Nightlife in Southampton
Southampton is a port city with several separate pockets of evening life rather than one centre. Here is how Above Bar Street, Bedford Place, Ocean Village and the others differ.
Above Bar Street and the central core
Above Bar Street is a long main street of the centre and acts as its spine. Shops dominate in the day, and the evening life is found on the streets and squares leading off it. It is the easiest place to begin, because most of the other areas can be reached from here without a long walk. If you are unsure where to start, begin here and decide the rest of the evening once you have seen how busy the streets are.
Above Bar Street is a long main street of the centre and acts as its spine.
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Bedford Place for restaurants and bars
Bedford Place lies just north of the main shopping area and is known for its restaurants and bars. It tends to suit a sit down evening with food, and the stretch is lively enough to feel social without being rowdy. A short walk or a brief taxi connects it with the centre.
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Somewhere to book a room or a table for the evening, in Southampton itself.
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Oxford Street and Ocean Village
Oxford Street, in the old part of the city near the water, has a run of restaurants and bars in older buildings. Ocean Village is a marina district by the water, with a more open, waterside setting and a different, calmer atmosphere to the town streets. Both are comfortable to reach on foot in the early evening and are better by taxi late on.
Oxford Street, in the old part of the city near the water, has a run of restaurants and bars in older buildings.
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Portswood for something more local
Portswood is a suburban district outside the centre, popular with people who live nearby and with a mix of cafes, restaurants and pubs. It offers a quieter evening than the middle of town and is easy to reach by bus or taxi. It suits people who would rather avoid the busier central streets altogether.
Portswood is a suburban district outside the centre, popular with people who live nearby and with a mix of cafes, restaurants and pubs.
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Getting back
Southampton Central is the main station and is within reach of the centre, but late services thin out, so check before leaving. Use a licensed taxi arranged in advance for the journey home, particularly from Ocean Village or Portswood where ranks are fewer. TheDirectory is for adults only, and members are required to be at least 18.
Southampton Central is the main station and is within reach of the centre, but late services thin out, so check before leaving.
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Southampton areas worth knowing
- Above Bar StreetThe main street of the centre
- Bedford PlaceRestaurants and bars, just north of the shops
- Oxford StreetOlder buildings and a run of restaurants
- Ocean VillageA marina district with a waterside setting
- PortswoodA local suburb of cafes and pubs
- Southampton CentralThe main railway station
Frequently asked questions
Portswood and Ocean Village are the calmer choices. Bedford Place suits a dinner with some atmosphere, and Above Bar Street is the busiest.
Within the centre, yes. Portswood and Ocean Village are better reached by bus or taxi, particularly at night.
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