Here’s your ultimate freshers’ guide to clubbing in Cardiff

Hey fresher, you did it! You’ve finally reached the era of endless reading, multiple study sessions at the library, and constant essay writing.

Lol just kidding! Although there might be a few more study sessions thrown in over the next three (or more) years at Cardiff, your uni life is the perfect time to meet new people, gain new experiences, and dance till the club closes.

Cardiff is the perfect place to experience the best nightclubs, filled with the best people. So, for all incoming students who aren’t sure how to navigate hitting the dance floor until your 9 am lectures roll around, this guide will provide you with the absolute best clubs Cardiff has to offer.

Cardiff University’s Student Union (YOLO)

Hold on, fresher, this is exclusively Cardiff University territory: The Students’ Union is settled as the unofficial HQ of student chaos. This is where the fun begins, and this venue has captured the hearts of those who crave an amazing student night out.

The SU holds many events for Freshers’ Week, such as the Big Freshers’ Move-In Party, the Big Freshers’ Icebreaker Party and Bingo Lingo. Missing these events is a personal sacrifice on your chance to gain the ultimate Freshers’ experience – think of the friends you’ll make for life!

Each Wednesday night, the SU holds Cardiff’s biggest event, YOLO. With four bars, three rooms, two VIP areas and one balcony, it’s a no-brainer. Dress up and go crazy, your societies will highly encourage this. But be ready for the Thursday hangovers in your lectures and seminars…

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YOLO sets the bar higher than all the venues in the city centre, known for its status as the number one consumer of VK’s in the UK and Northern Ireland, with an amazing deal of four for £10. Open from 9 PM to 3 AM, YOLO will never forget to play Robbie Williams’ classic Angels at the end of every night. This will become an imprint on your student experience forever – trust me on this one.

Revs (Revolution)

Cardiff Met students, this one’s for you. Revolution is known to have over 55 cocktail bars across the UK, yet the Revs in Cardiff is unbeatable when it comes to exclusive drink discounts for students, bringing a brilliant atmosphere for late-night clubbing.

Every Wednesday, Revs hosts a sports night called Half Time, exclusively known to be Cardiff Met’s night, accompanied by deals like 2-4-1 WKDs, silent disco and complimentary pizza. There’s nothing better than drinking, eating pizza and dancing at a silent disco all at the same time. So why not give it a try?

The nightclub is open from 9 PM to 3 AM, but the bar downstairs is open all day, and Revs is highly praised by students for their two for one cocktails every day. And did someone say pres at Revs? With these excellent prices on drinks and 40 per cent off food, we wouldn’t blame you for starting early!

Barbara’s Bier Haus

USW students, we didn’t forget about you! Barbara’s is a popular spot for student nightlife, and we know you will love this venue!

Barbara’s is a Bavarian-style bar with an après ski aesthetic. Hosting the best student nights across the UK, they hold a ‘happy hour’ every day with 50% off Barb’s favourite drinks. Now come on, Fresh, that is an offer you cannot resist!

Barbara’s dubs itself “a party at its peak”, and tells attendees to “Step inside for some seriously good music and (un)seriously good fun every day.” Pistetake Wednesdays is a lively event for students, which will leave your hearts pounding with these floor-filling anthems. This is an incomparable atmosphere that beats most of the other clubs in the city centre! So grab your IDs, après ski outfits (not seriously) and please don’t forget your dignity.

Fresher, get yourself to Barbara’s as soon as possible!

Circuit

You may be familiar with this one. Everyone is welcome here, including non-students! Circuit is the perfect destination for freshers who are seeking a fulfilling adventure. It’s a must to visit if you want to complete the full freshers’ experience – even if you only come here once or twice in your lifetime. The venue usually holds events on Fridays and Saturdays, with £5 doubles, three VKs for £10 and six shots for £10.

The venue has a capacity of 1,500 people, which is accompanied by two rooms that play a mix of house, techno, and trance music. With that many freshers’ in one club, you’re bound to meet a fellow first year, someone from another uni, or a even a third year pretending they don’t have a dissertation to write. Circuit will leave you feeling uplifted with the sick DJs and special guests they hire to come into the venue for meet & greets, so keep an eye out, as you may spot a Love Islander or two!

Liveys (Live Lounge) 

This one’s for all of you. Live Lounge is a classic, with an irreplaceable reputation as one of Cardiff’s most fun-filled bars. To fulfil your experience of this freshers’ guide, you need to come here. Liveys is a great place for a night out, with a welcoming atmosphere and the best security team you will find around the city centre!

The venue is open all day, every day, meaning you can go anytime you’d like. Student discount is also applicable every Sunday to Thursday, including a happy hour between 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM with two for one on selected drinks and cocktails. So why not go out and go crazy on a weekday? You go, Glen Coco! Seven days a week from midday until midnight, they host live cover music and then open their doors until 4am for those seeking a late-night clubbing experience.

There is one dance floor in Liveys, with a stage (once the cover act is gone) and two bars. Did I forget to mention they also serve pizza slices for £1.50? Take my money, please. There’s nothing better than a pizza slice with a cheeky beverage. Liveys will forever be loved amongst students, but be careful not to fall off the stage, as I’ve witnessed a few fallings including myself…three times. Long live Live Lounge.

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