Student Nightlife - Your Ultimate Guide

DUBLIN

CLUBS

COPPERFACE JACKS
Harcourt St.
Coppers, as it's affectionately known, is somewhat of an institution. Expect a boogying army of nurses, Gardaí and well-known athletes. It's big; you'll most likely lose your friends at some stage, but what's university life without getting to know a few strangers??

THE WRIGHT VENUE
Swords
Arguably Dublin's only “super club” and predictably massive. As in, really big. Three floors, five bars, 12 rooms and a giant smoking area. With pole dancers, DJs and celebrities, it's the closest to Ibiza the capital has to offer. Located in Swords, just outside the city, it's a taxi or bus journey away, but definitely a must-see for clubbing addicts.

THE WORKMAN'S CLUB
Wellington Quay
Ah, Workman's. Open late, decent deals on cocktails, no cover charge and some very reasonable door staff. Between the bar downstairs and the DJ upstairs, the musical spread is just as likely to satisfy the indie-rock fanatic as it is a girlos' night out.

O’REILLY'S/ CLUB HELL
Tara Street Station
It's not just trolls that hang out under bridges any more. Since the departure of Eamon Doran's some years back, Reilly's beneath Tara Street Dart Station has become the most popular rock bar in the city.

PUBS

DOYLES
College Green
Doyles is a staple of the Dublin student's nightlife diet. A great spot for both a quiet evening drink and a night out (DJs, late bar seven days a week, the works...). Everybody's favourite red-hair pop star Ed Sheeran even popped in for a pint and a quick table-top gig this summer!

THE WOOLSHED BAA & GRILL
Parnell Street
Roll up, sports fans! The Woolshed on Parnell Street is definitely Dublin's best replica of the typical sports bar you tend to see in US-made movies about college life, with an Aussie twist. It's all pitchers, chicken wings and loud cheering. It's great. 3 gigantic projector screens and additional 15 large plasmas make it the ideal spot to catch GAA, soccer, rugby, pro wrestling and just about anything else you can imagine.

THE PORTERHOUSE
Nassau Street
The tunes generally start somewhere around the charts and end up at '80s power ballads. The Porterhouse in-house beer range is affordable and well trying out.

GALWAY

CLUBS

KARMA
Eyre Square
There are two Karma Nightclubs: one in Athlone and its sister is at the heart of Galway's nightlife. The latter is a popular spot for students. Serves up dance, pop, hip hop and chart music across its weekly timetable of cheap student nights.

CARBON
Eglington Street
Carbon is a repeat offender when it comes to listing Galway's best clubbing options. It's a club fanatic's dream and has warmed the hearts of thousands of the city's students since opening its doors in 2011. Carbon serves up a weekly roster of 6 nights, beginning with Grand Theft Mondays – expect nothing but the best in dance and €2 entry all night with a stamp – to Saturdays at Carbon, when the resident DJs concoct a mix of indie, hip hop and electro.

ELECTRIC
Upper Abbeygate Street
Electric went by a different name in its past life; ask around and you'll find a NUIG or GMIT veteran who will still call it “CP's.” The venue hosts bigger name DJs from time to time, so keep an eye out for tickets.

PUBS

THE FRONT DOOR PUB
High Street
A great night out starts at the Front Door! Not just a zinging pun, but also the motto of one Galway's nightlife hotspots. It's actually quite hard to go wrong in a Galway City pub, but The Front Door is a cut above the rest. For one, it's huge; there are five bars, two smoking areas, four large screens and two entrances, one on Cross Street and one on High Street. The High Street entrance incorporates Sonny's Bar & Restaurant, which boasts a stellar pub grub menu to boot.

SALLY LONGS
Upper Abbeygate Street
Come hard rock and metal heads alike – Sally's got what you need! Sally Longs is Galway's chief rock bar. On Upper Abbeygate Street near Electric Nightclub, it's not necessarily going to appeal to the same clientèle. For those who have had enough of the club scene and are seeking a change of pace, Sally Longs will provide some of the best craic and bands you're likely to experience in the city.

