Nightlife in Canterbury

There are over 30 pubs and bars within the city walls, plus two clubs and a few music-oriented venues to choose from in Canterbury city centre.

While there’s plenty of places to drink, when it comes to entertainment it’s not a town that attracts many big name acts on a regular basis. Typically, you’ll find a mix of chart DJs, cheese and fancy dress themed student nights – with some indie and dance events, and live music too.

Pubs

One thing Canterbury is not short of is pubs. Just a few of the drinking holes in the city centre include The Parrot, Dolphin, Cherry Tree, Thomas Becket, Bishops Finger, Bell and Crown, Penny Theatre (very student-friendly), Millers Arms, Beer Cart Arms, Cricketers, Seven Stars, Lady Luck and the Blind Dog.

You’ll find a mix of modern bars and traditional pubs (like the Parrot, established since 1370, one of the oldest buildings in the city). Quiz and karaoke, live sport and pool nights are easily found, as well as student offers.

Bars / music venues

There are some unique and quirky bars in Canterbury. Places like Bramleys, which is covered in comic books with boardgames to borrow. The Ballroom, an 18th Century building juxtaposed with decor by the Graffiti Kings.

The Farmhouse is another; with regular live gigs and DJ sets from credible acts. Visit the Cuban for DJ sets and salsa. Casey’s is a popular hangout to see live local bands.

Clubs

There are two nightclubs to choose from in Canterbury: Chill and Club Chemistry. Alberrys is a smaller venue, with a club feel. All have student nights, filling Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays every week.

Chill is a 600+ capacity nightclub over two floors, Club Chemistry (The Bizz, The Works, Baa Bars) is 1200+ capacity over three floors. Alberrys is a few hundred capacity, over two floors – the bottom is known as the cellar bar.

You’ll find chart DJs at both Chill and Club Chemistry, with some RnB, indie and urban. Alberrys is more house, electro, dub step and drum n bass.

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