Last year, Get Licensed ranked Durham the best student night out in the UK. Not only did the North-East city place 1st in all of the wellbeing factors, 95% of the bars and clubs in Durham were rated 3 stars or above. However, Durham nightlife really is a tale of two halves; it’s also home to the worst club in Europe, and some students in Durham would certainly disagree with Get Licensed’s glowing review. So what is a night out in Durham actually like? Stay tuned to find out first-hand from a Durham student about whether that first-place title is well-deserved.
College bars in Durham
One of the facets of nightlife at Durham that sets the city apart from its competitors is the college bars. Sure, these are only available to students at the university, but once you’re in, the quirky and individual vibe of each bar, and the scarily cheap drinks, make these establishments the perfect place for pres.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, Durham’s college bars make the perfect places for a bar crawl. The Bailey bar crawl – Hatfield, Castle, St. Chads, St. Johns, and St. Cuths – is probably the most popular, and features some of Durham’s best college bars. If you can be bothered to make the trek out of town, however, the hill bars have some real hidden gems, and make for a slightly heavier bar crawl, if you’re into that. For the truly fearless, the 16-strong all-college bar crawl is on many a Durham student’s bucket list, including mine, but about 10 of those bars feature a glass of water in place of a drink.
Each college bars also has its own college drink, based on some niche aspect of the college itself. I would highly the Steamo (basically just vodka and grenadine) at Stephenson College, but that because it’s pretty much the only college drink I could name. Another honourable mention includes Chads’ Disco Water – three shots of vodka, elderflower cordial, and sparkling water, all at an incredibly cheap price. What more could you want?
Durham’s college bars have something for everyone, so whether it’s the huge beer garden at Collingwood, the glass ceiling at Chad’s, or the hospital-esque vibe of Mary’s, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at one of them.
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Pubs in Durham
Not a student at Durham, or looking to escape anything that reminds you of uni? No problem, Durham nightlife offers plenty of pubs to choose from on a night out. The pubs in Durham’s city centre are full of charm and character, and range from the big and booming, to the small and cosy.
The Swan and Three Cygnets has a riverside beer garden, perfect for drinks the in summer, and is always packed with students catching some sun during exam season (when they probably should be revising). After a cheap pint? Durham’s Wetherspoons, The Bishop’s Mill, is large and popular, and turns into a night-club on a Friday night, if you’re into that.
The Hole GrAle pub is known for its eclectic range of Ales and hosts live music every two weeks, courtesy of GrAle Soul Sessions. Head of Steam has new drinks on every two months, and is open until midnight on a Friday and Saturday. Ye Old Elm Tree, on Crossgate, is the perfect cosy spot for a drink in the winter, and frequently hosts live folk bands.
For something a little on the spooky side, why not try haunted pubs? Built in 1190, The Shakespeare is one of the most haunted pubs in England. Equally as steeped in history (and just as scary), is the Dun Cow, on Old Elvet.
Bars in Durham
For those in search of a cocktail, or something a little sleeker than a pub, Durham nightlife includes a few staple bars with great deals to choose from on a night out. However, the variety is admittedly slightly more limited than in a larger city, like nearby Newcastle. All just a stone’s throw from the city’s high street, Durham’s bars are a great option before the club, or as a stand-alone night out.
With a heated garden on the banks of the River Wear, the Boat Club has 2-for-1 cocktails pretty much all day, every day. Who can argue with £9.90 for two long island iced teas? Not me, that’s for sure. Just across from Boat Club is Blue Eye, another cocktail bar, which is open until 2am every night of the week, if you’re after a late-night tipple.
For fans of wine, Crush is a wine bar and shop in the city centre. They offer sharing platters and a special wine event once a month. Boujee. Also on the more up-market side of things is 33, a speakeasy just off North Road which requires a pin to get in. Their cocktails make the bar seem more like a chemistry lab than a late-night date spot, but don’t worry, their menu explains all of the wacky things they’ve done to your drink before it even reaches the table.
Find more of our top pubs and bars in Durham here.
Nightclubs in Durham
Night clubs in Durham are a bit like service stations – there are enough of them, and they’re pretty consistent, but they’re also pretty much all the same. The largest club in Durham is Babylon, with club nights 4 nights a week, and a large mezzanine dance floor. Jimmy Allen’s is free, but comes at a price – sticky walls and club remixes of Angels by Robbie Williams. Yikes. Still, it’s fun, a student staple, and open every single night of the week.
One of Durham’s most iconic clubs, Klute, is famous for all the wrong reasons – it’s Europe’s worst club. It used to be second, but the first worst burnt down. Previously owned by Dominic Cummings’ uncle, Klute closed down after 40 years of business in April of 2024. However, following public outcry, the club re-opened in October 2024, boasting the same “worst night out” it had always offered. Expect free entry, bad music, and £4 quaddies (a drink that boasts four shots of vodka) during your time at Klute, which comes Sam Fender approved.
Looking for an LGBT specific club night? Osbournes bar hosts local drag queen/DJ, Tess Tickle, on a Monday night. The music is cheesy but loads of fun, and the dancefloor is often packed and lively on a Monday night. Fabio’s bar is home to the ever-popular Unhinged Thursdays, with an extensive and cheap cocktail menu, and a resident DJ. Be quick though, as tickets tend to sell out the day they’re released.
If you’re looking for music that’s a bit different, perhaps the only venue where you’ll get that is Loft. Next to Babylon, Loft hosts live DnB sessions, as well as dance club nights. A perfect break from the singalong classics of Durham’s other clubs.
Overall, Durham nightlife gets a bad reputation among students. Admittedly, the options aren’t as varied as they would be in a larger city, but there’s something for everyone. From the wide range of pubs and bars, you’d never short of somewhere on a night out in Durham. It’s safe to say that, in a city so small, the night life in Durham holds up.
FAQs on Durham Nightlife
Yes. While smaller than big city destinations, Durham’s nightlife is lively and student-focused. It has a mix of cosy pubs, cocktail bars, student clubs, and themed nights that make it a social and welcoming city for nights out.
Loft, Studio, and Jimmy Allen’s are among the most popular clubs in Durham. Each hosts regular student nights with affordable drinks and music ranging from chart hits to indie and dance, making them staples of the city’s nightlife.
Yes. Durham has plenty of pubs and bars that cater to students, from traditional pubs serving affordable pints to trendy cocktail spots. Venues like Klute and The Swan are long-time student favourites thanks to their relaxed atmosphere and low prices.
Durham’s nightlife is smaller in scale compared to Newcastle, but it’s more close-knit and student-focused. Many students enjoy Durham for its friendly and affordable nights out, and travel to Newcastle for the occasional big night.
Yes. Many colleges run their own social events, and Durham has late-night cafés, cocktail bars, and live music venues. Students who prefer quieter nights can enjoy pub quizzes or gatherings in historic pubs across the city.