BUSKER BROWNES
Cross Street
Busker’s is the type of place that caters for just about every pub preference. Smack bang in the centre of Galway's Latin Quarter, expect to find a mix of craic, good music and excellent food and drink deals. Live music and DJs are also somewhat of a Busker's speciality and you'll find the place hopping most nights a week. A die-hard Connacht Rugby bar, it's a great spot to catch a match.

BELFAST

CLUBS

21 SOCIAL
Hill Street
21 Social is one of Belfast's primary clubbing destinations and is open late seven days a week. It has all the charm of a classier spot, without the price tag. Feel Good Fridays is the best bet for students; every Friday, excluding December, the Ground Floor at 21 social offers £2.50 pints, two for one cocktails and bottles of wine for £12 – admission to FGF is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking it out.

THE SPEAKEASY
University Road
One look inside The Speakeasy and you can see why it's ranked on top of the Belfast student's outstanding drinkeries. On the first floor of the Students' Union at Queen's University, there's plenty to keep a good night ticking over; it boasts seven 50” screens, a pool room with 11 pool tables and wo snooker tables and dart boards. Plus, it's free in. What more could you want!

PUBS

THE PARLOUR
Elmwood Avenue
A one-stop-shop for a cracking night out. It houses one of Belfast's largest heated smoking areas, as well as a big screen, making it an ideal space to catch a game during one of the infamous Parlour BBQs. In your average week, expect games, quizzes, cheap pitchers and pizza at knock-down prices. It's no wonder why it's a fan favourite.

THE BOTANIC INN
Malone Road
In the heart of the city and right beside Queen's University, the giant googly-eyed clock on the front of the building makes this popular student haunt hard to miss. The Bot, as it's nicknamed, is a sports bar by day, serving up a cheap, cheerful and delicious menu with plenty of penny-pinching deals (a special mention for the £5 Cowboy Supper). Things liven up when it transforms into a nightclub at night: popping in at any stage is a safe bet.

LIMERICK

CLUBS

Crush 87 Nightclub
A year after opening its doors, Limerick's latest clubbing experience, Crush 87, has delivered on its promise to bring the big DJs back to the city. Old School Sundays are a favourite among regulars – expect everything '80s and '90s with no admission fee.

MOLLY MALONES
Ellen Street
Molly Molones, or Molly's Bar, is a highlight of the Limerick pub and club scene. Traditional and charming this popular student hangout is the ideal place to wind down with a drink in the evening. Molly's also boasts drink promos, late bar and dancefloor.

PUBS

BOURKE'S BAR
Catherine Street
Bourke's Bar is an instant winner for students and visitors. With a great atmosphere, mixed with some of the best live music acts the city has to offer, not to mention “the best pint in town,” it's hard to go wrong.

FLANNERY'S BAR
Upper Denmark Street
Flannery's is one of Limericks prime destinations for a good night out. Its three floors, three bars and incorporated smoking area are usually thronging with a young crowd on late bar Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

CORK

CLUBS

HAVANA BROWNS
Hanover Street
The quintessential student club in Cork, Havana’s sits above Rearden’s and promises the ultimate in clubbing on Leeside. DJs spin a mix of R&B, electronic and pop, while patrons roll onto the dancefloor to strut their stuff.

SAVOY
St. Patrick's Street
Situated inside the old cinema on the main drag of Patrick’s St, the Savoy enjoys a fond reputation as the place to be in the city. A recent refurbishment has given the place a little bit of a spit shine. The luxurious décor and spacious layout that define it endure. Resident DJs will give your dancing shoes a solid bit of work to do, while guest acts including 2ManyDJs and Laurent Garnier have graced the stage.

PUBS

AN BRÓG
Oliver Plunkett Street
There are institutions, and then there’s An Bróg; as integral a part of Cork as the Shandon Bells or Tanora. The Oliver Plunkett St. venue has been the alternative bar in Cork for years, and while the layout may have changed in recent times, it remains popular.

THE BAILEY
Courthouse Street
Spread over three levels, The Bailey is a super pub/ club which has become a go-to spot for the city’s student population. Just off the bustling Washington Street, it caters for just about anyone. Fancy grabbing a few quiet ones after lectures? Watching the game on HD plasma screens? Or maybe even hitting the dancefloor and partying the night away? Whatever you’re after, this place should have you well covered.