Whether you're spending a week or a day, or keeping the kids amused over the holidays, there's plenty things to do and see inDundee...
Text version, last updated 1 Feb 2010
*Parks*websiteDundee has more parks per resident than anywhere else in the UK, and the council is currently on a program of development (see
Open Space webpage for more info)
*Venues*websitecome in all shapes and sizes, hopefully I’ve got most of the city venues listed here, plus here’s a summary of my favourites:
If you’re looking for smaller live music venues, The Doghouse and The Westport Bar are the indie/rock city-centre usual suspects. Virtually guaranteed to have gigs between them most nights of most weeks.
Drouthy Neebors has a great reputation particularly with the student crowd. Reading Rooms is worth a try for more off-beat stuff.
Satchmo’s does some live music, including occasional jazz stuff.
DCA is a trendy venue, they sometimes do album launches and special gigs.
Andy has a much more comprehensive
venue list on Dead Earnest...
Abertay Student Unionwebsite01382 308950
DD1 1HG
University of Abertay Student Union - regular live music
Amsterdamwebsite01382 227135
DD2 4PZ
Apex Hotelwebsite01382 202404
DD1 3JP
Newly built hotel with occasional live music.
Arctic Barwebsite01382 226740
DD1 1SB
Ascot BarwebsiteRecommended on
comment box (Sep-08): ...absolutely amazing...by far the best bar in dundee...
Balcony Barwebsite01382 228143
DD1 1LY
Bank Barwebsite01382 205037
DD1 4BN
Baxter ParkwebsiteDD4 7HD
Large park near Forfar Rd, with bowling greens, tennis courts and plenty space.
Bonar Hallwebsite01382 345466
DD1 4HN
This hall is used for all kinds of events, from concerts and ceilidhs to weddings and film festivals. Dundee University building, pretty close to city centre.
Botanic Gardenwebsite01382 381190
DD2 1QH
A lovely collection of plants, etc, from around the world... excellent place for a walk, plus they have a wee cafe.
Braeswebsite01382 226344
DD1 4LN
Occasionally has live music. Received negative review on
comment box (Oct-09): ...staff rude, service slow, food cold...
Brig O TaywebsiteAcross the bridge in Newport, with regular live music
Broughty CastlewebsiteDD5 2TF
Broughty Castle sits imposingly at the mouth of the River Tay. Built in 1496 on a rocky promontory, it has faced many sieges and battles. Today, it houses fascinating displays on the life and times of Broughty Ferry, its people, the environment and the wildlife that live close by. The Castle has magnificent views over the river, and is only minutes away from Broughty Ferry Beach and Esplanade.
Caird Hallwebsite01382 434451
DD1 3BB
Dundee’s biggest hall, venue for gigs, exhibitions, shows, etc...
Caird Parkwebsite DD4 9BX
Large park in the north of Dundee, including golf courses, running track and Mains Castle. Hosts events such as visiting circuses, carnivals, etc. Named after Sir James Caird, who donated the park to the city.
Camperdown Parkwebsite01382 431818
DD2 4TF
Largest city park, with loads of space for running around, plus plenty to keep kids amused: top adventure playground, mini-zoo, etc
Central librarywebsite01382 431500
DD1 1DB
Chamberswebsite01382 225616
DD1 3DZ
Pub with regular live music
Chambers Cafewebsite01382 201533
DD1 1PD
Recently opened cafe/restaurant, won award for Eating Place of the Year 2009
Cineworldwebsite0871 200 2000
DD2 4TF
Club Mondowebsite01382 203002
DD1 5DN
Club with live music on Thursdays
Costa Coffee Broughty Ferrywebsite01382 770304
DD5 1DS
Coffee shop on Brook St
Counting Housewebsite01382 225251
DD1 1SP
Dawson Parkwebsite07951 380064
DD5 1LF
Duntrune Demonstration Garden offers horticultural advice to the public and talks to various groups. There are regular events, and practical demonstrations on Wednesday afternoons March - October.
DCAwebsite01382 909900
DD1 4DY
Dundee Contemporary Arts is in the heart of the cultural quarter, home to bar, cinema, exhibitions, art, etc...
