As a dating coach with vast experience of courting women in London, let me tell you; the size of this city can be a blessing and a curse. Because of its vast size, it can be quite difficult to know where to find cougars in London. For starters, there are more than eight million people here, according to the latest Census. Tourists are also out and about any time of the year, and life in the city is more fast-paced than ever. This is why they often turn to one of these two cougar dating sites that have consistently worked in London:
Site Our Experience Our Rating Free Trial Link 
Experience Highlights Try AFF For Free 
Cougar Life Highlights Try Cougar Life 
Experience Highlights Try Passion
London cougars try to be efficient with their time because they’re often busy. You might see them heading to a class at Yotopia or doing their weekly shopping at Whole Foods. But it wouldn’t be the right setting to ask them out.
Heading to the bars may seem like a good solution. But consider that the city has an insane number of high-quality bars, many of which don’t appeal to cougars. With so many options, you need to be smart when out looking for an attractive older woman. After all, you don't want to waste time or money surrounded by young women in the wrong pubs and clubs. To find a woman that you can eventually date, you have to know where she’s likely to hang out.
Fortunately for you, I’ve teamed with a handful of other London dating experts to compile a list of the best spots to find women. We won’t just be pointing you to general areas like Mayfair. Instead, the list below contains specific London cougar bars and destinations. So you can save yourself the headache of looking in the wrong places. You're a lucky one, London is a hub for cougars in the UK!
Are you ready to start your search? We’d love to hear about how it goes over in the comments section!
Methodology for Finding Single Cougars in New York
The thing with finding cougars in any city is that it's not something you can be good at in a matter of days, especially if you're new to the city. Good thing our team of experts at Heart Insider frequently collaborate to keep our list of recommendations as updated as possible. Here's how we found the best places to meet New York cougars:
- We start off by doing research online about which spots get the most buzz among older women. We then create a list of places that seem popular enough to put on our list.
- We enlist the help of our ground crew--locals who know the city well and know how to find hookups. They go to each location to see if these locations are popular among cougars. They then use their charm to approach these women.
- Every spot is vetted by a number of our experts, all looking for the most conducive places to find cougars.
- At the same time, our experts also use a variety of cougar dating apps and sites to see what the online dating scene is like in every city.
- After rigorous testing, we create our ultimate list of cougar hangouts in the city. Every few months, we update our recommendations to remove closed venues and replace them with new ones that we think you'll love.
Where to meet cougars in London online
Dating apps are responsible for creating 14% of relationships in the UK, according to OFCOM data, and that percentage is forecast to keep rising. If you haven't been spending any time on the two apps below you're missing out. These are the easiest ways to meet single older women that you absolutely need to be trying:
AFF is the easiest way to meet London cougars for no-strings fun (try it free)
Relationships aren’t all it’s cracked up to be. So we can’t blame you if you prefer short-term engagements. With that in mind, it’s not always easy to meet a cougar who’s up for some fun. While not easy, it’s not impossible, though!
Enter AFF. Too many sites out there mix up women who want a relationship and women who want a casual relationship. With AFF, there is zero confusion. Everyone on the site wants some action and they’re not shy about it either! We know this because we’ve met our fair share of lush ladies here.
In our experience, there isn't a faster or easier way for most guys to meet cougars who just want you to take them home!
Now if you think you’ll only meet women in their early 20s on the site, you’re dead wrong. Most AFF users are in their 30s and 40s. Now, how’s that for the perfect combo? A site where everyone wants bedroom fun and most of its users are right in the cougar sweet spot? To give you a more detailed look at how AFF works and how it performs for regular guys, you can also have a look at our Adult FriendFinder review.
Make some beautiful music with a London cougar when you use AFF!
What people think of AFF
u/CelebrationOk7819 - Reddit
“Been on AFF as a couple looking for married/single men. It is completely legit, have met many good people. Mostly milfs. That's correct. The problem that I have dealt with, that makes ALOT of guys think it's a scam, is they are not gold members. As a couple, if you can't afford gold, then you can't see our pics or actively chat with us... so, we will not bother. Then, the some that pay, get pushy and expect, because a woman is on there, they are expected to hook up just because they are asked. Women don't want little dicks, guys that don't take care of themselves etc.... with that being said, the positive reviews from men looking for females, are the guys that know how to talk, approach, bathe and have a package to offer.”
