About the author: Hi, I’m Heather! I am a third-year Media, Journalism and Publishing student at Oxford Brookes University, but I am originally from Devon. As well as being a UniHomes Oxford Content Ambassador, I am a weekly host on Brookes Podcast, and in my spare time, I love spending time with friends and family, reading and baking.
Whilst Oxford is undoubtedly renowned for its academia, you shouldn’t underestimate the vibrant nightlife that this city also has to offer. Everyone enjoys a different vibe when it comes to nights out, and the various venues across Oxford do a great job of ensuring that there is something for everyone.
My favourite student nights out in Oxford
1. O2 Academy, Cowley
The O2 Academy is home to the famous Wednesday night sports social: Fishies. Located in East Oxford on the popular Cowley Road and open exclusively to students, this is the ideal place to meet like-minded Brookes students whilst letting loose to some of the best pop hits.
If you're attending Fishies for the first time, don’t be alarmed when you're surrounded by an array of strangely dressed people. Many students join and attend themed sports socials before arriving at O2. Think minions, magic mikes, cowboys, British icons, and so much more. Whilst this may seem silly, if you have the opportunity to join one of these socials, I definitely recommend it. It’s great fun dressing up each week and is an easy way to make new friends. Fishies is a firm favourite among Brookes students, but be warned: you are 100% guaranteed to see every person you have ever met, so stay out of drama for a hassle-free night!
It is worth mentioning that the O2 Academy also runs an ‘Indie Fridays’ club night once a month for those of you who enjoy a bit of Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, Sam Fender, The 1975, and lots more.
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2. The Bullingdon
The Bullingdon is conveniently located just a couple of hundred feet away from the O2 Academy. However, it embodies a slightly different vibe. One of their most popular student nights is ‘The Bully Boiler’, which is the ideal event for those who enjoy a mix of house, garage, grime, and disco music. If this isn’t your vibe, another highlight is their Soul Sista night, which, as you can imagine, features a feel-good soundtrack of soul, funk, and disco hits.
I would say that The Bullingdon has a more edgy, eclectic vibe than many of Oxford’s clubs. However, it has a much smaller capacity than the likes of O2, Plush and Bridge, so be sure to book tickets well in advance on the Fixr app.
3. Sandy’s Piano Bar
As someone who enjoys a more chilled night out, Sandy’s Piano Bar is a personal favourite of mine. It is located on King Edward Street in the city centre, making it easy to get to via bus or by walking. Sandy’s is a gorgeous basement venue, with an inviting, intimate atmosphere. I particularly love the way they light up the dark venue with fairy lights. The bar itself is centred around the piano, where live music is played. The talented pianists play a variety of music, and they even take live song requests via their website, which can be accessed via the QR codes.
If you love live music but don’t enjoy the high prices that often come with it, Sandy’s is the place to go. They also regularly offer happy hours, where you are able to buy two cocktails for the price of one (great for student budgeting). Who doesn’t love a bargain?!
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4. The Bridge
If you hadn’t guessed by the name, The Bridge is situated just off Hythe Bridge, a short walk from the city centre. This is a club known by every student living in Oxford, and they certainly do a good job of catering to this audience. ‘Monday Night Bridge’ is the Brookes night and is incredibly popular. However, in reality, every night at Bridge is a student night.
The venue itself boasts three different rooms, meaning you will have a great time exploring the different vibes and music genres. One element of this club that the students also particularly love is the garden/smoking area. It has numerous tables and great vibes for when conversations are more your thing.
5. Plush
Plush is a fabulous LGBTQ+ nightclub in Oxford city centre and is another great option for lovers of a crazy night out. Their standout feature is their commitment to providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the LGBTQ+ community and their zero-tolerance policy toward hate. This inclusivity, combined with the great vibes and music, makes Plush a club where everyone is guaranteed to have a great night. The affordable drinks also sweeten the deal!
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6. Café Baba
Café Baba is a quirky cocktail bar on Cowley Road and has a gorgeous Moroccan-inspired interior. During the day, it is a quirky hangout spot where you can enjoy tapas; however, at night, Café Baba transforms into a vibrant, lively bar that is constantly swarmed with students both inside and in their funky garden. They always have a great playlist, meaning you can’t resist having a dance. They also do the cheapest cocktails that you’ll find in Oxford, with some being as affordable as three pounds.
That rounds up the best student night outs in Oxford, so put on your dancing shoes and plan the pre-drinks – the clubs are waiting for you! And don’t forget, if you’re looking for something a little more chill, there are plenty of Oxford pubs to keep you occupied.
Need somewhere to crash after your student night out in Oxford?
Once you’ve tried all these student nightclubs in Oxford, you may be needing somewhere to crash. If you’re still yet to secure your house for next year, don’t hesitate to check out student accommodation in Oxford. UniHomes’ properties come with bills included, so it’s one less thing to worry about sorting separately.
This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!
The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.
Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.