Living in Exeter

Nightlife

It’s probably fair to say that this will be the most well-read section of this guide to Exeter. Nights out are rarely far from the agenda at university, and the variety on offer in Exeter makes it a great time for anyone. Whether you want sophisticated wine bars, a laid-back club, a dingy pub, or just somewhere to sit with friends, you won’t have to look hard. Do drink responsibly, but while you’re drinking responsibly, these are the best places to do it.

Pubs
Clubs

Pubs

The pubs mentioned below are great when you’re flitting between places during the evening, but especially so for when you want to get a table, and sit with friends all night. Make sure you have ID, as Exeter pubs are generally very attentive on the door.

A gem sooner or later discovered by almost everyone, The Firehouse sits comfortably between restaurant and pub. As a general rule, it’s considered to be a pub that does excellent food – the pizza served late in the evenings is legendary – but if you see the number of people coming through the doors for a hearty Sunday roast you may wonder. Either way, it’s the best of both, and perfect for a long night with friends. Regular weekly slots are filled with live music (get there before 8 on these days or there is a small charge, normally a pound or so) and there is a cosy outdoor spot for summer evenings too. Wine is cheap and the staple drink here, but there are beers, ales and soft drinks all at reasonable prices for a relaxed night out.

The Imperial, an enormous, seemingly endless Wetherspoon’s just off the Streatham Campus is also popular. On summer days the large, rolling garden is filled quickly, but on these occasions there is normally somewhere to sit in the bright Orangery or the dim Ballroom. The second largest Wetherspoons in the country, The Impy provides everything on a budget; breakfast, lunch, dinner and special grill or curry nights, and a wide selection of drinks; you’ll be hard pushed to find so much at such a price elsewhere. There are also three other Wetherspoon’s in Exeter, George’s Meeting House on South Street, The Chevalier on Fore Street and The Sawyers Arms on Cowick Street.

Located at the heart of Gandy Street, and based over two floors is John Gandy’s. With a wide range of drinks, this busy weekend hotspot is a great stop in town and conveniently located near to the Exeter Phoenix (which has a great bar of its own) and several good restaurants. Or, stumble across the cobbles to Coolings, close to John Gandy’s, but with a completely different vibe, and great cocktail bar downstairs. Popular for the weeknight cheap cocktails, Pitcher and Piano is a swanky, comfortably furnished bar, well-placed near Gandy Street and some of Exeter’s clubs. It often constitutes a stop on a crawl or a leisurely way to start an evening.

Deeper into town, The Monkey Suit can’t seem to make its mind up whether it’s a bar or club. That’s fine though, as you can make it whatever you require for your visit. With plush surroundings and one of the largest selections of drinks in the city, it’s a busy, popular Exeter destination.

If you're after some live music and Mexican food, you could do worse than a trip to Mama Stones on Mary Arches Street. Named Mama Stones as it's run by the mother of none other than Joss Stone who can often be seen around the place.

The Quay may be a moderate walk from campus, but when you get there you’ll discover one of the most relaxed parts of the Exeter nightlife. That’s not to say it’s restricted to the night though. The Waterfront is popular with all whatever the time of day, and even more so when it’s sunny. A delightful pub to sit and watch the world and the rowers go by, during the day it’s one of the more tranquil places. At night when things are a bit busier though, it’s a fashionable location, and in the summer especially, seats are few and far between. You won’t mind though, as there are more pubs to choose from, and you’ll want to move about and try them all.

Don’t stop at this list though. It’s only the briefest nod to the varied pubs in Exeter, and you can rely on the city to provide you with your own personal favourites.

Clubs

Admittedly, Exeter doesn’t have a reputation for being a clubber's paradise. Yet, you won’t find this perception amongst students, who soon learn otherwise. Here is a flavour of just some of the student favourites, and watch out for the Baywatch theme, club nights in Exeter rarely pass-by without it.

Arena is a hugely popular night out on a Tuesday and Thursday and offers discounts on these nights to students. Bring your student ID though, as nobody else is getting in. It’s also wise if you are a fan to sign up to a society at the Freshers’ Squash who give out cards offering free entry for the year on these nights before a certain time. The music is varied, a mix of modern chart, dance, R&B, indie, and predictably cheese as the night goes on. Even if you’re not normally a fan it’s worth a go, you always bump into a dozen people you know, and you may be surprised by the variety of music – and they also take requests if you ask nicely.

If you fancy something different, try The Cavern. It’s Exeter’s home of alternative music and also holds some of the best indie and drum and bass nights. Possibly the best kept secret on the music scene in Exeter (not least for the secluded location off Gandy Street), it sometimes takes students a while to truly discover The Cavern, but it’s a fantastic night out and often attracts the more serious music-lover. Chris Martin, he of Coldplay fame, was a regular back in his days growing up in Exeter.

Timepiece is synonymous with two things; Wednesdays and the AU. Athletic Union socials fill the pub/club on a Wednesday and it rivals any night that Exeter has to offer. The downstairs has indoor and outdoor seating and is a noisy, bustling pub, good enough for a night out on its own. Upstairs however, it becomes a busy, atmospheric huddle of dancers. Leaving Timepiece to a Wednesday would be a mistake as they have a wide variety of music nights, including salsa, throughout the week and sitting outside in the covered pub on a warm evening is a pleasure in itself.

Increasingly more involved with students and societies, Mosaic, on Mary Arches Street can get busy, especially when they have theme nights. A bar, a club, and with food available, there is always something going on.

Just as busy as any of these nights, is The Lemmy on a Saturday – provided by the Students’ Guild, for students. The club nights here are very formulaic, because it works. Bring student ID and sometimes it’s advisable to get tickets from the box-office on-site for busier weekends. It’s rumoured that Exeter alumnus Thom Yorke of Radiohead wrote 'Creep' in the toilets here. Make sure you have a read of the events page, because these too are some rather special nights.