Twisters Colchester if only you were my local! Adorable bar with cute selection of happy perky…read moremusic, clean toilets, drinks offers (including the amazing "Twisted teapots"), amazing beer garden with shade and sun, true happy vibes. I had a SERIOUS issue with losing some property and John is a true star who came to my rescue the day after, and Ruby, you're a diamond. Thank you so much for your amazing service and help, I'll be back EVERY time I'm in Colchester and telling everyone to do the same

Twisters is without a doubt the best bar in Colchester. It has a mixture of customers from young…read moreindie scenesters to older folk. It always plays brilliant music, and has a dj on weekends playing all the alternative classics, from the cure to dizzee rascals. It's open from 8 til usually about 3am so is a great place to go when the other bars have shut. Twisters has real character and you're guaranteed to have a good time, whether you're raving it up to the pixies or relaxing with a pint in the heated (lovely) smoking area. Particularly recommended for thursday nights with the Toss the boss promotion (ooh, cheeky), where your drinks are half price depending on a coin flip.

V bar is definitely one of the best bars in Colchester. It is a popular little venue on the high…read morestreet serving drinks and cocktails, and food during the day. It also has a function room available for parties and conferences. It mainly plays indie and alternative music, from old classics to the latest hottest tracks. The drinks are fairly cheap and there is a massive variety of shots and cocktails. The bar is mainly student-orientated but is very popular in the evenings with all sorts of people. Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a nice place to drink.

Another supb bar in Colchester, not as atmospheric and amusing as Twisters, and the music is…read moreparticularly catered to certain tastes for certain nights but there are always some interesting people and the building itself is more spacious and comfortable than Twisters.

What was I supposed to think when I was repeatedly given warning about what The Odd One Out was…read moregoing to be like? I was clearly instructed not to dress up for this place and not to expect much. So I didn't. When you walk in to TOOO it's as if you're stepping back in time and right away I recognised the wallpaper as being the exact same that my Grandfather has at home in NY from the 1960's, so I automatically felt comfortable. I laughed actually. Look around and it's as if not a single thing has been moved since it was put up there for the first time, whether it be pictures, the wood in the fireplace or the old man at the bar. You can nestle up next to one of the fireplaces, which you'll need to on a snowy winter night like when we were there. Get yourself your pints, or as I prefer, the spectacular cider from one of the barrels lined up on the bar. We're talking 7% alcho content people! On cider! Get some crisps for you and your mates and sit back talking about how old and great this pub is. In a town that is hailed as "the oldest recorded town in England" and hosts meeting for the Colchester Historical Enactment Society you surely can't go wrong. A place like this made me feel right at home like my own American dive bar, but in the States we don't have such grand cider served from wooden barrels or a lovely old fella giving out warm Christmas mince pies with joy. This place is top notch. Here are a few vital tips to help you survive a pub that could easily knock you on your arse whether it be by the cider, the step you drunkenly miss, the old man or the bar keep... 1. Don't you dare answer your cell phone here. This is a rule I LOVE like no other. Seriously, watch even pulling it out of your pocket if you know what's good for you. 2. Don't be surprised if you think someone's talking to you and they're not or if they're talking to you and you don't realise. There's no music to get in the way of a conversation, but all that quiet makes it sometimes confusing. 3. Good luck in the ladies room. You could really freeze your butt to the toilet if you're not careful. 4. And, if you're lucky enough to pull while in TOOO, feel confident in knowing that the condom machine is fully stocked. P.S. please don't start coming here and making it THE cool spot in Colchester. I want to find a seat when I return next Christmas, preferably by the fireplace.

The Odd One Out or Oddy as the regulars like to call it, is a cosy pub not far from Colchester…read moreTown-station. Its decoration and the crackling fire make you feel like coming home instead of entering just an ordinary place to have a drink or two. The Oddy is most famous for its delicious ciders from the region and got most recently awarded as the East Anglian Regional Cider Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale, but you also get a nice range of Scotch and of course ale here. The crowd is mixed from young to old and always friendly just like owner John Parrick, who has a few rules, though, like no swearing and no usage of mobile phones inside the pub. But once you tried one of the aforementioned ciders you want to enjoy it with no disturbance from the outside world anyway. And on top of all that the prices are low and to quote a good friend of mine This is one of the few places where you still get a pint when you order a pint.

