The best student bars and clubs in Glasgow

Ah, freshers. There is nothing quite like it. A new city to roam around and explore your freedom, meeting new people and adventuring on some of the best nights out you could ever imagine. And if you're going to University north of the border, it's about to get even better. 

From the iconic accent to the friendly atmosphere, we couldn't think of a better place for you to spend the next 3 or more years of your life, and even better they have some of the best student bars and clubs for you to dance that uni stress away.  But, with so many bars, incredible beer gardens, roof terraces, and clubs bouncing until the birds start tweeting, it's hard to keep track of them all. 

But do not worry! We are here to help, as we have narrowed down the very best on offer in Glasgow into a list that will help you in freshers week and beyond. So what are you waiting for? Have a scroll and feast your eyes on the best student bars and clubs in Glasgow. 

 

 

Nice N Sleazy

Photo: Nice N Sleazy / Facebook.com

Where: 421 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3LG

We start with a student essential in Nice N Sleazy. Open until 3am every single night with a cheap drinks menu and constantly rotating student deals, it's an ideal place to wash the exam stress and student woes away. 

It's also one of the city’s thriving hubs for live music, having hosted hundreds of gigs a year in its basement, which also houses wicked DJs and student club nights. Few Glasgow student clubs offer up such high-quality ingredients for a tasty night out, and with a name like Nice N Sleazy, you know that there's no judgement inside. Instead, pure vibes and good times.

 

Find tickets for events at Nice N Sleazy 

 

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SWG3

Photo: SWG3 / Facebook.com

Where: 100 Eastvale Pl, Glasgow G3 8QG

No list of clubs in Glasgow would be complete without the warehouse mecca of dance music that is SWG3. The sprawling indoor events space spans multiple rooms, housing not just some of the biggest and coolest events in the city, but also a versatile selection of other creative endeavours. From poetry to art, festivals to roller discos, the space has held it all. 

Granted, some of the events at SWG3 may not be too kind on that student loan of yours, but they’ll leave you rich with memories and offer some of the best nights at uni in Glasgow. It’s the pinnacle of Glasgow student clubs for a reason, and it never disappoints. 

 

Find tickets for events at SWG3

 

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Sub Club

Photo: Sub Club / Facebook.com

Where: 22 Jamaica St, Glasgow G1 4QD

Renowned as one of Glasgow’s best dancing dens, Sub Club is a true city institution. One for those who prefer dancing shoes to Docs in the mosh, the club’s nearly 30-year history has seen some of the biggest DJs in the biz grace the stage, providing generations of students with memories of drunken boogying. 

It may only be open on weekends (not ideal for students, we know), but it remains a champion of quality over quantity. Sometimes it isn’t the nicest to your student loan, but every night at Sub Club is epic and worth splashing out on.

 

Find tickets for events at Sub Club 

 

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Firewater

Photo: Firewater, Glasgow / Facebook.com

Where: 341 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3HW

Calling all indie guys and gals, Firewater is the Glasgow student bar to be in! With £1.50 vodka and gin mixers on its student nights, you’d be silly not to come here if you have jangly guitars and drum solos reverberating through your playlists. 

100% guarantee of hearing Wonderwall aside, Firewater hosts a ton of late-night DJs sets from bands playing in the city. Among the wide array of Glasgow student clubs, Firewater stands out for those who prefer Adidas and Docs ot heels and Balenciagas. 

 

Find tickets for events at Firewater

 

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AXM

Photo: AXM Club (Glasgow) / Facebook.com

Where: 90 Glassford St, Glasgow G1 1UR

Vibrant, opulent, and indulgent is what AXM prides itself on being about. One of the biggest gay clubs in the whole of Scotland, AXM is the place for an inclusive party atmosphere. Its cavalcade of quality guest performers ensures that clubbers keep coming back for more. 

The crown jewel of Glasgow’s bustling LGBTQ+ scene, we highly recommend AXM for its fantastic vibe and crazy fun drag nights. Not to mention heading down mid-week, as it’s a frugal Glasgow student club to party at till the birds are tweeting. 

 

Find tickets for events at AXM

 

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Bamboo

Photo: Bamboo Glasgow / Facebook.com

Where: 51 W Regent St, Glasgow G2 2AE

Known citywide as one of the best student bars in Glasgow, Bamboo is a place filled with undergrads and postgrads alike who briefly forget the lecture they have in a few hours… Which they will probably end up missing (it's all part of the uni experience though!).

A place for anyone and everyone, the club offers prices that are a treat for the wallet while providing quality student club nights every week. One of the best places for debaucherous freshers' activity, Bamboo has cheap thrills, playlists crammed with classics, and wild times not to be missed!

Find tickets for events at Bamboo

 

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The Garage

Photo: The Garage / Facebook.com

Where: 490 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3LW

Smack-bang in the city centre on Sauchiehall Street, The Garage is known amongst the student population as a solid all-rounder that produces some of the coolest nights in the city. We're talking, foam parties, Scrabble champs (yes, you read that right), as well as some crazy day in, day out partying with flashing lights and visuals. 

Across its six rooms, each one offers its own distinct atmosphere, from underground sounds to chart-topping classics that you and your new mates can belt out to. With its maze-like layout, The Garage is an immersive experience the moment you step in. Whilst it can be said for many clubs, there's nowhere in the Glasgow student clubs scene that 'has something for everyone' quite like The Garage.

 

Find tickets for events at The Garage

 

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The Record Factory

Photo: The Record Factory / Facebook.com

Where: 17 Byres Rd, Partick, Glasgow G11 5RD

An ever-growing presence in Glasgow’s burgeoning West End, The Record Factory is a student favourite in the area, thanks to its relatively cheap booze, top-tier scran and funky decor which is inspired by New York's dive bars.

Plus, for the footie fans reading this, The Record Factory is one of the best Glasgow student bars to sit with a crisp beer and watch some good old SPFL and European competitions. 

Record Factory boasts 12 screens and a spacious beer garden, making it one of the finest places in the city to soak up the sport you want to watch. Even if you aren’t a fan of the old soccer ball, we can think of far worse places to blitz your loan at! And if all that booze makes you want to dance, they have DJs every weekend from 8pm to soundtrack the night!

 

Find tickets for events at The Record Factory

 

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The Ark

Photo: The Ark / Facebook.com

Where: North Frederick Street, Glasgow G1 2BS

Quite possibly the student bar to end all student bars in Glasgow, especially for Strathclyde students, The Ark is a place you’ll be spending many nights at. Located smack bang in the city centre, it has an unapologetically modern design. The bar features one of the coolest beer gardens in the city, fit with hanging chairs, TVs galore, and complete with bar snacks. 

The Ark is also a cracking spot to watch sports, but it’s even better for anyone looking to bask in the Scottish sun once the sunshine arrives. It’s a frequent hangout for pre-drinks among students, but The Ark still holds up as a pub night on its own. Classic cocktails, pitchers, endless shots and bombs, As far as Glasgow student bars go, it's one of the best. 

 

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Think Freshers Think Skiddle. It's clear Glasgow is up there when it comes to having some of the best student bars and clubs, but what if you're after something a little more sobering? We have a ton of cheap and free things in Glasgow that'll clear your hangover, as well as a whole load of cheap places to eat for you and your newfound pals to sink your teeth into. 

Looking for freshers events in other cities across the country? We've got the scoop on the best student bars and clubs in the likes of London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol, and more. 

 

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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 photo: Sub Club / Facebook.com