Colchester nightlife is both relaxed and vibrant depending on what you’re looking for, and the town itself plays host to a number of pubs, bars and nightclubs for students and non-students alike. Throughout this guide, we’ll answer some of your most pressing questions, as well as provide you with a list of Colchester’s hottest spots to visit.
Does Colchester have a good nightlife?
In short, yes! Colchester’s nightlife offers a great mixture of cosy chats with a drink around a pub table, and multi-floor clubs that will have you dancing the night away. There are plenty of opportunities each month for a brilliant night out, with frequent event nights and discounted student nights too.
This list of the top 18 Colchester Nightclubs, Bars and Clubs is designed to help you find the best spot to spend a quiet evening or act as a guide for the ultimate night out. Each of these venues are highly rated in Colchester, providing excellent entertainment and a great atmosphere. On top of that, whether you live on-campus or in private Colchester student accommodation like Avon Way House, you will find these locations are easy to reach and return home from.
Colchester Pubs
The best way to start any night out is a trip to the pub. It’s the perfect place to catch up with your mates in an easy-going, relaxed and affordable environment. Grab yourself a drink and maybe even a bite to eat to get energised for the night ahead.
Take a look at our top 6 pubs, a lot of which are also highly rated on TripAdvisor:
1. The SU Bar
The largest bar on the University of Essex campus. The SU bar provides a great space for students to relax and congregate, with reasonably priced food and drinks. Expect a number of fun events put on by the Student’s Union too, including sports screenings, karaoke nights and more.
2. Camulodunum
Based in the heart of Colchester, Camulodunum is a great place to meet up with your uni friends and have a relaxed drink with some food before starting your evening. They host a range of events from LBGTQ+ Drageoke party nights to Rockabilly tune nights. They also put on live sports throughout the year, so you can get caught up on the latest Football, Rugby and Formula 1 before your big night.
3. The Centurion
Another beautiful pub in central Colchester, The Centurion offers amazing craft beers and ciders alongside a chill atmosphere and delicious food – perfect for easing into a night on the town! They also show live sports throughout the year, including the Premier League, Six Nations, and Boxing.
4. Other Monkey Brewing – The Taproom
Ideal for beer lovers, this pub places a lot of emphasis on good food and good beer. Their Other Monkey brewing range is delicious, and the food options range from burgers to bao buns, meaning you’re in for a great start to your evening.
5. The King’s Arms
This central Colchester pub boasts a fantastic courtyard garden for those pleasant summer evenings before heading out to a bar or nightclub. They also offer one of the widest gin selections in the city, as well as craft and cask ales that change frequently.
6. The Ale House
The Ale House pub is a touch out of the way of the city centre, giving it a quieter atmosphere for catching up with your fellow classmates. They offer a fantastic range of real ales, lagers, wines, ciders and spirits, and with a Pub of the Year Runner-Up award under its belt, you know it’ll be a great place to spend your evening in Colchester.
Colchester Bars
The natural next stop after the pub. Colchester’s bar scene offers some of the best of Essex Nightlife. Providing delicious cocktails and beers, and a mix of music to get your feet moving. View our list of favourite Colchester bars below.
1. Top Bar
Found on the University of Essex campus, the Top Bar provides quality over quantity, with an emphasis on relaxing with a fine wine or cocktail. Enjoy a competitive game of pool or darts while there, and take part in regular events like Wine Wednesday and Fizzy Friday.
2. Slug & Lettuce
This classic chain bar is available in most cities, and as such any friends visiting will find its offerings familiar. They constantly have new food, drinks and deals available to anyone looking for a fun and easygoing night out. There’s also an outdoor seating area too, so you can wile away the evening with a few cocktails!
3. Twister’s Bar
Widely regarded as one of Colchester’s best alternative night spots, Twister’s Bar offers fantastic cocktails and craft beers, both of which can be enjoyed in their heated beer garden. The DJ set lists cover a massive range of musical genres. From indie rock to punk and classic soul to funk, there’s a sound for everyone.
