After analysing the best party cities in the US, we wanted to turn our attention to the United Kingdom. We analysed the most sought-after party cities in the UK, based on several factors, including; the average price of a pint, the average hotel cost and the number of pubs and bars per 10,000 residents.
We compared these factors to the population of each destination to determine where you should head next for an unforgettable night out.
Brighton & Hove is the Best Party City in the UK
1. Brighton & Hove,
Party Score: 10 out of 10
The seaside resort of Brighton and Hove is officially the best party city in the UK, boasting a perfect score of 10 out of 10. Located 47 miles south of London, Brighton is renowned for its stunning pebble beaches, amusement arcades, and, of course, its vibrant nightlife.
Brighton offers a wide variety of bars and nightclubs, with 8.49 venues per 10,000 residents, and an impressive 24.46 pubs per 10,000 residents. There is also plenty to do, with a wide range of live music venues, theatres, comedy clubs, and the popular Grosvenor Casino opposite the iconic Brighton Pier. The city was also in the top five for the number of hotels, making it a perfect weekend getaway for any special occasion.
With Brighton’s LGBTQ+ inclusive atmosphere and legendary events such as Carl Cox on the Beach and Fatboy Slim’s legendary DJ sets, a night out in Brighton promises an unforgettable experience!
2. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Party Score: 9.8 out of 10
The North Eastern city of Newcastle, often referred to as ‘The Toon’ by locals, stands out as one of the most vibrant party cities in the country. The TV show Geordie Shore showcases the city’s extensive nightlife scene, featuring its bustling bars and clubs, including the Bigg Market and the Quayside, both renowned hotspots for nightlife entertainment.
Newcastle scored highly due to its abundance of clubs and bars (6.29 per 10,000 people) and its affordable pint prices, averaging at just ￡4. The city’s affordability extends to other factors as well, such as the average hotel price, which stands at only ￡84.
If you’re seeking an affordable night out among friendly locals, Newcastle won’t disappoint!
3. Doncaster
Party Score: 9.06 out of 10
The city of Doncaster completes our top three party cities in the UK, with a score of 9.06 out of 10. Located in South Yorkshire, Doncaster is known for its historic market town and its racecourses, however, the city also boasts a dynamic nightlife.
We’d recommend a visit to the Vintage Rock Bar, which hosts a selection of live music nights and DJ performances. Warehouse Nightclub is another popular nightclub within the city. Known for its impressive sound system and state-of-the-art lighting, Warehouse is also a popular favourite amongst party-goers.
Doncaster scored highly for several factors, including its high number of pubs (18.72 per 10,000 residents) coming in second place for the factor, as well as offering one of the cheapest prices for a pint, with an average of just ￡3.75.
London is the Worst Party City in the UK
Some party-goers may think the biggest cities in the country would offer the best nights out; however, our research tells a different story. Surprisingly, the capital city of London emerged as the worst party city in the UK, with Bristol and Belfast completing the bottom three.
This highlights how the cost of living crisis has severely impacted nightlife across the country. It’s important to note that various cities offer diverse nightlife options, which can vary based on individual preferences, therefore, this ranking is not definitive.
1. London
Party Score: 5 out of 10
Surprisingly, the UK’s capital city has been dubbed the worst party city in the UK, with a party score of just 5 out of 10. Despite the large plethora of pubs, clubs and bars across the city, it gained its bottom place due to its expensive costs, highlighting the grave effect of the cost-of-living crisis on the country’s nightlife economy.
It costs an average of almost ￡7 for a pint and an average of ￡209 for a hotel stay, therefore a night out in the capital could probably break the bank! However, if you are feeling a little flashy you will also find some luxurious bars and some of the best UK casinos within London.
2. Bristol
Party Score: 6.88 out of 10
Bristol came in second-last place, with a party score of 6.88 out of 10. Known for its maritime heritage and vibrant music scene, artists such as Massive Attack, Portishead, and Tricky all originate from this city.
The historic harbourside is home to many nightlife venues, offering stunning views of the water and a unique atmosphere. You can find bars, clubs, and restaurants nestled along the waterfront, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
With relatively high beer prices (an average of ￡5 a pint) Bristol placed in the bottom three for its affordability. Additionally, the city also had a low number of pubs, with just 6.37 pubs per 10,000 residents.
3. Belfast
Party Score: 6.94 out of 10
The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, completes our bottom three with a party score of 6.94 out of 10. Belfast is known for its shipbuilding heritage—particularly as the birthplace of the RMS Titanic.
Moreover, Belfast is renowned for its thriving live music scene, with many venues featuring iconic Irish music, as well as jazz, rock, and indie shows that showcase local talent.
Regrettably, Belfast earned its low ranking due to its high pint prices, averaging ￡5.50—the third highest in the study. Additionally, its hotel prices are steep, averaging ￡119, making a weekend break quite costly.
What do these findings tell us?
As we celebrate these top party cities, we must acknowledge the insights from our research. Fintan Costello, Founding Director of BonusFinder, underscores the significance of these findings, stating:
“Our analysis illuminates not only the best party destinations but also the diverse factors shaping the UK’s nightlife landscape. From affordability to cultural vibrancy, each city offers a unique tapestry of experiences for revellers to explore.”
“However, our study delivers a sobering revelation: London, Bristol, and Belfast languish at the bottom of the list. Despite their cultural prominence and histories, these cities clearly grapple with challenges ranging from exorbitant costs to a scarcity of nightlife venues in comparison to their population. The disparities among cities underscore the profound impact of the cost of living crisis on our nightlife economy.”
Read more:
Where Are the Most Accessible Music Venues in the UK?
The Best Dance Floor Fillers Ever Created
Where is the Most Haunted Place in the UK?
Methodology
To determine the best party cities in the UK, we analysed the 50 largest cities in the country (based on population) using the following criteria:
?? Number of Pubs
?? Number of Nightclubs & Bars
??? Number of Hotels
?? Average Price of a Pint
??? Average Price of a Hotel Room
All these factors were compared against the populations of each city, calculating the availability of each factor per 10,000 residents.
We used the most recent population figures for UK cities according to the World Population Review.
The number of bars, nightclubs, and hotels was obtained from TripAdvisor.
The number of pubs in each city was calculated using GettheData’s OpenPubs. For Northern Irish pubs, data was sourced from CAMRA’s whatpub.com.
The average price of a pint (domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught) was sourced from Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index.
Each city received a normalised score out of 10 for each factor. These scores were then averaged to determine the final ranking.
