Listen, if you know anything about Contiki then you know we’re not afraid of a little partying. So, if you’re travelling to the UK and are looking for the best spots to let your hair down, dance the night away, then you can trust us to recommend the best nightlife spots in the UK!
And, if you’re travelling to Scotland, why not discover Polka Dot Disco Club below?
1. Soup Kitchen, Manchester
This Northern City in England is known for many things, and the impeccable nightlife scene is definitely a defining factor. There are loads of clubs to spend the night in, but none as special as Soup Kitchen.
Soup Kitchen is an iconic venue that any party-obsessed Mancunian worth their salt would know about. By day, Soup Kitchen is just that: a canteen bar where you can get – you guessed it – soup! But by night, the basement turns into a trendy space where you can catch boundary-pushing electronic music and DJ events by some of Manchester’s best acts.
2. Fabric, London
Fabric is a true London icon. In fact, it’s basically a clubbing institution. Where other nightclubs have risen and fallen in the city, Fabric has always remained, and what makes it even better is that it’s always remained true to itself.
Outfitted with many different rooms, each one provides a different vibe for all kinds of club-goers to enjoy. From established DJs pulling off banging sets, to new up and comers in the scene blowing us away – you can always count on Fabric for a good night out.
3. Sub Club, Glasgow
Nightlife in the UK is best defined as Sub Club. Often hailed as one of the BEST clubs in the UK (look it up!) and for very good reason. Not only is the general vibe and atmosphere of this basement club just amazing, it’s also actually the longest running underground club in the world! Wow. It’s not necessarily as big as other notorious clubs – like Berlin’s exclusive Berghain, for example – but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with amazing club nights.
Catch local acts like Polka Dot Disco Club and international acts as well and dance the night away in Scotland’s biggest city.
Image source:Contiki
4. Home, Leeds
A newer entry into the nightlife scene in the UK, Home is a club that promises long nights and plenty of options for ravers of all tastes. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays will become a regular going-out-night for you here. From RnB, hip-hop, and house, to even a smattering of karaoke here and there, Home is a really unique club that you should check out at least once in your life!
5. The Full Moon Pub & Attic Bar, Bristol
If you’re looking for a summer music festival vibe, but don’t want to wait for the actual festivals to roll around, then these two venues are for you. The Full Moon Pub and the Attic Bar are two different buildings, but they come together to form one hell of a night.
There’s drinks of course, but also shisha if you’re partial to it, and the music is an insane blend of electronic, drum’n’bass, and other unique styles. What’s amazing about this place is that they’re all about uplifting homegrown talents (though you’ll get some big names here and there as well). If you want to discover new artists to totally fawn over, and just want to have an honestly really f**king cool night, this is totally the place for you.
6. TEAK, Cardiff
TEAK is not only a Cardiff based club, but also a respected creative collective in the DJ and nightlife spaces. If you’ve spent a day travelling through Wales’s rolling hills and crumbling ruins, and are in need to let totally loose, then a night below TEAK’s antiques emporium is perfect for you. You’ll be treated to top tier techno, house, acid, and even disco for a night you’ll never forget (unless you go crazy at the bar?).
7. Fold, London
If you’re looking for an all-day dance marathon, then Fold is the club for you. Located in an old industrial complex in London’s very groovy Canning Town, Fold is a long-standing city club which has managed to preserve a real sense of community and self. The audience for this club is genuine party-kids, and the 12-hour dance marathon which happens every Sunday is the true test!
Lineups for Fold’s events are usually kept a secret and you can only buy tickets at the door. Basically, you get what you get, which preserves a unique sense of mystery. And you’re going to love it every time!
8. The Navy Bar, Liverpool
A club located in Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ neighbourhood, The Navy Bar puts on fabulous club nights for younger party-hungry locals and tourists, and there’s something for everyone! The weekends get louder and crazier, but you’ll find a steady drumbeat throughout the week.
9. Warehouse Project, Manchester
Manchester is kind of a hub for nightlife in the UK, so it’s no surprise the city gets two entries on this list. Located in a – you guessed it – warehouse, this venue is absolutely enormous and can accommodate up to 10,000 people! What’s unique about this club, however, is that they take a seasonal approach to opening. They’re actually only open between September and New Year’s Day, but when you do get a chance to party there you’ll be stunned by the lineup of international DJs.
10. The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham
Last but not least, the Rainbow Venues has been at the forefront of Birmingham’s nightlife, and it’s not to be missed! The club is a large venue made up of numerous rooms which all host a different sort of vibe – so there really is something for everyone here. You can rave for a whole weekend, or simply dance a night away. It’s no frills, nothing VIP, and super inclusive.
