Freshers Week in Bristol is sadly winding down to its eventual close, with the final welcoming celebrations set to take place over the coming days. But rest assured party-goers, this vibrant city and focal-point for nightlife in the south of the UK still has much up it’s sleeve, especially when it comes to student-friendly events.

Boasting shindigs, parties, live music events and much more all year round, within some of Britain’s most renowned venues and nightclubs - the likes of Motion, Thekla, Lakota, The Louisiana and the O2 Academy Bristol, to name a few - there’s no shortage of opportunity to get out on the town with your newfound university friends to enjoy some premium nocturnal entertainment.

Below, you’ll find just a small selection of some of those aforementioned parties and live events, featuring performances from an array of established DJ names and chart-topping acts.

Cirque Du Soul: Bristol // Dimitri From Paris & Bellaire

When: Friday 12th November 2021

Where: Motion

Address: 74-78 Avon St, Bristol, BS2 0PX

Roll up, roll up - The Cirque Du Soul is coming to town and taking over Bristol’s world-famous nightclub, Motion this November.

After over seventeen months away from the live scene, the Circus is back with something very special to amaze the city’s newly moved-in student population, as well its local rave contingent. Get ready to witness never before seen production, mind-blowing performers and DJ sets from well-known names, immersive decor and so much from one of the UK’s leading club nights.

Performing live on stage at this student hotspot, on Friday 12th November, ticket holders can expect to hear the best in disco, drum n bass, hip hop, house, techno and more from headliners Dimitri From Paris and Bellaire, with support from Horse Meat Disco, Clique and more.

Wide Eyes: Sherelle + special guests

When: Friday 22nd October 2021

Where: The Lakota

Address: 6 Upper York St, St Paul's, Bristol, BS2 8QN

The knowledgable event experts behind weekly club night, Wide Eyes, know a thing or two about throwing a damn good party. Bristol’s reigning authority on rave, the collective regularly bring some of the hardest selectors and producers in bass music to long-standing music venue, The Lakota (home of legendary student night - Quids In).

Gearing up for a BIG one towards the end of October, Wide Eyes will welcome one of the most talked about DJs on the UK scene, DJ Sherelle, hot off the heels of her performance this summer at Lakota’s Summer of Love event.

Don’t miss your chance to catch the high-speed junglist tearing the venue apart this month!

NewDad Live

When: Tuesday 16th November 2021

Where: The Louisiana

Address: Wapping Rd, Bathurst Terrace, Bristol, BS1 6UA

The Louisiana is Bristol’s undisputed number one destination for gig-goers and those who prefer an arrangement of live guitars and drums over the dancier, more electronic side of music.

A real hit with the local student population, with events running from Monday through until Sunday each week, The Louisiana provides its hardcore music fanbase with some of the best emerging talent the UK has to offer, as well as some fantastic offers on drinks and food (We highly recommend sampling their delicious sourdough pizzas).

One of the many confirmed acts to appear live at the popular venue before the year is out, is lo-fi four piece - NewDad. The Irish band, who’ve received plaudits from curators and trusted media outlets the likes of Steve Lamacq at BBC Radio 6 and the NME, will perform tracks from their latest EP - Waves.

Folamour’s Fright Night

When: Friday 29th - Saturday 30th October 2021

Where: The Lakota

Address: 6 Upper York St, St Paul's, Bristol, BS2 8QN

The self-proclaimed beating heart of Bristol’s long standing music scene, the Lakota has welcomed many greats through its doors since its opening back in 1992. Amongst them, world-beating names the likes of Eats Everything, Palms Trax and Wilkinson.

Join another DJ icon, French DJ/producer and connoisseur of all things disco-house, Folamour as he takes to the stage for a Halloween special at the venue towards the end of the month.

Adorn your creepiest attire and head to one of Bristol’s most frequented student night spots, for an immersive All Hallows Ever experience

Garage People - Bristol takeover with Sammy Virji & more

When: Friday 12th November 2021

Where: Thekla 

Address: The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol, BS1 4RB

A former cargo ship converted into one of the world’s most unique event spaces, Thekla has been offering up top quality live entertainment on Bristols Mud Docks for almost four decades. A must-visit for students, the venue hosts some of the wildest parties in the city and regularly hosts huge names the likes of upcoming performers, Jossy Mitsu and Sammy Virji.

Catch Sammy Virji taking control of the ones and two’s at Thekla this November, as part of the forthcoming Garage People takeover.