Uber Data Reveals Edinburgh and Glasgow Outshine London as UK's Top Nightlife Hubs

New data from the global ride-hailing service Uber has positioned Edinburgh and Glasgow as the United Kingdom's premier nightlife destinations, surpassing London in terms of late-night activity. The analysis, which scrutinised millions of journeys taken across the country in 2025, provides a fascinating snapshot of British travel, socialising, and consumption habits.

Scottish Capitals Dominate the Night

Edinburgh secured the top spot with the highest proportion of trips occurring between 10pm and 4am, reinforcing its reputation as a vibrant cultural centre with a bustling pub, bar, and club scene. Glasgow followed closely in second place, indicating that Scots are particularly active during the early hours. London, often considered the nation's nightlife epicentre, ranked third, with residents travelling to renowned venues like the Fabric nightclub.

Contrasting City Rhythms

In a striking contrast, Uber's data highlighted Birmingham as the city of early risers. It recorded more journeys booked between 6am and 8am than any other UK location, pointing to its status as a major commuter hub. This finding underscores the diverse daily rhythms across British urban centres.

The analysis also noted that while eight out of ten of the most requested destinations nationwide were train stations, tourist attractions remained highly popular. Key sites included London's Hyde Park, Edinburgh Castle, and The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool.

Late-Night Deliveries and Food Trends

Uber Eats, the company's food delivery division, reported that major cities and university towns such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds were hotspots for late-night orders, frequently placing requests between 10pm and 4am.

On culinary trends, Chinese food maintained its position as the most searched-for cuisine on the app in 2025. However, searches for sushi, pizza, and Thai food more than doubled during the year. A significant trend was the matcha craze, with searches for the Japanese green tea powder drink skyrocketing by 700% compared to the previous year.

Industry Perspective

Andrew Brem, Uber UK's regional general manager, commented on the findings. "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," he said.

Most Requested Destinations in UK Cities

Uber's data also detailed the most requested destinations by category in ten major UK cities for 2025:

London: Tourist destination – British Museum; Events – ExCel London; Nightlife – Fabric; Restaurant – The Ivy, Soho; Hotel – The Ritz; Shopping – Harrods.
Manchester: Tourist destination – People’s History Museum; Events – Co-op Live; Nightlife – Soup Kitchen; Restaurant – Mana; Hotel – The Dakota; Shopping – Piccadilly (Market Street).
Birmingham: Tourist destination – Cadbury World; Events – NEC; Nightlife – LAB11; Restaurant – Opheem; Hotel – The Grand Hotel; Shopping – The Bullring.
Leeds: Tourist destination – Royal Armouries Museum; Events – First Direct Arena; Nightlife – Mint Warehouse; Restaurant – The Man Behind the Curtain; Hotel – The Queen’s Hotel; Shopping – Corn Exchange.
Liverpool: Tourist destination – Beatles Story; Events – ACC Liverpool; Nightlife – Heebie Jeebies; Restaurant – Maray; Hotel – Titanic Hotel.
Newcastle: Tourist destination – Newcastle castle; Events – Utilita Arena; Nightlife – Digital; Restaurant – House of Tides; Hotel – Jesmond Dene House; Shopping – Grey Street.
Nottingham: Tourist destination – Nottingham Castle; Events – Motorpoint Arena; Nightlife – Rock City; Restaurant – Sat Bains; Hotel – Hart’s Hotel; Shopping – Old Market Square.
Glasgow: Tourist destination – Kelvingrove Gallery; Events – OVO Hydro; Nightlife – Sub Club; Restaurant – The Gannet; Hotel – Kimpton Blythswood.
Edinburgh: Tourist destination – Edinburgh Castle; Events – Edinburgh International Conference Centre; Nightlife – Cabaret Voltaire; Restaurant – The Kitchin; Hotel – The Balmoral; Shopping – Royal Mile.
Cardiff: Tourist destination – Cardiff Castle; Events – Principality Stadium; Nightlife – Clwb Ifor Bach; Restaurant – The Potted Pig; Hotel – voco St David’s.