Swansea is Wales‘s second-largest city, but some would say it’s number one for nightlife. A large student population, a vibrant, youthful culture, and a huge range of bars combine to offer some fantastic nightlife.
There’s such an abundance of pubs and clubs in this small city that it has been seriously tricky to narrow it down to just seven. We’ve tried to give you a little taster of the variety on offer, from superclubs to cool cocktail bars to hipster hangouts. And we’ve included more than one venue that once played host to Swansea’s favorite son, the author and poet Dylan Thomas.
We’ve picked a selection of venues in the best party areas, from wild Wind Street to trendy Uplands and scenic Mumbles. But rest assured that this is only the tip of the ice cube; there are many more places for great nightlife in Swansea.
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No Sign – Wind Street
Wind Street is the undisputed center of Swansea’s nightlife. It’s pronounced Wine Street by everyone in the city, and it’s obvious why: it’s a street packed with far more wine bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs than is at all necessary. It’s always lively and popular with students for the abundance of budget bars, student nights, and discounts available. If you know where to look, you can find yourself a classy venue or two too, but if you’re not up for crowds of drunken revelers, we strongly recommend you avoid this area after dark!
No Sign Wine Bar is one of the best spots amidst the madness of Wind Street. A couple of venues in one, No Sign offers you the chance to enjoy a leisurely drink on the terrace, explore the historic Main Bar, or have a traditional Welsh lunch in the newly renovated restaurant. You can head upstairs to Munday’s bar for dignified cocktails or venture down into the old wine cellar to enjoy the best of Swansea’s live music in the cavernous venue of The Vault.
The Vault was one of Dylan Thomas’s drinking spots and was actually mentioned in his work The Followers. So be sure to look out for Thomas’s quotes and memorabilia decorating the bars.
Bambu – Wind Street
A beach club might not be what first springs to mind when you think of Swansea, but once you set foot inside the tropical-themed Bambu Bar, you’ll forget you’re not somewhere more exotic. With its colorful outdoor terrace complete with sandpit, and its friendly slice-of-paradise atmosphere, this club is a popular choice not just for late-night revelry but afternoon and evening drinks too. Its Wind Street location makes it a perfect stop at any time on a night out.
Choose something delicious from the extensive cocktail menu and enjoy it served in a tiki cup or giant conch shell. Or maybe try the Dead Man’s Chest, designed to be shared by ten people and never to be attempted alone! If you’re having a birthday, hen, or stag party, book out one of the private karaoke pods and belt out those tunes. Or your crew can take a cocktail masterclass from the Bambu bar staff and follow it up with bar games like shot limbo and cocktail races.
With three club nights a week, a great mixture of live music and DJs on their lineup, plus Latin parties and theme nights, Bambu is a fun night out for a whole range of people.
Popworld – Wind Street
Bright, colorful, retro, and fun, Popworld is a great night out for anyone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. With a cheesy playlist full of all your favorite bangers from the ’90s to the present day and a light-up disco dancefloor, Popworld is the place to sing your heart out and dance till you drop.
When you need a break, chill out in one of the retro-themed booths and enjoy a Ferris Wheel full of shots. Or sip on a Poptail, the club’s famous signature cocktails, guaranteed to get your night off to a sweet start. If you want to kick your party up a notch, order a drink package for your crew to share and enjoy the gumballs and sparklers that come with it! Who doesn’t love free candy and sparklers?
Located amidst the madness of Wind Street, this poptastic club is open until 3 am, four nights a week and is a big hit with hen and stag parties, students, birthdays, and anyone wanting to have a cheesy good time. Prepare for disco balls, fancy dress, confetti showers, and people repeatedly screaming, “oh my god, I love this song!”. Not suitable for cool kids or hipsters!
Fiction – City Center
Fiction is Swansea’s biggest super club and the place to go for big-name DJs, huge production value, packed dance floors, and awesome events. The club is split into three rooms, each with a unique vibe.
