Reading Student Nightlife

Whether you're moving down to the town for the first time or returning for another year, our freshers guide to Reading, covering the best venues, clubs and student areas to visit, will help you gain the knowledge you need to navigate the home of The Royals (no not them ones I'm afraid) 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 Reading and the excellent student nightlife the town offers, consisting of student-friendly bars and places to eat, as well as places to catch live music, 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 Reading

Town Centre

The town centre is one of the best places to go when you’re after a Reading 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 all to enjoy. 

East Reading

Found just outside the town centre, East Reading is teeming with students. The most popular area for students in the town to live in, the area comes with all the amenities you’d expect to combat this. With streets lined with pubs and bars, loads of takeaways, and a quick route into town once the night takes a turn, you’ll find yourself here many times throughout your uni experience in Reading.

Campus

Reading is a campus Uni, and with that comes a great selection of bars to frequent after a lecture or seminar. All of these bars are run by students, for students, so you can expect crowds full of familiar faces, cheap drinks and scran, and a vibe that screams interest-free overdraft. With 3/4 bars on the grounds, including the Student Union club, you may not ever want to leave campus! (I mean, you probably will, but it's still pretty great.)

 

Reading Student Bars

Mojos Bar

 

 

 

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One of the main on-campus bars at the University of Reading, Mojo bar is the perfect place to unwind and chat over some great affordable food and drink post-lecutre. Plus, with a whole host of quiz and karaoke nights, live music events, comedy nights and loads of BIg TVs for live sport, it's got everything you could want and more. A place you will definitely spend a lot of time in.

Park Bar

Affectionately referred to as ‘Parky B’ by the student population, this place is the social heart of Whiteknights Campus. With great views of the park and the surrounding area alongside super affordable drinks and food, it's a firm favourite to spend student loans in. Whilst it's the biggest student bar on campus, it still retains a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, and you’ll never come in without seeing a friendly face. 

The Purple Turtle

 

 

 

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This absolute staple of the Reading student nightlife scene has been serving the town's students for more than 30 years. The independent bar has a super quirky and colourful design and when put alongside its relatively affordable prices, it truly makes for a quality night. It is also very late and transforms into a pub/club once the sun sets. 

Ice House

Another On-Campus bar but his time one that focuses on making the best cocktails for the most affordable price. Ice Bar is run by students, for students, and the whole vibe of the placee is welcoming and fun. Plus, with regular cocktail classes, you’ll be able to show off your skills and learn a thing or two and even create your own cocktail! 

 

Reading Student Clubs

Q Club

The biggest club in the town, and a firm-favourite with the student population, Q Club will be a frequent night out for you during your Uni days. A twin-room, 2-floor venue with a large capacity and unfor­get­table student club nights throughout the week, this club sits at the heart of everything exciting that happens in Reading student nightlife when the sun goes down. With a DJ spinning club classic, RnB and Hip Hop, there are few better places to dance the night away in the city.

3Sixty

 

 

 

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The Student Union club with a huge capacity, Tuesdays and Saturdays (the only nights it's open, unfortunately) are legendary amongst the student population. Always packed and busy, playing a selection of club classics and chart hits, it can be a bit cheesy, but is always a fantastic vibe and jam-packed with those people from your lectures whose names you can’t quite remember. 

Sub89

The premier underground club and music venue in the city, Sub89 is pretty iconic. Hosting bands most nights that are swiftly followed by the awesome range of club nights. Having hosted some massive names over the years, from Ed Sheeran to Chase and Status (who actually played the opening night in 2009) you’re bound to be in here lots if you love live music. 

Lola Lo’s

 

 

 

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The place to come to escape the streets of Reading and get a fun Tiki tropical vibe, Lola Lo’s is incredibly popular with students in the town. Hosting three club nights a week, with the midweek ones offering great deals to help stretch that loan, it really is one of the cornerstones of the Reading student nightlife scene. Plus, if you make their happy hour before the club night starts, you can get trollied on some super cheap cocktails; a must-visit.

Fresher’s FAQs

When does Freshers Week Take Place in Reading?

Freshers Week 2022 in Reading 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.