The best student bars and clubs in Swansea

If you're about to set off to uni, you will undoubtedly have everyone telling you to make the most of it. That's advice we're going to have to second. Especially if you're heading to Swansea. The South Walian haven has all the ingredients to give you a few tasty nights out. But, since many of you will be new to the city, you need to be clued up on all of the best student bars and clubs in Swansea.

Since we understand most of the uni experience is the nights out and memories made on them (the degree is just a bonus), we put together this list of the best venues to help you familiarise yourself with Swansea nightlife. So have a look and prepare to be morbidly hungover in your lectures. 

 

Swansea student bars

 

No Sign Wine Bar

Photo: No Sign Wine Bar / Facebook.com 

Where: 56 Wind St in Swansea SA1 1EG

We're starting this list off with one of the most iconic pubs in the whole of Swansea. Whilst the name No Sign Wine Bar may not sound the most traditional, there has been a pub on this site for as far back as 1690! The venue is simple but undeniably gorgeous and steeped in history, and that alone should make it a Swansea student bar that everyone visits. They do pub quizzes, serve up some solid scran, and even bring in some live music. And with two outdoor areas, it's a fantastic choice if you're looking to soak up the sun with a drink. 

 

---

 

XP Gaming Bar

Photo: XP Gaming Bar / Facebook.com 

Where: 2 Castle Gardens in Swansea SA1 1JE

Absolutely massive, XP is spread across four floors and six rooms. A cracking place for levelling up a new friendship, XP has all sorts of thrills including console and PC games, AR darts, pool, air hockey, table tennis, beer pong, fruity machines, and even one of those punch machines. Also boasting pub quizzes, karaoke, music events, game tournaments, and live sports on TV, there are so many opportunities to strengthen friendships by enjoying the footie together or lightly bullying your mates when you beat them at Mario Kart. 

Wednesdays are student nights, offering free console gaming and table tennis, and drinks deals on J-bombs, baby Guinness, pints, VKs, double spirit mixers, and more. XP’s also got a multi-genre freshers’ rooftop rave coming up that looks ace, going down on the outdoor terrace with DJs and cheap drinks.  

 

Find tickets for events at XP Gaming Bar

 

---

 

JC's Bar

Photo: JCs Bar / Facebook.com 

Where: Swansea University's Singleton Campus, Sketty, in Swansea SA2 8PP 

No matter what uni you end up at, we can guarantee you its student union bar will be one you heavily frequent. One of the best Swansea student bars, JC's is Swansea Uni's on-campus watering hole. Boasting student-friendly drinks prices, pub quizzes, karaoke, open mics, games nights, and TVs and a video wall screening live sports, the post-lecture pint is guaranteed to hit. Also featuring pool tables, electric darts plus cocktails, it's a top little venue whether you plan on spending the evening there or just getting some pre-drinks down you before the main event. 

 

Find tickets for events at JC's Bar

 

---

 

Swansea student clubs

 

Hangar 18

Photo: Hangar 18 Music Venue / Facebook.com 

Where: 50 Plymouth Street in Swansea SA1 3QQ

This 370-capacity live music and club venue has a 3am license seven days a week. Hosting touring artists, themed club nights like emo raves, comedy, and more (including the occasional free event), Hangar 18 is an adored little club. With high-spec audio and lighting plus reasonably priced drinks, it’ll be handy to remember Hangar 18. You can find the grassroots venue in the city centre conveniently near the bus station and the Grand Theatre.  

 

Find tickets for events at Hangar 18

 

---

 

Jack Murphys 

Photo: Jack Murphys Wind Street / Facebook.com 

Where: 49 Uplands Crescent, Uplands in Swansea SA2 0NP / 5 Wind St in Swansea SA1

Jack Murphys has two sites, both are open every day until late. Another great shout for sports fans, Murphys shows footie, rugby, boxing, wrestling, and the Grand Prix plus there’s pool and darts to play. Murphys is also known for its live music, club nights, and karaoke Sundays, where every singer receives a shot. Head over on any night before 10pm and grab a Fosters or Strongbow for just £3. 

Beside the Wind Street site, you’ll find Jack The Chipper serving traditional fish and chips. So just dive in when the night’s over and you’ve got your drunken late-night snack to help you recover moments late. Bliss. 

 

---

 

Bambu Beach Bar

Photo: www.bambu-bar.co.uk

Where: 51-52 Wind St in Swansea SA1 1EJ

Whoever said that Wales isn't a tropical paradise? Well, probably a lot of people. But no one has told the owners of Bambu Beach Bar, and the venue is all the better for it. This Latin tiki-themed bar serves up cocktails in glasses so cool you'll definitely think about putting the empty glass in your bag (although we definitely aren't suggesting you do that). Wednesday nights at Bambu are donned “Get Leid”, which offers two for £9 cocktail buckets, £2.50 spirit mixers, and £3.50 double spirit mixers. Fridays are another one to keep in mind as their Cheeky Tiki Fridays bring two for £12 on cocktails, half-price karaoke, and happy hour all night. 

