The Boat Club

About The Boat Club

The Boat Club occupies a five-hundred-year-old building right on the bank of the River Wear beside the medieval Elvet Bridge, one of the most enviable spots in the city for an outdoor drink. Its heated riverside beer garden and terrace look straight out over the water and the rowing boats to the cathedral beyond, and it runs an extensive cocktail menu with happy-hour deals through the week alongside the Tomahawk Steakhouse on the floor above. The riverside setting makes it a go-to for summer evenings and special occasions.

Downstairs is very much a cocktail-bar-and-terrace operation, while the steakhouse upstairs is a fuller dining experience, so it suits both a relaxed drink by the river and a proper meal out. Being one of the city's prime riverside venues it gets busy in fine weather and at weekends, so booking is wise for the restaurant and for larger groups. Check current opening and happy-hour times before you go.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature The Boat Club.

Date Night in Durham: Romantic Restaurants, Bars and Things to Do

Where to eat, drink and wander together in Durham, from riverside fine dining and hidden gin bars to a twilight walk beneath the cathedral.

The Best Bars and Cocktails in Durham

From a riverside gin bar with 250 gins to one of the world's smallest, our guide to the best bars and cocktails in Durham.

The Best Beer Gardens in Durham

When the sun comes out, Durham's riverside beer gardens are hard to beat. Our pick of the best spots for an outdoor drink by the Wear and beyond.