The nightlife in Colchester is nothing if not diverse. Here, we’ll take you from the town’s state-of-the-art shisha bar to some of the best pubs in Essex. There are wine bars, VIP clubs, a Victorian theatre with a lit-up dance floor, and a tiki bar with a top-class sound system, too.
Nightlife in Colchester
Bars
If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a casual drink, Vineyard is a great wine bar hidden down a street off Eld Lane in the town centre. The surroundings are stylish with original oak beams and exposed brick walls; it has a fantastic courtyard that’s perfect for an al fresco glass or two from their top selection of wines, cocktails and top-shelf spirits. We recommend trying the Harry Brompton’s Iced Tea – it’s difficult to find places that stock it, the world’s first premium alcoholic iced tea, and it’s delicious.
If you’re staying at our Colchester Town Centre (Castle) hotel, less than five minutes’ walk away is Trotters Bar and Kitchen. It’s a popular choice throughout the day thanks to its friendly service, simple but tasty food menu and solid selection of drinks. Plus, it’s a popular party venue, particularly on Saturdays.
In the shadow of Colchester Castle, you’ll find one of the liveliest places to go for a drink on the High Street: V Bar. On the weekends it can be a bit wild; it’s not the biggest, and cheap deals make it popular with locals, so don’t be surprised to find it heaving. The dancefloor fills up, but don’t expect chart music – V Bar’s more about indie anthems and rock classics.
A little further down the High Street you’ll also find After Office Hours. Again, beverages are tough to beat on price, providing you pick from their deals, and it tends to be good fun, particularly on the weekends with the DJs dropping tracks for all tastes.
Down Queen Street, Silk Road Lounge has been a popular Colchester nightlife option for several years now. It’s the only shisha bar in town, and one of the most stylish you’re likely to find anywhere. In total there are three bars, a heated terrace area, private booths, a wealth of cocktails to choose from, a pool and snooker club open seven days a week, and one of the latest licences in town.
Pubs
To give you an introduction to the top-class pubs in Colchester, we’ve put together a list of some of our favourites like the Essex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017; the country inn with the best Ploughman’s lunch you’ll ever eat; a stylish drinking den on the doorstep of Colchester’s central shopping hub, and much, much more.
Clubs
There are a handful of clubs in Colchester to tell you about, each offering something different. ATIK is the biggest nightclub in town, housed in a resplendent building which dates back to the turn of the 20th century and used to be the Grand Theatre.
The main auditorium’s original ornate ceiling and balconies are in great condition and provide the perfect setting for a little late-night dancing. There’s state-of-the-art lighting, laser systems and a separate disco room with a Saturday Night Fever dance floor where you can strut your stuff, too.
Qube Bar & Brasserie is a chic club on Crouch Street that’s split over two floors with some of the best music in town. The whole look and feel of the place is premium. It offers VIP packages, stocks exclusive spirits and champagnes, and attracts a stylish crowd of clientele. However, our favourite option on Crouch Street is Waikiki Bar and Club. It’s a tiki bar where you can drink out of real pineapples and coconuts, the bartenders set fire to things, and the DJs play everything from party anthems to old-school garage and commercial house.