Loud music, people dancing, drinks overflowing – this seems like the typical night out for most young adults. But what do people really think about clubbing culture?

As each academic year starts up university students are often out after hours at clubs, but there is a shift in this culture. How many people still go out on Friday and Saturday nights?

The phrase ‘Thursday is the new Friday’ already shows a shift away from clubbing, especially for university students. Bars and clubs now often have deals on for Thursday nights to attract this younger crowd who are shying away from bigger nights out. The two for one on cocktails is a big hit with students, bars like ‘Be at One’ have found an increase in the younger audience.

‘Freshers week’ can be considered the best week of university for first years because of all the club events, socialising, and drinking. But is this everyone’s vibe and how long will this stereotype hold up for?

Oliver, a first-year student, said that “Freshers was hectic, drinking, partying, and meeting people. It was a lot of fun, but I don’t think people can do it all year round – I definitely can’t”. Clubs tailor events to keep young people interested, with themed nights out for many Freshers events. 

In June 2026, a YouGov survey asked why people were drinking less where 51% said they just wanted to decrease their alcohol intake and 33% said it was due to cost reasons. Now we can begin to understand why young people are not going out, it’s partially down to cost. A typical night would involve pre-drinking, club entry, drinks at the club, an Uber home, and food to soak up the alcohol. This seems like a standard night out for most and evidently racks up in price. 

Layla Page, a second-year student, said “There have been times where I drink a whole bottle of rosé because it’s cheaper that way” than buying drinks at bars and clubs.

On her typical night out, she would spend “around £30-40… to have a good night out it always feels like theres a dent in your wallet”. 

For university students, money is an overwhelming factor as we need to pay rent, buy groceries, everyday life essentials, and you still want to be able to have a good time. 

But money is not the only factor. Club culture may be fizzling out due to the safety aspect as well. The 2025 YouGov report showed that 2% of 7000 people said they were spiked and The Independent found that 77% who get spiked don’t report it to the police. Women are more at risk and these high numbers may suggest why people are moving towards casual bar trips instead of wilder nights out. 

Layla states that “There is a huge safety aspect, and I would never go out without my friends”, she even found a girl spiked in the toilet. These kinds of scenarios are also a factor for the end of ‘big nights out’. 

And for some, drinking and going out just isn’t really their thing; Aaron who recently graduated said “Most the time I’d rather do something more lowkey with friends, not a big group but just a couple of us and maybe a drink or too. Clubbing just isn’t for me”. 

It can be a good way to network and meet people similar to you, but it is expensive and can be dangerous at times. Maybe clubbing culture isn’t necessarily dying but taking on a new shape for the newer generations. 

Image credit: Charlotte Ward