4. Chappells of Colchester
This stunning venue offers over 120 different alcoholic beverages, from wine, lager and Belgian beer, to cocktails from across the world. The reviews for Chappells of Colchester speak for themselves, so pay it a visit and try some truly unique drinks for your night out.
5. Turtle Bay
Another easygoing chain bar/restaurant, Turtle Bay offers some beautiful foods alongside beautiful cocktails. They even turn Happy Hour into an all-day event at the weekend, offering two-for-one cocktails and mocktails from 11am to 7pm, and 9.30pm until close.
Colchester Clubs
The final destination for most nights, these Colchester Nightclubs are some of the best in the Essex nightlife scene. End your night with a bang with any one of these venues:
1. Sub-zero bar
Hit the dance floor at the Sub-zero bar on the University of Essex campus. The bar/club plays the latest and greatest hits, and puts on theme nights and events every month. A safe night bus is also available from the Sub-zero bar for all students that live off campus, and can take you straight back to our own Avon Way House among other destinations around Colchester.
2. The In-between
This more-than-a-bar but not-quite-a-club venue has one goal in mind: to provide an inclusive space for smaller communities attending the University of Essex. They place an emphasis on a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where you can feel safe to express yourself. Whether you are an international student, a member of the LBGTQIA+ community or part of any other underrepresented group, there is a night here for you.
3. The Silk Road Lounge & Cocktail Bar
This beautiful venue in central Colchester has 3 bars, 2 dance floors, 2 DJ boxes, and even VIP areas, all to help you make the most of your evening. The drinks selection is vast, and covers everything from beers to cocktails. You’ll also find that every night provides a new experience, with Cyber Mondays kicking off the week to the Sunday Sessions closing it. All of this together creates one of the best bars/clubs in Colchester, and makes it a spot you’ll never want to leave.
The Silk Road Lounge & Cocktail Bar closes at 5am on Fridays and Saturdays, 4: 30 on Thursdays, and 3am on Mondays and Wednesdays.
4. Rubix Bar
Rubix Bar has a self-proclaimed ‘legendary’ status throughout Colchester for simply having the best atmosphere around. Friday Nights at the Rubix bar offer one of the biggest party nights in Colchester, with Pop, Dance and Party albums played throughout. On Saturdays, the bar hosts ‘Nostalgia’, where 80s and 90s tunes are pitted against each other over two different floors.
Rubix Bar is open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. Roberts Bar & Club
Another Central Colchester Nightclub, Roberts Bar & Club plays the best current chart music alongside pop, RnB, House and more.
The club stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and guarantees a fantastic night of dancing.
6. Walkabout Colchester
A classic and friendly chain bar/club, Walkabout stays open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, 2am on Thursdays and Sundays, and 1am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That means there’s never a night where you can’t find a good dance floor with your friends!
Is Colchester expensive to go out in?
Colchester can be a very affordable place for students, especially those who are budget savvy and take advantage of student nights and student discounts where available. Where Colchester nightlife is concerned, taking advantage of the on-campus venues can help to save money, as these have dedicated nights for students geared towards having as much fun as possible at as low a cost as possible.
When going out in central Colchester, research into bars and clubs to find nights that cater to students specifically. This can be an effective way to save money.
Booking your Colchester Accommodation
Colchester is a vibrant city with plenty of activities for students, so it’s important to find accommodation that provides easy access to both the University of Essex campus and Colchester City Centre. That’s where Beyond the Box Student comes in.
Our Colchester student apartments at Avon Way House were designed with the University of Essex students in mind, offering quick and easy transport links to anywhere in Colchester. If a night out isn’t on the cards, we also provide a cinema room, a pool room, and other facilities and activities to keep you entertained.
So whether you’re looking for the convenience of a Studio Apartment, the full student experience in a 6-bed apartment, or anywhere in between, get in touch with Beyond The Box Student today.