Nightlife in Bolton

We start our guide to the best bars in Bolton at Hogarths on Churchgate in the heart of the town centre. G&T lovers will adore this specialist gin bar, with over 80 varieties featured in their ‘gin bible’. The best thing to do here is to pick a gin and let their skilled staff match it with the perfect mixer.

Real ale fans will enjoy Great Ale at The Vaults, located beneath Market Place Shopping Centre in the brilliantly renovated food and drink area. This micro-bar is the perfect place to try something new, with ales, beers and ciders that you aren’t likely to have come across before.

If you fancy staying out late, Kahiki Hideout on Bradshawgate is one of a few town centre bars where you can do so. This Tiki bar prides itself on fun vibes and great cocktails, not to mention the excellent soundtrack of R&B, hip-hop and 90’s classics which you can dance along to until the early hours.

If hip-hop isn’t your thing, then why not check out The Blind Tiger? This rock-themed bar is a popular venue for those looking for a wide variety of reasonably priced drinks, live music and late closing times. It is only open on weekends but is well worth a visit.

Bolton is full of great traditional watering holes, but none come more traditional than The Olde Man & Scythe on Churchgate. Listed as one of the 10 oldest pubs in Britain, this historic public house has been serving pints to local Boltonians since the 1200’s. It has built up some character in that time, and is definitely a place to check out during your visit – that is unless you are put off by its second claim to fame as one of the most haunted pubs in Britain!

Just a short stroll through the town centre leads you to the much less haunted Elephant & Castle on Deansgate. There is outdoor seating here, as well as a modern interior with big screens for the sports and a wide range of drinks, including some top-notch real ales. There is a lively atmosphere on weekends when it stays open later and features live DJs.

Heading north from the town centre, beside the Entwistle Reservoir in Turton, is the delightful Strawberry Duck pub. There are few pubs which reside in such a picturesque setting, and the cosy interior with low beamed ceilings and open fires makes this a great place to relax after a walk through the woodland trail. The food is excellent here too, using ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. There is also a stellar selection of beers, ales and ciders for you to choose from.

Those looking to go clubbing in Bolton have a couple of options. Level Nightclub is a multi-room, multi-genre venue which is packed to the rafters with millennials every weekend. It is easy to see why, with cheap drink deals, celebrity guests and an eclectic mix of music from charts to house and R&B. Level is conveniently placed on Mawdsley Street, in the heart of Bolton town centre.

If Level doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you may prefer The Venue Bar on Churchgate. This is an over 25s club, with a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. There is live music on weekends that you can sit and enjoy, followed by a DJ who you can dance along to until the early hours. It’s a great place to end up after a few drinks at the other bars and pubs around Churchgate – just remember to dress up a bit, as The Venue Bar asks for smart casual attire.