Nottingham has one of the best student nightlife scenes in the entire country – take it from a current Nottingham student. The city has a lots of different types of nightclubs too, so you can easily go out in Nottingham no matter what type of music or vibes you prefer. So, if you’re an incoming fresher looking to discover the best spots in the city, a final year looking for a last hurrah before you graduate or simply looking for somewhere new to try, there is something for everyone. For Nottingham students, here’s my top picks of the best nightclubs in Nottingham.
Rock City
It’s a classic for a reason. Rock City is probably the main nightclub in Nottingham that also doubles as a live music venue. Upcoming gigs include Tom Walker and The Rifles and the venue has previously hosted the likes of Yard Act and Daði Freyr. But, the main reason why Nottingham students love Rock City is for Crisis Wednesdays. It is the largest student night in the city, with over 2000 students packing out the venue’s main hall each week.
Not only is there the main hall where you can dance to some of your favourite hits, but there is the Black Cherry Lounge, playing the best tracks in hip-hop, rap and grime. However, if you enjoy more pop-punk and alternative anthems, then the Basement is the room for you.
Address: 8 Talbot St, Nottingham NG1 5GG
The Bodega
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The Bodega is both great if you want a quiet drink with your mates and to enjoy the background music on the bottom floor in the social club. Or, if you are wanting a club night then you can make your way to the top floor to enjoy one of their popular club nights. For any fans of Indie music, then The Bodega is the place to go!
One of the most popular student nights is “Indie Wednesdays”, with only £3 entry, a free drink on arrival and 2-4-1 drinks all night to enjoy some of your favourite Indie classics. If you are wanting the cheesier pop feels, then “The Pop Confessional” night on a Friday where you can enjoy tunes just like that. And what’s even better if there is free entry before midnight, making it one of the best clubs in Nottingham if you’re on a budget!
Address: 23 Pelham St, Nottingham NG1 2ED
Ocean
Ocean is another staple on the Nottingham student nightlife scene, as it is the only 100% student nightclub. It’s open two nights a week, Wednesday and Friday night. These club nights are a favourite of Nottingham Trent students as it is the time on “Ocean Wednesdays” where all societies come out dressed in their chosen outfits of the week for their favourite night of the week. Wednesday is Trent’s official sports & societies night, so don’t be surprised to find yourself at a society social there at least once during your time at uni. For UON students, Friday is the night at Ocean, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Address: Greyfriar Gate, Nottingham NG1 7EF
Ink
Within the city, Ink is known for its out of this world sound system, lighting that is a similar style to festival and their video walls. There are four clubs – each with its own theme – and eight bars so you are spoilt for choice!
Ink is open both on a Friday and Saturday and is even better as drinks only start at £2 – perfect for students.
Address: 4 Queen St, Nottingham NG1 2BL
NG – One
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NG-One is another of the biggest clubs in Nottingham. With a capacity of close to 1000, 4 bars, 3 sound systems and 2 floors, it is 1 of the best clubbing spots in the city. One of the best things about NG-One is that it is very cheap – NUS entry is currently £1 all night on Fridays and before 4am on Saturdays (£4 after). Entry is free for everyone before 1am on both nights the club is open. If there’s anything that we students love, it’s cheap stuff.
For those wanting to stay up till dawn, then NG-One is the place for you as partygoers can dance to sunrise!
Address: 76-80, 76-80 Lower Parliament St, Nottingham NG1 1EH
Eleven
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Located in the Hockley area you can find Eleven. Similar to The Bodega, Eleven has two sides to it. On one hand, it is a cocktail bar and lounge, where you can enjoy a few cocktails with the girls or a quiet drink with the boys. However, if you are more in a party mood then stay until night and Eleven transforms into an upbeat nightclub in Nottingham.
Every Saturday night you can enjoy the sound of soul until the early hours of the morning, as well as regular DJ sets playing you the best dance and house music to get you pumped up for the night ahead.
Address: 23 Goose Gate, Nottingham NG1 1FE
Stealth
If you’re a fan of electronic music, this is the place. Stealth is the place to be on Tuesdays if you’re a Trent student, with 2-4-1 drinks all night long and 3 floors of music. In the upstairs room, you’ll hear drum & bass and garage music, from artists like A Little Sound, Georgie Riot and Kings of the Rollers. The downstairs room has rap and hip-hop from artists like Travis Scott, Cardi B and Aitch. Finally, the rescues room venue has chart bangers. Advance tickets are a mere £3, which again, students love a good cheap ticket.
Address: Masonic Pl, Goldsmith St, Nottingham NG1 5JT
Hockley Arts Club
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For those of you that want a less intense clubbing experience, the Hockley Arts Club makes a great option. It’s more of a bar than a pub, but they still have a dance floor where you can dance the night away so still falls under the best night clubs in Nottingham if you ask me. It makes a great option if you want a less intense clubbing space as the venue offers seating areas, full food and drink service and three separate floors. On the ground floor, you’ll find Stockholm, an independent bar in its own right. The middle floor is home to the Blue Rooms, which has full food and drink table service. Finally, on the top floor you’ll find the Electric Garden, the perfect space to get away from it all.
Address: 20a Carlton Street, NG1 1NN
The best clubs in Nottingham usually have some of the top student nights in the city. It’s great for dancing and when you just want to go out-out and have fun. But if you’re a bit more low key and prefer the bar to the dancefloor of a night club, make sure you check out these cheap bars in Nottingham.
Last Updated on December 5, 2024
Published on May 11, 2024
