Entertainment & Nightlife

A night out in Exeter is whatever you want it to be. It could be relaxed drinks by the river watching the world go by. It could be live music, theatre or cocktails and dancing the night away. The city centre was awarded Purple Flag accreditation in spring 2026, recognising its commitment to offering a safe, well-managed, vibrant evening and night-time economy that has a diverse offer, good transport connections with a clear focus on safety and wellbeing. 

Start with drinks on Exeter's Quayside, one of the most picturesque areas of the city. Quayside has a great choice of waterside pubs. Eating out in Exeter is sure to be a highlight of your visit, with a huge variety of eateries to suit all tastebuds.

There's a vibrant calendar of evening entertainment here. Exeter Northcott hosts professional dance, opera and theatre. The Barnfield Theatre has local and amateur productions on offer. The Exeter Corn Exchange offers popular names in the local music scene, live bands and comedy. The Cygnet Theatre is an intimate setting. It offers a diverse programme with a variety of genres.

Exeter's live music venues offer a great choice of concerts and gigs, with live performances from touring musicians and up-and-coming bands. The venues include Exeter Phoenix, The Cavern and the University's Great Hall. Some of the city's pubs also have regular live music nights, such as Ludo Sports & Live Lounge. Westpoint Arena and Powderham host large-scale concerts and festivals. 

Exeter also boasts four cinemas: Odeon, Vue, Exeter Picturehouse and Exeter Phoenix. If you want to dance the night away, the city's nightclubs are open until the early hours.