6 of the best party towns in the UK
Leeds
For friends who love a proper night out. Find music and theme nights for every taste and fancy, and Leeds is just as great for a chilled pint!
Best bars
The Pit - ££
A selection of bottled and canned beers for every taste bud. The Pit oozes brewery vibes, and is a great shout for true beer purists. Open late on the weekends, make a night of it at The Pit and keep the cocktails and beers flowing.
Mojo - ££
Lovers of all things rock feel at home here. Packed out with punk décor and music memorabilia, Mojo serves zany cocktails and a selection of rock ‘n’ roll beers to suit.
Hit the club
Warehouse - ££
Steeped in music history. Over the years Warehouse has seen the likes of Oasis and The Stone Roses draw crowds, and sticks to its roots with live music and DJ nights its main staple. A perfect party spot ‘til the early hours.
Mission - £
For those who come alive at night. Mission is a great night out guaranteed, with their After Party events kicking off at 4AM and taking you through ‘til 8AM. Knock back drinks from just £2, but pace yourself, it’s going to be a long night!
Selfie spot
Leeds Corn Exchange
It’s probably light outside when you leave Mission, so head to the Leeds Corn Exchange. A selfie with the renowned Victorian building adds a bit of culture to your crazy night.
A taste of Leeds
Colour Changing One
Leeds’ Alchemist takes the themed bar to a new level with its chemistry set-up. Grab the imaginatively named Colour Changing One for just £7.75, for delicious vodka and citrus flavours.
Find out what else you can do in Leeds with our city guide.
Birmingham
Truly a city that never sleeps, Birmingham is home to the famous Broad Street – a ½ mile stretch packed with bars and clubs.
Best bars
Brewdog Birmingham - ££
There’s a drink for everyone at BrewDog, with over 100 craft beers on the menu. The contemporary bar features a vintage cinema-listings billboard, and a drinks list full of edgy names.
Suds ‘n’ Duds - £
A livelier affair. Disguised as a launderette, Suds ‘n’ Duds is a quirky speakeasy with a cocktail menu longer than the amount of time you spend scratching your head at the bar’s exterior. Located on the city’s Gas Street, this affordable cocktail bar is ideal for a drink before you move on to a club.
Best clubs
Lab 11 - ££
Taking you through to the early hours with non-stop beats and a huge dance floor. The warehouse venue regularly welcomes iconic DJs like DJ Jazzy Jeff for unforgettable slots on its Friday and Saturday night events. Kitted out with brick walls, strobe lighting and jungle-style netting, Lab 11 lives and breathes party vibes.
Selfie spot
Victoria Square
Stop off on your return from the chip shop for a quick selfie. The famous city square is considered the very centre of Birmingham. Take a breather on the city steps before you snap a picture in front of the Riverfountain.
A taste of Birmingham
Tennessee Jar
Full of fruity flavours, and a shot of Southern Comfort, the Tennessee Jar is a refreshing hit to take with you to the dance floor.
Birmingham has loads to offer apart from the nightlife, so why not read our city guide when planning your next trip.
Newcastle
Always a laugh, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Newcastle. A sure bet is to hit the Diamond Strip, with a selection of bars and clubs on one short stretch – but look out for the drinks deals and get there early for free entry.
Best bars
Hop & Cleaver - ££
Trendy and unique. Pull your own pints in this modern Quayside bar, or sample a selection of beers straight from their microbrewery. Try a Hop & Cleaver cocktail – reasonably priced and hilariously named.
Stein Bier Keller - £
A German-inspired bar where laughs flow as fast as the bier. Karaoke and comedy are commonplace in the Keller, and if there’s a birthday in your group you’ll get a free bench reserved and a rack of shots on the house.
Hit the club
House of Smith - ££
A place that knows how to party. House of Smith is a stylish affair, with velvet curtains and chandeliers, but you’ll find reasonably priced cocktails at the bar. Head to the club on a Sunday for a long-weekend celebration.
Tiger Tiger - £
So good we’ve featured it twice. £5 cocktails are a staple in Tiger Tiger Newcastle, and that should be reason enough to visit the iconic club. And for a chilled end to a heavy weekend, Tiger Tiger has live acoustic music sets every Sunday evening.
Selfie spot
Tyne Bridge
Where else? The ultimate Newcastle selfie spot is obviously the Tyne Bridge. Get your camera out and do your best 90s Gazza impression for a memorable snap.
A taste of Newcastle
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof / Newcastle Brown Ale
Head to the Hop & Cleaver for this intense cocktail – featuring bourbon, dark cacao and fresh chilli amongst its ingredients. Or opt for a Newcastle Brown Ale for a classic alternative.
Want to also do some sightseeing whilst you're in Newcastle? Check out what you can do in our Newcastle city guide.
Cardiff
Everything you need for a memorable night out. Cardiff boasts an array of bars and nightclubs – and thanks to its large student population, drinks and club entry are reasonably priced too.
