Okay, so you’ve just arrived in Glasgow for uni and you don’t really know what to do with yourself. That’s fine, we’ve all been there! But you’ll most likely be eager to get stuck in as quickly as possible. So this Glasgow freshers guide should be the perfect starting point with the best student nights in Glasgow, the best bars and clubs, where to go out and more.
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Freshers Week
You’ve just moved up to Glasgow and it’s all a little bit overwhelming. Where should you go? What is there to do? How can I meet new people? You’re in luck because we have your back with a bunch of suggestions about what there is to do in Glasgow on Freshers week.
Below is a guide to all the best bars, clubs, areas and live music venues that you can go out and explore in Glasgow. As you will be able to see, there is quite a lot in this city that always has something going on.
The best student nights in Glasgow
On Mondays, you could consider heading over to Kokomo on Sauchiehall Street for its Milehigh Mondays. Students get in free before 12, there's free both hire, and you can grab a vodka mixer for £1.50. Or try Nice N Sleazy for cheap cocktails.
Juicy Tuesdays at Manuka are pretty famous. With local DJs, giant bananas, frozen juicy pops, cheap drinks, giveaways, and more, it’s a favourite among many students.
Any night is a good night for a few bevs at Campus. The frat house-style venue is open until 3 am on Wednesdays, offers free entry with a student or NHS card, and has drinks for £1.50.
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Kokomo is also a good shout for Thursday night antics with £1.50 vod mixers and free entry before 11:30. If that's not your vibe, there's Camden Rocks at Firewater with £1.20 spirit mixers, promising back-to-back floor-fillers from rock, indie, pop, and more.
On Fridays and Saturdays, you could go to a standard student bar or club in Glasgow with drinks that cost pennies or you could head out to one of Glasgow’s best clubs for a truly unforgettable experience. There’s clubs like SWG3, Sub Club, The Classic Grand, and more hosting some of the best artists across genres.
On Sundays, we'd say head back over to campus. It's cheap, cheerful, and open until 3 am.
The best areas to go out in Glasgow
Merchant City
Merchant City is another popular nightlife area in Glasgow. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for LGBTQIA+ bars with Speakeasy, Riding Room, Polo Lounge Katie's Bar, AXM, and more in the area. But even if you aren’t looking for a gay bar, there’s still La Cheetah, The Ark, Kokomo, and Gin71 a little walk away.
Glasgow City Centre
There are bars everywhere in the city centre including Sauchiehall Street, where you can find The Garage, Nice N Sleazy, Box, and more. There’s also the Buchanan Street and Central Station areas full of student-friendly bars and clubs.
West End
The West End is another popular spot for nights out. Do be warned that this area’s a bit more fancy though and, as a result, can be more expensive. Here, you’ll find the stunning SWG3, Óran Mór, The Record Factory, and more.
The best student clubs in Glasgow
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SWG3 and its many venues like Poetry Club and TV Studio aren’t strictly student clubs but they tend to draw in a younger crowd with the music they host. Recent events have seen Teletech, Ben Hemsley, Paul van Dyk, Dom Dolla, and many other huge names. But smaller artists play too like Fionn Curran and MEUTE.
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Opening back in 1991, Nice N Sleazy has been a staple of Glasgow's nightlife scene since then with its poster-covered walls, small capacity, live bands, and club nights. Open until 3 am every night with student drink deals, it’s worth a visit.
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If untz untz beep boop music isn’t for you, Firewater blasts indie tunes and offers some stunning drink deals like £1.20 spirit mixers, £5 cocktail pints, and £7 cocktail pitchers. Their regular club nights are named after indie bands' discogs like Fluorescent Adolescent and Let It Happen but there’s also some rock and disco across its two rooms.
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Dating back to 1987, Sun Club is the longest-running underground club in the world. Unfortunately, it's only open on Fridays and Saturdays but if you have the opportunity, you should definitely check out this basement rave space that’s known to welcome the highest quality artists to its decks.
The best student bars in Glasgow
Driftwood
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With affordable, strong bevs, regular quiz nights with brill prizes, and DJs every night, it's no surprise Driftwood's a popular student bar.
The Record Factory
The Record Factory is one of the best beer gardens in Glasgow with a massive student following. There are massive screens to watch footie, regular barbecues, and an outdoor stage for live music.
The Ark
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THE Glasgow student bar, The Ark, is a big one for predrinks. It’s got a cracking beer garden, TVs, hanging chairs, craft beers, cocktails, boozy brunches, weekly quizzes, and it's dog-friendly, so you can get a little too tipsy and have a cuddle.
While you’re getting familiar with Glasgow, why not check out free things to do in the city and cheap places to eat? They’ll be lifesavers when you’re skint but eager to do something.
Freshers FAQ's
When does Freshers start in Glasgow?
This year, Glasgow freshers is from Monday 18th to Thursday 21st September.
Do I need to provide ID at events?
Yes, as a requirement of law, all bars, pubs, clubs, and venues require valid ID that proves you are at least 18 years of age. Accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license or passport.
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