that combines yummy food with a bit of adventure, some puzzle-solving and some off the beaten track sightseeing. 

Once you’re booked in, all you need to do is work together to solve clues that guide you to different local vendors to collect some gourmet goodies. Delicious and good for small business owners! 

Practical information: Prices for mystery picnics start at £40 each. Available year-round, food included in ticket price.

It might have been a while since you played mini golf, but consider this your timely reminder of just how fun it actually is. 

Think about it: pretty much anybody can step up to putt their way around a mini golf course, including me (and my hand-eye coordination is pretty woeful, tbh). That means you can invite as many or as few people as you want along, and everybody can take part.

As for where you should go, I’d recommend either Swingers or Puttshack, depending on where you are in the city. 

Practical information: Prices range from £10-£15 per person. Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends. Food and drink available on-site.

If you’re looking for birthday ideas in London that involve your four-legged friend(s), I hear you. 

There’s no reason your pup should miss out on any birthday celebrations, and thankfully, there are plenty of places you can bring your pooch along with you for some fun: one of them being Ruislip Lido Dog Beach.

It’s tucked just around the corner from the main “beach”, and there’s a really great woodland to explore as well. If you’re bringing kids with you, check out the miniature Ruislip Lido Railway as well!

Practical information: Open year-round, free entry. The dog beach is accessible from the main beach area.

Londoners, admit it: you hardly ever abandon your postcode area. Stop reinforcing stereotypes and celebrate your birthday by venturing into hitherto unexplored locales by going on a London Urban Exploration Game!

Apart from being a nice way to mix up your environment, Urban Exploration Games are great for introducing you to a place’s history, its quirky characteristics, artwork, pubs, cafes and more. 

Whether you’re a lifelong Londoner or just a visitor to the city, everyone can benefit from going a bit beyond their usual “patch” (although, I do have a soft spot for the Square Mile). 

Practical information: Available in multiple locations across London. Prices typically start around £15 per person. Booking in advance is recommended.

If you’re looking for birthday ideas in London that keep things low-key, The Horatia in North London might just be your new fave local.

Apart from being the unofficial home of Arsenal fans (if that’s an issue for you, check match schedules for home games at nearby Emirates Stadium), The Horatia ticks all the boxes: cosy atmosphere, craft beers, and an added extra: a fantastic selection of classic board games. 

Gather your friends, grab a drink, and dive into a competitive round of classic games while still enjoying a birthday pint. Cheers!

You know how the saying goes: “treat yourself!” 

Whether you're looking for classic British elegance or quirky, immersive experiences, there’s honestly something for everyone – from Alice in Wonderland to Harry Potter-inspired teas. 

Sip on luxurious tea blends, nibble on exquisite cakes, and soak in the atmosphere of some of London’s most stylish spots. 

Practical information: Afternoon tea prices vary depending on the venue, typically starting around £35-£60 per person. Booking in advance is essential for themed teas.

If you’re looking for unusual birthday ideas in London that indulge one of your more niche interests, then you’re in the right place.

I can’t think of anywhere else on Earth with the kind of variety or accessibility of London’s museums (so many of them are free!) and believe me when I say that you can get as micro as you want.

Here’s just a few museums I’d recommend: 

• 📍The Hunterian Museum (Lincoln’s Inn Fields): If you can put it in a jar and preserve it, you’ll find it here.
  
  
• 📍Dennis Severs’ House (Spitalfields): A house that’s been transformed into what a typical Huguenot home in the 1700s. A nice break from the “real” world - no photography is allowed so it’s very immersive compared to bigger, busier museums.
  
  
• 📍The Cartoon Museum: Has a collection of over 6,00 original cartoon and comic artworks, as well as a library of 8,000 comic books, nearly all British-based.
  
  
• 📍The Cinema Museum: Originally a workhouse – Charlie Chaplin was actually housed here once upon a time – the museum holds some incredible artefacts, memorabilia and cinema equipment from the 1890s.
  

• 📍Japan House: Not “unusual” in a typical sense but this is a tiny slice of Japan that has the coolest exhibitions: food, art, culture, even SUMO shows.

Speaking of food, if you’re a foodie, there’s no better way to celebrate your birthday than by feasting your way through one of London’s famous markets. 

Explore street food stalls, sample local produce, indulge in global flavours and thank us later!

If you’re wondering where to go, I’d especially recommend 📍Maltby Street Market, 📍Borough Market, 📍Camden Market and📍Broadway Market.

Practical information: Markets are open year-round, typically on weekends. Entry is free, but food prices vary.

Did you know that Bollywood films get nearly a billion more viewers than Hollywood films?

Yep, Bollywood is an absolutely enormous global obsession and if there’s one thing we can all relate to, it’s that life would be far more interesting (and dramatic) if we burst into song and dance every once in a while.

Luckily, Bollywood dance classes like these are a perfect way to get your friends together for a fun, high-energy workout filled with vibrant music and lively choreography. Oh, and no worries if you’re a complete beginner–you’re here to learn and enjoy yourself, after all. 

Practical information: Classes are available for all levels, with prices starting from around £12-£15 per person. Booking ahead is recommended.

Celebrate your birthday with a slice of history and a game of ping pong at Bounce, the very spot where table tennis was invented in 1901! 

