Heading for a night out in Yorkshire? The county is famous for its vast, captivating countryside – think the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, and more. There are plenty of quaint towns, cities, and villages to visit too. But Yorkshire does something else very well – nightlife. People from Yorkshire do love a night out, whether that’s in a bustling city like Leeds or a charming market town like Harrogate. Embrace the friendliness and laidback attitude of this Northern county and take your next big night out to Yorkshire. From big nights out to cosy pubs, here’s where to find the best nightlife in Yorkshire.

Best Nightlife in Yorkshire

Leeds

Leeds is the gem of Yorkshire. It undoubtedly has the best nightlife in the whole county, with bars, clubs, student nights, and pubs aplenty. A lot of people in Yorkshire, even across the UK, will venture to Leeds for their big nights out – hen do’s, stag do’s, birthdays, and other celebrations are easy to come by on a night out in Leeds. Live music is a big thing in the city – the Domino is an iconic spot for those smaller gigs. And if you want to channel your inner (or long-gone) student, take your group to do the infamous Otley Run – a pub crawl of 16 pubs from Headingley, the student area, to the city centre. In the centre, you’ll find bars dotted all around – it’s a super walkable city, so you won’t need to hop in a taxi to get from one to the other.

Sheffield

Sheffield proudly holds the title as the greenest city in the UK, but more importantly, it has some of the best nightlife in Yorkshire. Okay, maybe not more importantly, but a close second. There’s a huge student community which makes for a buzzing nightlife scene all week long, but of course, the weekends are always bustling in Sheffield.

Here, you’ll find a compact city centre which makes for an easy night of bar hopping and finding out which pub is your favourite. No need to catch a cab – everything is within easy reach. West Street, Carver Street, and Division Street provide the main circuit of bars and pubs, though each street maintains its own distinct character. Find quirky bars, traditional pubs, live music venues, and a small selection of clubs around here. If you want to steer away from the main circuit, head to Leopold Square for its cluster of sophisticated bars and restaurants.

York

York is one of the most popular places to visit in the UK. It’s bursting with history, culture, and gorgeous architecture. There are an almost dizzying number of pubs in and around York, so a visit to a traditional English pub is a must. Many of them will have histories that span for hundreds of years, with some even rumoured to be haunted. You can settle in for a cosy evening in front of a crackling fire at the pub, nursing a locally brewed beer, with ease.

If you want something a bit more lively, head towards Micklegate for the infamous pub crawl down the hill. There are some clubs and dancey-bars in York too – you’ll find many of them in the Quarter. And for those balmy summer evenings, the bars hugging the riverside are the place to be.

Harrogate

Harrogate is one of the most quaint towns to visit in the UK. There are traditional pubs aplenty, perfect for those evenings that call for a cosy pint and good conversation. But if you’re after a lively night out, you won’t be disappointed either. Harrogate is bustling on a weekend, with patrons hopping around the pubs, cocktail bars, and live music venues. You’ll find a good mix of familiar favourites, like All Bar One, as well as independent spots, like Hales Bar. If you fancy a dance at the end of the night, head to the Viper Rooms.