Bath

A guide to Bath’s brilliant nightlife

Bath is a city of sophistication. When the sun goes down, and you take to the streets in search of adventure, you’ll get the most from your night by diving head-first for one of the city’s many cultural attractions.

From smooth jazz bands to theatre, cabaret, quizzes and live comedy, the city is simply bursting with stimulating spectacles. Refinement abounds in the city home of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you won’t find some great little dive bars and disco floors if you just want to drink and dance the night away. In fact, the population of Bath is renowned for getting a little raucous on a Friday and Saturday evening.

Whether it’s black-tie or cheap and cheerful, Bath can provide you with some unique experiences to bring your evening to life. Bath’s brilliant nightlife.

A bite to eat

Before you hit the streets, you must fortify yourself with some delicious chow to power you through the evening. For an up-market dining experience, we recommend the Combe Grove restaurant on Brassknocker Hill. Enjoy a sophisticated menu and spectacular views in this beautiful old manor house.

If haute-cuisine isn’t to your fancy, then how about handmade sourdough pizza with a pint of locally brewed cider down at The Stable – the South’s very own independent pizza and pie chain. Their simple, hearty menu is unique to each branch and consists of locally-sourced ingredients. Unmissable!

Some light entertainment

Bath has its own purpose-built concert hall – the Michael Tippett Center – which hosts stunning recitals of classical, jazz, and contemporary music throughout the week.

It’s the perfect place to let your food go down and soak up a drop of culture before you hit the wine bars. If the stage is more your style, check out a historic performance down at the Theatre Royal – Bath’s traditional theatre. Watch out, though; the building is said to be haunted!

Culture is all very well, but sometimes you just want to relax and laugh the night away. Check out the Komedia on Westgate for a fun, low-key evening of entertainment.

A couple of rounds

Bath has a fantastic selection of bars and pubs, ranging from the classy to the crude. The ArtBar at the Abbey Hotel is the perfect place to recline with a fancy cocktail and discuss the latest fashions.

For a cosier experience, The Bell Inn has a fantastic range of beers and a roaring log fire. Lambrettas bar offers drinkers a classic sports bar experience, replete with a pool table, games machines, and well-priced drinks.

Dancing the night away

Whether you’re a culture vulture or not, at the end of the day, everybody needs a good old shindig. Second Bridge, Po Na Na, and The Nest are the best venues in the city to party away till the early hours. Get the shots in and your dancing shoes on!

As you can see, Bath has a little something for everyone. You can party like a rockstar or indulge your higher faculties all in the bosom of one of the country’s most historic locations. For a quick, easy way to get to Bath and explore its many attractions, take a look at our day trips from London.