Nightlife in Halifax

There has been an influx of quality independent bars in Halifax in recent years. You’d argue there’s perhaps none better, or more independent, than the Victorian Craft Beer Café on Powell Street. They’ve done away with all of the big UK brands to focus on offering an ever-changing selection of 10 hand-pulled beers and ciders and 12 keg beers on tap, not to mention more than 100 bottles, and homemade pork pies, too. And, as if all of that wasn’t enough, they’ve quietly built up a stellar selection of single malt whiskey, and do a delightful cup of coffee. In terms of decor, it pretty much says it on the tin; just try and imagine a Victorian Craft Beer Cafe and you’ll hit the nail on the head. What’s more, it’s just around the corner from the Victoria Theatre, one of your top options as far as Halifax entertainment venues go, so it’s perfect for a pre or post show pint.

If you’re staying at our Halifax Town Centre hotel, you won’t find a better, more convenient drinking den than The Grayston Unity. It’s just over the road, about a minute’s walk away, housed in a historic building, which used to be the County Court. It dates back to the 1860s and was designed by the architect whose next job was the Houses of Parliament. It also happens to be the UK’s smallest music venue. It may be tiny, but you’ll still have several beers to choose from, the vibe’s larger than life, and the staff are friendlier than a litter of labradors.

Last up on our list of best-loved bars in Halifax is one for wine aficionados. You’ll find Evokesomm in the old market. You can take your pick from wines from all around the world, including fine and rare wines that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else. If wine isn’t your poison of choice, Evokesomm also offers a good selection of beers and spirits, particularly gins. Plus, if you get peckish, they offer sandwiches and cheese and antipasto platters that can only be described as pukka.

If you’re looking for a pub, we feel we can’t start anywhere other than The Winterburn. It’s a little out of the way, about a 15-minute drive from our Halifax South hotel. It’s perched overlooking the Ryburn and Calder Valleys, where you can sit and watch the world go by with a pint from their excellent selection of ales. The view may well be one of the best in West Yorkshire, but the food is straight up out of this world. It’s the highest quality homemade eating with large portions and even bigger flavour. Visit on Thursdays for steak night, Fridays for ‘Fish Fryday’, or a Sunday for one of the best roasts going.

Our next recommendation is the Three Pigeons Ale House. You’ll find it on South Parade, near Eureka!, one of the top activities in Halifax. What sets it apart from other pubs is that the bar is in the corridor. You order your drink before heading into one of five art deco styled drinking rooms that lead off of the pub’s main passageway. It’s honestly like stepping back in time; the attention to detail is incredible. It’s an Ossett Brewery pub, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality of ales on offer. While, in terms of food, where else can you enjoy a pint with a pigeon pie?

Next up is a bottle shop cum micropub called The Alexandra, which you can find next door to The Lantern, one of the popular live music venues in Halifax. Drinks wise, there are four keg lines, two cask lines and one lager line with ever-changing selections from some of the most exciting breweries in the UK, such as Partizan, Northern Monk, and Beavertown. Depending on how thirsty you’re feeling, you can order everything from half pints to two-litre flagons. God knows how many bottles and cans The Alexandra offers, plus it’s a gin palace with more than 150 options.

Halifax is hardly known for its nightlife, particularly when it comes to clubbing. In fact, we’ll even let you off if you assumed that there weren’t any clubs in Halifax. However, Halifax does have clubs. In fact, it’s home to the oldest nightclub in England, Acapulco, which first opened its doors in 1962. This old dear’s showing no signs of letting up; Acapulco is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays right the way through to 3am. What’s more, drinks are 75p before 11pm. Note we didn’t say some drinks; all drinks are 75p! Yeah, mental. As far as nights out go, 'Acca' is as trashy as it gets, but it serves a purpose and if you’re in the right mood there’s nowhere better.

Alternatively, on Fridays and Saturdays you can stay out until four in the morning at ATIK. It’s Halifax’s biggest club with three rooms, a dangerous number of bars, a dozen VIP booths, a capacity of 1,500 clubbers, and cheap drinks galore.