J.B. - TrustPilot
“Don't know what these other people are talking about. I can honestly say that I have met a a few chicks here. I suppose you just have to know what you're doing. Aff is as legit as it gets.”
Cougar Life is the best cougar dating app to meet attractive cougars in London for a relationship (try it free)
Just recently, Cougar Life named London the “Cougar Capital.” It’s the most active city on their website, with thousands of single women signed up. It doesn't get any better than living in here and using the site!
You might be wondering why a sophisticated older woman would resort to going online to search for men. The answer is simple. This isn’t exactly a budget-friendly city. Hanging out at expensive bars and spending more than £10 a drink isn’t practical. So before these ladies hit the clubs, they want a man by their side to keep them company. That’s why they go to Cougar Life to meet men like you.
You need to be smart about your approach if you want to get the best results. That means you need to spend a little time online in addition to meeting women while out. A lot of women over 35 don't have time to spend in the pub and are only looking online. If you want to find all of these women you need to be where they're looking.
Likewise for you, using this app should be easy. After all, it's much easier to meet a lot of women online and you don't have to worry about all the nerves and fear the comes with meeting women in person, right? So if you want to meet the cougar in London who will make your heart skip a beat, check out Cougar Life's free trial.
What people think of Cougar Life
James W - Site Jabber
“Been on this site off and on for over 5 years... Meet some nice cougars and never really had an issue. You just have to be patient, there are some fakes, etc. Be yourself, have fun, waste your time unless the profile seems genuine. In some cases you may also want to check out smaller sites and see how your chances are. Often they may have a good male-female-ratio”
Darren S. - Site Jabber
“Cougarlife isn't perfect by any means but I have met many good women on this site. Yes there are scammers and bad people on this site but you have to use your common sense if you decide to use this site! IMO always worth a try. Also, let me give you a little insiders' tip: There are bunch of older women on Yamvoo looking for a good time. Just set up your age preferences.”
How To Stay Safe On Dating Apps in London
UK consumers lost around £18.5m to online romance scammers in the first half of 2023; a 26% increase on the previous year.
“These crimes often involve callous manipulation of the victim, which can cause psychological and emotional harm,” said Ben Donaldson, the managing director of economic crime at UK Finance,
“The only way we will prevent fraud is if other sectors do much more to help us deal with the criminality which is increasingly taking place on their platforms.”
As things stand, the apps themselves aren’t responsible for any losses incurred. So, it’s up to you as the consumer to protect yourself.
One in five Brits are choosing to forego online dating until greater protections are installed, according to data published by Cybercrew UK, but we think there’s a better way.
Follow these steps and you’ll stand a great chance of remaining safe while dating online.
- Keep your personal data to yourself. Dating app users pressing you for your full name, address or financial details might be planning an identity fraud.
- Take extra steps to protect yourself from catfishing. Some 71% of online daters say that catfishing is “very common”, according to a poll by Pew Research. A reverse image search can out a dating app catfish pretty quickly. It’s always helpful to arrange a video call before agreeing to meet for a date too.
- Watch out for love-bombing. Romance scammers tend to create super-attractive fake profiles then bombard their victims with loving sentiments. They also typically create reasons why they’re unable to meet in the real world right away. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- Never send money to online strangers. After building an online bond, romance scammers then fabricate scenarios where they need to borrow money urgently. If somone from a dating app asks you for money, it’s nearly always a scam. “Never give money to someone you haven’t met, no matter how well you think you know them,” says Dan Parkinson, city of London Police Spokesman. “If you feel uncomfortable or unsure, speak to trusted friends and family members and get their advice.”
The top London cougar bars you have to try
Now, let's get down to the best bars, pubs, lounges, and clubs to meet single older women most nights of the week:
Visit Tiger Tiger for drinks and dancing
@TigerTigerLondon
Looking for a place to enjoy some cocktails and an evening of dancing with cougars in London? Look no further than Tiger Tiger. Located in Leicester Square near Piccadilly Circus, Tiger Tiger is an excellent place to meet sexy older women looking for the companionship of younger men.
But if you’re worried about the competition, we have just the thing. Check out some of the best dating books to increase your chances of success. You’ll learn a thing or two about attracting ladies.
