What is Carlisle's nightlife like? A review for visitors

Having spent most of my adult working life running and owning a bar, I’ll be focusing on that, and not on the city’s many restaurants and food offerings (that will follow).

For those visiting Carlisle for a day or night out, hopefully my vast experience of two months of living in the city (or any helpful comments added by readers) may give you an idea of where to start, or indeed finish.

Having a general proclivity to seek out the quirkier, specialist, independent bars myself, I'll firstly address the elephant, or two in fact, in the room – Wetherspoons.

Carlisle is blessed with two, – one, the William Rufus, often showing live sport, being one of the old Lloyds Bars – both of which lie in close proximity, and just a short walk from the railway station onto Botchergate.

Everyone knows what you get at 'Spoons, so I won’t dwell on that, or the existential argument over whether they add or detract from a town or city’s general nightlife scene.

I mention Wetherspoons here as they are oases of anonymity and uniformity (not in a derogatory way – I do visit them for the same reasons as everyone else) – in an otherwise close-knit, engaging, and often bizarrely contrasting patchwork of hostelries.

In the few times that I've had a wander out into Carlisle, whether it be afternoon, early evening, or a Saturday night, I've always, despite being very shy really, got chatting to another group, often following on to the next place.

This is one thing I'd say to anyone coming here for a fun time – just buy a drink, take a seat, and you'll generally make some friends.

Lots of people from other towns/cities will say that that's the case everywhere, but I've never known anywhere like Carlisle for it, and on top of that, it has a very safe feel walking around the centre, contrary to what I'd been led to believe before moving here.

The layout of the pubs and bars in the city centre also makes it very easy to get around.

If we take the Court Square station entrance as a starting point, walk for ten seconds straight ahead, turn right, and behold the wonder of Botchergate.

Probably the liveliest part of the centre, this Roman road is known for its late-night revelry, with plenty of establishments like Walkabout, and House of Vodka to name just two open until well into the early hours on a weekend, and some weekdays.

Alongside this, you have lots of the more traditional, long-established pubs of Carlisle that are well worth visiting like the Cumberland Inn, the Border Rambler, and the Caledonian.

You’d be forgiven for thinking at first glance that Botchergate is Carlisle's main nightlife area, but back up to the iconic citadels on Court Square there is a rabbit warren of mediaeval lanes, streets and squares lined with something to suit most tastes.

The citadel offers a stunning night time backdrop (Image: Stephen Roberts)

Bar Solo is a relaxed little bar on the corner of Botchergate and Court Square/The Crescent – a trendy place to enjoy an al-fresco tipple, then round the Crescent onto the aptly-named Crescent Bar, my only experience of which was a Sunday afternoon busker set, which was rather fun in its laid-back atmosphere.

As I alluded to earlier, I can only go on my limited experience, but honourable mention must go to Open Mind – one of the first bars I visited in Carlisle, and keep revisiting.

Friendly, chatty staff, quirky interior, always good background music, and some quality craft beers on tap too, a really homely little retreat.

Anyway, along to Devonshire Street.

Recently the subject of a major makeover, which was completed just as I arrived, so can't comment on the changes too much - it does look stunning, particularly on a sunny afternoon, lined with trendy pavement cafes.

Probably more of a cafe/restaurant/bar scene than Botchergate, the Thin White Duke is my personal favourite here, with a good selection of cocktails and wine (excellent Chardonnay by the glass).

(Image: Archive)

Back down to the end of Devonshire Street we turn onto Lowther Street, with another litany of bars and pubs, and of the limited few I've been to, I'd recommend the Last Zebra opposite Devonshire Street, boasting super-friendly staff and a great spot for people-watching across the road at the raucous Bocata (I haven't felt brave enough for that yet).

READ MORE: What's Carlisle really like? Impressions of my first two weeks

At the other end of the spectrum, and the street, is the recently re-opened Howard Arms, with its stunning tiled exterior, and traditional, warm, inviting interior, featuring several cosy snug areas, including a small beer-garden at the back.

Head back down and onto Warwick Road, of the main arterial routes into Carlisle, and you'll find a few little gems, such as Yellowjacket, for me offering the best cocktails I've had in Carlisle.

One of the slight worries I've had from speaking to some bar and pub owners and landlords in Carlisle is the unpredictability of the night-time trade.

Possibly the victim of so much choice, and perhaps cheaper options, some of the more specialist bars can go under the radar, and they will only carry on trading as long as we, the public, take our custom there.

Also on Warwick Road lies the Andalusian Bar, offering shiny, polished surroundings and an even shinier wine list – definitely one of the more upmarket venues in Carlisle.

Down the Mediaeval street of Long Lane off Fisher Street lies the Lane Bar, which is well worth a detour.

A great selection of drinks, a charming, vaulted cellar seating area, and a quirky outdoor garden makes this somewhere completely different.

(Image: Darren Shield)

There are dozens of other examples, such as The Boardroom, a pub with real old-school charm next to Carlisle Cathedral, which has a cracking quiz night on a Wednesday which is always well-attended.

One other that is slightly off-the-beaten track is the West Walls Brewing Co, a fabulous little brewery tap with a great selection of craft beers and ciders, but you'll always be lucky to find a seat in here!

One type of establishment that I think Carlisle lacks is a specialist wine bar.

Most hostelries boast a wine offering to some extent, but a wine merchant/wine bar seems to me somehow strangely lacking – would there not be a big enough market for it in Carlisle?

Perhaps, with Carlisle not boasting a huge population of 'young professionals', the offerings that do well will always tend to be a tad more generic, but then as I  have alluded to in a previous article, Carlisle at the moment seems to be a city in a state of flux.

READ MORE: Plans submitted for major project to redevelop 'first impression of the city'

When the various building projects are completed, the changes may provide a more settled and attractive environment, for more tourists, and following that, more confidence for specialist independent businesses, including bars, to open.

Aside from this slightly selfish side point, you may be able to tell I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Carlisle's nightlife.

There is no one coherent area for visitors to head to, but nothing is far away, and with a bit of exploring, there a great selection.

The greatest thing though (sycophant time) is the welcoming friendliness of the people that you find enjoying the bars of Carlisle – a point I can't stress enough, and is as good a reason as any to come here for a good-old knees-up in a beautiful setting.