A guide to actually doing Freshers in Leeds the right way

Everything you need to know


Freshers week will soon be here again and it can be an overwhelming experience trying to make the most of it when there's so much on offer. However when done right, freshers can be one of the most (un)memorable weeks of your life, and this guide is to help make it exactly that.

Embrace Freshers culture

It may sound obvious – but try to get involved with everything you can – freshers fairs are worth a visit (load yourself up with freebies), and see if any societies are for you with the "Give It A Go" sessions. Its always nerve-wracking meeting new people, but everyone here is hoping to make friends too, so chat with everyone you come across, join in with all the drinking games (if that's your thing), and as always there's plenty of freshers parties to check out!

Mixtape Project, Freshers Shindig – Canal Mills – Tuesday 19th September

The Freshers Zoo – Tiger Tiger – Wednesday 20th September – because who doesn't love animal fancy dress?

MiX:UP LDS Freshers Party – Space – Saturday 23rd September

What's the deal with tickets?

We get it, it's confusing. Every Facebook "freshers" page is bombarded by posts from a load of different clubs, each one calling themselves 'the ultimate freshers' experience', and they're all selling out fast. While there are some events that you need to get tickets in advance for, you don't need to worry about everything being sold out – there's never a shortage of things to do in Leeds. There's loads of events on where you can buy tickets on the door. This way you can go wherever you're feeling on the day, rather than having to plan ages in advance, and your money won't go to waste if you later change your mind about an event.

Freshers Opening Party – Club Mission – Monday 18th September – £7/8 on the door

So Fresh So Clean, Leeds Launch – Hifi Club – Saturday 23rd September – £7 on the door

Give your bank account a rest

If you now find yourself getting part way through Freshers and see your bank account statement going down scarily fast (which it will) – don't panic! There are loads of places in Leeds perfect for a cheap night out which still guarantee a sick time, and you'll save money for the rest of the term.

Quids In Mondays – Pryzm – Monday 18th September

£1 entry and £1 drinks, what more could you want?

Freshers Full Moon Party – Club Mission – Wednesday 20th September tickets are currently on 3rd release at £5.

Sticky Feet – The Warehouse – Friday 22nd September

Tickets are only £7 for this event that promises a "1st term full of tunes, confetti, CO2, lasers, guest DJs, inflatables, bouncy castles & much more".

Don't forget about the union

Not everything to do with the uni is all studying and hard work. The LUU itself is a great night out with its own nightclub, Fruity. You'll be surrounded by fellow students, and with music ranging from sing-a-long charts to RnB, Grime and House to Brit Pop classics, there's something for everyone.

Fruity Freshers’ Golden Ticket Giveaway – Fruity – Friday 22nd September

Buy a ticket before 6pm on the 22nd September to be in with a chance to win free entry to Fruity for the rest of the uni year.

Adventure around

When you find somewhere you like in Freshers, its easy to keep going to that same place over and over again for guaranteed fun nights out. However, it's a good idea in that first week to try and experience as many different places as you can so then you know for the rest of the year which places are really the best, and you won't be faced with the disappointment of discovering your fave club right before the year comes to an end.

Don't be scared to take a day off

We've all heard the saying 'go hard or go home', but after a week-long bender the sleep deprivation and freshers' flu will inevitably start catching up with you, so there's no shame in taking it down a few notches and having a chilled night after a while. Plus, this will give you a better chance at getting to know your flatmates without being smashed or your convo being drowned out by the deafening club music.

The Dry Dock Freshers Fair – Dry Dock – Monday 18th September – "hosting live music, games, give-aways and a BBQ"

Come Down With Me – Ferris Bueller and Superbad showings – Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen – Sunday 24th September – Free entry

For all you party animals…

That being said, if you do want to go hard, then these are some of the biggest freshers events that you definitely don't want to miss:

MiNT Mondays, Freshers Day and Night Party – Mint Warehouse – Monday 18th September – prove to your flatmates you're the master of the sesh as you party from 5pm to 5am

Go Nuts at Donuts, Freshers Day and Night – Canal Mills – Thursday 21st September – also from 5pm to 5am – if you think you can hack it!

HighRise Opening Party – Beaverworks – Friday 22nd September

Trippy Visions – Church – Saturday 23rd September – tickets are almost sold out for this wavy night so get them while you can!

Featured image credit to CWPhotographics, ItsJustJoeB Photography, and Connor Griffin