To enjoy great exhibitions and museums, you no longer have to take either take time off or endure the weekend crowds. An increasing number of museums and galleries are staying open late into the evening, providing a whole different experience that’s more geared towards adults and often includes DJs and drinking. Some museums even lay on a full line-up of talks and late-night events.

As late night opening isn’t yet a daily or even weekly event, to attend you’ll have to know when and where they’re on. Which is where the list below may come in handy.

• V&A Friday Late - each event has a theme, and usually features talks and workshops, as well as a DJ. Last Friday of each month (except December), until 10PM. Free.
• late @ Museum of London - these events sometimes feature music and storytelling, but the next one is a pub quiz. First Thursday of each month, until 9PM. Free.
• late @ Museum in Docklands - these events feature live music and and comedy performances. The next one looks at East London’s Asian music scene and history. First Thursday of each month, until 9PM. Free from 4:30 onwards.
• Geffrye Museum First Thursday Open Evenings - at these events you experience the delightful galleries and gardens of the museum, complete with a glass of wine. The May event also includes a social history and old food tasting session. First Thursday of each month, until 8PM. Free.
• Late at Tate Britain - a good chance to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. There’s also usually an event of some sort - the next one features an audiovisual collective presenting the ‘AV Social’. Last Friday of each month, until 10PM. Free, with half-price entry to the special exhibitions.
• Late at Tate Modern - the Tate Modern started staying open late almost as soon as it first opened in 2000. Additional evening events include The Long Weekend, in May, which includes a night of audiovisual performances and a set of film screenings. The Tate Modern is open late every Friday and Saturday, until 10PM. Free.
• Late at Tate Liverpool - music, food and drink accompany these late openings, as well as themed tours and occassional performances. Last Thursday of every month, until 9PM. Free.
• Late events at the British Museum - this museum is open late almost more often than not at the moment, thanks in large part to the popularity of its First Emperor exhibition (see review). If you just want to hang out in the Great Court though, a Chinese food themed evening features food tasting, live music, traditional games and a dance workshop. China Late: Food is on 3 April 2008, until 9PM. Free.
• National Gallery Wednesay Lates - this weekly event includes live music and a series of ‘bite-sized talks’ on the collections, which at ten minutes each are short enough for anyone to enjoy. Every Wednesday, until 9PM. Free.
• Late opening at the National Portrait Gallery - this museum stays open late every Thursday and Friday, giving you plenty of opportunity to explore the rooms, as well as the latest exhibitions (see Vanity Fair Portraits review). The Fridays though also include live music (mostly classical), if that’s your bag. If not, you could always go for a drink on the rooftop bar. Late openings are every Thursay and Friday, until 9PM. Free.

For additional information about late-night museum and gallery events, there are a few other websites worth visiting. First Thursdays covers art events in East London (on the first Thursday of each month, as the name suggests), supported by the Arts Council England in association with Time Out London. Lates covers a range of events across London, on various days of the week, funded by the Mayor of London in association with thelondonpaper, and includes a mailing list and a Facebook group you can sign up to for regular updates.