Nightlife in Durham
Durham is a small city built around a loop of the River Wear, so a night out here is short distances, steep streets and a lot of character. Here is how the areas differ.
The Market Place and Saddler Street
The old centre climbs from the Market Place up Saddler Street towards the cathedral, and the pubs and bars along the way sit close together. It is the most atmospheric part of the city after dark, with narrow streets and old buildings, and it is easy to move between places on foot as long as you allow for the hill.
The old centre climbs from the Market Place up Saddler Street towards the cathedral, and the pubs and bars along the way sit close together.
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North Road and the viaduct
North Road runs down from the railway viaduct towards Framwellgate Bridge and carries a busier, more mainstream mix of bars. It is the natural first stop if you arrive by train or bus, since the station sits on the hill above it and the bus station is on the road itself.
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Somewhere to book a room or a table for the evening, in Durham itself.
Walkergate and the riverside
Walkergate, beside the Gala Theatre near Millennium Place, gathers bars and restaurants in one modern block above the river. It suits a meal that runs into a drink, or a drink before or after a show, without walking far between the two.
Walkergate, beside the Gala Theatre near Millennium Place, gathers bars and restaurants in one modern block above the river.
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Term time and the rest of the year
Durham is a university city, and the mood changes with the calendar. In term time the centre is full and lively, especially late in the week; in the holidays it is noticeably calmer. Regatta weekend in June, graduation in the summer and the Lumiere light festival, when it runs in November, bring very large crowds, so plan ahead on those dates.
Durham is a university city, and the mood changes with the calendar.
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Getting home safely, and planning around a booking
The streets on the peninsula are cobbled and steep, so wear shoes you can walk in. Trains to Newcastle take about a quarter of an hour, but they do not run all night, so check the last departure before you go out. Use a licensed taxi, check the badge before you get in and share the journey with a friend. If your night is built around an appointment, allow extra time for the hills. As everywhere on the site, this guide is for adults aged 18 and over.
The streets on the peninsula are cobbled and steep, so wear shoes you can walk in.
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Durham areas worth knowing
- Market PlaceThe old heart of the city, at the foot of Saddler Street
- Saddler StreetA steep, narrow street of pubs climbing to the cathedral
- North RoadBusier bars between the viaduct and the river
- WalkergateBars and restaurants beside the Gala Theatre
- Elvet BridgeThe old bridge linking the centre to Old Elvet
- Framwellgate BridgeThe bridge between North Road and the Market Place
Frequently asked questions
In university term time, yes, especially from Wednesday on. Outside term it is much quieter, and a weeknight can feel very calm.
Trains run well into the evening but not through the night. Check the last departure for your day before you go out and keep a taxi number as a back up.
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