Nottingham is certainly a city which can offer something for everyone – whether you have a love for food and drink, live music or comedy, there is an abundance of activities for everyone to get involved with. Once things return to normal, this guide will inspire you to experience all the wonderful attractions Nottingham has to offer at night.
Food and drink
For all you foodies, Nottingham boasts a wide range of delectable restaurants for every taste and budget. From fine dining – Alchemilla and World Service are two notable favourites – to hearty English pubs, like Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem, which claims to be the oldest pub in England. While Nottingham has many up-and-coming chain restaurants such as Zaap Thai and The Alchemist, it is certainly worth checking out their fantastic selection of food and drinks independents: Bar Iberico is renowned for its mouth-watering Spanish tapas, while Annie’s Burger Shack proudly serves over 30 styles of burgers – all available as meaty, vegetarian or vegan.
There is also an extensive selection of trendy bars to choose from, many offering happy hour deals during the week. Penny Lane is a great spot known for its exotic cocktails, located in a ‘seaside arcade’ setting where you play with £1 tokens and can grab some fun prizes. Other visit-worthy locations include Coco Tang, Das Kino or BrewDog. For more suggestions, check out our guide to Nottingham’s most unique bars.
Live music
Nottingham’s live music scene definitely owes the city a visit. Nottingham is home to Rock City, a reasonably intimate venue where numerous famous acts have performed over the years. The city also boasts significant talent – notable artists who originate from the city include Jake Bugg and London Grammar, who have performed at local venues in recent years. Countless local acts also perform gigs on almost any day of the week, some in smaller venues such as The Chameleon or Nottingham Contemporary. World-renowned artists have also been known to perform at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, including the likes of Sir Elton John, Oasis and Ed Sheeran. No matter your preferred taste in music, the city offers a versatile range of live music opportunities.
Nightlife
Nottingham is particularly renowned for its buzzing nightlife scene, with many travelling from all over the country to sample its finest bars and clubs. Housing over 70,000 students, the city ranks 6th in the best UK cities for students. Club entry rarely costs more than £5, and most venues do tempting offers on drinks, meaning you won’t be busting your wallet to enjoy a good night out. Each day offers a specific event to meet everybody’s preferences – whether club classics at Crisis on a Wednesday, cheesy Ocean Fridays or R&B at Pryzm on Monday/Tuesday, there is a huge amount of variety to explore.
Entertainment
The city boasts some fantastic entertainment venues, which attract a significant number of tourists. For theatregoers, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Arts Theatre and the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall are worth a visit, all hosting a diverse variety of performances throughout the year. If you fancy a laugh, the city hosts an impressive range of comedic performances – the Glee Club invites talented comedians to perform at the venue throughout the week, perfect for when you need a release. Well-known comedic legends such as Lee Evans and John Bishop have also performed at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena. Film fanatics are also well catered for in Nottingham – the independent cinema Broadway in Hockley is an especially trendy spot to watch up-and-coming blockbuster films.
Activities
For those fancying something more interactive, Nottingham also offers lots of fun-filled group activities. One attraction worth visiting is The Lost City Adventure Golf. Based in the heart of Nottingham at The Cornerhouse, the venue consists of two exciting separate 18-hole indoor adventure golf courses. It is open all-year-round and also boasts a Tiki Bar serving pizzas, cocktails and more. Students also benefit from discounted entry prices throughout the week.
