Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 19/06/2026 20:29:00

Describing itself as the Boro Alternative, PLAY is a craft brewery taproom and events bar on Cannon Park Way in Middlesbrough. Home to Play Brew Co, the town's first craft beer brewery, it pairs a rotating range of modern, American-inspired beers brewed on site with pizza, arcade games, pool and a packed calendar of events, occupying a converted warehouse space that has become a hub for the area's alternative crowd. The venue grew out of Play Brew Co's passion for brewing contemporary craft beer and bringing like-minded people together, both locally and nationally. The taproom showcases the brewery's own output alongside guest drinks, served in a relaxed, industrial setting. The building's warehouse roots are still evident, and the team has steadily developed the space into a welcoming destination that blends a working brewery with a sociable bar atmosphere. Beyond the beer, PLAY leans heavily into the idea of fun and games. Visitors will find a pool table, arcade machines and retro games consoles, while the kitchen turns out New York-style pizza, available by the slice or as full pies. This combination of craft beer, food and casual gaming gives the venue a laid-back, playful character that sets it apart from more conventional pubs and bars in the town. Events are central to PLAY's identity, with a varied programme that spans live music, beer festivals, film screenings, comedy, quizzes, raves and DJ nights, and even live wrestling. A regular highlight is its weekly rock night, a free-entry late-night hangout where DJs play everything from punk and nu-metal to classic and contemporary rock, framed not as a club night but as an opportunity to enjoy good music in good company. By combining an on-site craft brewery with a relaxed, events-driven bar, PLAY has carved out a distinctive place in Middlesbrough's social scene. Its mix of fresh beer, pizza, games and an eclectic events calendar reflects its self-styled role as the town's alternative, offering a genuinely different night out on Teesside.