The average student night-out in Edinburgh costs £60. These are the cold facts I’ve found from over 50 different students across the University. This is more than most students would spend on a meal, on a treat, or on a day out, so why are we as a collective so willing to drink away the student loan on a Cheeky Monday down at Subway or Hiving until five? Research into the reasoning behind this constant expense drinking and dancing into the early hours has revealed some interesting findings.
The average fresher finds themselves out three times a week, potentially spending up to £200 within that time, but why does this happen? Some freshers described night outs as a “sociable” and “fun” experience, whilst others claimed they saw the night-out scene as a competition, as if they need to be out more and hence spending more than their peers. This led to the unveiling of the ‘Freshers’ Frenzy,’ a bizarre notion caused by a mix of first-time freedom, fears that they won’t make meaningful connections without the social lubrication of alcohol and the idea that the proper university experience isn’t found in the classroom or social spaces, but the bar and the club. This combination of factors is the pitfall for the continuous nights out, overdrafts in semester one and awkwardly calling parents for money.
I’m sure you’re crying out asking how we end up spending such huge amounts – so regularly – whilst eating pesto pasta and pot noodles? Edinburgh a – tourist heavy city – has one of Britain’s highest average pint prices, with online compendiums labelling it at £6.22, with wines and spirits averaging over £7. These prices are particularly prominent in the EH1 and EH2 postcodes, around the Royal Mile, Prince’s Street, and Cowgate, which are incidentally the areas around which the central hub of bars and clubs that students frequent are situated. Additionally, popular student clubs – Why Not, Sneaky Pete’s, and Subway – all have high entrance fees at the £8-£12 mark. Of course, there are many free clubs, such as Stramash and Hive, but most students admitted that when clubs are free, they often feel they can spend more on drinks within the clubs “to make up for it.” What we don’t always think about are the hidden costs. Of course, the most potent expense is the alcohol. But there is also the inevitable naughty kebab on the return home, a potential Uber, or the endless cycle of buying rounds long past you want them anymore.
How do older students’ drinking habits shift as they become more accustomed to student life? Many older students reported that they will only drink at bars which have student deals, with a third claiming they wouldn’t spend over £5 per pint, whilst others noted using MixR rewards. Despite this, many students reported drinking as a “time filler,” noting that large periods of empty space on timetables and a feeling of diminishing responsibility led them to drinking just to fill the time.
Of course, there is burnout too. Many students reported their desire to go clubbing diminishes as the potential first year novelty wears off, with many saving clubs for special nights such as Liquid Room’s “Indie Thursdays” or clubbing with societies. A PhD student also noted that they see expenses of night outs at an all-time high and that it is a much more practical to buy some cheap drinks at the shop and then to go to free clubs, noting their average night out at around £30, much more reasonable. Other students also reported preferring other activities such as flat meals, playing sports, or engaging in other activities such as music or film.
It’s a numbers game: national polls on the SOS Drug and Alcohol survey have shown that 41% of university students report drinking alcohol more than once a week, 78 per cent of university students say they don’t have to get drunk to have a good night and 24 per cent of students don’t go to clubs. This marks a national wide decline as rising prices lead to an abstinence from expensive night outs, as money seems to be seen as better spent in other avenues such as food, textbooks and days out with friends.
However, despite this decline, local bars such as Pear tree, Southsider and O’Neills reported that over 80 per cent of their custom comes from students. This is caused by proximity to campus and to popular clubs as well as enticing student deals. This percentage showcases that despite many students choosing to not engage in drinking and clubbing activities, there is still a heavy number who do, leading to a potential reliance on their custom from local businesses.
Photo by Yasin Arıbuğa on Unsplash
