Top 10 Student Bars in Durham

By Student Cribs | June 24, 2022 | Reading Time: 6 minutes

Durham University – one of the most prestigious uni’s in the UK and the world. Set in a notably beautiful place, Durham city has a lot to live up to when it comes to nightlife being so close to arguably the top nightlife destination in the country, Newcastle. However, don’t panic as it is still perfectly possible to have a great night in Durham. So students, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 bars in the city to help you do just that. Thank us later….

The Boat Club

This stylish bar and restaurant is a hit with the local students and truly is one of the top student bars in Durham! Offering a great range of cocktails starting at the reasonable price of £7.50, music and DJ events throughout the week, a range of different genres and 2-4-1 happy hour EVERY day (on selected drinks), this is the place to go if you’re searching for a little bit of a mid-week, stress-relieving drink and boogie.

Osbourne’s

This lively and usually jam packed bar and club is host to a whole load of student-friendly events including but not limited to live music gigs, open mic nights, DJ sets and costume parties as well as having a great cocktail menu and super cheap drinks deals that your tight student budget, as well as you, will definitely appreciate.  

Tin of Sardines Gin Bar

So you guessed it – Tin of Sardines specialises in Gin. And when we say specialise, we mean it. They serve over 200 varieties! We didn’t even know there were that many!  Gin is undeniably the classiest of the alcohols – so if you fancy a slightly more reigned in evening, or are looking for somewhere to pre, this is the place for you! This truly is one of the best student bars in Durham. 

Fabio’s Bar

Open 7 days a week until 2 a.m. and set above a gorgeous Italian restaurant, Fabio’s is another popular and lively bar that students of Durham can often be seen flocking to. With a great drinks menu that includes classic cocktails and flavoured shots (shots shots shots shots) and host to a variety of student events, live music and DJing, Fabio’s is bound to be the destination for your next big night out!

Klute

Klute is one of the most well-known nightclub and one of the best student bars in Durham and is a firm favourite with students across the city. With a large garden and smoking area for those weird chats you have with strangers half way through the night, 3 bars and VIP areas (fancy), this club is adored by many, despite a questionable reputation.  In the words of one happy Google Review customer :“If you want to dance at the end of the night, this is the place to be”. Well that speaks for itself really. (Card spending minimum applies).

Studio

One of Durham’s longest running clubs, Studio can pretty much fulfil all of your night out needs. Newly refurbed last year, this club might be old at heart, but is shiny on the outside and ready to provide you and your mates a fab time.

The Three Bridges

Fancy a relaxed mid-week tipple with you friends to relieve the stresses of lectures and assignments that you’ve left to the last minute? Then head on down to The Three Bridges. The popular pub offers a fantastically huge drinks menu and with brilliant deals on drinks including 2-4-1 cocktails and party bowls, i.e. giant sharing cocktails, for just £9.99 – also making it perfect place for pre drinks! Truly making it one of the best student bars in Durham

College Bars

Durham University is made up of 16 colleges, each with their own bar so why not try and visit them all? Want to get it over and done with all in one night? There’s a specific bar crawl route that maps out the exact prime order to visit them all in. As a Durham student, you’re technically obligated to at least attempt the college bar crawl once!

The Half Moon Inn

This traditional pub located in the city centre is seriously dedicated to providing you with the perfect pint. Having featured in the Good Beer Guide for 30 consecutive years (!!!), this great value, well-established pub doesn’t only offer top of the range beer, but a huge menu of other drinks all for reasonable prices. With picturesque views of the Cathedral and open until midnight on Fridays and Saturday, this is the only place to go when your craving a cold one.The Half Moon in is seriously highly regarded as one of the best student bars in Durham. Its a must!!

Loft

We finish with just another example of a great bar and club in Durham that is bound to serve you and your fellow student mates a great night out. It boasts the biggest lighting and sound system in Durham (partayyy)  and hosts student events, parties and themed nights frequently so is the ultimate place to get your dancing shoes (and beer goggles) on and let your hair down for a night of pure fun!

Enjoy this helpful list responsibly and if in doubt, just hop on the train to Newcastle!