The Best Student Nights Out in Bournemouth

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About the author: Hi! My name is Gabriella Farrugia. Alongside being a UniHomes Bournemouth Content Ambassador, I’m in my final year at Bournemouth University, studying Media and Communication, which I absolutely love. I enjoy good music, running along Bournemouth beach, recording my podcast, and, of course, writing about what have been some of the best years of my life.

Not only is Bournemouth home to one of the UK’s best beaches, but it also promises a great night out. With a variety of pubs, bars, indoor activities, and the Student Union club, there is something for everyone.

Here is a list of my top recommendations to help inspire your next big Bournemouth night out. Apologies in advance to your credit score!

Where to go in Bournemouth for a night out

Best pubs in Bournemouth

Every good night out in Bournemouth starts with a pres at Spoons. The Mary Shelley, named after the iconic author, is located just before the town centre. It overlooks a local church, providing a scenic view as you drink one too many pitchers. It also has a little disco at the end of the week. If you’d prefer a more traditional pub feel, The Moon in the Square provides a nice contrast.

Alternatively, O’Neills at the top of town is another great choice. They provide plenty of student offers such as pints and cocktails from £3.50 at select times Monday-Friday, and 20% off mains Monday-Friday.

The George Tapps, near O’Neills, offers great student discounts and has a lovely pub garden. They host live sport, and every Sunday there is karaoke night. I may or may not have gone one too many times…

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Best bars in Bournemouth

Ready to move on to a bar? Bournemouth has plenty to choose from. Barbara’s Bier Haus, just outside the main town centre, is a huge hit with students. It’s an après-ski-themed bar with a club-like feel in the evenings. The décor is really fun, and there’s a photobooth so you can capture the night. I’d suggest queuing early on weekends to avoid disappointment and booking a table.

Be At One is your go-to student-friendly cocktail bar, conveniently located in the heart of town. Cocktails are £6 all day, every day for students, and you can get 2-4-1 cocktails during happy hour. The bar staff are lovely, and they know how to make a strong drink! Be ready to dance all night long and drink one too many mojitos.

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Lollipop at The Old Fire Station

The Old Fire Station - or ‘TOFS’ - is a live music venue near the halls of residence. On Fridays, the Students’ Union take over to host ‘Lollipop’. In my opinion, Lollipop is by far the best club night.

The music is great, the DJs play all the best tunes, and the vibe is brilliant. Plus, drinks are sold at student-friendly prices - great for that student budget!

There are two floors; upstairs has more of a basement-style vibe, and downstairs is the main dance floor. A mix of mainstream music and throwbacks is often played, making it one of the best student nights out in Bournemouth. TOFS has made for my most memorable clubbing experiences - depending on the number of vodka Cokes consumed…

Want to grab some coffee the next morning? Check out my blog on the best cafés in Bournemouth!

Bh2 Leisure

If you’re not feeling a heavy night or prefer something more chilled, Bh2 has all the go-to spots, including an ODEON cinema, Nando’s, Five Guys, and Pizza Express.

The standout has to be Boom Battle Bar, though. Boom is a games bar, which offers activities like axe throwing (be warned, it’s harder than it looks), augmented reality darts, shuffleboard, and more. I highly recommend going with a group of friends to have the best experience. Students get 25% off game bookings and 2-4-1 cocktails Sunday-Thursday.

There’s also a bar serving street food and cocktails, and yes - they have disco toilets!

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O2 Academy Bournemouth

Last but not least, O2 Academy Bournemouth, located in Boscombe, hosts some of the best local live events. The venue is especially known for its music scene, with upcoming acts including Brandon Flowers, Dizzee Rascal, and Rizzle Kicks, to name a few. If tribute acts are more your thing, there’s plenty on offer too.

The O2 Academy is also home to the infamous Bongo’s Bingo. If you thought bingo was boring, you’re in for a surprise. I don’t want to give much away, but let’s just say you’ll never look at the game the same way again.

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Need somewhere to sleep off your hangover?

UniHomes work with letting agencies across Bournemouth to help you find your perfect student home – all with bills included. With options available in popular student areas like Charminster and Winton, there’s plenty to choose from.

Check out UniHomes’s range of student accommodation in Bournemouth today!

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.