You’ve settled into Uni. You’re fairly new to the city and pretty clueless as to where to even start looking for a great night in Notts. Maybe you’re wanting somewhere to go before you head out for the night? Or maybe it’s just a ‘let’s just have a few drinks’ kinda evening?
Whatever the occasion, we have compiled a list of five go-to bars in Nottingham:
Bunk
Unique to Nottingham and Derby, Bunk is a real hidden gem. Serving a combination of cocktails and chicken wings, you can’t really go wrong. In Nottingham, there are three Bunks, which are all fairly central. They are located on Lower Parliament Street, the Lacemarket and newly opened, Wollaton Street. Each Bunk is identical with its underground setting and bright red neon signage – it boasts a real student vibe. Perfect to relax after a long day at Uni.
Deals and Student Nights:
Open 7 days a week 5pm till 12am, Bunk offers half price on chicken wings and Bunk house cocktails before 10pm every day. So even if £4.50 cocktails alone can’t tempt you, pair them with half-price wings and your night is sorted!
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Calluna
Described as ‘Wild and Wonderful,’ this Botanical Cocktail Bar is located on Foreman street, opposite Cornerhouse. The bar itself is fairly snug, however, it spreads itself over an outdoor terrace hosting a DJ booth and also a winding staircase leading up to a first-floor seating area. Easily one of my personal favourites, what with the stunning interior and affordable cocktails.
Deals and Student Nights:
Open seven days a week, Monday-Thursday 4pm to 1:30am and Friday-Sunday 2pm to 1:30am. There’s also a daily happy hour, Sunday-Thursday 6pm to 10pm and Friday-Sunday 6pm to 8pm, Calluna has you covered any day of the week.
Not only this, but there are dedicated student nights.
Unknown Thursdays- student night every Thursday 9pm till late. Discounted cocktails and feel good house vibes all night with resident dj@luvrhythmnevents.
Soulwax Tuesdays – Launching on the 23rd of October, Calluna is hosting a new night playing funky tunes with an equally funky menu. Cocktails such as Neon Rainbow and Glam! are priced at only £5 each with a valid NUS/Student ID (normally £7). So, for the perfect Tuesday pre-drink venue get your groove on and head to Calluna!
Alto
Fancy a taste of the high life? One of the slightly pricier bars on the list, Alto is a luxury bar located on the top floor of the Cornerhouse, spanning an amazing view over the city.
This bar plays host to four stylish bar areas and a gorgeous outdoor terrace, complete with lounging beds to enjoy the summer sun and then cosy blankets and heaters for those colder months.
Deals and Student Nights:
Open seven days a week, Sunday-Wednesday 11am-12am and Thursday-Saturday 11am-3am.
Classic cocktails are priced at 2 for £10 Monday to Thursday – this includes the all-time favourites Porn Star Martinis, Long Island Iced teas and Strawberry Daiquiris. Usually, these cocktails are priced at £7.95 each so you’re getting a good deal!
House of Coco Tang
Having been open since November 2008, Coco Tang has been immensely popular with the Students of Nottingham, providing student nights for both Universities.
Hidden behind a replicated Hong Kong alley on Bridlesmith Gate near Broadmarsh, the bar offers a wide variety of original hand-crafted recipes, such as the ‘Flamingo Bay’ and ‘Pear Drop’ cocktails and also slightly more unusual ones, such as the ‘Regina George’ cocktail (calling any Mean Girls fans!)
With a more club-like vibe; open Tuesday-Saturday from 8pm-3am, this bar offers a great alternative to your standard night out at some of the big clubs in Nottingham.
Deals and Student Nights:
Home of Laundry Night Wednesdays, Coco Tang remains a firm favourite with NTU students. Free entry and 2 for 1 on cocktails, where else would you be on a Wednesday night?
If a busy student night doesn’t quite take your fancy, Coco Tang holds happy hour every night 8pm-10pm with cocktails ranging from £5-6.
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Baa Bar
In the heart of Hockley, Baa Bar is a name to remember. The bar has a real modern vibe, with neon lights dangling from the ceiling and a wide array of affordable drinks ranging from shooters to cocktails, it’s a hotspot for students.
A newly formulated ‘science menu’ provides something a bit different from your typical cocktails, some of these drinks include the Chilli Berry Sour and the Rocket Fuel which are served in a glass beaker and a smoking test tube. It’s an interesting ‘chemistry lab meets cocktails’ concoction.
Deals and Student Nights
At Baa Bar it’s free-entry-always! Open Saturday-Thursday, 7pm to 3am and Friday-Saturday, 5pm to 3am.
Midweek student offers include double vodka mixers for £3 and a bottle & shooter for £3.50. A Baa Bar shooter is £2; this includes unique mixes such as the Baa Berr and the Baa Bakewell!
By Corinne McGraw