The best student bars and clubs in Bristol

If you’re going to uni in Bristol, you’re in luck. Bristol student bars and clubs are unreal. Find the bars and clubs you’ll be spending the next couple of years in here.

Skiddle Staff

Last updated: 17th Sep 2025

Bristol’s nightlife has a reputation that speaks for itself. If you’re on the hunt for buzzing student bars and clubs, this city delivers the goods. Whether you’re a fresher raring to dive into your first big nights out or a seasoned student who knows their way around but wants fresh spots to keep the party going, you’re in the right place.

Of course, Bristol’s stacked with student-friendly venues, but rattling off every single one would eat into your pre-drinks time (and nobody wants that). So instead, we’ve done the hard work and rounded up the very best student bars and clubs in Bristol, your go-to list for making the most of the city’s legendary scene.

Thekla

Photo: Thekla Bristol on Facebook

Where: The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB

Thekla is always a solid Bristol student club option. This club on an old boat has provided punters with a cool location to jam out to live music since 1984. The club isn’t fussy about genre, playing drum and bass, house, techno, indie, rock, psychedelic, metal, RnB, soul, hardcore, reggae, and just about every other genre over its speakers. Appealing to many scenes, it's easy to see how the venue would attract music-loving students.

Find tickets for events at Thekla - here

The Lanes

Photo: The Lanes on Facebook

Where: 22 Nelson St, Bristol BS1 2LE

Sometimes a drink just isn’t enough. Sometimes you need some proper entertainment. The Lanes is a mashup of a live music venue, nightclub, bar, arcade, and bowling alley. We reckon that should keep you busy for a good few hours. But if not, there’s also karaoke, pool, DJs, and pizza. The music is diverse as hell, too, with everything from Motown nights to metal, funk and Northern soul.

Find tickets for events at The Lanes - here

OMG

Photo: OMG Bristol on Facebook

Where: 1-2 Frog Lane, Bristol BS1 5UX

OMG is one of the city’s best, liveliest LGBT clubs. It’s also one of Bristol’s best student bars, thanks to their Wednesday student night, Poundemonium, that offers spirits, VKs and Hooch from £3 and bombs and shots from £2. With drinks that cheap, you'd expect the entrance fee to be pretty hefty, but entry is actually completely free. Expect proud vibes, drag acts, and songs that are perfect for dancing to.

Basement 45

Photo: Basement 45 on Facebook

Where: Avon, 8 Frogmore St, Bristol BS1 5NA

Predominantly a drum and bass club, Basement 45 is an underground nightclub (literally) that’s always heaving with students. But despite being mainly a place for drum and bass fans to skank out, the club also bumps other genres such as UKG, techno, grime, house, trance, and more. It’s always going off at Basement 45.

Find tickets for events at Basement 45 - here

The Apple

Photo: The Apple on Instagram

Where: Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SB

Why wouldn't you want to try a bunch of tasty Bristolian ciders on a boat? Well, maybe you wouldn’t want to be cooped up in there if it was sunny outside, but that’s cool because The Apple also has a beer garden! Expect some super cheap pints and some that are so strong that they only serve them as half pints. You've been warned.

Cosies

Photo: Cosies / Facebook.com

Where: 34 Portland Square, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8RG

Do you love bass? Couldn’t be happier with your ears next to a massive soundsystem? Cosies is for you. Serving up banging food in the day and transforming to a haven for reggae, jungle, 140 and garage music in the evening, you’ll catch a ton of great DJs at this intimate space. Cosies’ Reggae Sundays events are the stuff of legend in the city, too, so get yourself down and feel your body vibrate to some low-end frequencies at one of the best student clubs in Bristol.

The Fleece

Photo: The Fleece Bristol on Facebook

Where: 12 St Thomas Street, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6JJ

This live music venue/nightclub hybrid has something on every night of the week, and it’s been that way since 1982. Focusing mainly on guitar music, The Fleece has emo, 90s/00s, indie, rock, and metal nights, but also drum and bass and pop events in its calendar. With a variety of events and decent drinks prices, it’s clear why it's a student hotspot.

Find tickets for events at The Fleece - here

The Anchor

Photo: The Anchor on Facebook

Where: 323 Gloucester Rd, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8PE

The Anchor is mainly known for its cheap drinks, which instantly makes it one of the best student bars in Bristol. The pub also serves cocktails and pints, shows the footie, and has an outdoor area so you can enjoy the summer right up to the end. With great beers, spirits and cider from £3.75, you really can’t go wrong here.

Daisy’s

Photo: Daisy's / Facebook.com

Where: 38-40 Triangle W, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1ER

With bright yellow couches, flowery wallpaper and some seriously sweet-looking cocktails, the retro-inspired feel of Daisy’s is a perfect spot to spend some downtime with your new mates. And if you fancy a dance? Well, you can do that too. The venue has a top-tier selection of student nights on offer, including Friday Night Fever. With retro tunes, dazzling lights and most importantly, a happy hour from 10-11, this one looks like a no-brainer. So, get on down, belt out some classics and take advantage of those drink deals. Once the hard work kicks in, you’ll have earned it.

The Brass Pig

Photo: The Brass Pig on Instagram

Where: 1, Clifton Heights, 45 Triangle W, Bristol BS8 1EJ

Open from 19:00 til late on Thursdays and 17:00 til late on Fridays and Saturdays, The Brass Pig is perfect for seeing in the evening or that last drink before you call it a night. Relax in the outdoor area or hit the dancefloor so hard you’ll regret it for the next month. Join countless others at one of Bristol’s best student bars to blow that student loan on their cracking drink deals.

Bristol student bars are exactly what you want them to be: cheap, cheerful, and lively. The same goes for Bristol student clubs with their killer music selection, party atmosphere, and incredible drink deals. If you’re headed off to uni this year, know you can rely on us to help you make the most out of your time there.

However, the fun doesn't just stop there as we have all your essentials to help you slot in with all the locals. From cheap things to in Bristol, free things, and everything freshers week related! So what are you waiting for check it out now!

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.