The best student bars and clubs in Plymouth
Dirt cheap shots, 2-for-1 cocktails, drag queens, DnB, and pub quizzes. Here are the best student bars and clubs in Plymouth.
Last updated: 2nd Sep 2026
Originally published: 16th Sep 2022
So, you’re off to Plymouth for uni? Congrats! Now comes the fun bit: getting ready for the nights out. Because let’s be honest, going out isn’t just part of student life – it is student life. Especially as a fresher. From meeting your new best mates, chatting total nonsense at the bar, to dancing ‘til the lights come on with a lineup of bombs in hand, it’s all part of the package.
To make sure you’re hitting the right spots from the get-go, we’ve rounded up the best student bars and clubs in Plymouth. Whether you’re after sticky-floored indie dives or pulsing clubs, this list has you covered. Scroll down, get clued up, and start plotting where that student loan’s really going…
University of Plymouth’s The SU
Photo: UPSU (Jack Henderson) / Instagram.com
Where: Students' Union, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA
Kicking off with a proper student venue, Uni of Plymouth has a bar and club on campus. The Main Room is full of tables with a chilled-out atmosphere, becoming a club on Fridays and Saturdays with club nights. They also have deals on bombs, shots, and VKs during nightclub hours (11pm to 4am).
There’s also the SU bar. The most expensive pint is £5.50 (Guinness), with £2.50 Amstel and Thatcher's Gold during happy hour (6pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday). Grab a VK for £3.60, take a seat, and have a game of pool or try some board games.
With all sorts on like karaoke, club nights, silent discos, quizzes, and loads of freshers' parties, and with those budget-friendly prices, this is one to remember.
Bar Rakuda
Photo: Bar Rakuda / Facebook.com
Where: 10-11 Quay Road, The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2JZ
At Bar Rakuda, the atmosphere during the day is a chill spot to eat pizza and wash it down with a drink as the sun sets, turning into a lively bar with shots and dancing in the evening.
Found on the Barbican waterfront, Rakuda has lots of outdoor seating, homemade pizza and pasta, cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits, and live music every night from local DJs, acoustic acts, and open mic acts on Tuesdays. They also love a good bank holiday weekend party.
Deals include pizza/burger and a pint/wine for £16, two pasta dishes for £22, and three light bites for £15. Remember this when you get sick of Pot Noodles.
Photo: THÊ DEPØ / Facebook.com
Where: 33 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 3LU
This club is undoubtedly one of the best clubs in the area, the UK, even. Covering house, techno, hard techno, DnB, garage, and more, the venue's hosted (and continues to host) some pretty massive names like Ben Hemsley, Mandidextrous, Bou, Hannah Wants, Luke Dean, SHERELLE, Oppidan, Jazzy, Kneecap, Hannah Laing, and Mike Skinner.
Independently run, the award-winning venue has multiple rooms, a split-floor mezzanine design, state-of-the-art SFX, a 5x4 LED screen, and a chunky sound system. When not hosting some of the hottest DJs and artists, The Depo lures students in with club nights like the weekly Indie Tuesdays and themed parties like Twilight raves.
While not strictly for students, if you like a good party, this is easily one of the best student clubs in Plymouth.
Find tickets for events at THÊ DEPØ
Photo: LEVEL 33 / Instagram.com
Where: 33 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 3LU
Above The Depo, its sister venue Level 33 is an open-air rooftop space. Perfect for daytime parties, the sun-trap space celebrates music, creativity, and community.
With a state-of-the-art sound system and bar, it hosts DJ sets, live bands, pub quizzes, and more. It’s hosted all sorts, like reggae, DnB, throwback R&B, afrobeats, emo, and other music events, but also World Cup fanzones, karaoke, and parties with barbecue and games.
Find tickets for events at Level 33
The Bank
Photo: The Bank Plymouth / Facebook.com
Where: The Bank, Old George Street, Plymouth PL1 2TG
Find live sports screenings and cheap drinks in this Grade-II listed pub that dates back to 1889. Owned by Mitchells & Butlers, the pub is open daily and has multiple floors with plenty of seats and tables.
Showing all major sporting events, you’ll find footie, rugby, darts, F1, cricket, boxing, and more. The Bank also has live music, quiz nights, and themed weekenders to get stuck into.
