5 ways to build an evening-first city break in Europe

The waiter brings Friday's dinner bill just after ten. Someone suggests another drink, and the hotel is only twenty minutes away. Then Saturday's 8:30 a.m. museum ticket comes up. Nobody particularly wants to leave yet, especially with the streets still busy and another bar open around the corner.

Moving that museum visit to lunchtime would leave Saturday morning free. In London or Milan, a late dinner can easily stretch into another few hours out.

1. A Friday casino evening in London

Dinner on Soho's Old Compton Street puts Leicester Square a short walk away. A 7:30 table leaves plenty of time to finish eating before heading towards the casinos.

Anyone including casino entertainment on the weekend should decide where they want to spend the evening. Those considering online play during a UK stay can use top payout casinos on bestcasino.com to compare payout figures and withdrawal information. 

Choose the physical casino before leaving for dinner. Opening hours, identification requirements and the journey back to the hotel are worth checking before dinner.

There is also the question of where to eat. Booking somewhere within walking distance leaves the evening free from unnecessary journeys across London.

2. Move the museum ticket closer to lunchtime

Saturday morning feels considerably better without a booking at nine. Tickets for 12:30 leave time for coffee and a walk before the gallery visit.

Trafalgar Square is right outside the National Gallery. Entry to the main collection is free, although special exhibitions have separate ticket arrangements. A Saturday plan might include:

• 11:00 a.m. Coffee and breakfast near the hotel.
• 12:30 p.m. Entry to a museum or gallery.
• 2:30 p.m. Lunch and some shopping.
• 5:30 p.m. A short hotel break.
• 8:00 p.m. Dinner in the chosen nightlife district.

Back at the hotel around half five, the shopping can go straight into the room. The eight o'clock dinner reservation leaves time to change before going out again.

A look around Trafalgar Square can fit into the afternoon without another reservation. There is already one attraction booked.

3. Choose the Milan neighbourhood before the hotel

A room near Milano Centrale makes arrival by train convenient. After a late dinner on Naviglio Grande, however, there is still a cross-city journey back to the station area.

From Porta Genova, Via Casale leads down towards the water. Along Ripa di Porta Ticinese, several restaurants have outdoor seating beside the Navigli canals. Their menus are usually easy to check before choosing a table. Walking towards the next bridge gives visitors time to compare the different places before sitting down. 

Milan has several other evening areas. Brera, Porta Venezia and Corso Como can wait for another night. For dinner on Naviglio Grande, a room around Porta Genova saves the late journey back to Centrale.

4. Dinner before a concert

An 8:15 dinner booking looks tight beside a 9 p.m. concert ticket. Even getting the bill could become a rush.

Seven o'clock gives the restaurant time to serve dinner properly. A theatre ticket might say “Doors 7:15, show 8:00”, leaving time to get seated. If it finishes near midnight, the last Tube from the nearest station is worth checking. Keep the nearest night-bus stop saved as well.

5. See how Saturday evening goes

Friday already has a concert or casino reservation. After Saturday's dinner, there may be time to stay out for live music or find somewhere for another drink.

It helps to have a late café and a nearby bar marked on the map. Either address is easy to find after eleven without another booking to worry about.

Around Naviglio Grande, the canal-front tables can get busy. For dessert, walk towards Porta Genova and check the restaurant streets just beyond the waterfront.

Leave the departure morning without another attraction booked. Packing and checking the airport journey means breakfast can remain the only morning appointment.