Now back to Tiger Tiger! This upscale lounge hosts notoriously fun dance parties that last until the wee hours of the night. Though the atmosphere and décor might make you think you need to be dressed to the nines to fit in, the crowd is usually pretty casual.
The best nights to visit are Monday, Friday and Saturday. That’s when the crowd is most energized. That’s also when you’re most likely to find some London cougars on the prowl.
What Other People Are Saying About Tiger Tiger
Shreya - Google Maps
“We had the best night ever. I never wanted to leave. Basia was very nice while we were booking our table. This was the first time we went to a club. Atmosphere was very cool. We will visit again.”
Another great high-class cougar bar in London is Aqua Shard
@aquashardrestaurant
For an upscale setting where you can meet elegant London cougars, Aqua Shard is the place to be. This spot is especially good for guys looking to meet older cougars.
This bar and restaurant is set at Level 31 of The Shard, which is one of the tallest buildings in Western Europe. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the view here is simply spectacular, showing a panorama of London’s skyline.
All in all, the bar has three stories. The center bar is where you can hang out, sipping a cocktail calmly while looking for an attractive older women. Any older woman here is likely to have a taste for the high-end, so dress well and be confident.
The menu consists mostly of modern British and Irish dishes. You’re in for a treat because Aqua Shard is one of the top-rated restaurants in London. As for drinks, they have plenty of well-crafted cocktails and wine.
Given the beauty of the view and the extensive menu, Aqua Shard is naturally romantic. Take advantage of that and knock her off her feet.
What Other People Are Saying About Aqua Shard
Claire D - Google Maps
“The afternoon tea was amazing. Very tasty food and a fun theme. Unlimited refills of tea and any food item. Amazing views of course. Very attentive staff. At the end they moved us to a window seat which was lovely.”
Apps Dating Coaches Actually Recommend To Meet Cougars in London
Feel like meeting cougars is getting more and more difficult? These days, older women prefer the convenience of dating apps since they make it so easy to meet younger men. Pick one or two of these apps below to jumpstart your dating life.
Site Our Experience Our Rating Free Trial Link Experience Highlights Try AFF For Free Cougar Life Highlights Try Cougar Life Experience Highlights Try Passion
Nightjar brings you unique cocktails and lively performances
@barnightjar
Nightjar is an iconic cocktail bar that’s considered one of the best in the world. As you’d expect, it’s frequently packed. Drop by in the evening, and you’ll bump into several London cougars.
What makes Nightjar a standout even among other cougar bars is that it’s a speakeasy. The door isn’t obvious at all. And the art deco-style interior is striking even amidst the dim lighting. There are leather booth seats, but your first destination is the bar.
Cocktails for one person are around £12 to £15. You can always upgrade it to sharing once you’ve hit it off with a hot older woman. Drinks are strange and exciting, with flavors that you won’t recognize at first. Fancy sharing a Moonlight Fizz or Huacatay with your older woman?
But Nightjar isn’t just about the drinks. There’s almost always a performer onstage. Sometimes it’s jazz, and on other days, it’s even swing and cabaret. It’s an unforgettable experience. Hopefully, you’ll be just as captivating to her.
What Other People Are Saying About Nightjar
Lisa Mary - Google Maps
“A superb experience! During a stay in London, I came during the week with my friend, seated at the bar. First bar in London and I think I can say that it is the best cocktail bar I have been to in my life.”
Savor the glitz and glamor at Fitz’s
@fitzslondon
Fitz’s is a unique cocktail bar inside the Kimpton Fitzroy in Bloomsbury. Since it’s a hotel bar, you’re right to expect it to be glitzy.
When you enter, you’ll probably spend a few seconds looking around at the place. It’s as if you’ve gone back in time to the Jazz Age. There’s even a sparkling mirror ball on the ceiling. You can’t miss the stained glass windows and velvet sofas, either.
It’s a photo-worthy place that’ll remind you of the 19th century. London cougars adore going here because of its old-world salon look as well as the fun drinks. The cocktails are named after popular people from Bloomsbury, including the spy Noor Inayat Khan.
Score some bonus points by asking the women you’re eyeing about her favorite drink. If she’s new, you can order a strong, hearty Four Queens for her. There’s also the Vesca Negroni, which has hints of coconut and strawberry.