Deacon Brodieswebsite01382 204137
DD1 1ND
Dens Parkwebsite01382 889966
DD3 7JY
Home of Dundee Football Club
Dexterswebsite01382 228894
DD1 3AF
Pub with live music, one of the main music venues in the city centre.
Discovery Pointwebsite01382 201245
DD1 4XA
Captain Scott’s famous polar exploration ship Discovery, plus exhibitions, etc.
Doghousewebsite01382 206812
DD1 1ND
Pub with live music, one of the main music venues in the city centre. Recently changed venue...
Drouthy Neeborswebsite01382 202187
DD1 4JW
Pub with regular live music (downstairs, 70-capacity) - near Dundee Uni, popular with students and visiting bands.
Dukes Cornerwebsite01382 205052
DD1 5EG
Newly opened November 09: 300-capacity venue in old Doghouse building
Dundee Ice Arenawebsite01382 889369
DD2 3SQ
Olympic size ice rink, home of Dundee Stars ice hockey team. Learn skating, hockey, curling...
Dundee Repwebsite01382 223530
DD1 1PB
Premier theatre, world-class shows, and home of the only full-time ensemble in the country, producing many fine performances.
Dundee Student UnionwebsiteUniversity of Dundee Student Union - regular live music
Fat Samswebsite01382 228181
DD1 1PU
Nightclub with regular gigs
Fat Sams Livewebsite01382 228181
DD1 1PU
Live music venue attached to Fat Sams Nightclub
FriarywebsiteDD2 2PN
Hall on Tullideph Rd, often used for ceilidhs - popular at Hogmanay!
Frigate Unicornwebsite01382 200900
DD1 3JA
The oldest British-built ship afloat, berthed near City Quay
Gardyne Theatrewebsite01382 464479
DD5 1NY
GennaswebsiteDD1 3DZ
Hidden above Chambers bar, this function room is occasionally used for gig’s etc
Globe Barwebsite01382 224712
DD1 5EP
Hannah Maclure Centrewebsite01382 308324
DD1 1HP
Located on the top floor of the new Abertay Student Centre this informal space provides its visitors with a chance to engage and interact with exhibitions showcasing a diverse range of visual outputs.
HustlerswebsiteDD1 1PS
Pool + snooker hall, with regular live music...
John Barleycornwebsite01382 810198
DD3 7RW
Food served Monday to Saturday 12-6.45pm. Children are welcome between 12-2pm
KagewebsiteAlternative nightclub, plus live music venue...
Kettledrum Barwebsite01382 400670
DD2 2RT
Laings Barwebsite01382 221777
DD1 4LR
Lennonswebsite01382 224436
DD1 3DN
Not recommended on
comment box (Sep-08): ...if you are not a Beatles fan then not so good to visit...
LiquidwebsiteDD1 1PU
Newest nightclub in South Ward Road
Little Theatrewebsite01382 225835
DD1 2NU
Venue for productions by Dundee Dramatic Society. Located opposite the rear of the Wellgate Centre.
London Nightclubwebsite01382 909192
DD1 4AA
Central nightclub, boasting Scotland’s largest mirror ball...
Magdalen GreenwebsiteNice wee park between Perth Rd and Riverside Drive. Bandstand with summer concerts.
McDanielswebsite01382 221803
DD1 4AY
Pub near railway station, with regular live music.
McManus Gallerieswebsite01382 432350
DD1 1DA
Wonderful building in the heart of the city, currently closed for major renovation, but you can still see the fairy-tale-style sweeping staircase...
Meadowside St Paulswebsite01382 225420
DD1 4EH
Mills Observatorywebsite01382 435967
DD2 2UB
Britain’s only full-time public observatory, with regular events.
Mondo Loungewebsite01382 200335
DD1 5DN
Fairly new venue, next to Jahangir in Westport area
No 25website0845 166 6025
DD1 1NR
Part of the Social chain, includes hotel rooms above the cafe/bar
Okupawebsite01382 203087
DD1 1PN
1000-capacity club
Old Bank Barwebsite01382 226552
DD1 1RH
Recommended on
comment box (Nov-08): ...loved the food, excellent bar service, highly recommended...
