Nightlife in Nottingham - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Nottingham (Part 2)

1. Tips for studying abroad in Nottingham - Study abroad in Nottingham
2. Cost of living in Nottingham
3. Save money in Nottingham - A guide to living on a student budget
4. How to get to Nottingham - Getting to Nottingham by train, plane, car or bus
5. Public transport in Nottingham - Getting around Nottingham
6. Neighbourhoods of Nottingham
7. Accommodation for students in Nottingham - Top tips and advice
8. Nightlife in Nottingham - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Nottingham (Part 1)
9. Nightlife in Nottingham - A guide to nightclubs and going out in Nottingham (Part 2)
10. Where to eat in Nottingham - Gastronomy in Nottingham
11. Top Nottingham attractions - Top things to do in Nottingham
12. Day Trips from Nottingham - Places to visit and excursions from Nottingham
13. Festivals in Nottingham - Festivities and celebrations calendar
14. Nottingham in 3 days - What to see in Nottingham in 3 days

Quirky bars in Nottingham

With so many independent businesses on the scene, there are lots of bars with little quirks. These bars are specific to Nottingham and are perhaps a bit different to what you would usually find. If you’re after somewhere with a great atmosphere, a lot of charm or an entirely different experience, these places are where to go.

The Boilermaker

Disguised as an old boiler shop, if you walked past it you wouldn’t guess in a million years that it was in fact a bar. Known for its imaginative and extensive cocktail range, this edgy bar is open until 1am every night of the week.

The cocktails are priced £7.50 - £8 and it is located on the main street in Hockley.

The Hockley Arts Club

The Hockley Arts Club is known for its extensive range of imaginative cocktails, having a fabulous brunch menu, as well as for its frankly beautiful interiors. One of the cocktails even features a twister ice cream!

Regarding the brunch, it costs £35 for two courses and £40 for three. There is a set menu, which includes bottomless prosecco and mimosas. However, if you would rather go alcohol free, it works out cheaper. The virgin brunch experience costs £24 for two courses or £29 for three. Dishes include fish and chips, a goats cheese tartlet and duck liver pate. Brunch club is every Saturday from 11am - 5pm.

There is an a la carte menu too, which can work out somewhat cheaper. Most main courses are prices from £10 - £15 and include fish and chips, club sandwiches, burgers and steaks. On Sunday’s, they serve a traditional Sunday Roast (£13.95 for one course, £16.95 for two courses or £19.95 for all three). You can choose from pork, chicken, beef and nut roast or opt for fish and chips instead.

Most of the cocktails are prices at around £8 and if you’d prefer not to drink, you can always get a mocktail. The bar is hidden away in Hockley.

Curious Manor

Another bar with excellent cocktails, the views from here are fantastic. It is perfectly decorated, with many interesting and distinguishing features in its design. You can also come here during the day for a traditional English high tea.

There is a food menu with pizzas, salads, burgers, small plates, sandwiches, desserts and more. They also do breakfast and brunch. Most main courses are prices at around £10 but the sandwiches are cheaper, at around £6. Afternoon tea is served from 11am - 5pm. The basic cream tea consisting of a scone, butter, jam, chantilly cream with a choice of tea or coffee costs just £6. There are more extravagant options too.

There are some interesting cocktail concoctions. The marshmallow BBQ cocktails arrives alight so you can toast your own marshmallows!

There are deals for pretty much every day of the week.

• Monday

All burgers are two for one.

• Tuesday

All pizzas are two for one.

• Wednesday

You can get three small plates for just £13.50.

• Friday

A bottle of prosecco costs £15 from 4pm - 7pm.

• Sunday

All pizzas are two for one and there are cocktails for £5 from 4pm.

This bar is located on Trinity Square, in close proximity to the Cornerhouse.

Pitcher and Piano

This is a franchise. However you will be left struck by this bar's interior. Pitcher and Piano is built inside an old church and it is very beautiful. You can enjoy cocktails, wines, other drinks and food here.

Pitcher and Piano serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food menu includes small dishes, sandwiches, sharers and traditional British favourites. For example, sausages and mash is very traditional here. Expect to pay around £10 for a main course. There is a Sunday roast on Sundays for £10.50. You can choose from beef, pork, chicken or a vegetable wellington.

Cocktails are generally priced at around £8.50. They are pretty standard with all of the classics. For example, they have cosmopolitans, mojitos and margaritas.