Pair drinks with bar snacks and the two of you are good for an evening of getting to know each other. Some evenings bring in a DJ or live performers, so it can get pretty rowdy.
What Other People Are Saying About Fitz’s
Dave Selkirk - Google Maps
“Had a friend's birthday party here and it was superb! The service really was tremendous! The waiters all had an incredible knowledge of the menu, including all the cocktails.”
Enjoy specialty cocktails at Beach Blanket Babylon
@bbbshoreditch
Not only is Beach Blanket Babylon a popular destination for cocktails and dancing, but it’s also one of the best places to meet cougars in London. Located in Notting Hill, Beach Blanket is a hidden gem with a labyrinthine setup. You’ll have a lot of fun finding the bathrooms and checking out the décor while you’re at it. There are sections of Beach Blanket that are very upscale (for example, their ballroom). But overall, it’s a pretty laid-back place.
On Monday, Friday and Saturday nights, the dance floor gets pretty rowdy. The drink prices might seem a little steep, so be aware of that. Otherwise, head to Beach Blanket and chat up some women!
What Other People Are Saying About Beach Blanket Babylon
Mehdi Assarian Manzell - Google Maps
“Cosy stylish bar restaurant to relax your evening away.”
Barrio Soho is the London cougar bar with great live music, cocktails and dancing at
@Barrio.Central.Soho
If you’re looking for a little Latin flavor to spice up your evening, look no further than Barrio Central. This Soho hotspot is a great blend of dance club, music venue and cocktail lounge. It has something for everyone. Although it may seem to be more of a younger, hipster-ish destination, the crowd is actually chock-full of sexy older women. You’ll find no shortage of great happy hour specials, friendly bartenders and London cougars in search of companions.
The best nights to stop by are Thursday, Friday and Saturday because of the crowd. So give Barrio Central a shot! With such a diverse crowd, you never know who you might encounter.
What Other People Are Saying About Barrio Soho
K P - Google Maps
“Barrio Soho offers a vibrant atmosphere that captures the essence of Latin American and Caribbean cultures. The colorful decor and energetic ambience are its standout features.”
Class it up with a London cougar at Connaught Bar
@theconnaught
Let’s be honest: not all bars are created equal. Some pubs are perfect for people-watching, playing drinking games and generally getting soused. On the other hand, some bars are ideal for an upscale evening. The Connaught Bar definitely falls in the latter category.
Located in Mayfair, the Connaught Bar is a pricey (but worthwhile) option for a more sophisticated night out with more sophisticated women. You won’t find any Fireball shots or cans of lager here. Their focus is largely on the classics. The cocktails are delicious, and the staff is professional, courteous and inviting. All that and the great crowd make this an excellent location for a high-class night on the town. Because Connaught Bar is very exclusive, you’ll need to make sure you’re dressed appropriately.
The best nights to visit are Friday and Saturday. Even if you don’t spend the whole night there, you’re bound to meet some upscale cougars.
What Other People Are Saying About Connaught Bar
Mark Weston - Google Maps
“Awesome Cocktails, great service and wonderful atmosphere.”
Have a cocktail and a conversation at Artesian Bar
@artesianbar
With over 50 types of rum alone, you’re right to assume that the mixologists at Artesian Bar know their way around a cocktail. This Marylebone hotspot is a little off the beaten path. But don’t be fooled. It’s a great place to enjoy expertly-made drinks and have a wonderful conversation. The bar area can fill up rather quickly. But fortunately, there are plenty of couches and lounge-style seating where you can get to know some older women better.
The best nights to visit are Friday and Sunday. Be sure to dress up a bit! This venue is more on the upscale side, so you want to make sure you fit in. If you’d prefer less crowded London cougar bars, look no further than Artesian Bar. You’ll be glad you did.
What Other People Are Saying About Artesian Bar
Jasmine C - Google Maps
“We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly! The cocktails were well-deserving of their reputation. I made a reservation - had a really nice table with a small sofa (love a sofa table). Very glad for the reservation as they were busy and had to turn away a few walk-ins.”
