A Club-by-Club Guide To Exeter

So, if you’re new to Exeter, chances are you might be wanting to know a little more about one of the biggest parts of Exeter student life.. the NIGHT life! Well here at Lifestyle, our editors have had a think about their 2 years worth of Exeter clubbing experience, and put together a short (yet hopefully useful) guide to get you started! Featuring 4 of the biggest clubs in Exe, we hope you have a fantastic Fresher’s Week!

Image credit: Michael Pollak

 ARENA:

Despite rumours of a distinct smell of feet, and once you have gotten over the slightly bizarre carpeted decor around the bars, you will likely find yourself inexplicably in Arena every Monday and Thursday night, without fail, regardless of whether you intended to go out at all. While it’s always a great night where you’re guaranteed to see the same old faces while enjoying the latest tunes, it’s risky taking your bank card because chances are you’ll wake up with a hangover from one (or 10) too many Arena Jäger Bombs.

Tuesday night is the night for those with an arguably more questionable music taste, as we see the return of the 80s and of S-Club 7 for ‘Cheesy Tuesdays’. Boys beware… Your shirts will not remain on for long when the dulcet tones of the Baywatch theme tune hit the dance floor!

TIMEPIECE:

 Exeter’s largest club brags three floors and is known as THE place for a Wednesday night. The sporting types descend upon Timepiece after Wednesday sport socials, so blind drunk rugby lads, (easily identified by the obligatory chinos, blue shirt and club tie)  are a common sight,and if you can make it through the queues it’s always a fun, if very messy or forgettable night out.

MOSAIC:

With long bars, sofas and booths to relax and drink before you hit the dance floor upstairs, and even a roof terrace for a little fresh air after… What could go wrong? Well, when you’ve queued to get in, and then find you have to queue to get upstairs too it puts a downer on the night – so if you’re keen to dance get there ahead of the crowd! But if you just fancy the bar, it’s still worth a trip, and conveniently close to the incredibly cheap (if questionable) Walkabout and EX4.

 CELLAR DOOR:

If you’re not into chart music, the slightly longer walk to Cellar Door on the quay is definitely worth it for a different night out.  Prepare for a night of skinnies and sneaks, as Cellar Door showcases the best of Exeter’s student DJ scene in an underground club with a great alternative atmosphere.

Emma Brisdion, Lifestyle Online Editor

Fears over Freshers' nightclub queues

Students queue for Rococo’s earlier in the week. Image credit: Niklas Rahmel

There are concerns about long nightclub queues as Freshers’ Week commences in Exeter.

Arena and Timepiece are set to be particularly busy with tickets for some events already selling out. Towards the end of last term, some people queued for over two hours to get in to the city’s popular nightspots. This led to worries about crime and dehydration.

Licensees are working with Exeter City Police to keep students safe and ensure they do not drink in the alcohol-free zones in the city centre. In previous years, there have been reports of people collapsing from dehydration in queues whilst the potential for trouble is also greater when nightclubs are busy.

Chris Rootkin, University of Exeter Students’ Guild VP Welfare and Community, said: “Whilst handling queues is the responsibility of nightclub managers, our incredible Welcome Team will be on hand to provide support and deal with any issues on the ground. Working with the clubs around town, the Welcome Team will help to convey information about anticipated waiting times and ask for water to be made available if nights become warm.”

Beverley Weston, Community Safety and Neighbourhood Support Officer, explained: “We expect large queues to form in Exeter at popular venues but we also expect that partners including the fantastic University welcome team work hard together to make it as enjoyable and safe as possible. All the agencies are working very hard and the recent introduction of a taxi marshal scheme and water fountains in clubs are additional examples of partnership work to promote community safety.”

Liam Trim, third year history student, commented: “In Freshers’ week tickets are a must but it’s debatable whether the experience you get in the end is worth it after long queues. It’s probably just as much fun staying in to drink with friends.”

Simon Dewhurst, News Team

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