If you go often, you can get a member's card or sign up to the app. You simply touch in whenever you go and this gets you rewards such as 50% off food or a free drink. To get one, you just need to enquire at the bar to fill in a registration form.

Bottles of prosecco are £15 every Friday from 5pm - 10pm and they post more offers on their facebook page.

It is located in the Lace market, inside an old church.

Pit and Pendulum

This alternative bar is included for its concealed bathroom. It’s behind a bookcase! The decoration matches the feel of the place perfectly and it sells a variety of food and drinks, including cocktails and pitchers with names like ‘war’, ‘death’ and ‘famine’.

The food menu includes British pub favourites, sharing platters, sandwiches and burgers. Expect to pay around £7 - £10 for a main course although you can get two meals for £8.99 all day every day! Most cocktails are £4.75 each or £8.95 for two and you can get a pitcher for £8.95.

There are various deals throughout the week to help you save money.

• Monday

You can get a larger plate to feed larger appetites for £4.99.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays

You can get two 7 deadly sins cocktails for £5 from 7pm.

• Tuesday

A burger and a pint costs just £5.49.

• Wednesday

A pie and a pint costs just £5.99.

• Friday

You can get a classic dish and a drink for just £5.99.

• Saturday

You can choose five dishes to create your own sharing plank for £8.99.

Pit & Pendulum is located in the city centre, towards Hockley. It stands out so you should easily spot it.

Pepper Rocks

Read our review about this place: "Pepper Rocks. Cafe, cocktail, beer in Nottingham"!

Pubs

How could I not mention pubs? Pubs are an extremely important part of British culture. People come here to watch sports games, eat a Sunday dinner or just for a drink or two. You will hear a lot of talk about the pubs amongst the Brits!

Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem

Dating all the way back to 1189 ad, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem is the oldest inn in England. It’s famous for its caves and has a rich history. Here, you can enjoy a selection of wines, cocktails, ales, ciders and craft ales, as well as anything from its food menu. If you want to visit the cellars, you may need to book in advance.

The food menu offers a range of classics, sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. It costs around £10 for a main course and it goes without saying that you can get a Sunday Roast. All cocktails are £6.95 but most people come here for the ale. There are a whole variety for varying prices.

As Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem is fairly well known, there is a range of merchandise to help you remember your visit. There are t-shirts, mugs, postcards and badges.

It is situated right next toNottingham Castle.

Ye Olde Salutation Inn

There has been some speculation concerning whether Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem is in fact the oldest pub in England. Other contenders include Ye Olde Salutation Inn and The Bellwhich are both happily situated in Nottingham. This is also an alternative music venue and prides itself on its selection of real ales. There is also a good food menu.

It is located on Maid Marion way in the city centre.

Gay bars

You don’t have to be gay to enjoy these places but it certainly helps! No seriously, Nottingham has a great gay scene and the clubs and bars are always full of life. You’re sure to have a great night in these places.

Propaganda

Propaganda is Nottingham’s biggest gay bar. There are different club nights for different days of the week, such as pounded on Wednesdays with selected drinks at £1. It is also open on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10pm - 5am. There are always drinks offers so a night here is definitely affordable. It located in the Lace Market. It’s worth noting that entry is free until midnight on weekends and sometimes the flyering team hand out flyers in the city centre for discounted entry.

Events

• Pounded

This is Wednesday night’s event. Music is commercial as always and selected drinks are just £11.

Entry is free before midnight, £1 after and £3 after 2am. There are also flyering staff around the city sometimes so if you are lucky enough to come across a flyer, you may be able to get discounted entry! The event is held from 10pm - 5am.

• Dirty Stop Out

This is Thursday night’s event and is the perfect after party for those of you who just don’t know when to go home! You are bound to have a good time, with commercial music and selected drinks at £1.95 all night.

Entry is £2.50 all night and the event is held from midnight until 5am.

NG1

Technically NG1 doesn’t brand itself anymore as a gay bar, but it is still a good place to go. Entrance is often free before a certain time, drinks are cheap and it stays open much later than everywhere else. Opening hours are according to day of the week: Fridays 11pm - 6am, Saturdays 11pm - 6.30am and bank holiday Sundays 11pm - 6am. There are also nights for special events. It is centrally located, just a few minutes by foot from the Old Market Square.

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