September 16, 2020, by Shweta

Everyone’s Favourite Spots in Nottingham City Centre

A quick note from UoN: these blogs are here to provide you information that will be useful to you throughout your time with us, whether that be a year, three years or many more. But our class of 2020 is, as we all know, joining us under difficult circumstances so we ask you to follow local and national guidelines to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Thanks for reading. 

With a whole new cohort of students descending upon Nottingham come September, the city center will be taken over by fresh-faced first years trying to find their go-to spots for the next few years. Having lived in Nottingham since 2016, I like to think I’ve learnt my way around Notts. Here’s my guide to the top student spots!

 

Restaurants

Annie’s Burger Shack: Annie’s is everyone’s favourite indulgent burger joint offering dozens of creative recipes and a much-loved breakfast deal. They also offer vegan and vegetarian twists to every single burger on the menu making it an extremely inclusive dining option.

Zaap: This popular Thai restaurant will transport you to the alleyways of Bangkok, offering an ambience and menu that allows you to travel the world without breaking the bank. Plus, they’ve got free popcorn!

Man’s Chinese: You’ll know Man’s is nearby when there’s crowds of students making their way to the top floor of Portland building come lunchtime. Man’s is by far the most-loved student dining option in Nottingham and offers flavourful Asian cuisine. There is also a branch in the city centre.

 

Entertainment

The Lost City Adventure Golf: Located in Corner House, Lost City is perfect for date nights or low-key evenings spent with friends. They offer student discounts and have an attached bar making for a very affordable and very fun entertainment option.

Penny Lane: This bar-restaurant-arcade hybrid offers visitors an entire weekend’s worth of fun, rolled into a single night. Designed to emulate the 90s, the neon lights, comfort food, fun cocktails and abundance of arcade games makes Penny Lane a firm favourite for students.

 

Outdoor Activities

Highfields Lake: I guarantee that this beautiful lake will capture your heart on day 1. It offers the perfect ambience for a weekend picnic in the summer or a cup of hot chocolate during the cold winters. Starting in spring, Highfields also allows students to go boating! All without ever leaving campus!

Arboretum: Situated just beyond NTU, the Arboretum is a stunning park complete with waterfalls and butterflies. It is, without a doubt, one of the most calming parts of Nottingham and will offer you solace whenever university life gets a little overwhelming.

 

Bars

Bierkeller: The Bierkeller Bavarian Bar is a German-themed bar beloved by Nottingham’s student population. With amazing deals and the famed ‘Bierkeller Bingo’, this central city spot will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Hockley Arts Club: On the more expensive side, this joint in the heart of Hockley will bring out your classiest side. With a hidden entrance and themed rooms, this bar offers an exciting night out.

Bunk: This list would be incomplete without a nod to every student’s most-visited bar. Bunk offers chicken wings and cocktails that cannot be rivalled and at prices that will have you coming back for more. It’s no surprise that they’ve opened in multiple locations; Bunk is pretty much always packed!

 

This list is far from exhaustive. Nottingham is the perfect student city, offering our demographic plenty to choose from no matter where your interests lie. Exploring the city to find your own favourites is one of the hallmarks of being a first year student and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Until next time,

Shweta

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