The Swan & Three Cygnets, Durham – 36 Verified Student Reviews 🍻
arrow_back_ios Back
infoImage credit: Alamy
The Swan & Three Cygnets -
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Based on 36 user ratings
Sign in to leave a reviewElvet Bridge, Durham, DH1 3AF
"The Swan and Three Cygnets" is a historic pub located in Durham, renowned for its charming ambiance and rich heritage. Situated in the heart of the city, near the River Wear, this establishment has been serving locals and students for many years. The Swan and Three Cygnets is a Samuel Smith Pub and serves an array of competitively priced lagers, ales, and other drinks.
✅ What Students Love
- Charming ambiance with a rich heritage.
- Lively and friendly atmosphere, perfect for socializing.
- Good mix of people, creating a welcoming vibe.
- Fast-moving queues and friendly staff.
- Great energy and fun crowd, ideal for making memories.
⚠️ Things to Note
- Overall ratings are average, with a 4.4/10.
- Some students mention that the music could be improved.
- Drink prices may not be as competitive as other venues.
- Can get quite busy, so expect a lively environment.
- Limited seating may be an issue during peak times.
🎯 Best For
Students looking for a fun and social night out with friends.
💡 Things to Know
- Dress code is casual, but smart casual is always a safe bet.
- Arrive early to avoid long queues, especially on weekends.
- Expect a mix of music styles, primarily upbeat and danceable.
- Drink prices are reasonable, but check for any special offers.
- The pub is located near the River Wear, making it a scenic spot.
❓ Common Questions
What is The Swan & Three Cygnets like?
It's a lively pub with a friendly atmosphere, perfect for socializing and having fun.
How long is the queue?
The queue moves fast, allowing for a quick entry.
Is it good value?
While the value rating is 4.0/10, many students find it affordable for a night out.
What music does The Swan & Three Cygnets play?
The music is generally upbeat and danceable, keeping the energy high throughout the night.
Is it a good place for making new friends?
Absolutely! Many students mention that they always meet new people here.
infoImage credit: Alamy
Reviews
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Had a great time — everything was smooth.
By Anonymous Student on Mar 18th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Nice background music and a calm atmosphere.
By Anonymous Student on Mar 16th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
The perfect mix of social and fun.
By Anonymous Student on Mar 11th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Chilled start, ended up being a proper fun one.
By Anonymous Student on Mar 2nd 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Good energy, good people, good times.
By Anonymous Student on Feb 12th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Music was and the people were sound.
By Anonymous Student on Feb 5th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
The energy here was unmatched — everyone having fun.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 30th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Always end up meeting new people here.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 26th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Vibe was top tier — fun from start to finish.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 21st 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Vibe was top tier — fun from start to finish.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 17th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Fun crowd, smooth night, couldn’t ask for better.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 13th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Brilliant place for making memories with mates.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 10th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Had an absolute blast, definitely going again.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 6th 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Fun, affordable and safe, ideal for a student night out.
By Anonymous Student on Jan 2nd 2026
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Good vibes and friendly faces.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 29th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
You can always rely on a good night here.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 24th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
The kind of place where everyone’s smiling.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 20th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Super friendly atmosphere — everyone was up for it.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 16th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Every night here feels like a mini event.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 11th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
The energy in the room was unreal — loved it.
By Anonymous Student on Dec 5th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Super positive crowd, makes a big difference. ✨
By Anonymous Student on Dec 1st 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Fun, easygoing and genuinely enjoyable night out.
By Anonymous Student on Nov 27th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Super chill crowd, no ego, just fun.
By Anonymous Student on Nov 22nd 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Everyone dancing and smiling — what a night!
By Anonymous Student on Nov 16th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Queue moved fast and staff were sound.
By Anonymous Student on Nov 9th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
One of the best places to go out with friends from uni.
By Anonymous Student on Nov 2nd 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Never fails to deliver – always such a good time.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 28th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Music was class – couldn’t stop dancing all night!
By Anonymous Student on Oct 24th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Good mix of people and a very welcoming vibe.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 21st 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Great crowd, decent drinks, no drama – just fun.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 17th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
One of the highlights of student life – great place to go.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 14th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Good location, always full of energy and fun people.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 10th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Top place for student nights, highly recommend to others.
By Anonymous Student on Oct 6th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
The whole night was smooth, no stress and lots of fun.
By Anonymous Student on Sep 30th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Really enjoyed the night – will definitely be going back.
By Anonymous Student on Sep 25th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
Really fun experience, the DJ was excellent.
By Anonymous Student on Sep 18th 2025
Overall
Cleanliness
Music
Price
Queue
Smoking
We revisited the pub and had a great time. The staff was friendly and talkative. Although the pub showed some signs of age, it was still clean. The price of Taddy's beer had gone up to £3.40, but compared to other places in town, it was still reasonably priced. We'll definitely come back again.
By anonymous on Dec 28th 2023