Originally played with Champagne corks and cigar box lids, this quirky sport has evolved into the fast-paced game we know today. Oh and if traditional “pong” isn’t your thing, Bounce in Farringdon offers not only table tennis but also beer pong, shuffleboard, and wonderball for a fun-filled birthday. 

Practical information: Open daily, with prices starting around £6 per person for a table. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekends.

If you’re looking for birthday ideas in London that will appeal to a book lover, head to Word on the Water, London’s iconic floating bookshop. 

Moored on Regent’s Canal, this charming Dutch barge is packed with books covering everything from classic literature to modern bestsellers. It’s a little different, cosy and you can go for a nice walk along the canal when you’re ready to prise your eyes (and hands) away from the books. 

Practical information: Open daily from 12pm to 7pm. Free to visit, with books available for purchase. Live performances vary by day.

Take a trip down memory lane and celebrate your birthday with a blast from the past at one of London’s retro arcade bars. 

From classics like Pac-Man and Space Invaders to pinball and air hockey, unleash your inner child while enjoying a drink or two. Venues like Four Quarters or NQ64 combine vintage arcade games with modern faves (Dance Revolution, anybody?), making them the perfect spot for a fun-filled, nostalgia-fueled birthday bash.

Who says growing up isn’t all fun and games?
Practical information: Most arcade bars are open daily, many with free entry. Game tokens and drinks vary in price, with happy hour deals often available.

While speakeasies are often associated with the U.S., their origins can actually be traced back to Britain and Ireland in the 1800s.

Tucked away behind a fridge in Spitalfields, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town is one of London’s best-hidden speakeasies. To gain entry, you must ask for “the Mayor” at the entrance, and once you’re inside, you’ll find a cosy, atmospheric bar serving top-notch cocktails.

Perfect for an adventurous and quirky birthday celebration in one of London’s coolest secret spots.

Practical information: Open daily. Reservations are recommended. Drinks start around £10, and the venue offers a full cocktail menu and bar snacks.

If, for your birthday, you fancy getting to the bottom of a 250-year-old mystery, check this out. 

There are plenty of Jack The Ripper experiences out there, but as far as I know, this is the only one that allows you to solve a murder mystery that might–or might not–have been perpetrated by the Ripper himself. 

The premise is simple: you’ll read snippets from the (real) cafe files from a murder that occurred in the 19th century, visit the pubs that the victims and possible perpetrators frequented, and string together clues along the way before making your decision. And all you need to do it is a few hours, a team of savvy sleuths (including yourself), and WhatsApp. Easy-peasy–or is it?

Practical information: Available year-round, price is £15 per person. The game lasts around 2-3 hours and is self-guided, so you can take your time exploring the clues and landmarks at your own pace.

Looking for 18th, 30th, 40th birthday ideas in London? Prove that age is just a number by celebrating your birthday by playing bingo - but not like you’ve ever played it before. 

Located in Hackney and Central London, Dabbers have two purpose-built bingo venues that are a far cry from your local town hall. Think themed bingo nights blended with a show, hosted by or including comedians, performers and musicians. 

Depending on which day of the week and time of day you want to play, you and your friends or family can even get your hands on excellent prizes including holidays and experiences or a nice sum of cash!

Practical information: Open most nights, with tickets starting around £20. Drinks and food are available on-site. Booking ahead is advised, especially on weekends.

Watching live sports at home can be a hassle with endless subscriptions and lagging internet–not what I would call a happy birthday. 

Why not avoid all that and head to a sports bar for a more social and stress-free experience? 

If you’re lucky enough to have a big day that coincides with a big match or game, you can keep your birthday celebrations low-key with a meet-up at the pub to watch it. 

Bars like Barkick in Shoreditch offer a fantastic line-up of sports, from football and cricket to Formula 1 and boxing, all with reasonably priced drinks – a pint comes in at around £5. 

Practical information: Barkick is open daily, with no entry fee. Drinks start around £5, and a variety of live sports are shown throughout the week.

Release your inner lumberjack and celebrate your birthday by trying your hand at axe throwing! 

If you’re really rummaging around for birthday ideas in London that you haven’t done before, you might have stumbled upon this one already. But let me tell you: if you haven’t done it before, don’t knock it till you try it. 

If nothing else, it’s an excuse to do something that, let’s be honest, isn’t your average hobby, and it’s actually a lot of fun. 

Practical information: Sessions are available daily, starting from £20 per person. Advanced booking is recommended.

For a birthday celebration packed with fun and flavour, combine a cocktail-making class with a karaoke session at Lucky Voice. 

Start by learning how to mix up your favourite cocktails with the help of an expert mixologist, then hit the private karaoke room and belt out your favourite tunes. And let’s be honest, with cocktails in hand, the singing only gets better! (in theory). 

Practical information: Cocktail masterclasses are available for groups, starting at £45 per person. Each class lasts around 60 minutes, with karaoke sessions available afterward. Booking in advance is recommended.

Last up on our list of London birthday ideas, something I’m fairly certain you won’t have tried before.

If you’re an outdoor sports enthusiast or just somebody who wants to do something a little differently, why not mix it up with a nighttime paddle on the Thames?

Paddle under the stars and see London’s iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye beautifully illuminated against the night sky. 

Perfect for anybody looking for something a little different that combines fun, fitness, and of course, breathtaking views.

Practical information: Prices start from £42 per person, and advance booking is required. All equipment is provided, but you do need to have a little kayaking experience for the night tour. If you’re a newbie, give it a go in the daytime first!