APPEARS I HAVE TO GIVE A STAR RATING PLEASE NOTE ITS A MINUS ONE STAR !!!…read morethe other review,was possibly posted by the owner ! It said ' with very cheap drinks and good entertainment. There is always good music playing and the staff are always friendly.' I found the bar prices far from cheap and as the evening went on they prices seemed to rise. in fact 3 different bar staff served me the same round of drinks and each one of the staff had a different price ???? When i asked the manager, who incidently had the most expensive price for 2 diet cokes, why the fluctuating prices.he became even more hostile.( he had been gruff with other customers all night, ) now i thought he was coming over the bar at me ! he was defencive and aggresive all at the same time, wanted to know what i was playing at ? accusing him and he's staff of cheating and it was my fault for mucking them about by chopping and changing my order. (which i hadnt). i didnt even mention he was selling el cheapo chernoble vodka as prem smirnof black or the bubles in the optics where still going up when they where drepresed again (a sign of short measures). never going back and reported him to trading standards

The Curve Bar is just out of Colchester town, so it is mostly popular for gigs and functions as…read moreopposed to going there for a drink. However, this lesser-known venue is a gem, with very cheap drinks and good entertainment. There is always good music playing and the staff are always friendly. It is an intimate bar and is always quiet due to it's out of the way placing, so is a brilliant place to go if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of Colchester. he gigs are an excellent showcase of the up and coming talent in the area, and are well worth checking out.

We went out about 6 months ago looking for a venue were we could have a laugh in Colchester and…read moreended up in the dirty penguin more by a happy accident than design. Well after a short spell in the venue we could tell the staff were cool guys & girls and didn't mind us busting a few moves on the floor. Talk about Red Rag to a Bull; the DJ was loving the audience participation and pretty soon we were living the dream. Ive got to be honest I was more MJ than even MJ was, working the room with legs arms and trilbies, the whole lot of us were smooth criminals :). Even the bouncers were joining in making it so unconfantational, it was great! My only regret was that more bars in town can't take the same attitude,because it's the most disarming pysological tool in the management's arsenal. Friends, wife's,girlfriends and mothers alike had a brilliant night and for a few minutes at least Micheal was with us all, sham on!!!!! David Ffyske (The Risk) 30.08.2018

The Dirty Penguin is the newest addition to student nightlife in Colchester. During the early…read moreevening it is a quiet relaxing bar with comfortable sofas and chill-out music, but due to it's late closing time (usually about 4am) after the other clubs and bars have closed it becomes student city! It becomes vibrant and lively, with the wonderful bright decor and excellent music helping that. They have a wide variety of drinks and more shots than you could shake a stick at, however the prices can be a bit steep. But it's somewhere for you to prop yourself up at 3am waiting for your taxi, so you can't complain! Worth a visit if you like hustle and bustle.

Absolutely my favorite pub in Colchester!! They have an awesome selection of Belgian brews and I…read morehave spent many evenings chasing the golden dragon (gulden draak). I make it a point to come here every time I am in town.

A lovely little pub serving half a dozen real ales and a selection of craft ales . It's obviously…read morebeing run on a bit of limited funds so no fancy decor but it's comfortable welcoming and genuine . They do live music . But I like the genuine lp stereo system .

Great pub.. food us outstanding. Go on a Sunday and get the Traditional Roast. Staff is great!…read more Great stocked bar. FYI I come over from the States often. So I've had my share of average pub food.. this is an exception.

Welcome to The Castle in Colchester. A lovely late 16th to 18th century former coaching inn on the…read moredoorsteps of the world famous Colchester Castle. About to undergo exterior refurbishment to return it to more of its glory, this is a pub worth visiting. This hostelry has no pretentious. It is what it is. On first sight it is a traditional darkwood pub all be it with a new but sympathetic extention and a large outdoor seating / smoking area. With closer observation you will notice a decidedly Gothic theme which the reviewer will leave you to discover. Although popular on football nights because of its screens, this is by no means a 'sports bar'. All ages and tastes are catered for and the licensees are especially children tolerant during the day. Food is served throughout opening hours. The food is certainly not haute cuisine, instead tending towards basic pub fare. But having eaten here for a number of years this reviewer can state that the value for money is exceptional. The mixed grill alone will have you putting on weight just by looking at it! Beer wise it has a reasonable, if not exceptional, range of real ales to accompany the selection of larger and spirits on offer, including a pretty good range of whiskies. All in all, this pub is always worth a visit. Nothing more than it is and all the better for it. Oh, and the staff are very welcoming too! Cetainly recommend.

Been here a few times and it is a great place to go and play a quiet game of pool, snooker or…read moredarts. Never been here when they are showing a sporting event on the screens but when I have been here it is lovely and quiet and noone is messing about!

This pub is located in town, so it's nice to stop in here while you're shopping and need a drink…read more I came here with my cousin and a group of her friends and I really liked how this pub is laid out. It's large and spacious with comfortable seating and an outdoor area. So if there happens to be some good weather passing through, take full advantage and sit in the outside area! Although, sitting inside is just as nice. The service was great and the name of this pub is adorable! I didn't eat here, but the food did look good as I saw others dining here. Great pub!

great choice of drinks. Lovely menu and the food is very nice…read more Only downside is that on a saturday you'd be hard pushed to find somewhere to sit but then that's probably cos it's such a nice pub.