Happy hour at The Bank runs from Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm, and even outside happy hour, students can save 20% on food and drink. Sign up for the newsletter or download the app to see what offers they have on.
James Street Vaults
Photo: James Street Vaults / Facebook.com
Where: 24 James Street, Plymouth PL4 6EQ
James Street Vaults is one of the best student bars in Plymouth thanks to its drink deals that’ll make you go, “Yeah, go on, we’ll have one”, before stumbling into an Uber hours later while singing your heart out.
Head over for Thirsty Thursdays, which offers double spirit mixers for £2.50. It runs all day and all night, with the bar opening at 2pm and closing at 2am. So yeah, Thursdays are about to get messy! For £1 entry, Tuesdays are for quizzes with cash and drink prizes, plus free food during the break.
The Skiving Scholar
Photo: the.skivingscholar / Instagram.com
Where: 1 Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AU
Super close to the Uni of Plymouth, The Skiving Scholar is definitely one to check out. The drink deals are plentiful, and it stays open until 6am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4am every other night. There’s also a cosy basement area downstairs.
With a casual and friendly atmosphere (and who could forget super cheap drinks), it’s likely one you’ll spend a lot of time in. There’s four-for-£12 shooters and four-for-£15 bombs, and it's also home to pints of Hulk and Terminator, but you’ll have to ask the bar about them - no spoilers here.
For peace of mind so you can properly enjoy your night, they offer free drink covers - just ask at the bar.
The Pit and Pendulum
Photo: The Pit and Pendulum Plymouth / Facebook.com
Where: 50 Ebrington Street, Plymouth PL4 9AF
Not everyone wants to hear ABBA or thumping beats all night long. If you prefer music of the heavier persuasion, The Pit and Pendulum, named after the Edgar Allan Poe story, is a rock, metal, alternative, and punk bar. It also has a jukebox, so you know you’ll hear a song you love.
There’s also a pool table and a regular quiz that’s only £2 each to enter. The winner gets a cash prize, but if you aren’t on your A-game, there are lots of other prizes to win too. Pit and Pendulum’s also no stranger to hosting live music, again, of the rockier and punkier vibe.
Jesters
Photo: Jesters Nightclub / Facebook.com
Where: Club Jesters, 39-43 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 3LU
If you love good times, cheesy tunes, and don’t mind a slightly sticky floor, Jesters is the one for you! Born in 1991, Jesters is Plymouth’s longest-running club and naturally a much-loved venue. Especially for students, with its drink deals.
There’s a lovely rooftop smoking terrace perfect for facilitating the chatting of sh*te, and two bars indoors. Jesters is one of the most legendary Plymouth student clubs - you just have to visit. Even if it's just once. But we reckon you’ll be back for more.
Photo: OMG PLYMOUTH / Instagram.com
Where: 11a The Parade, Plymouth PL1 2JL
OMG is the go-to Plymouth student club for the LGBTQ+ peeps! But it’s also a favourite of allies since it’s so fun, and students love it because of the deals (three bombs for a tenner).
Open on Fridays and Saturdays until 5am, get over there for freshers parties, drag queens galore, drink deals, DJs, and dancing - they even have a pole waiting for you to embarrass yourself on.
Photo: Popworld Plymouth / Facebook.com
Where: 18 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 2SR
The ultimate destination for cheesy tunes spanning 80s, 90s, and 00s, Popworld is open from Wednesday to Saturday.
Student Wednesdays offer £2 Jagerbombs, £1 shots, and drinks starting from just £2.75. Every Thursday is karaoke night, with free shots for every singer, and £3 singles and £5 doubles. Rewind Fridays offer two for £5 WKDs and Budweiser, two for £5 Jagerbombs, and four for £6 shots. And Timeless Saturdays bring free entry until 10pm and 50% off drinks from 8pm until 10pm.
Student offers with MiXR include four shots for £6, spirits for £2.75, and vodka Red Bulls for £2.75. If you love daft throwback bangers and drink deals, this is the one.
Think Freshers Think Skiddle. Search Skiddle now to find freshers events in the city. Or just check out what Plymouth's nightlife has to offer as a whole.
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: THÊ DEPØ / Facebook.com