Southampton Freshers Nightlife

Whether you're moving down to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Southampton student nightlife, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the port city 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 Southampton events and the excellent student nightlife the city offers, consisting of student-friendly bars and places to eat, as well as places to catch gigs and club events, 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 Southampton

City Centre

The city centre is one of the best places to go when you’re after a Southampton student night. A huge range of cheap pubs, bars, cocktail joints, and delicious restaurants, are located here alongside 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 everyone. 

Portswood

The area with the largest student population in the city, you just know that this place is teeming with life once the day's lectures finish. With a diverse mix of shops, restaurants, and a number of cool pubs and bars, it's the best place to come if you can't be bothered making the trek into town. 

Ocean Village

The port area turned urban hub of Southampton is bound to impress you when you start studying in the city. With views of the harbour and the yachts that line it, there are some stunning waterfront terrace bars and restaurants to spend your loan in. Although being one of the more expensive areas of the city, it may be one for special occasions only.

The Polygon

This area of the city is a buzzing district known for being the epicentre of Southampton student nightlife. With spots that include diverse global eateries and pubs, nightclubs, bars with DJs, and music venues like The Talking Heads, there's something for everyone and it’ll most likely be the place you spend most of your student life in Southampton.

Southampton Student Bars

The Bridge

One of the pubs operated by the SUSU, The Bridge will top many of the best student pubs in the city. Built on being student-friendly in everything they do, the pub offers cheap booze and food; you’ve got to try their student-priced roast dinners! Plus, with a range of cool-themed nights and board games day every Sunday, there is so much fun to be had here. 

The Hobbit

 

 

 

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Are there any middle earth fans on here? Well, if so, and you’re heading to Southampton, then The Hobbit will definitely become your go-to hole for boozing. Despite Middle-Earth enterprises having made them rename a bunch of their drinks, you’ll still be on to have a mighty fun time in this precious establishment. Plus with a whole host of different nights for all tastes of music, they'll be something for all your pals to enjoy.

Stag’s

Any current or former student of Southampton will rave to you about Stags. Another one of the SUSU pubs in the city, it offers up cheap drinks and great vibes alike. Being THE student hotspot for sports, as well as offering up hilarious karaoke nights, and tongue-tingling pizzas, there's little this place does wrong. 

The Mitre

Where better for students to go and booze than a place that offers then 20% off everything? With its classic British pub feel and incredibly friendly staff and overall vibe, it's a no-brainer for those looking for a local. Plus, it offers some of the nicest pub scran in the city, we’d especially recommend their burgers.

Southampton Student Clubs

Sobar

 

 

 

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A pretty much undisputed favourite in Southampton student nightlife, Sobar has it all. An insatiable atmosphere of almost entirely students with cheap drinks to boot, what more could you want as a student? Additionally, Sobar Tuesdays are legendary amongst the student population, especially with their famously lethal QuadVods (a Southampton Uni tradition). It's a quality night and one where you’re bound to be bumping into those people you sat next to in a lecture that time.

Jesters

Ah, Jesters, once named the worst club in the UK, it's just one of those places that you have to visit. Unapologetically cheesy with a ‘so bad it’s good’ vibe, it’s a right of passage for every Southampton student. So, get down and sup on a Jesticle (yes, that’s a real drink) and then stay for the cheesy hits and cheap drinks.  

Switch

 

 

 

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THE place to come in Southampton for a proper boogie to the best dance and EDM music around, Switch is an essential visit for a night out with your newfound besties. Attracting some of the biggest names in the game that will get the people moving around its huge dancefloor and covered in confetti and inflatable rain (a new one that isn’t it), it's hard not to have a good time if this is your scene. We can't recommend it enough! 

The Edge

Proudly known as the only gay club amongst the raging Southampton student nightlife, the drinks and cocktails here are cheap and tasty, and the music and karaoke are unrivalled. With a vibe that is welcoming and non-judgemental, it’s the home of many of Southampton's LGBTQ+ population, plus it's open until 5 am most nights! 

Fresher’s FAQs

When does Freshers Week Take Place in Southampton?

Freshers Week 2022 in Southampton is set to run from Monday 26th September to Sunday 2nd October 

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.