The trendy spots in Shoreditch are great for meeting single women in London
@CargoShoreditch
Shoreditch has fully embraced its reputation as the hipster region. It has also become one of the most fun parts of the city to hang out as a result. If you’re searching for trendy and fashionable women, you’ll find them letting their hair down in the cocktail bars and nightclubs near Old Street every weekend.
These are not the only types of women you’ll find here. Many of the stereotypically flirty Essex girls jump on the train to Liverpool Street for a big Friday or Saturday night out in East London. It’s most definitely a tourist hotspot too. The most famous nightclubs in the region are Cargo and XOYO.
If bars and nightclubs aren’t your thing, you’ll be able to bump into plenty of single women in food courts like those at Brick Lane or Dinerama.
What Other People Are Saying About XOYO
Dorisz Sarkozi - Google Maps
“Great staff, everyone is friendly and polite, from security to bartenders, felt really save and organised.”
Where to pick up London cougars at night
When things start to get dark you need to check out these places:
Take in some live music at Hootananny
@hootananny.brixton
Fans of live music might already know this venue as a great place to stop by and check out a show. While Brixton’s Hootananny is a wonderful venue for live music, it’s also an excellent place to meet cougars in London.
You may find it a bit difficult to strike up an intimate conversation here, as the music is loud and the crowd is energized. But with a clientele comprised mainly of sexy older women, it’s definitely worth having to shout a little bit to be heard.
The best times to visit are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Hootananny offers live shows on those nights. More often than not, the live shows are free. So head to Hootananny, tune into some great music and start your search for an older woman.
What Other People Are Saying About Hootananny
Hishyar Abid - Google Maps
“This is a venue that we have visited several times. The place is vast and bustling. The stage and hall are so compact, it feels your at a house party. The performance is so close you can touch the act with your hands. The music has always been brilliant.”
Savor some delicious wines at Gordon’s Wine Bar
@gordonswinebar
If you’re looking for a low-key evening in an intimate setting, look no further than Gordon’s Wine Bar. Located in the Strand, Gordon’s is a great place to relax and sample some of the many wine offerings. Best of all, it’s a great place to meet cougars in London. The ambiance is trendy and relaxed. The bar itself is dimly-lit. Conversations are never too loud or rowdy. And the atmosphere is perfect for getting to know that sexy older woman a little better.
There is also a private “cave” area illuminated by candles. So try to secure a seat there if you can.
What Other People Are Saying About Gordon’s Wine Bar
Ceci D - Google Maps
“Always loved Gordon’s wine bar and they continue to deliver. I first visited in 2014 and now it’s expanded its outdoor area further which only makes sense. A must.”
The nightclubs in Leicester Square and Piccadilly are a surefire bet for finding single women seeking men in London
@TigerTigerLondon
Smack bang in the middle of the city, Leicester Square and Piccadilly are where you’ll find the biggest concentration of tourists. This means most of the bars and nightclubs in the area will be packed to the rafters, regardless of what day it is.
You’ll find a delicious serving of beautiful single women in the likes of Tiger Tiger, Piccadilly Institute, Bar Rumba and Zoo Bar every evening. The region is overwhelmed with hen parties during the weekends too.
Contact the bars, put your name on the guest list and get there early to avoid the huge cover charges (or at least arrange a discount).
What other people are saying about Tiger Tiger
Shreya - Google Reviews
“We had the best night ever. I never wanted to leave. Basia was very nice while we were booking our table. This was the first time we went to a club. Atmosphere was very cool. We will visit again.”
The Harp is a decent cougar bar to start the night
@HarpCoventGarden
There are plenty of bars that might not necessarily be an ideal choice for spending an entire evening. But they’re perfect as a first stop before heading off to other activities. The Harp is just such a place. Located in Covent Garden near The National Gallery, The Harp is an excellent and quirky bar with interesting characters, charming décor and pleasant staff.
It’s a great place to grab a pre-dinner drink before heading out on the town. The inexpensive offerings also guarantee the time spent there won’t cost you too much money. As an added benefit, The Harp has its fair share of cougars in London stopping by before they head off to parts unknown.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll strike up a conversation with one at The Harp and take the party elsewhere.
What Other People Are Saying About The Harp
Daniel J West - Google Maps
“Lively, friendly boozer - has lots of locals as well as the theatre crowd - worth stopping in for a drink if nearby.”
