Whether you're moving down to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Portsmouth student nightlife, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the southern coastal town and find the best spots for entertainment with ease. Seriously, you'll be a local before you know it.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive guide to Portsmouth events and the excellent student nightlife the city offers, consisting of student-friendly bars and places to eat, as well as places to catch live music and clubs, an FAQ section to answer some of those niggling questions you might have about your new home, and more on Freshers Week.
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Best areas for student nightlife in Portsmouth
City Centre
The city centre is one of the best places to go when you’re after a Portsmouth student night. A huge range of cheap pubs, bars, cocktail joints, and delicious restaurants, are located here around the centre and along its historic dockyard, plus on top of all this, there's an array of nightclubs to dance the night away. It's a great place for all your late-night escapades after a deadline and has something for all to enjoy.
Gunwharf Keys
One of the most buzzing areas for Portsmouth student nightlife, with all the restaurants, bars and cafes right on your doorstep. With great seaside vibes, an abundance of places to drink, and some of the best restaurants in the city, it's undeniably a place where you’ll spend a lot of time as a student in the city.
Southsea
Quite possibly the most popular area in the city for students to live, Southsea comes with its fair share of pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to facilitate the population. Plus, with the famous Albert Road running through it which is lined with the aforementioned establishments, there's more than enough on offer to make it one of the best areas for Portsmouth student nightlife.
Fratton
Fratton is one of the most sought-after student areas and a cornerstone of Portsmouth student nightlife. The lively area is found just outside of the city centre, and with a wealth of popular pubs and restaurants, it will be the prime place during your student days to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, without sacrificing a good time.
Portsmouth Student Bars
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A short walk away from all of the Uni, Gunwharf Keys, and the famous Dockyard area (which it is aptly named after), The Dockyard is known as one of the best student haunts in the city and for good reason. With a whole host of cheap beers and a range of craft ales, alongside a diverse menu that caters for omnivores and herbivores alike, the location is unrivalled and they'll never be a time you don't recognise someone from your lectures inside.
With its great location and affordable prices, this lively tavern is one that should be on any Portsmouth student night agenda. It's the perfect place to kick back and have a few chile bevs with the newfound pals and with its assortment of classic pub games from darts to pool to foosball tables, there's little wrong about this place, and will be one that you frequent regularly.
Mr Miyagi's
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This awesome oriental-style cocktail bar is a go-to for anyone who will be spending their uni life in Portsmouth. Offering up some of the best drinks in the city, alongside a range of fun bar games from beer pong to pool, all alongside live DJs, it's some of the most fun to be had in the Portsmouth student nightlife scene. You also can't miss their beer pong night on a Monday!
A traditional waterside pub, the Bridge Tavern is situated on Old Portsmouth's Camber Dock, with its wonderful atmosphere that is very student friendly, alongside a great menu of quality food and drinks. The only surviving pub on Old Portsmouth's East Street, it is the perfect spot for a nice pub night, or pres before a night on the town.
Portsmouth Student Clubs
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The go-to place for a night out in the city amongst the student population, and it's easy to see why. With three dance floors to choose from and loads of great deals on drinks, The Astoria is always absolutely bouncing. Plus, with Dirty Disco on a Tuesday ( a club night that’s been going in Portsmouth for over ten years)you get one of the best Portsmouth student nights where the entertainment goes beyond the dancefloor with Dirty Disco hosts, fire breathers, stilt walkers and DJs.
Part tiki bar, part disco club, part waterside terrace bar, Eden may be a bit classier (and therefore more expensive) of an establishment than you’d frequent as a student, but it is without a doubt worth a visit every now and then. Plus with three rooms in the Eden club to choose from, there's a vibe for all of your mates to enjoy.
Hampshire Boulevard
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Being the only gay club in Portsmouth, Hampshire Boulevard has to make this list. With cheap booze, cheesy music, and late closes, it's the ideal place to dance the night away without worry in an accepting environment. Plus with regular discos, karaoke nights and drag nights, there's so much fun happening here every night, a must-visit amongst Portsmouth student nightlife.
Right, we all know what we're getting with Popworld, once you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all, but why should that affect the reality of the situation; it's one hell of a fun, carefree night. With super cheap drinks and even cheesier music, it’s barrels of fun that everyone can joy (unless you're ‘too cool’ in which case we dint wanna go with you anyway.) A classic, and one you’ll undoubtedly spend loads of your loan in.
Fresher’s FAQs
When does Freshers Week Take Place in Portsmouth?
Freshers Week 2022 in Portsmouth is set to run from Monday 12th September to Sunday 18th September
Do I need to provide ID at events?
Yes, as a requirement of law all bars, pubs, clubs and venues will require some form of a valid ID that proves you are at least 18 years of age. Accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license or passport.
More about Portsmouth
Irrespective of whether you're a first time visitor to the city, a frequently returning guest or a lifelong inhabitant, our guides are essential reading for anyone looking to make the most of their time in Portsmouth.
nightlife
Whether you're moving down to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Portsmouth student nightlife, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the southern coastal town and find the best s…
