How to boss Belfast’s Refreshers’ week

You’re going to end up in Limelight


The exam season is officially over. No more mammy’s dinners and no more warm, cosy houses. Semester two has arrived. Halle-bloody-lujah. The thought of another week of “Is that room tidied?” or “Have you lay in that bed all day?” would be enough to drive anyone to a five day bender. And that’s exactly what Refreshers’ is all about.

The very caring club owners of Belfast are very excited to have all of us back up to the big smoke. With so many different venues for you to go out to throughout the week, we thought a Refresher’s guide would help you and your friends make the big decision in how to spend your evening.

Now for your guide on how to boss Belfast’s Refreshers Week.

Sunday

There is only really one place to be on a Sunday night for any Holyland’s resident and that is of course, The Hatfield House. So make sure your mammy has your pride and joy GAA jersey packed in your bag for coming up the road. Your first drink will be a red diesel and you won’t look back.

For the more grown up aka non Holyland’s residents who still love a good drinking sesh, Cuckoo is the place for you. With cheap drink, jamjar cocktails, Ping-Pong and old skool arcade games, you never know how the night will end up. But it’s usual with a Monte Carlo chicken burger. Great night all round.

Refreshers’ in the ‘lands done properly

Monday  

Find yourself washed, dressed and looking sharp at half seven on a Monday evening? First of all, what the fuck is wrong with you? There’s obviously only one place on your mind – The Fly. It’s promotional poster promises three floors, two sounds, and one epic night but really The Fly is all about the smoking area. Smoker or not, there is no better night’s craic.

If you are wise and like to save on those pennies by having a few in the house before going anywhere. Monday’s Scratch at the Limelight is where it’s at. Get the squad round, turn up the speakers and enjoy a drink – or six.

The taxi doesn’t need to be rung until a reasonable hour. Then once you get there, the chocolate tequila will help you stomach listening to Jason Derulo. Being sensible doesn’t sound too bad after all.

Smokers have all the bants

Tuesday

BOX. BOX. BOX. Every fresher seems to be brainwashed into never missing a Box. And for the 90p drink, we don’t blame you. After six week’s at home, you deserve to go ninety at Craic’s 90. Enjoy little ones.

For anyone whose made it past first year, it will come to your surprise that there are a lot of other great places to go to on a Tuesday night. There’s always Circus at The Limelight, AWOL at Flithy McNastys and of course Electric Playground at Thompsons. EDM lovers, you got to Thompson it. The RaveCave is calling.

No place like Thompsin’s

Wednesday

Find yourself struggling to get dolled up tonight after the last three nights of partying? Then bingo at the Parlour is for you. Uni life has already ruined you beyond your years so grab yourself a jug and a bingo book and you’ll be surprised how intense Parlour’s bingo night can be.

For all those who missed wee Bazza Duff over the Christmas holidays, fear not, Bot Wednesday’s is back and DJ Ahmed is a favourite. Nothing beats his mash up of Katy Perry’s Roar with Eye of the Tiger. Best thing about The Bot is that if you go down that afternoon and get yourself food you can also purchase yourself a wristband for that evening. You needn’t ever leave. Result.

P.S. Bazza does this mean I can win the Facebook competition?

This guy approves of Bot Wednesdays

Thursday

The end is nigh and after the amount of alcohol you have consumed this week you only need one drink to get you feeling tipsy (or drunk for lightweights, aka me). The struggle may be real, but carry on my fellows ravers, Sketchy is calling us all. There is only one place to be on a Thursday and that’s Slimelight. The floor staff may ruin your Beyonce moment on the dance floor by mopping your feet – but here, it’s the reality check we all needed.

If you want a change of scenery, FOMO are hosting a Refresher’s QUB vs UUJ bar crawl on Thursday. And what’s a better way to go back to uni than a healthy bit of rivalry? You’ll end up head first in a Union toilet and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Friday

Phew. Thank fuck it’s all over. Back to mammy’s cooking and a warm, cosy house.

You’ll pretend you’re staying up until Saturday but the minute the pre-drinks are out you’re off to catch the bus home. No fool is going to wake up in the Holylands on a weekend.

Oh you need help cleaning up? Sorry I’ve to get my bus home

It’s the only way to do Refreshers’.