Stray from the beaten path with some cougars in London at Cahoots Bar
@cahootslondon
Even if you’re looking for Cahoots Bar, you may miss it. That’s how much of a “hidden gem” this venue is. Because it’s so well-hidden, you might think Cahoots isn’t a great place to meet older women. But you would be wrong.
Older women in town love Cahoots precisely because it’s such a hard-to-find location. Remember when we said above that a lot of women are tired of the traditional bar scene? Well, the ones who are but still want to go out and have a good time go to places like Cahoots.
So drop by on a weeknight and enjoy a few drinks, the live music and the company of your London cougar.
What Other People Are Saying About Cahoots
Juilan Earl - Google Maps
“Great atmosphere and a real retro feel. Nice cocktails too.”
Where to meet older women in London during the day
Before the nightspots open these are the best ways to meet older women:
Begin your evening at The Albert Arms
@AlbertArmsPub
If you’re looking for a laidback pub where you can put back a few drinks and begin your evening in style, head to The Albert Arms. Located in Southwark, The Albert Arms is a traditional British pub with great food and a fully-stocked bar. For your purposes, it also has all the cougars in London you could ask for.
The Albert Arms is a popular place for cougars to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’d do well to stop by on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. That’s when most of the sexy older women go out looking for company.
What Other People Are Saying About The Albert Arms
Giovanni Doni - Google Maps
“A small, friendly, cozy local pub with the kindest staff I have seen in ages, they really made me feel at home.”
Camden Market is a great place to meet single women in London, especially if you’re into rock chicks
@CamdenMarketLDN
Camden Market is primarily a shopping district aimed at an alternative market. You’ll find a lot of fashion aimed at fans of heavy metal or hard trance. Many tourists frequent this area just to witness the novelty of it.
At night time, it can be an especially fruitful place to meet London’s single women. Women flock to the region’s local bars to listen to live music and enjoy some drinks with their friends. So if you’re looking to meet a sexy rocker chick, Camden Market is where you should go.
What Other People Are Saying About Camden Market
Nigel Stewart - Google Maps
“A really vibrant location, great street food, local beers & full of fun. There is so much to do there from walking and sampling the ambiance to relaxing on a canal boat trip through to Little Venice.”
BoxPark is a fun outdoor venue that is beloved by London’s young single women
@boxparkshoreditch
BoxPark is a pop-up mall, hosting quirky retail outlets, food stalls and a large beer garden. It has branches in Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley. It is popular with London’s young adults, particularly in the summer months where it’s warm enough to enjoy a beer outside with your friends.
BoxPark is a highly social venue, often hosting live music, entertainment or big-screen broadcasts of sports events. A great spot to strike up a conversation with a beautiful young woman, for sure.
What Other People Are Saying About BoxPark
Roxana Lazar - Google Maps
“I always enjoy myself here and an easy option when everyone wants different things! Such a good selection of food and drinks and there's always some discount you can use.”
Visit CASK Pub and Kitchen for a great meal
@caskpubkitchen
The bar scene can be a lot of fun. But sometimes you just want to relax with good food and craft beers in a low-key environment. So the next time you find yourself in the mood for that kind of evening, stop by CASK Pub and Kitchen. Located in Pimlico, CASK has a vast selection of craft beers and a menu of great food options. Best of all, CASK also has a bevy of cougars out on the town and looking for companionship.
CASK is only open until 11 p.m. So be sure to plan your evening accordingly. If you want to meet cougars in London and have great food and drinks while doing it, this is the place for you.
What Other People Are Saying About CASK Pub and Kitchen
Philip B - Google Maps
“Unique and perhaps odd design, but absolutely delightful. No shortage of interesting beers on tap, huge variety. Decent, straightforward food as well. Good village in a city feel.”
Other great options for meeting cougars in London
A few of the other options you need to check out:
Joe and the Juice is a trendy coffee and juice bar that young women can’t get enough of
@joeandthejuice
It might sound a little out of left field to approach a woman in a cafe or juice bar. Indeed, it might require a bit more courage to do so. Yet, if you have the charm and the bravery to flirt with a woman in a daytime venue like this, it can do a lot to help you stand out. In this age of drunken meetups and mindless smartphone swiping, a lot of women still long for a traditional real-life approach like this.
