Notts Talk to Tabitha volume two: Impressing your home mates on their first visit

Good afternoon, loyal Tab readers. Did you miss me? Well, I’m back with a fantastic question this week. Let’s dig in.

How to impress on the first Notts/home-friends crossover

“My mates from home are coming to Nottingham and I need to show them a good time! Both alcoholic and sober options please :)” – Rose

Hello Rose!

This is a pressing question for many freshers. One of the great things about first coming to uni is realising that, essentially, you have a free house all the time. No need to ask mummy and daddy for a sleepover at this big age. Of course you want to show them a good time, and keep them coming back – Notts has a reputation to uphold, after all. So, here are some suggestions for a whistle-stop weekend tour of the party city.

For fun non-alcoholic options, the Cornerhouse is the place to be. You’ve got Lost City mini-golf and Roxy Ball Room within two minutes of each other, both of which offer great entertainment value without the focus being on booze. These fine establishments do serve alcohol if you fancy a tipple, but are also incredibly family friendly, ticking both boxes. I’ve spent more drunken nights singing my heart out at Roxy’s than I’d care to admit, and I’ve loved every second.

If you don’t fancy an activity-based excursion, there are a plethora of cute cafes to take your mates to the morning after a night out. Fan favourites include the Fox Cafe on Pelham Street, or Yolk on Goosegate. Alternatively, if you don’t fancy walking all the way down to Yolk, the Bagel Project is a great place for an expensive yet delicious breakfast bagel.

Now for the really fun stuff.

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For an authentic Notts experience (aka fighting through hordes of locals in the early hours of the morning) Rock City Saturdays are the best choice, followed by afters at Mojos on Thurland Street. Two proper local places, but that’s part of the fun. Be brave and have a few beers, and you’ll have a great time.

For a slightly classier affair, there are great cocktail options as well. Coco-Tang, Pepper Rocks, or Bunk are classic student cocktail joints, but for a more niche night out I’d recommend Lost Property or Hockley Arts Club. Cocktails are an expensive night out but if you’ve budgeted well, you can have more than a little fun when your mates come to town.

There’s an endless number of affordable and tasty food options in the city as well, covering a range of cuisines. I’d recommend a wander around Lace Market or Hockley, and see what takes you fancy.

If you’re looking for cheaper options, then it’s worth remembering how lovely University Park Campus actually is. A bottle of wine on the Downs never goes amiss, but make sure to wrap up warm in this autumnal weather.

I hope the above options have given you some food for thought, Rose. Regardless of what you and your mates get up to, I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend! It’s tough to go wrong in good company.

All the best,

Tabitha xx

All advice dispensed is to be taken at reader’s discretion. If you have something you are struggling with, please speak to a doctor or a professional. If you are experiencing mental health concerns please speak to someone, or call or text Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. 

Related articles recommended by this author:

• The grand return of Notts Talk to Tabitha: A fresher’s guide to societal life
• The Nottingham restaurants you need to put on your bucket list
• What your post night out scran says about you as a student in Nottingham