By Study Inn
If you’re studying in Nottingham, you’re in luck. Why? Because you’ll never run out of things to do! From the famous medieval castle atop Castle Rock to the myth and legend of Robin Hood, and Sherwood Forest. While there’s plenty to do during the day, at night is when Nottingham truly comes to life. Home to a diverse and exciting nightlife scene, whether you’re into clubbing, live music, or more unique experiences, as a student here, you’ll have a blast as you enjoy some of the best nights out Nottingham has to offer.
Is Nottingham an Expensive Place for a Night Out?
While prices can vary depending on where you go and what you do, in comparison to some of the other major cities in the UK, Nottingham is a relatively affordable place for a night out. According to the 2022 NatWest Student Living Index, on average, students in Nottingham spend £48.60 a month on going out.
Of course, one of the best ways to save money on a night out in Nottingham is to take advantage of student discounts. Many bars, clubs, and venues offer discounted entry fees and drinks for students, so be sure to bring your student ID with you.
Another way to enjoy a cheap night out is to enjoy some pre-drinks at home before heading out. Even better if “home” is our Study Inn Talbot Street location with its entertainment area, pool tables and big screen cinema room!
As for prices in Nottingham, a pint of beer or cider can cost anywhere from £3 to £5, depending on the venue. Cocktails can range from £6 to £10, while a glass of wine is typically around £5. Entry fees to clubs and bars can also vary, with some venues offering free entry on certain nights, while others may charge up to £10.
Take advantage of student discounts when you can so you can enjoy Nottingham nightlife without breaking the bank.
Nightlife in Nottingham
We’ve touched upon some great things to do in our student guide to Nottingham, but what about nightlife? If you’re looking for a fun night out in Nottingham, you’ve come to the right place. Each area of Nottingham has its own unique character, so it’s worth exploring different parts of the city to find the kind of nightlife experience you’re looking for.
Pubs and bars in Nottingham
The Lace Market is a popular area for pubs and bars, with its cobbled streets and historic buildings. Here you’ll find a range of bars and pubs, such as The Lacehouse, set in a converted Lace Factory, split over two floors. It’s a bit of a hidden gem in the middle of the bustling city featuring an open plan, loft-style space and an extensive cocktail menu, this bar feels as though you’re in a chic Manhattan bar with its exposed brickwork, comfortable sofas and low lighting.
If a traditional pub is more your thing, The Kean’s Head (also located in the Lace Market) is a classic one-room pub with a great selection of real ales and craft beers. It has a whopping 18 kegs and six cask beer lines with a revolving selection, as well as a permanent non-alcoholic guest keg and locally roasted coffee.
Often described as the coolest place in Nottingham, Hockley is another area worth checking out. As well as hosting festivals like Nottinghamshire Pride and the music festival, the Hockley Hustle, this area is brimming with trendy bars and restaurants.
One bar in particular, The Hockley Arts Club is a multi-level bar and restaurant with unique decor and a secret speakeasy. While Curious Tavern is a quirky, antique-style bar with a hidden underground cocktail lounge. Both of these bars are popular with student clientele.
For something more unique, why not visit the “oldest inn in England”? Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is a Grade II listed pub in Nottingham and claims to have first opened its doors in 1189, which would make it the oldest inn in England. This famous local pub has a lot of character and history, with the owners believing it has resident ghosts too!
Nightclubs in Nottingham
When it comes to clubs, you can’t talk about Nottingham without mentioning the legendary venue, Rock City. This venue has been hosting live music and club nights for over 30 years. You’ll find up-and-coming bands alongside established artists performing, and be spoilt for choice as you dance the night away at one of their many club nights.
Another great spot for live music which also doubles up as a nightclub, is The Bodega. It puts on regular gigs featuring up-and-coming bands and established artists as well as dedicated indie nights.
Other popular student nightclubs include Ocean, this is the main club venue used for student nights for both the Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. NTU students will need to buy tickets for Ocean student nights through their student union, but the University of Nottingham students can buy tickets directly from the venue.
Nottingham also offers some unique and unusual nightlife experiences, too. Pitcher and Piano is a bar with an outdoor terrace complete with a mini golf course.
Finally, Nottingham’s nightlife scene is constantly evolving and changing, with new venues and experiences constantly popping up. This means that there’s always something new and exciting to discover, keeping your nights out in Nottingham fresh and interesting. What’s more, you can access all of these places easily if you choose to stay at our Study Inn luxury student accommodation, which is based in Nottingham’s city centre for easy access!
Looking for a fun, alcohol-free night out in Nottingham?
While Nottingham does have a bit of a party reputation, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy a great night out without the alcohol (or the messy hangover that follows)! Nottingham is a city that caters to those who don’t drink or who simply want to have a night out without booze and is full of exciting non-alcoholic activities and experiences.
For a more relaxed night out, Nottingham has many restaurants and cafes open late that offer great food and drinks without alcohol. Places like Das Kino, a bar and restaurant with ping pong tables, offer a range of mocktails and soft drinks that are just as tasty as their alcoholic counterparts.
If you’re looking for something more active, The Lost City Adventure Golf is a fun activity with friends. While Escapologic offers escape rooms for those who love puzzles and challenges, games involve abandoned laboratories and cursed crypts and there’s even an escape room based on Robin Hood (well, it is Nottingham, after all)!
For the video game lovers among you, Funstation is an arcade which is open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays where you can challenge your friends to a Street Fighter showdown, work on your high score and even win some great prizes.
Overall, there are plenty of options for a great night out in Nottingham that don’t involve getting drunk. From live music to restaurants to active experiences, there’s plenty to enjoy in this city.
Is Nottingham a Good Place for a Night Out?
We’ve touched upon some of the great things to do in our student guide to Nottingham, but Nottingham certainly lives up to its reputation as a lively and diverse city for nightlife, with a range of options to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re into clubbing, live music, or those more unusual experiences, Nottingham has it all.
One of the reasons why Nottingham is such a great place for a night out is its variety of venues and the fact it has a student-friendly atmosphere. From traditional pubs to trendy bars, or intimate music venues to large concert halls, there’s something here for everyone. Nottingham is also home to some of the UK’s most renowned clubs, such as Rock City, attracting both national and international bands, acts and DJs.
Nottingham nights out are also incredibly safe, many nightclubs and venues have metal detectors, there are high-visibility police patrols out on busy student nights and even a dedicated CCTV network across the city. These are just a handful of the reasons why Nottingham has been officially declared one of the UK’s safest places for a night out by the prestigious Purple Flag.
End your night out in style and comfort
There are so many student-friendly nights out in Nottingham it will likely be hard to know which to try out first! Whether you want to have a wild night of partying, a relaxing pub sesh watching the footy or try a challenging escape room with your new friends.
But whatever you decide to do, start or end your fun night out by chilling out at home at Study Inn Nottingham, our Talbot Street location is the perfect base for any night out, enjoy pre-drinks in our luxury student accommodation, complete with entertainment rooms and in-house cinema room. Or if you fancy a night in? It’s the best place to relax and kick back.
Find out more about Study Inn Nottingham and get ready to live your best student life!
