For those in the know, Swindon's scene after 6pm is split between the top of town (Old Town) and the bottom of town (New Town).
Until a couple of years ago, Old Town was the only place to see and be seen, with the bottom of town nicely placed to corner the pipe and slippers market - but now things have changed - big time!
 
Enjoying the delights of
Longs Bar, Old Town
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Totally transformed, and with a new bar or club opening every five minutes, new town is now also one devilish place come nightfall and together with the top makes Swindon the ultimate night out for all serious party goers. The problem is, where do you start? Uptown or downtown?
The answer is Uptown, because in this case it definitely pays to start at the top and work down!
First stop Longs Bar. This is a seriously happening place from Thursday through to Sunday night, presenting an excellent mix of music and DJs with an emphasis on quality. Perfect for rubbing shoulders with the bold and the beautiful, it can get busy so be prepared for a wait at the bar. All in all, a great start to the evening.
Next stop - Wood St, just up the hill and on the left. Just head for Pizza Express if you haven't got your bearings after Longs (and without a bite to eat, you might have!).
On such peckish thoughts, if you haven't taken in sustenance for the night ahead, then this may be a very good time to survey the nearby options.
Needless to say, if your taste is a spicy one then opposite Longs you'll find one of Swindon's brightest and most-popular Indian restaurants Mela, or in Wood Street two real favourites of mine, Pickle Johns or The Biplob - all three are excellent.
Italian lovers should head for Marios, which is always great fun; for Chinese, it has to be crispy duck at Connies; and if you fancy a tequila with your fajita (or just a tequila!), then check-out the home-cooked Mexican food at La Casita.
The Kings - home to my favourite 'Sugar Daddy' and alive once again thanks to a £1/2 million pound refit courtesy of owners, Arkells Brewery now serves Portugese food and also boasts a fantastic laid back atmosphere in its spacious and modern front bar that's open to 1am at weekends.
For those who prefer to be carniverous at a later hour, I will review the eating options for the bottom of town further down, but for now I must return to my chosen specialist subject - bar hopping in Swindon!
No visit to Old Town would be complete without a Long Island Iced Tea in Mackenzies (and in the garden weather permitting).
Oozing character since 1990 - and now with a late licence until 1am at weekends - Mackenzies nicely mixes the post-work chillout crowd with those looking to get the best out of their hard-earned Friday and Saturday nights. And now even funkier with its recent open-plan re-furbishment and new upstairs bar.
Now it's decision time!
I, personally, like to enjoy the delights of Old Town for that little bit longer, and always find time for The Spot just around the corner. This super-chic late night bar cum brasserie is where the food is as fine as the drinks.
Taxi!....
If you prefer to head to New Town early doors, tell the driver to head for Rudis, a Swindon favourite since the 70s and still packing 'em in come rain or shine. (Also perfect for Swindon's newest 'gay club!' The Pink Rooms, but that comes later!). After Rudi's, New Town's new bars come into their own, with most now pleasingly open 'til at least 1am come weekends.
This half-way location is also ideal for another of our town's best-known restaurants Swindon Rendezvous - not to be missed if you can fit it in.
However, for those who fancy a portion of a different kind, Foxies - Swindon's No.1 Lapdancing club can be found just round the corner from Rudis. And don't worry ladies, Foxies can be enjoyed by both sexes! I'm tempted to try out one of their monthly Ladies Nights! And I've even dabbled in a bit of pole dancing there myself - if you fancy a giggle check out our video here.
Moving down (no pun intended!), and just off Regent Street is The Apartment, one of Swindon's most expansive bar/club accommodating a club, bar, lounge and restaurant on three floors of pure sophistication and a great addition to proceedings. I love it there, but any proper night out in Swindon wouldn't be complete without a visit to bar central in Bridge St and Fleet St.
Totally transformed over the last few years and completely pedestrianised, the choice of bars in this part of town is almost endless and now attracts party-goers from miles around.
For the perfect mixer at this stage and definitely adding a bang to my wallbanger, I always get an alcoholic kick from Revolution - a vibrant atmosphere consumes the bar both downstairs & upstairs in the "Club Room" with large booths and a dance floor creating a great atmosphere where you can party the night away. To continue the caino aussi style where better than Walkabout? - and then just around the corner for quickie at The Casbah, the ultimate party place where anything goes.
On the way, you'll find one of Swindon's best kept culinary secrets - Sizzler restaurant. Gosh, it's gob-smackingly good in there - and I don't just mean the food. Just ask for Brusk girls, and you'll suddenly know the true meaning of Turkish delight!
And just when you thought the night couldn't get any better, it's about to really take off with a visit to the Lava Lounge - another hugely popular bar that is home to a fanatastic roof-top terrace and brimming with the sounds of your 70s and 80s heroes.
And if that wasn't enough for ya's, I always take in a wee taste of the Irish at O'Neills next door before heading straight to Edwards, New Town's biggest club and bar, and packed with all that's best for a great night out 'til 2am.
Wow! What a night it's turning out to be! And we haven't even started clubbing yet! So prepare for a rousing climax!
Brunel Rooms: 30 years in Swindon
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And the choice couldn't be better! You can choose to pop around the corner to the The Brunel Rooms - almost a Swindon institution and the town's most famous and internationally recognised super-club offering some of the world's finest DJs in the Main Room and Amphi - "Thirty years and still rockin'!" Or you could pay The Furnace a visit for live music and an alternative mix.
For something new and slightly out of town in West Swindon, why not try Swindon's newest club - Ocean 4. Remember Eros? (or even Cairo's if you're knocking-on a bit!?, well this is the same venue but with a new name, new management and new interior.
Or to get your fill of the cheesiest 80s experience in the world drop in to Reflex - my idea of heaven on a Friday night!
To really mix things up, I couldn't recommend The Pink Rooms more! Don't be put off by it officially being a gay bar - all are welcome. My girlfriends and I 'popped in' last week and didn't leave until the lights went on. Pop music galore, fun/welcoming atmosphere and great decor are to name but a few of the reasons why we all loved it!
Phew, after all that dancing the night away I've worked up a bit of an appetite!