Joe and the Juice is a coffee shop and juice bar that could present plenty of opportunities for an approach like this. It’s a trendy and fun chain that plays loud music, serves delicious drinks and has several branches across London.
What Other People Are Saying About Joe And The Juice
Faisal Ibrahim - Google Maps
“I recently visited Joe & The Juice, and I was charmed by its old-school and classic ambiance; it really adds a unique touch to the place.”
London’s single women love to take dance classes at Bar Salsa
@BarSalsaSoho
Latin dance classes tend to be highly social events. So they give you the opportunity to get up close and personal to dozens of women in one evening. Bar Salsa in Leicester Square is the premium venue for these classes. It hosts several of them every evening.
After the lessons themselves, you can remain in the venue, buy a drink and engage in a social dance. This is your best opportunity to get to know the women you’re into.
There is a huge range of dance classes across London. But the central location and the popularity of this venue make it a great shout for meeting lots of single women.
What Other People Are Saying About Bar Salsa
Marlene Lopez - Google Maps
“My favorite Latino club. Great atmosphere and a free dancing class at 7 pm most of the days. Really good happy hours and close late.”
Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street full of London’s single women
@OxfordStW1
Most beautiful women love shopping. Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street. You do the math.
Once again, it might be a bit unorthodox to pay a woman a compliment while she’s browsing the flagship stores in central London. Yet, if you’re socially savvy enough to navigate this, it really can set you apart from the average Joes.
Perhaps if she’s aimlessly browsing the stores with no immediate plans, you could offer to take her for a coffee in a nearby cafe. You’d be surprised how many women are flattered by this serendipitous approach to dating.
What Other People Are Saying About Oxford Street
Hawra Alnabi - Google Maps
“This is a fun street to visit when in London. There really ain’t much to do but check out the shops, but it’s fun for people watching. We visited in November and the Christmas decorations were so beautiful.”
Food, booze and good times abound at The Bull
@thebullec2
If you’re looking for a traditional pub experience, look no further than The Bull. Located in Islington, this pub is known for two qualities. It has a wide selection of beer and cocktails, and it’s also a preferred destination for cougars in London. The Bull never feels overcrowded, so you’ll be comfortable spending an evening there looking for a sexy older woman.
The Bull also offers a full dining menu that has great reviews. So if you’re feeling a bit peckish, don’t hesitate to sample some of their cooking as well. We recommend stopping by on Wednesday nights. They offer a “Wine Wednesday” special with deeply discounted wine prices. Cougars love to take advantage of that deal. Aside from that, Thursday and Friday nights are also great times to go.
What Other People Are Saying About The Bull
Mark Bridger - Google Maps
“I recently went to this bar for a quick drink, and I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was relaxing, which made it a great place to unwind. They had a good selection of beers to choose from too and accommodation available up stairs.”
Frequently Asked Questions on Cougars in London
Is London good for singles?
“London can be a terrible city to be single in, but hey, you can at least take some ironic comfort in the fact that there are millions of others just like you,” says local blogger Haley Forest.
And she’s not wrong.
Despite being a huge city packed with singles and countless awesome venues to meet them, London dating can be a bit of a slog.
While you may meet a lot of people, a long-term romance isn’t as likely to work out as in other smaller UK cities.
We’ve listed some great venues for meeting cougars in central London, but if she lives in North London and you’re in the South, there’s every chance it could take an hour or more to get to your house from hers.
What’s more, London romances are often ruined by one person deciding to leave the city. Almost a quarter of London residents have a non-UK passport, according to ONS data, and many of them aren’t planning to call London home forever.
“Sometimes, an accent is both an aphrodisiac and a ticking time bomb, so unless you want to follow them to New York/Sydney/Paris, best prepare yourself,” Forest said.
The other huge hurdle for London daters is the hustle culture of the city. Londoners for three weeks longer per year on average than other UK citizens, according to ONS figures.
“Don’t be surprised if after two months, he’s not down on one knee and telling you he wants you to have his babies because a) it’s not the 1950s and b) the people of London are busy. Very busy.”, says travel journalist Sarah Leigh Bannerman. “If the end goal here is an actual real-life relationship and not just a fling to pass the time, then prepare yourself to put in some serious graft.”
With all that said, London was recently ranked as the best city in England for over-60s to find love in a study by lottie.org.
