As a town, Swindon is probably most well known for its connection with the rail industry. During the 1800s, Swindon played a pivotal role in developing the steam engine thanks to being the epicentre of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s empire.
Over the years, Swindon has also become known as a popular staycation hotspot due to its surrounding parks and woodlands. However, we’re far from being a town that goes to sleep when the night falls. Contrary to misconceptions, you don’t need to head further afield to Bristol, Bath or Reading to enjoy a great night out. Swindon has lots to keep bright young things amused when the sun goes down.
If you’re looking for the trendiest hangouts, swankiest restaurants and most-happening nighttime venues, look no further than our extensive list.
Old Town and Downtown
When it comes to a night out in Swindon, you can choose between heading to Old Town or Downtown – or why not take in both?
As the name implies, Old Town is the most historical part of the town centre, and this is where you’ll find the centuries-old public houses that have been at the heart of the community here. It’s not all historic pubs in the older part of town, however; there are plenty of new restaurants and hip café bars here too.
Things liven up a bit when you make it Downtown, as this is where you’ll find the best nightclubs in Swindon and some of the larger entertainment venues.
Kick the night off
If you’re starting out in Old Town, make Baker Street your first port of call. With one of the largest beer gardens in town, this is the place to kick off a long summer night. There’s even an intimate VIP area at the back of the venue if you fancy your chances at getting in.
The coolest venue around is undoubtedly 1101 on Victoria Road. This cosy café bar does fill up quickly during weekend nights, but with its jazz soundtrack and hedonistic drinks menu, it’s easy to see why.
Alternatively, The Bank is a three-floor venue in which you could easily spend your whole night. With its cool cocktail bar, dancefloor and pizzeria, this has everything under one roof if you prefer to keep your evening low-key.
The hottest eateries
Whether in Old Town or Downtown, you’ll find no shortage of delicious eateries in Swindon.
Rudi’s Bar & Kitchen is a favourite among locals who prefer lighter bites. The venue actually opens for breakfast at 9.30am but also serves a full lunch and dinner menu; the sharing plates are a particular highlight.
The Tree, another multi-purpose venue, also has a delicious dinner offering in the form of its Chinese restaurant and bar.
Meanwhile, for more classic cuisine, head downtown to the Da Vinci Restaurant, which happens to be the best Italian restaurant in the entire town.
All-night Entertainment
Now you’ve been suitably wined and dined, it’s time to take your pick from the multitude of late-night entertainment venues across Swindon. You’ll find plenty on offer here, from casino gaming to live music, comedy and theatre.
One of the newest venues to open is the Merkur Casino. A venue specialising in slots gaming, Merkur opened in autumn 2021 and has already proven to be popular with locals and visitors alike.
Slots are a central part of the land-based and online casino industries, so, if you’ve never played before, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to brush up on your knowledge by playing slots games online beforehand. Reputable online casino gaming providers such as PokerStars Casino provide huge libraries of slots games that are easy to get to grips with. Meanwhile, the variety of themes that are on offer – from sports-themed titles to those based on movies – mean there’s bound to be something that appeals to you.
For a more traditional night out, head to the Swindon Arts Centre. One of Swindon’s oldest theatres, this 212-seat venue is renowned for being the cultural hub of the town. There’s always something happening here, be it touring musicals, live musicians, art exhibitions, or film screenings. If you time your visit for the right day, you might even come across the monthly stand-up comedy night.
Finally, what better way to finish up a fantastic evening out than by dancing your socks off? Luckily, Swindon has an array of nightclubs for you to choose from. We’ve already mentioned The Tree for its eatery, but you’ll also find a two-room nightclub within its walls blasting RnB, urban and hip-hop tunes.