The main room offers an 800 person capacity, two bars, a huge dance floor, light shows, and all your major clubland needs. The Vinyl Room has a disco theme and a 400 person capacity, while the more intimate MYU Bar offers a cocktail bar, luxury booths, and all-night-long chilled grooves. If that’s not enough for you, why not celebrate in style by booking a VIP experience complete with a dedicated host delivering premium bottle service to your private table. Perfect for birthdays, stag and hen parties, or just for a night out to remember.Â
Fiction offers some of the best nightlife in Swansea and throws massive club nights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Head out on Wednesdays to be part of the biggest party in town, or hit up the Quids In party on Mondays for student-centric fun, including £1 entry, giveaways, drinks offers, competitions, and theme parties.
Noah’s Yard – Uplands
Uplands is fast making a name for itself as Swansea’s hippest district. In fact, it has been featured on lists of the coolest suburbs to live in the United Kingdom. A hub of quirky bars and trendy restaurants, it’s a great alternative to the wild madness of Wind Street in the city center. And it’s a popular choice for those wanting to avoid the drunken crowds.
Noah’s Yard is one of the coolest bars in this up-and-coming area and has a dedicated fan base. With an external sign offering up pearls of wisdom, jokes, and esoteric quotes and a collection of vintage pieces decorating the bar, it’s an intriguing place for a visit. They offer an excellent range of drinks, from craft beers to specialty coffees to complicated cocktails. And while they don’t serve food themselves, they regularly organize pop-up kitchen events where food trucks dish out everything from handmade pizza to Indian street food.
Noah’s Yard is a cool, friendly place to hang out and is an excellent spot for a drink before exploring the other nightlife on offer in Swansea’s Uplands. Music lovers should visit on Mondays for their popular Jazz Night!
Uplands Tavern – Uplands
Another cool kid on the Uplands Scene, the recently renovated Uplands Tavern or ‘The Tav’ to those in the know, is a crowd favorite for live music and atmosphere. It’s also highly respected for the safety and cleanliness measures they’ve put in place over the last year.
In addition to the large open space perfect for live gigs, there is a spacious beer garden, games room, and an enclosed cozy area named for Dylan Thomas. It’s decorated with some of his most famous (and alcohol-related) quotes since he was once a regular here. Pop in during the daytime for the perfect place for a pub lunch, or play pool over after-work drinks. Experiment with your drink choices from the uniquely stocked bar. How about a pear and peppercorn G&T? a smokey Coca-Cola mixer? or a strangely fruity brew from the award-winning Welsh brewery, Tiny Rebel?
Once you’re suitably tipsy on coconut beer, how about getting up at their weekly open mic night? All performers are welcomed, from singer-songwriters to local musicians to spoken word and slam poets. It’s always an entertaining night.
The Pilot – Mumbles
Back in its 90’s heyday, the ‘Mumbles Mile’ offered up a liver-crushing pub crawl consisting of 26 bars in a very compact area. These days only a handful of atmospheric pubs remain in what is now one of Swansea’s most desirable areas. The remaining bars have turned the mile into more of a real ale trail, showcasing some excellent local beers in bars with stunning views of Swansea Bay. Despite its more civilized reputation, Mumbles is still very capable of showing you a great night out.
Start at The Pilot, an award-winning traditional pub with its own microbrewery. It offers an ever-changing menu of its own and guest ales alongside commercial favorites, fine wines, and great coffee. The pub is a cozy, old-fashioned spot filled with varnished wood, log fires, and locals lining the bar on stools. It makes no apologies for this, and despite its no food, no music, no credit card rules, The Pilot is a permanent favorite on Swansea’s best pubs list. This might have something to do with their “conversation is king” ethos and the truly authentic vibe.
If you enjoy good beer, good conversation, great views, and want to see a real slice of Mumbles life, The Pilot is the pub for you. But be sure to walk along the mile and try a few more of the great pubs in the area too!
Does Swansea have good nightlife?
Yes, Swansea has great nightlife, it’s been said to have the best nightlife in Wales.
Is Swansea safe at night?
Swansea is a very safe place at night. The city achieved the Purple Flag back in 2015 and has retained it ever since. The Purple Flag is an award given to cities that succeed in creating and nurturing safe, thriving nightlife zones.Â
Where is the best nightlife in Swansea for students?
Wind Street is the best nightlife in Swansea for students and for anyone wanting loud, crowded, drunken fun. It’s a busy, thriving street in the middle of the city, packed with pubs, clubs, and revelers. Many of the bars offer student-friendly prices, discounts, and parties.
