Best places for nightlife in South West England

As a South West local, I will say that (outside of Bristol), it’s not the best area for nightlife. 

However, that doesn’t mean there’s none! This area of the country is much better known for its coastal hikes and cream teas, BUT there is still late-night fun to be had if you’re after it. 

Nowadays, most of these venues are long behind me, but I spent much of my 20s in the South West sampling the nightlife scene in each of these destinations. 

So, here are the best places for nightlife in the South West! 

Bristol

Bristol is the outlier when it comes to South West nightlife – it has one of the strongest scenes in the UK outside London. 

Home to legendary venues like Lakota, it draws internationally recognised DJs and live acts, but you don’t have to be a raver to enjoy a night out here. 

The Harbourside mixes cocktail bars with floating venues like The Apple (a cider bar on a boat), while Stokes Croft leans more alternative, with bars covered in street art and a buzzing live music circuit. 

Head to Gloucester Road for local pubs and indie beer. Weekdays stay busy thanks to Bristol’s huge student population (of which I was once one of…).

Bath

Sitting just 13 miles from Bristol, Bath’s nightlife is entirely different. I lived here for a year after uni, and while I still travelled to Bristol for big nights out, there is another nightlife scene in the UNESCO city too!

Nightlife in Bath is largely elegant bars and underground clubs (I was told this is due to the town’s UNESCO status – clubs had to be below street level). 

George Street is a hotspot for wine and cocktail bars, while Moles has been a music institution since the ’70s. 

Clubs like Komedia and Second Bridge give you options for dancing, and the smaller size of the city makes it easy to hop between venues. 

It’s a popular weekend destination, so expect a crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, but midweek still buzzes when the universities are in term.

But Bath’s the kind of city where the most fun can be had in the day, so for those who don’t fancy a night out, there are lush spa hotels, plenty of shops selling wine to take back to your room and online casinos at Gambling.com!

Exeter

Devon is not the county to visit if you want the UK’s best nightlife, but humour me here!

There’s a decent amount in its two cities, Exeter and Plymouth. In Exeter, the city centre is compact, so you can walk between pre-drinks at the Quay, a pub on Gandy Street and a late-night venue like Timepiece or Move with ease. 

There’s a healthy mix of independent pubs, student nights and mainstream clubs, plus live music dotted across venues like The Cavern. 

Exeter’s student scene keeps things affordable and energetic, especially during term-time.

Plymouth

Plymouth’s nightlife centres around two areas: The Barbican and North Hill. 

The Barbican is packed with characterful pubs, rum bars, and craft beer spots, many with views of the marina. 

North Hill caters more to students, with plenty of late-night takeaways and shot bars. 

If you want to dance, Pryzm is the city’s biggest club, drawing large weekend crowds. 

Live music and comedy gigs also feature regularly at The Junction or The Underground.

Falmouth

Falmouth was the most surprising town for South West nightlife. 

With a large student population from the university’s creative and maritime campuses, the town is buzzing throughout the year. 

Bars like Toast and The Games Room offer cocktails and DJs, while Club International keeps the dance floor going late. 

Harbour pubs like The Chain Locker make great early evening spots. Expect drum & bass nights, open mic sessions, and a sociable crowd throughout the week.

My favourite? Beerwulf – a library and pub in one. Maybe not so rock and roll, but definitely quirky!

Newquay

Newquay is party central during the summer. 

Known for its beaches and stag dos, it also delivers sunset drinks, beach bar DJs, and late-night clubs. 

Sailors and Berties are long-standing nightlife spots, while Whiskers offers live music in a more relaxed setting. 

Expect a rowdier vibe in peak season – it’s not my favourite spot, especially when the crowds get too wild (I’ve heard that Boardmasters, the Newquay festival, is damaging for the town), but locals keep the scene going year-round.