Best bars
Pen & Wig - ££
Classic and consistent. Shoot pool or shoot alcohol at this ideal pre-drink location. And if you’re something of a drink connoisseur, The Pen & Wig have a rum and whiskey of the week to showcase their favourite spirits.
Gwdihw - £
Bridging the gap between bar and nightclub, Gwdihw (pronounced ‘Goody Hoo’) effortlessly combines live music, DJs and pub quizzes. And on Gwd Mondays, drinks are 50% off all day – ideal for a midweek session.
Hit the club
Tiger Tiger - £
They love a drink deal, and so will you. Party the night away in this Cardiff classic – with multiple rooms offering music and themes for everyone. Cocktails and spirits are flowing, so go on, make it a double.
Clwb Ifor Bach - £
Get your music fix. Live acts and lively club nights are Clwb Ifor Bach’s bread and butter. Entry is always reasonable and Clwb Ifor Bach has an eye for talent – Coldplay even rocked the venue back in 2000.
Selfie spot
Mermaid Quay
The stunning waterfront is a great location for your Cardiff selfie. Beautifully illuminated at night, a Mermaid Quay picture is always #nofilter.
A taste of Cardiff
1877
The signature cocktail of Cardiff’s 1877 bar. A classy drink without the expensive price tag – 1877 features Grey Goose vodka, champagne and a fruity strawberry purée.
If this has got you intrigued about what Cardiff has to offer, read more about this lively destination in our city guide.
Manchester
A city famed for its nightlife. Legendary music acts and venues put Manchester on the map for nights out, and it’s kept that reputation ever since. If you love packed dance floors and friendly vibes, Manchester’s for you.
Best bars
Kosmonaut - £
This slick bar has a selection of beers that’s rivalled only by its cocktail menu. Complete with leather booths and a ping pong table, Kosmonaut is a laid-back and reasonably priced bar to kick off your evening.
Hold Fast - ££
An eccentric bar with a love for music and film. Hold Fast has an impressive selection of beers and cocktails – and at happy hour drinks come with free popcorn! Open late, the unique bar is ideal for pre-drinks or an all-nighter.
Hit the club
Gorilla - £
Club meets concert arena. Gorilla plays host to huge DJs, live music and comedy acts, with recent acts like Sundara Karma, Selection Boyz and Phil Jupitus. 5-8pm is ‘After Work’ drinking time, with cocktails and wines at great prices.
Sound Control - ££
Perfectly captures Manchester’s love for live music and partying. Enjoy three floors of music, which combine a nightclub with a live music stage. Sound Control used to be the A1 music shop, which welcomed the likes of Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher over the years.
Selfie spot
Chinatown
Spectacularly lit up at night, Chinatown is made for a post-night out selfie. Grab a picture under the arch on Faulkner Street to mark the occasion.
A taste of Manchester
Mariachi
Tequila, watermelon, chilli salt and more – described as a ‘musical expression’ this cocktail isn’t for the faint-hearted.
And if you're not suffering too much with your hangover the next day, find out what you shouldn't miss on your trip to Manchester with our city guide.
Bristol
Not always the first place you think of for a night out, but one you’ll never forget. A city brimming with live music venues, bars and nightclubs, Bristol even has a magic bar. Plan your evening and you could have the night of your life that’s easy on the bank balance.
Best bars
Bar 135 - £
The place to be when the sun goes down. This late night bar doesn’t open until mid-evening and stays awake ‘til the early hours. Daily drink deals make Bar 135 original and affordable.
Hausbar - ££
A speakeasy accessed only by ringing a doorbell. This low-lit bar specialises in cocktails, and offers a cool, personal vibe. Try an original cocktail, or stick with your old faithful.
Hit the club
Thekla - £
Indie vibes. If you and your mates love alternative music, Thekla’s the one. Entry is reasonable and the club runs drink deals all night, so you can break out the air guitar without breaking the bank.
The Fleece - ££
For lovers of live music. The Fleece celebrates British music with the best in original and tribute acts, and even has a monthly Britpop night for fans of Oasis, Blur and the like. Grab a beer, hit the dancefloor and jump around with likeminded rockers.
Selfie spot
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Slightly out of the city centre, but well worth a visit. Get a snap of the historic bridge to mark an unforgettable visit to Bristol.
A taste of Bristol
The Exhibition Cider
A modern legend. Found in the Coronation Tap cider house, the Exhibition Cider comes in at 8.4%, and can only be served in half pints (which is probably for the best).
So we've told you about the top party spots in Bristol, but if you want to know more, check out our Bristol city guide.
megabus make it easy to get you and your friends out on the town. Bus services run from all over the country, taking you to the best nights out. Unsure which party spot to pick? Check out our party destination quiz below to find the perfect city for you.
Ready to go? Use our journey planner at the top of the page to book your next party break.
Published on 1st August 2017