Best Nightlife for Students in Birmingham

Birmingham, or ‘Brum’, is home to four universities, and is the second largest city in the UK, so it is only right for us to talk about some of the best Birmingham nightlife for students. In the most up-to-date QS league table, from 2018, Birmingham was ranked the 51^st best student city in the world. Playing a big part in student satisfaction is the nightlife on offer, which was a key factor in the ranking of Birmingham as one of the best student cities. After all, university isn’t all about academic excellence; sometimes you need a break from the books, assignments, and exams.

You will be sure to feel a lively atmosphere when the sun goes down in Birmingham, as students from all four universities hit the city centre’s nightspots. The bars and clubs that we talk about are located on or near Birmingham’s well-known Broad Street, known for being at the centre of the best Birmingham nightlife and close to Birmingham’s universities and campuses.

Players

At the heart of Birmingham’s nightlife, on Broad Street, this bar and club with a basement dance floor has been an award-winning nightspot for 3 years running. It might sound like a just a sports bar, but don’t be disheartened by the name, it is actually a big party brand with other locations in Newcastle, Durham, Leeds, and Sheffield. The ‘Players’ name reflects the American sports bar theme, but this is no small, smelly sports bar. The venue has three club rooms, an outdoor terrace, VIP booths, stage performers, DJs and waitresses/waiters dressed in cheerleader outfits serving you drinks topped with sparklers! 

PRYZM

A big nightclub on Broad Street in Birmingham, with venues across 9 other student cities and with big student deals. Their biggest drink deals are on their student night called ‘Quids in’, which runs every Thursday until 4am. Entry is £1, and drinks like vodka and mixers, shots, and bottled beer are £1-£1.50, which speaks for itself really. The venue has four club rooms and giant stage productions, allowing you to enjoy a big, wild, and very cheap night out.

Walkabout

An Aussie-style bar located on Broad Street that goes right back to the 90s, when it was first named the ‘outback bar’. It has since become a sought-after spot in Birmingham and other cities because of its laidback Australian vibes by day and Aussie-style party atmosphere by night. The bar has the biggest sports screens in Birmingham, which show all major football matches. There is a daily drink deal from Monday-Friday up to 9pm, when you can get drinks from £2.25. Or you can get an Aussie lunch and a drink for £6. They also have weeknight and weekend club nights, such as ‘Walkie Wednesday’, when drinks start at just £1.50.

The Sunflower Lounge

A live music venue located on Smallbrook Queensway for indie, rock and alternative music lovers, which is known for being small but quirky. The small and intimate venue creates a cool and casual environment where you can get up close and personal with the mix of independent artists on offer and really enjoy their music.

Snobs

A club with an indie, rock ‘n’ roll, and alternative pop twist located on Smallbrook Queensway. They have major throwback nights, like their ‘Bring It All Back’ night, which they run on the second and fourth Friday of each month. This is a huge nostalgic night, playing 90s and 00s music, and bringing a twist to all of your childhood favourites.

Ghetto Golf

A nightspot located in the custard factory on Gibb Street with a fun and retro twist. Here, you can play crazy golf, or enjoy the cocktail bar, while listening to music played by a mix of DJs. The décor of this venue creates a very fun and funky atmosphere, as the walls are covered in neon artwork. Other corners of the venue bring back childhood memories like Gameboy and Blockbusters, and there’s an old graffitied bus, known as the ‘ghetto bus’, which is proving to be a good setting for retro Instagram pictures. If you’re looking for something different to typical clubbing, this is the spot for a hip night out with a group of friends.

You might want a break from university but don’t want a club or pub scene, in which case you should check out our blogs on cheap places to eat in Birmingham, for when you just want to catch up with your friends or refuel while studying.

If you are heading to Birmingham to start your semester at one of its four universities, why not use our student shipping service to help with your move? So  that you can relax and look forward to enjoying the fun that fresher’s week will bring, and all the food, drink, and entertainment choices on offer in Birmingham. We can send your luggage to university for you and, when the end of the semester comes around, you can just as easily ship your possessions back home again with our university moving service, instead of forking out for student storage.