THE ART BAR
140 Perth Rd, DD1 4JW
Handily placed for DJCAD, Art Bar is an atmospheric wee basement with affordable drinks and food: lighter dishes such as tapas boards and flatbread pizzas are great value. Entertainment wise, you’ll find folk music, DJs as well as open mic nights. It’s pretty quiet during the week, so you’ll have no bother getting a table and some peace; weekends are a different story. Worth a visit purely for the décor and the back garden. facebook.com/theartbarofficial/
THE BACH
31 Meadowside DD1 1DJ
Kiwi inspired coffee, cake and food stop with a liberal splash of good beers. Choose your brew type and then choose your bean and sit back and relax. Add a breakfast of corn fritters, eggs bene or stay until lunch and have falafel, mince on toast, chicken shawarma and more. Pick something from their craft beer and cider selection including Parrot Dog and 8 Wired or from their selection of wine. The Bach is a coffee shop with a difference. the-bach.com
CLARK’S BAKERY
3 Annfield St, DD1 5JH
One thing any Dundee student will testify is that Clark’s is the go-to drunken food spot. Located a ten minute walk away from the centre you’ll find a magical 24 hour bakery that has some sort of variation of every food imaginable – you need to try the infamous Helicopter (bacon, chips, lorne sausage, burger and fried egg in a bun). Although the line seems unbearably long, you’ll ultimately make best friends with your line neighbours and the food is always worth it.
clarksbakery.co.uk
DUKE’S CORNER
13 Brown St, DD1 5EG
If you’re looking for a lively night in the heart of the centre but don’t want to face the cramped clubs, Dukes is the perfect place. Open till 2:30am with a DJ who will happily accommodate any song you request no matter how cheesy it is. Generally, no matter the night, you’ll leave Dukes feeling better than when you came in. Their massive beer garden, complete with fire pit, is always busy in good weather.
dukescorner.co.uk
DYNAMO
42 Union St, DD1 4BE
This dark and cosy pub is the perfect space to hunker down for a few unfiltered Belgian inspired or modern hoppy beers. They main SIX°North on the taps with a good range of guest beers on rotation. Foodwise, the menu is tiny with toasties, soup and stovies backed up by some superb Jarvis Pickle Pies. They’re a friendly lot and they’ll happily send you on your way with a couple of their imported Belgian sharing bottles to take away at a 25% discount on the sit in price. sixdnorth.co.uk/dundee
THE GLOBE
53-57 West Port, DD1 5ER
In the middle of everything, The Globe has something for everyone. It’s the kind of place for a day-time drink or somewhere to start the night before going out. For food and drink it’s traditional pub stuff with the likes of burgers or fish and chips – there was recently an unconfirmed sighting of a vegan burger! It’s a popular spot for the football, beer and some grub before heading out proper. belhavenpubs.co.uk/pubs/angus/globe
THE FLAME TREE CAFÉ
20 Exchange St, DD1 3DL
Located in the West end of the city, the Flame Tree Café is a gem of a place. The café offers a variety of omni, veggie and vegan dishes that are both Insta worthy and delicious. Their infamous rainbow bagel has made them the go-to café locally. Don’t miss the vegan doughnuts. theflametreecafe.com
THE PHOENIX
103 Nethergate, DD1 4DH
This small pub serves real ale and simple pub grub with burgers and chilli to baked potatoes and chicken Kiev. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but this is what makes The Phoenix what it is. Somewhere for some comfort food and a decent pint. Vegetarian options on the menu.
THE PILLARS
7G Crichton St, DD1 3AR
A pub with a split personality. Go into The Pillars entrance and you will be met with a traditional pub with terracotta tiles and dark wood; serving Orkney, Redcastle and MòR beers alongside the usuals. Go along the karaoke corridor, past the plain walls and enter into the wondrous lounge that is The Salty Dog. Here you’ll find general mayhem and dancing amongst the kitsch and colourful décor. Cheap Venoms are the drink of choice. facebook.com/pillars.bar
THE TINSMITH
11-13 Old Hawkhill, DD1 5EU
Tinsmith’s offers the best of both worlds, during the day you’ll find a relaxing bar with a menu that will cure the worst of any hangover. At night you’ll find a bar buzzing with life, situated perfectly between two of the biggest nightclubs in Dundee, The Union and Aura. The outside space is a handy respite if the crowds get a bit much. thetinsmith.co.uk
UNDERGROUND
25 S TaySt, DD1 1NR
Just refurbished and open 7 days a week, expect a great atmosphere no matter what night you go. Sicknote Sundays are the perfect excuse to procrastinate revising; it’s the cheapest and busiest night they offer. It’s styled as a subway with booths as subway carts and turnstiles as you enter the door. Go for an experience like no other nightclub in the city. You won’t regret it, or maybe you will.
dundeeunderground.co.uk
THE WEST HOUSE
2 West Port, DD1 5EP
The West House has a relaxed feel no matter what time of day you go, the quaint café/bar is the perfect spot for brunch or later on for pres and a catch up. On a Sunday you’ll find many a hungover student taking advantage of the 2 courses for £10 deal and sipping on boozy breakfast cocktails.
thewesthouse.co.uk