  

---

 

Popworld

Photo: Popworld Swansea / Facebook.com 

Where: 2 Wind St in Swansea SA1 1DE

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 super cheesy music, it’s barrels of fun that everyone can enjoy (unless you're "too cool" in which case we didn't wanna go with you anyway.) It's a classic in nightlife culture and a club that everyone just lets loose in. Everyone knows it's bad, but at the end of the day, that's what makes Popworld so good, and one of the best Swansea student clubs.

 

---

 

 

Peppermint

Photo: Peppermint Swansea / Facebook.com 

Where: 13-17 Wind St in Swansea SA1 1DP

This one is on the slightly more boujee side - which means you're going to have to dress to impress - but who wants to celebrate exams finishing in the same old pub you drank the sorrows of revision away in, anyway? While it is slightly more upmarket than many on this list, it makes up for the extra pound or two you'll pay for a drink by being that bit fancier. Plus, for those of you looking to save a few bucks, head over on Friday nights from 9pm. Beat the bartender at a game of Rock paper scissors to double your round of drinks for free. And keep an eye on the happy hour sign in the bar. If it's lit, it's happy hour! 

 

Find tickets for events at Peppermint

 

---

 

PlanB

Photo: PlanB / Facebook.com 

Where: 1 Northampton Ln in Swansea SA1 4EH

Focusing on dance music, PlanB is open on Fridays and Saturdays, welcoming a wealth of DJ talent spanning house, afrohouse, tech house, trance, hard dance, and more. Thanks to the owner's years of previous experience in Swansea's underground scene, the lineup of DJs is always on point while championing local artists. Spread across two spacious floors, PlanB is definitely one of the best Swansea student clubs. The bar is relatively good value for students whose loan is looking tight, too. 

  

---

 

Sin City

Photo: Sin City Swansea / Facebook.com

Where: 14-16 Dillwyn St in Swansea SA1 4AQ

Popular with the alt crowd thanks to the heavy bands and club nights they offer, Sin City is an absolute treasure. But it's not all about rock, metal, pop-punk, and emo, Sin City hosts DnB raves, pop club nights, indie discos, and more. Their Sin Savers night on Thursdays is one to remember, bringing big anthems from across genres and decades with drinks for cheap. We're talking rock, indie, DnB, hip-hop, country, R&B, disco, all the bangers, with double spirit mixers for £2.80 all night long. Home to some of the best live events and club nights the city has on offer, Sin City is a place that students of Swansea have been coming to sin for years now.

 

Find tickets for events at Sin City

   

---

  

The Bunkhouse

Where: 24 Park St in Swansea SA1 3DJ

A real all-rounder of a venue, the multi-award-winning Bunkhouse offers gold. Whether you want to see one of the many indie, rock, and metal bands and DJs that pepper their roster, or you want to attend one of their weekly pub quizzes, they serve up the good vibes in abundance. The venue has two floors, the lower being the “Park Street bar” and the upper “Kingsway bar”. You’ll find most touring artists upstairs with the top-of-the-range PA and lighting systems, and discover a more chilled bar downstairs with occasional comedy, poetry, acoustic acts, and more. Offering cheap drinks - with draught drinks supplied by local brewers, pizza deals, and great music covering a range of genres, it's 100% one of the best Swansea student clubs. 

 

Find tickets for events at The Bunkhouse

 

---

   

The Arch

Photo: The Arch Bar & Nightclub / Facebook.com 

Where: 11 Commercial Street in Neath SA11 1SB

Okay, we might be cheating a bit here as The Arch is actually in Neath. But it’s only 15-20 minutes away from Swansea via train, and maybe you’ll be living nearby. 

Live music, sports, and club combine at The Arch. Thursdays are for open mic nights, Fridays launch you into the weekend with nostalgic bangers, Saturdays are about live music followed by a massive party, and Sundays are for chilling to more live music. Neath’s original sports bar, the venue’s six screens broadcast all major sports events with surround sound 

 

---

 

Swansea's student bars and clubs offer loads of thrills. Whether you're after a pint with entertainment or dancing 'til the early hours with cheap drinks, there's plenty of options.

Start uni properly by securing tickets for banging freshers events in Swansea. And while you're here, why not check out our Swansea nightlife guide? 

 

---

---

 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header: Jack Murphys Wind Street / Facebook.com