A complete and accurate ranking of York’s Viking Raid routes for students

Extra points awarded if the top is a nice colour

2 months ago

York is a city full of tradition: The walls, the museum gardens, Clifford’s tower, and of course the buildings on Campus West, all very important to students. However, if you’re less interested in history, the Viking Raid is a different tradition enjoyed by students in Freshers’ Week every year. There is no bonding experience stronger than storming all the bars and pubs in York with your new flat best friends wearing matching tops. It’s both a tour of York’s historical nightlife, and a cost-efficient night out.

This year, the Viking Raid has expanded hugely. With new venues and more routes than last year, I have two years of experience to give you an honest review of all the routes available! But never fear – all are guaranteed a great night out.

7. Freya

The Freya route is for a specific type of student, and I respect it. Freya is a route for those wanting a different type of night out from the usual Wednesday social, and is great for freshers wanting to experience more York hotspots. Impossible and Dusk are both new to the Viking Raid and are less commonly recommended as student bars. What ultimately has docked Freya is the lack of major club spots here – while I love Jalou, I wouldn’t want to end my night there!

6. Irpa

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Irpa is a route for the experienced student. Micklegate Social and Pitcher & Piano are slightly out of the way, and may require a quick Google maps to get to. As well as Dusk, these spots usually don’t have tons of people in at once, so with only a limited amount of time there, they might not be the best to experience the mad rush of Viking raid. However, they are nice spots, so if you’re willing to trek away from the Stones-Lowther-Waterfront zone, you will be rewarded.

5. Rán

If Rán was a student, they would bring cocktail tins to pres. Glasshouse, Impossible, Dusk, and Revs in my opinion all bring a classier vibe to the Viking Raid than you would usually expect. Lowther is a sneaky addition for the student wanting to stack up on triple vodkas, but whether or not you’re actually drinking cocktails, this route will give you a bit of variety in your life. You can get back to blue shits another day.

4. Odin

Odin comes in high because it involves a risk. It involves the major tried and tested Viking Raid bars such as Courtyard, Lowther, and Stones. However, ending the night at Vudu is not a choice for the faint-hearted. At Salvos or Revs, you know what you’re expecting. Vudu is a new student night for 2024, promising a good night out but also a change from old routine. With this in mind, the Odin route has a bit of everything for everyone.

3. Loki

While other Viking raid routes introduce new bars and clubs to York students, Loki offers a good selection of the already popular and loved ones. With both Popworld and Salvos, you know your night will end somewhere you like. Lowther will reliably offer tunes, cheap drinks, and the chance of bumping into everyone you have ever met. Loki misses out on the top two because although it offers a good night out, students wanting something new may want to look elsewhere. Or maybe just head over to Popworld’s spinning dance floor!

2. Valkyrie

This might sound biased, but Jalou is an underrated highlight of the Viking Raid. Good music, a disco ball, and now that it’s a student night it offers cheap shots and cocktails. Valkyrie gives Jalou the perfect spot. If you want to move onto another club, you can go to Revs afterwards. However, the Viking Raid is the perfect night out to experience Jalou’s new Tuesday student night, with plenty of hotspots as well before and after.

1. Thor

If the Viking raid is about tradition for you, the Thor route has it all. Courtyard is one of the superior uni bars, you have the option of both Revs and Salvos, and you have all three of Yates, Stones, and Lowther. With the new addition of Impossible, the Thor route guarantees an affordable, fun night out, at all of York’s best spots.