The Skinny's Student Heads Up 2022

Glasgow

Bonjour
Tucked away on Saltmarket, Bonjour is just about the loveliest and coolest queer bar, currently home to our faves Mojxmma and Glasgow’s much-loved goth/disco/Italo/postpunk club Danse Macabre. Worth a mention that it’s profit-sharing and a workers’ co-op – dreamy. @bonjourglasgow 37-45 Saltmarket

Berkeley Suite 
This basement club has a slightly pretentious feel but its techno and very chill smoking area are a joy. @the_berkeley_suite 237 North Street

Chips 
It’s a post night-out must. 727 on Great Western Road for chunky ones, if that’s your kind of thing. Alternatively, Kaspian on Sauchiehall Street do the best chips and cheese – melts just right.

The Craft Pottery 
For a student-friendly activity that doesn’t have to involve getting pissed (although it is BYOB), painting pottery is up there with the best of them. Perhaps the cutest date location, also. @thecraftpottery Axiom Building, 48-54 Washington St

Tchai Ovna House of Tea
Again, on the non-drinking front, Tchai Ovna is open late and is suitably cool yet cosy. @tchaiovna 42 Otago Lane

Vintage and charity shops
For vintage shopping, Great Western Road has plenty – The Glasgow Vintage Co, West Vintage, DUDS, and, just off on Otago Street, Retro. But, if you’re looking for the best charity shops, Dumbarton Road is where it’s at, offering a great range of clothes and the most gorgeous trinkets.

Dundee 

Art Bar 
Perhaps it’s ideal simply because it sounds cool to say you’re going to Art Bar? It’s also very chilled and laid-back and regularly has DJs. 140 Perth Road

Dundee Unversity Students Association
Look, it’s a pretty small city: Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) is where it’s at student clubbing wise. 2022 Freshers Week highlights include a UV Foam Party (a too-often-forgotten-classic) and Cascada (of ‘Evacuate the Dancefloor’ fame). We’re feeling very nostalgic and very jealous. @dusatheunion Airlie Place

Blend Coffee Lounge
This lot are just about the sweetest bunch around. Good coffee and very welcoming. Their Thursday study nights are ideal for students – unlimited coffee for £4. @blend_dundee 63 Reform St

Ninewells Community Garden 
Green space can be few and far between in whatever four-storey, 70s-built student accommodation you find yourself in. To volunteer or simply enjoy nature, this community garden is a great way to get a little peace of mind. ninewellsgarden.org.uk

Avertical World Climbing 
We don’t make the rules: climbing is hot now. Student access for one month is £60 so very worth it while it’s still edgy. @averticalworld 7-11 Blinshall St

Wooosh Gallery 
Based in the Miller’s Wynd Carpark, Wooosh Gallery is one of those spaces that’s really very cool to know. Their temporary installations speak to the limited opportunities for new artists and graduates in Dundee. With a tight knit community behind it, it’s also a great way to meet some lovely arty folk. @woooshgallery

Edinburgh 

The Doghouse 
Grunge meets garish in this Clerk Street bar which, fittingly, welcomes plenty of dogs. Student discounts on drinks – £3.70 for a single is not too shabby, at all. @thedoghouseedinburgh 18-24 Clerk St

Miss World 
The all-woman DJ collective have a monthly residency at Sneaky Pete’s (2 September, this time around) and it’s not to be missed. Techno, pop, and a little disco – their nights are inclusive in all the best ways. @missworldedinburgh

Blunt Knife Co 
This shop and event space supports creative people of marginalised genders and is truly a community hub, especially for students. With a monthly bookclub (1 September this month, if you manage to catch it) and regularly programmed events, Blunt Knife Co is ideal to connect with people both within and outwith the uni bubble. @bluntknifeco 41 Thistle St

Filmhouse 
Specifically: each Tuesday, Student & Young Person Members get £2 tickets for Filmhouse’s evening screening. Enough said. 88 Lothian Rd 

Snax Cafe
The ideal cafe for students – not too spenny, big breakfasts, and the best paninis. 118 Buccleuch St

FolkIt @ ilium
Over on Marchmont Crescent, ilium brings coffee, clothes, and records together in this very cool hybrid space. Ever Saturday at 3pm and every Monday at 8pm, ilium hosts FolkIt, an open mic and jam session. With people usually sat around a guitar in some kind of muddled circle, it has none of the usual open mic intimidation. @ilium_shop 100 Marchmont Cres