The best nightlife destinations in Devon

The standard image of Devon is of a county full of sleepy medieval towns and beautiful coastal scenery. That is not an entirely inaccurate depiction of the area, but it is an incomplete one.

The Devon of 2022 is a county that boasts some of the most exciting and enjoyable activities that can be found anywhere in England. It is home to seaside towns like Torquay that contribute to the 5 million-plus tourists who visit Devon each year.

Its towns and cities come alive after dark, with the evidence proving that its nightspots are second to none in the UK. Here are the places you should be going and the things you should be doing when the sun sets over Devon.

1. Fortescue

Many folks like to start their evening with a few drinks and the best place to do that is at a pub with a friendly feeling. That gives you the chance to meet new people.

Fortescue is a pub that can be found at Mutley Plain in Plymouth and it is home to one of the warmest atmospheres of any Devon drinking house. It is widely regarded by both locals and visitors as the top pub in the city, with the sun trap out back making for a perfect spot for a pint on a summer evening.

This is the ideal place to begin a night out in Devon.

2. Babbacombe Theatre

Devon is officially the top spot in the UK for nightlife, with many of the attractions being in Plymouth, Exeter and Torquay. The latter might make you think of Fawlty Towers, but Torquay is a popular seaside resort and home to great theatres like the Babbacombe.

This venue was renovated over a decade ago and is the place to go for variety show entertainment. The Babbacombe Theatre is home to a fantastic annual summer season of shows that lasts for nine whole months – unlike the actual summer!

It also hosts touring performances all year round and a Christmas show though, so there is no bad time to visit it on a night out.

3. Genting Casino Plymouth

Nowadays online gaming comes with live casino options that recreate the feel of playing at a casino, with cutting edge graphics and live dealers. Therefore you might be wondering what the point of going to a bricks and mortar casino is.

Well, for one thing it gives you the chance to dress up to the nines, drink at the bar and pretend to be James Bond for the evening. Genting Casino is probably the best such venue in Devon and is located on Union Street, Plymouth.

It has all the table games that you would expect to find, including plenty of roulette and blackjack games. There is also a solid selection of slots games on offer for people who prefer fast and simple gaming.

The easygoing atmosphere and games selection make it a fun way to splash a bit of cash on a night out. Who knows – you might even leave with a fatter wallet than you went in with.

4. Board

Exeter is another part of Devon that has a lot of lively places to visit on an evening out, with the Board Game Bar and Restaurant being one of its most unique spots. This award-winning venue combines quality food and drink with – yes you’ve guessed it – live board gaming.

Traditional board games are enjoying a new lease of life thanks to the internet and there are over 350 different titles available here. They include all of the classics, but the dafter party games are popular with people looking for a fun night at the weekend.

You can have a full meal or just a snack and drinks while you play and we can guarantee that you will never be bored at Board.

5. Annabel’s Cabaret and Discotheque

For many people, a night out is still not really complete without a visit to a club and Devon does not lack for great ones. Annabel’s Cabaret and Discotheque offers a little more glamour and sophistication than the average venue though.

This Plymouth haunt has a distinctly retro 1970s vibe, with classic disco tunes playing and visitors encouraged to dress in their best Studio 54-era glitter and sequins. Alongside the main dance floor, there is also a luxurious area for lounging and sipping your martini.

Smart casual clothes are fine for a trip back in time to Annabel’s, which describes itself as ‘The Kingdom of Night Time Pleasures’. Fancy dress is positively encouraged though, so do not be afraid to be bold.

6. The Chill Bar

If hearing some live music is more your idea of a good night out, why not try the Chill Bar in Ilfracombe. This pub hosts both top bands and up-and-coming local ones, with a strong emphasis on guitar-based blues influenced acts.

It also has regular open mic evenings where you can get up and perform yourself if you have undiscovered musical talent – or just have enough to drink not to care!

Devon is home to so many fantastic nightlife venues and new ones are always opening there. There is so much to do in the evenings, whichever part of the county you happen to be visiting, that you will find that you have to come back for a second time to take it all in.