Top student-rated nightlife spots in Cheltenham

By Bethan Croft, University of Gloucestershire Student

Cheltenham has a little bit of everything when it comes to nightlife – from clubs to classy cocktail bars, quiz nights, live music venues and sports bars.

1. I’m going to start easy with a student classic, Spoons. This is the obvious option as the drinks are cheap and the vibes are high. On opposite sides of town you have two different Spoons options; ‘The Moon Underwater’ which on a Wednesday and Friday night stays open until 1am and is essentially a student hot spot with its glittering disco ball that descends from the ceiling and a dance floor, or ‘The Bank House’ which is nicknamed Old Man Spoons by many of the local students but still a decent place to go for a chill drink. Popular enough that the free Pittville Night Bus even added a stop for all the students who like a Spoons to start off the night.

2. Usually from The Moon Under Water, the journey carries on towards the best club in Cheltenham, MooMoos. This club is combined in partnership with Popworld and has three different floors as well as a series of events throughout the year. Luckily it is only a five-minute walk from Spoons and if you are smart enough to buy your ticket online you can get entrance (with a queue jump and free shot) for £3. Drinks are cheap on student nights – Mondays and Wednesdays, but don’t be surprised to find the prices go up on weekends! It is also the only place where you will ever see someone dressed in a cow onesie talking to a lifeguard (trust me, on a social night the contrast in outfit combinations is crazy.)

3. If you prefer your night outs to be chaotic but without the clubbing involved, then Revolution or ‘Revs’ is the place to be. With The Greatest Quiz on Tuesdays (where you either win money or face chilli shots), Banana Bingo Fridays, Bottomless Brunches, Bingo Lingo and special events.

P.S. The R-heart cocktails are 2 for 1 all day every day!

4. Bentleys and Lounge 72 are next door to each other and share the same unique vibe, with their quirky cocktails (I had one that came in a miniature bathtub with a tiny rubber duck floating on top), plant aesthetic, dark mood lighting and pool tables. They occasionally have the ‘Beat the Bartender’ offer on, where you have the chance to get two cocktails for the price of one if you win a game of Heads or Tails against the bartender.

5. Flight Club is for those who prefer a slightly classier cocktail whilst still being within a lively atmosphere. Here, you can also play darts competitions with your friends.

6. Yates is for the sporty students, here they show live rugby, football, American football etc. It is also a popular venue for social events, so if you’re a part of a society you will probably experience Yates at some point.

7. Lastly, The Frog and Fiddle. A great pub that acts as a music venue with plentiful live bands, many music students from the university have performed there in the past and present.

Discover more of the best Pubs & Bars that Cheltenham has to offer, as well as our guide to Unmissable Summer Events