What is the dating culture in London?
“Although attitudes towards dating are somewhat relaxed in the UK, the idea of finding a partner, buying a home in the UK, and having children in the UK is a traditional process that many young people still aspire to,” says local travel writer Sophie Pettit.
She’s not wrong. However, the obstacles to finding true love in London (mentioned above) have helped to create a noticeable hook-up culture.
Most British people like to go drinking, not only to find romantic partners, but on the first date too. It’s not uncommon to have sexon the first date in London, but you might still be wondering where things are going with that person months later.
“British people tend to be more reserved than some other cultures; therefore, they don’t display their emotions in public,” Pettit explained.
Is dating in London expensive?
In a result that will surprise no Londoners, the city was rated as the most expensive in the UK for dating by some distance in a study by Elite Singles. It was also found to be 2nd most expensive out of 30 capital cities analysed by the researchers.
The good news is: a notable amount of Londoners are happy to split the bill on a first date. Some 47% of respondents in a Cybercrew UK poll prefer it this way.
“It’s a fact of London life, and even truer at the kind of places you might want to take a date. Luckily people in London seem to get this and will be more than happy to split the bill,” says local blogger Alastair Reid Schanche.
“But often enough not even that will to stave off the pain of seeing the eye-watering amount you didn’t realise you’d just spent on cocktails.”
Where do cougars go in London?
Cougars in London tend to visit a bit more expensive places rather than bars or cheap cafes. So expect to see them in places like:
- Tiger Tiger
- Aqua Shard
- Nightjar
- Fitz's
- Beach Blanket Babylon
All of these are lounges or slightly higher-class bars where you can meet cougars in London.
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References:
Anderson, M., Vogels, E. A., Turner, E. (2020). The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating. Pew Research Center.
Bannerman, S. L. (2017) 12 things you need to know about dating when you move to London. Culture Trip.
Brignall, M, (2023) UK consumers lose £580m to fraudsters in first half of 2023, figures reveal. The Guardian.
Brooks, E. (2024) How to find and meet single cougars in 2024. Heart Insider.
Dey, J. (2024) The 7 best dating books for men in 2024. Heart Insider.
Donnelly, W. (2023) Over 60 and single? This city is your best shot at finding love. Lottie.
Forest, H. (2015) Why dating in London is different than anywhere else. Thrillist.
Francis, S. (2017) Londoners work ‘three weeks a year more than rest of UK’. BBC.
Greater London Authority (2023) London’s population.
Pettitt, S. (2024) Dating in the UK: Finding love as an expat. Expatica.
Roskams, M. (2021) International migration, England and Wales: Census 2021. Office for National Statistics.
Schanche, A. R. (2023) What you need to know about dating in London. London x London.
Senkus, T. (2024) Adult FriendFinder review 2024. Heart Insider.
Stojcheva, L. (2023) Dating sttistics for the UK — How many people are on Tinder? Cybercrew.
UK Finance (2023) Criminals steal over half a billion pounds and nearly 80 per cent of app fraud starts online.
Contributing Authors:
Joe Elvin
Joe Elvin is an internationally known confidence and dating coach with nearly a decade of experience. He is the successful author of several dating and confidence books that have helped thousands of men find success. While traveling the world Joe consistently finds new and valuable ways to meet and attract women. Joe has a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University and he has been featured in many large publications including AskMen, TSB Magazine and The Good Men Project.
As one of the most prolific writers on Heart Insider, Joe has reviewed over a hundred dating apps. He is the site’s foremost authority when it comes to selecting what dating app works for whom. From an app’s mechanics to its algorithm to telltale signs that a dating app is a scam, Joe’s is able to expertly discern between dating apps that provide value and those that don’t.
Tom Senkus
For more than two decades, Tom has dated extensively and studied behavioral psychology as a way of understanding the complexities of human nature until he became an expert. After traveling as a touring musician and living in more than 15 countries, Tom has cross-referenced his experience in seduction, dating, and interpersonal dynamics with the ever-changing landscape of 21st-century dating. His work as a writer has appeared in 500+ publications (digital and print). Tom is also the author of several books (available on Amazon). In his free time, you can find Tom recording music and cooking the best Cincinnati-style chili you’ve ever had.
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