Whether you're moving down to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Plymouth student nightlife, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the south coast 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth
City Centre
The city centre is one of the best places to go when you’re after a Plymouth student night. A huge range of cheap pubs, bars, cocktail joints, and delicious restaurants, are located around the centre, 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.
Greenbank
Greenbank is Plymouth’s students’ favourite area. Its proximity to the University, alongside the fact that most of the student bars and nightclubs are here, makes it a hub for student nightlife. Plus, given it houses most of the city's students, a night out here may as well be a seminar with booze as you’ll be bumping into everyone you know.
Mutley
Found a bit outside the city centre Mutley is teeming with students, and with that comes all the amenities you’d expect. Mutley Plain will always be your biggest provider of fun in the area. Being home to a huge number of pubs, cafes and fast food chains, it's got everything you need when it comes to Plymouth student nightlife, and (if you live or know people living here) it's always a safe bet for a great time.
Barbican
Known as one of the more boujee areas in Plymouth, Barbican is a waterside neighbourhood featuring quaint cobblestone lanes, and energy not found anywhere else in the city. With restaurants overlooking the harbour and the boats ported there, and buzzing pubs that put on live music and show every kind of sports. The area is unrivalled in its beauty, just make sure there's enough of that loan left before visiting.
Plymouth Student Bars
James Street Vaults
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Engulfed by the ever-expanding university campus, this place is predominantly a student pub. With loads of reasonably priced ales and craft beers to choose from, it’s definitely worth a visit if you want your mate to adventure outside the realm of Brewdog. But, it also just has a great local vibe to it and is no stranger to a good time.
Found very close to the university, and very aptly named, The Skiving Scholar is one of the go-to pubs for Plymouth student nightlife. Mainly due to its location but very much to do with its insanely low prices, the bar is a firm favourite. It's also open very late, so if you're enamoured by its friendly and comfortable atmosphere and intoxicating cocktail menu, it will be one that you spend a lot of time in,
The Pit and Pendulum
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Plymouths go to rock bar for all the long-haired and leather-clad members of the student population, The Pit and Pendulum should be on anyone's list whose music taste revolves around guitars and drums. Plus with regular live music and an exceptional range of beers and other booze, it's always great fun.
It’s always the go-to amongst uni students, and it's clear why, with a student-only (or plus one) policy, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people and probably a few familiar faces. Plus, with a cheap menu, and on-campus location, you’re bound to pop in for a post-lecture pint every now and again.
Student Clubs
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Oozing the classier side of life, this twin-roomed nightclub offers up some of the best times you’re likely to find in the city. With the DJ spinning the best of RnB, House and Dance anthems it's bound to get your body moving. Whilst it probably isn’t the cheapest for students, we established pres into our culture for a reason. It's a corner of Plymouth student nightlife you justice can’t miss out on.
Jesters
One of Plymouths longest running and most cherished nightclubs, Jesters has been serving up good times to the city's student population for over 15 years. The character of the place is unrivalled; sticky floors, insanely cheap drinks on student deals, and a playlist full of crowd pleasers, it may be cheesy but it's a bloody great night, and somewhere every Plymouth student has to go at least once (although till definitely end up more.)
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One of the best gay bars in the whole city, and one that's recently moved to a new location in the city's Gay Village, you can expect inclusive and accepting debauchery at its finest within the walls of this club. With drag nights, karaoke and late night close, it's always a fabulous time, and if you are that way inclined, it will be your home away from home in the city.
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 Plymouth?
Freshers Week 2022 in Plymouth is set to run from Monday 19th September to Sunday 25th 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 Plymouth
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 Plymouth.
nightlife
Whether you're moving down to the city for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Plymouth student nightlife, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the south coast town and find the best spots fo…
