South parkway
Dukes Nightclub
duke street/victoria road is chelmsford's largest late night venue with room for around 2,000 people. in truth this over-priced meat market should be avoided, as it's dark, crowded, hot and never really feels safe, but it does keep the youth of the town off the streets. don't even try and enter if badly mixed commercial remixes of justin timberlake are not your thing, you'll soon be leaving; which might help the huge queues which often gather outside operating on a 'one in one out' policy. beer is â£3.60 a pint, a mixer around the â£3 mark.
Decadance
duke street is a smaller lounge bar located inside dukes nightclub, the queues are often far less busy here and the music takes on more of a tribal/chillout theme. there are plenty of leather sofas to talk the night away with short-skirted jailbait, just don't expect her to return the call in the morning! decadance opens before dukes nightclub, so arriving early will often enable you to come and go between the two without paying the cover charge.
The Bassment
railway street is an underground rather alternative venue hidden away behind the train station. while not as glamorous as the 'trendy' clubs, there is a loyal client base and the attitude is far more relaxed. throughout the week expect live jazz and americana. the decor is not great and in the cold light of day perhaps you would think again, but at night there is usually a good vibe coming out of the place. don't expect romantic jazz club tables and candels, its very much stand and watch but the performances are usually a good standard and â£2 beer is also not to be sniffed at. on a friday and saturday there is an alternative club run which is sadly getting more commercial by the week, the dj might still play thay dire straits song, but he'll need a bribe! smart shoes are required and entrance is â£5.
South of parkway tends to attract a younger, trendier, and often more volatile crowd. You have the cheap chain bars, alcopops, girls in short skirts and guys out 'on the pull', all accompanied by a commercial 'pop' soundtrack and lengthy queues for a drink.
North parkway
The Cricketers
Is normally the first stop for people attempting 'the 9', however this shouldn't put you off as most of the revelers have left by 8pm, leaving colourful locals and the fisherman who enters about 10pm on a friday and saturday selling fresh catches of the day. the beer on tap is more of a traditional selection, although among the ales you will find a good selection of lagers, ciders and bottled brews from the four corners of the world. there is a little known lounge area to the rear and although empty and comfortable, is not as much fun as the front of house. sky tv is in place and they show match of the day on saturday nights, just don't slag off west ham too much or the landlord will bar you!
The Star and Garter
Should definitely be paid a visit, in a rather sad homage to the bars of new york, pictures of all who have visited the bar are displayed all around. while the faces of john pertwee and frank bruno are hardly movie stars, there will always be a collection of revellers deep in conversation about who is who on the walls, and more often and not shouts across the small bar of lookalikes seated across the room will echo before too long. not a big place or huge drink selection but all good fun. watch the step to the bathroom on the way in, and your head on the way out, the toilet door opens onto the dartboard!
Smith's
Offers chelmsford's premier gay and lesbian location. if that isn't your thing ignore the taboo and you'll have a good night with modern design and friendly staff. if that is your thing then you'll be in luck as there is nowhere else this side of town to jive the night away. the eurovision song contest party will be a hoot no matter your orientation, and its free! slightly more expensive prices and occasional entry fee do occur on most nights though so bring an extra â£10 to be sure.
O'Connors
Is just off moulsham street and is a roughly irish-theamed pub, expect wood floors, leather armchairs and high spirits. a good selection of beers and the only bottled staranpramen in town make this a popular all night venue, particularly in the summer when the small but perfectly formed patio opens up. sky tv is installed but don't expect volume after the match!
North of parkway attracts a more bohemian crowd and is littered with traditional pubs rather than the clubs and bars of the high street. You will rarely see the guy checking his hair or the girl in her makeup bag but there are possibly more fun options at this end of town for a relaxed drink or night out with friends.
The most popular destination is Moulsham Street, the former High Street of the Town but now more reliant on the nightlife than anything else. Hardcore revelers often attempt a 'pub crawl' of the entire length, usually called the 'Moulsham 9' although technically the 'Rising Sun' is on New London Road, and Moulsham Street carries on past Parkway, so there are several more pubs and bars on the other side. Often this pub crawl is attempted in fancy dress so don't be surprised to be stnding at the bar next to Scooby Doo at some point!
Generally everyone this side of town just wants to have fun so there is much less 'attitude' than in the town centre, just don't expect luxury bathrooms, Stella on tap or a roaring dance floor.
The WAnchor
Looks almost like an old country pub from the outside but sadly inside its dark and rather intimidating. the staff though are friendly and the whole place gives you the impression that its bark is worse than its bite. possibly had the same carpet since 1750, but fine for a stop off, most of the customers will be on some sort of pub crawl. does have rather a good dj on the saturday though who likes to be challenged, and a quiz on sunday that is friendly and well-supported.
The Black Horse
Seems to have a different owner each week and good evenings there seem to come with the tides. more of a locals pub, apart from a very random reggae album in the jukebox it should probably be avoided until it's finally taken on by new owners.
Chelmsford has a vibrant nightlife scene with many nightclubs, pubs, wine bars and restaurants in the town centre area, particularly in Duke Street and Moulsham Street. Its central Essex location and good public transport links make the town ideal for revellers to visit from surrounding areas. Though there is a wide range of bars and pubs in the town center, there is a large antisocial behavior problem as the only form of entertainment in Chelmsford is cheap drinks and loud music, resulting in the town center becoming a No-Go area after 10PM on the weekend.
Chelmsford lacks any form of alternative nightlife which is seen as a problem, there is no longer an under 18 club night on the weekend, and no live music venue for touring bands. Many people have to travel out of Chelmsford to either southend/Colchester or Romford and on into London if they are to find any other form of entertainment outside of what is on offer in chelmsford. This includes even the cinema where people will drive to Romford or Braintree to see a film as it offers a higher level of comfort.
Chelmsford is split by the Parkway Ringroad, and as well as dividing prime and secondary retail, this road also divides the nightlife of the town.