Last orders for the Wednesday night: Bristol’s midweek tradition is fading

Once upon a time, Wednesday nights were the pinnacle of student life. A ritual that students across the city religiously followed, it was where you could expect to see your sports team, clothed in matching attire, wobbly from pre-drinks, flooding into a club like a rowdy, excitable parade. Think themed fancy dress, questionable drinking games, and the thrilling possibility that you’d either be a hero or a meme by the end of the night. It was chaotic, it was messy, and it was everything a midweek social should be.

But fast forward to 2025, and things feel… well, different. The iconic Wednesday night out isn’t quite what it used to be. In fact, many sports teams are ditching the usual Fishies routine in favour of quieter pub crawls, house parties, and even more chilled socials. So, is this the death knell for the Wednesday night social? Or are we simply evolving to a new era of student nightlife?

Is it just Bristol, or are we all getting boring?

In other student hotspots like Cardiff or Exeter, Wednesday nights are still very much the thing. Students there flock to cheap drink deals, and club queues are filled with nothing but sports teams.

Take Immy, a student from Liverpool: “People love going out on Wednesdays because it’s cheaper than the weekend (£5 quadvods!), and it’s mostly students out, so the vibe is totally different from a weekend crowd. Plus, it breaks up the week nicely.”

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If we had £5 quadvods in Bristol, we might just be able to resurrect the Fishies midweek social. But here, students have options: other bars, events, and social activities that don’t necessarily require the obligatory Wednesday sports night. Bristol is renowned for its club scene, so why would students feel obligated to go to the Brass Pig every week when there’s an abundance of other places to go?

Ned, a Bristol student, highlighted this shift: “Bristol’s nightlife is so good that we don’t feel the need to rely on sports socials for a night out. In places with fewer nightlife options, it makes sense for sports socials to be the big event. But in Bristol? The city’s got something for everyone, and students don’t have to settle for just one type of night out.”

So, maybe we’re not getting boring. Maybe we just have choices.

Alternative Socials: The new normal? 

Remember when going out meant an all-nighter at a club, packed with team chants and bad dance moves? Now, however, more sports teams are opting for alternatives. Pub crawls, dinner parties, or just hanging out at someone’s house seem like the new social frontier, especially if the idea of spending your Wednesday night on a busy dance floor no longer holds the same appeal.

This shift is also about inclusivity. Not everyone is into clubbing or heavy drinking. Alternative socials can be a good way to include people who don’t drink or who aren’t into the clubbing scene. Some people would rather have a pub quiz over a night at a club.

And it’s not just about the change in venue, there’s a generational shift here, too. As more students push for healthier, more sustainable lifestyles, Wednesday nights are being redefined.

Sophie, a second year Bristol student, added: “I like going clubbing on Wednesdays, especially because it’s fun to dress up in fancy dress. But any other day of the week, I prefer the pub to go out with my friends. It’s cheaper, it’s relaxed, and I can actually hear myself think.”

Maybe the old school clubbing isn’t dead, but it isn’t the only game in town anymore.

The cost of living: A real party pooper

Let’s be real for a second: Being a student is expensive, and Bristol stands out as one of the priciest student cities in the UK. According to the NatWest Student Living Index 2024, Bristol ranks as the fifth most expensive city for student accommodation. ​

Beyond accommodation, the costs associated with joining student societies can further strain finances as Sophie relayed: “My mate wanted to join a sports society, but it was like £300 for the year. He just couldn’t justify it.”​

With the cost of living on the rise and extracurricular activities becoming increasingly pricey, students are being forced to make tough choices, and sometimes that means cutting down on midweek outings or foregoing society memberships altogether.​

Ned, another student, summed it up: “Clubbing is expensive. Students might not want to or can’t afford to go out every week, especially when their money could be spent on more important things.”​

In a city where living expenses are high, the additional costs of joining societies and participating in social events can be a real party pooper.​

So, is this the end of the Wednesday sports social?

Not quite. The Wednesday night out might not be what it once was, but it’s far from dead. Students still want to let loose, they still want to have fun—but now they have more options and are less reliant on sports socials to get their midweek fix. The reality is, the midweek social is still alive, just evolving into something a little less… extreme. Bristol students are just finding other ways to get involved.

Rather than sticking to tradition, many students are spreading their midweek energy cross multiple nights out, depending on what events are happening in the city. In short, students are still partying—it’s just not exclusively tied to their sports teams anymore.

If you’re someone who misses the days of packed clubs and coordinated fancy dress, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many students still find the thrill in a Wednesday night out, whether it’s in a club or a pub. But for others, quieter alternatives and different types of socials are where the true magic now lies.

One thing’s for sure: Whatever happens to the Wednesday sports social, Bristol students are still finding ways to have a good time—just with a little less pressure to conform to the same old routine.

Because let’s face it: If Bristol ever adopted £5 quadvods, we’d all be back in fishies, together.