Huddersfield After Dark
Huddersfield knows how to do a good night out. Whether you’re after a proper pint in a traditional pub, cocktails with friends, live music, late-night dancing or somewhere relaxed to start the evening, the town has a nightlife scene that quietly
delivers.
From historic watering holes to buzzing bars and late-night venues, these are the places shaping Huddersfield after dark.
The Warehouse
The Warehouse sits in a student-heavy part of town and runs from daytime into late, making it ideal for everything from casual daytime drinks to big nights out. It’s especially known as a place to watch live sport, with big games shown on screens and a
proper matchday atmosphere when there’s something on.
What makes it feel different from a standard pub is the social side. It leans into activities and group energy, with things like quizzes and retro gaming mentioned as part of the vibe, so it’s a solid option when you want more than just sitting with a
pint.
Food-wise it’s pitched as a street food influenced menu, and the drinks offers are a big pull too, including things like bottomless brunch and cocktail deals that make it popular for group plans.
Go here for: Live sport, sociable nights, group catch-ups, deals, and an easy going bar that stays open late.
Kings Head
The Kings Head is one of Huddersfield’s most historic pubs and still one of its most atmospheric. Sitting just steps from the station, it’s famous for its stunning interior, real ale heritage and role in Huddersfield’s music history, having hosted
legendary bands in its upstairs venue over the years.
It works brilliantly as both a destination pub and a pre-gig meeting point, drawing in everyone from ale enthusiasts to gig-goers and visitors passing through town.
Best for: Historic surroundings, quality real ale and pre-gig pints with character.
The Grove
Just outside the ring road, The Grove is a textbook example of a neighbourhood pub done right. It has a strong community feel, a loyal local crowd and a reputation for being friendly from the moment you walk in. Drinks are well kept, the atmosphere is
relaxed and it’s a place where conversations matter more than noise.
In warmer months, it really comes into its own, with people gathering outside and the pub feeling like a social hub rather than just somewhere to drink.
Best for: Local charm, relaxed evenings and a proper community pub feel.
Harvey’s Bar & Kitchen
Harvey’s sits comfortably between casual bar and lively social space. Early evenings are calm and welcoming, making it a great spot for after-work drinks or a relaxed start to the night. As the evening rolls on, the atmosphere naturally picks up, turning
it into a sociable, buzzy venue without tipping into full nightclub territory.
Its mix of food, drinks and space makes it versatile, working just as well for casual plans as it does for nights that gradually gather momentum.
Works well for: Flexible nights that start relaxed and end lively.
The Plumbers Arms
The Plumbers Arms is a traditional pub with a strong following, particularly for live sport and music. It’s the kind of place where you’ll often find a match on, a band setting up or a crowd gathered for an event, giving it a lively, no-frills atmosphere
that feels genuinely Huddersfield.
With real ales on offer and regular entertainment, it appeals to people who like their pubs busy, social and rooted in local culture.
Best for: Live sport, music nights and a classic pub crowd.
The Head of Steam
Sitting right inside Huddersfield railway station, The Head of Steam is built for big footfall and big nights. It’s a proper all-rounder. Great beer and spirits range, food on offer, and a packed calendar that gives you a reason to come back again and
again.
What really sets it apart is the variety of events. You’ll spot everything from open mic nights to themed sessions, cask-focused nights, tasting events and even Dungeons and Dragons. Plus live sport when the big games are on.
Best for: A social night with options. Drinks, food, and something actually happening.
The Sportsman Beerhouse
The Sportsman is not just another pub. It’s a proper Huddersfield icon with a striking Art Deco interior, and it’s been recognised for its design and restoration. It was built in 1930 as an improved pub, which is a rare bit of social history in itself.</ p>
On top of that heritage feel, it’s also known for being ahead of the curve with real cider, and it has a fun, slightly chaotic claim to fame in the form of the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival.
Best for: A proper pint in a genuinely beautiful pub, with a bit of Huddersfield heritage built in.
The County Beerhouse
The County is the one for beer lovers who also like their nights to have a bit of structure. This is a beautiful Art Nouveau style pub in the town centre, known for its strong cask selection and its regular programme of events.
