Edinburgh and Glasgow have overtaken London as the UK's top nightlife hotspots, according to new data from Uber. The Scottish cities recorded the highest proportion of late-night journeys between 10pm and 4am, revealing a shift in the nation's after-dark activity patterns.
The ride-hailing app's analysis of millions of trips and food deliveries highlights current trends in UK travel, socializing, and takeaway habits. London, traditionally seen as the country's nightlife capital, came in third behind both Scottish cities.
Edinburgh's cultural hub status and thriving pub, bar, and club scene contributed to its top ranking. Popular late-night destinations include the nightclub Cabaret Voltaire and the Royal Mile shopping district.
Birmingham emerged as the UK's early riser city, recording more trips between 6am and 8am than other urban areas, reflecting its status as a major commuter hotspot.
Night-time activity surges
Separate data from rival taxi app Bolt, collected late last year, showed a 15 percent increase in night-time activity in 2025 compared to 2024. The peak time for going out also shifted from 11pm on Saturdays to midnight.
Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds became major late-night food delivery hubs between 10pm and 4am, driven partly by their large university populations.
Food and travel trends
Chinese food topped the list of most searched items on Uber Eats in 2025. Searches for sushi, pizza, and Thai food more than doubled over the year.
The matcha trend exploded, with searches for the Japanese green tea powder drink soaring by 700 percent year on year.
Train stations dominated travel destinations, accounting for eight out of ten top requested locations across UK cities. Tourist attractions in high demand included London's Hyde Park, Edinburgh Castle, and the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool.
Andrew Brem, regional general manager for Uber UK, said: «Whether it's scouting shops on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile, indulging in a treat at Cadbury World or learning about the Fab Four at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, people are embracing their passions and the country's iconic destinations.»
London's most requested nightlife venue was the Fabric nightclub, while Manchester riders favored Soup Kitchen and Glasgow's top spot was Sub Club.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