Old Horseshoewebsite01382 225500
DD1 2AJ
Recommended on
comment box (Sep-08): ...a nice place for pub grub, good food, good atmosphere, good place to be...
Old SteeplewebsiteScotlands highest surviving medieval tower, central to some of the most dramatic historical events in the city. Explore four floors of history and climb the 232 steps to the parapet for breathtaking views over the Tay estuary and the City of Discovery.
Olympia Leisure Centrewebsite01382 432331
DD1 4DF
Due to be demolished and replaced: largest swimming pool in Dundee, great if you like flumes, etc... but for more serious swimming goto Dundee Uni or Lochee pool.
Popl Nerowebsite01382 226103
DD1 4DP
Formerly known as Tonic, pub with occasional live music
Reading Roomswebsite01382 450432
DD4 6AT
Rendezvouswebsite01382 203559
DD1 4BS
Roseangle GallerywebsiteDD1 4LF
17 Roseangle
Sensationwebsite01382 228800
DD1 4QB
Our very own science (or seh-ense) centre... ’fun hands-on experience for the whole family as you explore the world through six themed zones.’
SoccerWorldwebsite01382 816888
DD3 8LF
Indoor 5-a-side football centre @ Old Glamis Rd
Socialwebsite0845 166 6020
DD1 1PA
Food and drink in the heart of the cultural quarter... part of a chain with Number 25 and The Underground
Soul Nightclubwebsite07951 854275
DD1 2HB
Newly refurbished nightclub (formerly City Function Suite), St Andrews St
Speedwell Barwebsite01382 667783
DD2 1AS
Legendary pub, known as Mennies after a previous landlady who owned and ran the property for over half a century
Swannie PondswebsiteWell-known small park (officially Stobsmuir Park) just off Clepington Rd, with ducks, swans and rowing boats...
Movie
Tannadice Parkwebsite01382 833166
DD3 7JW
Home of Dundee United Football Club
The Abodewebsite01382 223923
DD1 2EX
The Art Barwebsite01382 227888
DD1 4JW
The BondwebsiteDD1 3DU
Pub with live music.
The Breadwebsite01382 322147
DD1 1LF
Pub near Abertay Uni, hosts some live music
The Club Barwebsite01382 223011
DD1 4BS
The Factorywebsite01382 509586
DD4 8PS
Indoor skatepark with skateboarding, blading, bmx, basketball, plus loads of activities
The Fortwebsite01382 737999
DD4 6LX
Award-winning hotel in Broughty Ferry, with regular live music.
The HideoutwebsiteDD1 1HG
Basement of Abertay Students Union
The Lowdownwebsite01382 202259
DD1 2EG
The Shorewebsite01382 435435
DD1 3DN
Young Persons Venue and activity centre
The Tasting Roomswebsite01382 224188
DD1 1PN
The Town Housewebsite01382 203311
DD1 2JD
The Vaultwebsite01382 533727
DD5 4BA
Tickety Booswebsite01382 227119
DD1 2AA
Undergroundwebsite01382 200399
DD1 1NR
Small club with regular live music.
University of Abertaywebsite01382 308000
DD1 1HG
One of the 2 city universities, well-known for computer games and environmental research.
University of Dundeewebsite01382 344000
DD1 4HN
One of the 2 city universities, world-renowned for medicine, dentistry, art and design.
Verdant Workswebsite01382 225282
DD1 5BT
History of Dundee’s Jute industry, with interactive displays, interesting exhibits, and plenty to keep the kids amused for a few hours.
Waterfrontwebsite01382 221100
DD1 4AU
West Parkwebsite01382 647171
DD2 1NN
Conference centre with regular events
Westport Barwebsite01382 228496
DD1 5EL
Pub with two levels, live music regularly playing upstairs.
Whitehall Theatrewebsite01382 322684
DD1 5JA
Theatre with regular shows and productions.
Wighton Heritage Centrewebsite01382 431516
DD1 1DB
Centre for study and appreciation of Scottish Music, based in the Central Library, Wellgate Centre, with research, talks and performances
Woodlands Hotelwebsite01382 480033
DD5 2QL
See our new Parks page