It has weekly staples like quiz night and poker night, plus open mic sessions and tasting evenings. Food-wise it’s not trying to be a full restaurant, but it does homemade bar snacks, matchday food, and frequent pop-up food events that give it a proper
community feel.
Best for: Real ale, proper pub atmosphere, and regular events that keep midweek lively.
Kings Street Social Tap
Kings Street Social Tap leans into classic local pub energy, but with a few extras that make it stand out on a night out. It’s geared around live sport, darts and karaoke, which instantly makes the vibe more interactive than a sit and sip kind of place.</ p>
Drink wise, it mixes familiar draught favourites with changing cask ales, including local brewery options. And if you want a bit of entertainment without going full club night, it also hosts regular live music sessions.
Best for: Sport, karaoke, and a louder, livelier local pub night.
The Light
The Light is nightlife with built-in entertainment. It’s not just a bar. It’s a full night out destination where you can mix drinks with activities like bowling, mini golf, karaoke and cinema. That makes it ideal for groups who want something to do
between rounds, or a birthday plan that does not rely on standing around all night.
Food and drink are part of the experience too, with a menu designed for sharing, grazing and pre-film bites, plus cocktails on offer. They also run special events, from themed nights to quizzes and guest style sessions, so it’s worth checking what’s on
before you go.
Best for: Group nights, date nights with an activity, and easy birthday plans.
The Parish
The Parish is a part of Huddersfield’s live music scene. This is where people comes to see bands up close, discover new acts and lose track of time in the best possible way. Its gig listings are genuinely varied, ranging from grassroots local bands to
touring artists, DJ nights and alternative club events that run well into the night.
Even on non-gig nights, it’s a place people actively choose for a drink because the atmosphere is always charged with energy and personality.
Known for: Live gigs, alternative club nights and nights that accidentally turn into very late ones.
AMPED
Amped works closely with The Parish as a partner venue, helping to strengthen Huddersfield’s independent live music scene. While The Parish is known for its late nights and packed gig calendar, Amped offers a more intimate setting that champions
grassroots artists, emerging talent and community-led music projects.
Together, the two venues play a huge role in keeping live music thriving in the town, offering space for everything from first gigs to touring acts and creative experimentation.
Worth knowing: If you like live music in Huddersfield, chances are it’s been supported by one or both of these venues.
Arcade Beers
Arcade Beers is a craft beer bar and bottle shop in Byram Arcade, and it’s all about choice. You can drink in or take away, and the selection is the headline. Think lots of keg lines plus fridges full of cans and bottles, with the range changing regularly
so there’s always something new to try.
It’s relaxed, friendly and quietly one of the best places in town for someone who genuinely likes beer. Not just drinking it, but discovering it.
Best for: Craft beer browsing, trying something new, and taking a few cans home for later.
Vox Bar
Vox is an independent late-night spot with a proper identity. It has been around since 2002, and it leans into quality over gimmicks. Signature cocktails, strong spirits, craft beers, and staff who actually know what they’re talking about.
It’s also very much a DJs and late-night atmosphere kind of place, with hours that push later at weekends, making it a solid option when you want to stay out beyond the early evening bar crowd.
Best for: Cocktails, DJs, and a proper independent late-night vibe.
Northern Quarter
Northern Quarter in Huddersfield isn’t just a bar, it’s an independent live music venue, events space and social hub with a vibe all its own. Tucked away on Wood Street, this grassroots venue has quickly become a key part of the town’s nightlife and
culture, hosting a programme of eclectic events that range from open mic nights and live bands to reggae, DJs and secret cinema sessions.
The venue champions local and national artists across genres, with live shows, community-focused events and a truly inclusive energy. Regular highlights include lively open mic Thursdays, weekend live music line-ups, and themed nights like Northern Soul
and Motown dances, all backed by a passionate crowd and seriously good sound
Go here for: Live music, open mic nights, themed events, pizza and craft drinks in a real local music venue.
A Night Out That’s Properly Huddersfield
Huddersfield’s nightlife is varied, welcoming and full of personality. Whether you’re hopping between bars, settling into a pub for the evening or dancing until closing time, there’s no shortage of places that do nights out properly.
From historic pubs to modern cocktail bars and buzzing music venues, Huddersfield proves you don’t need to go far for a great night.