Living in Hull

Your social life as a Hull student

Discover the best things to do in Hull as a student! Explore cafés, bars, clubs, live music, shopping, and nightlife. Plan your perfect day.

Three of Hull’s students stand confidently together in a beautiful shopping arcade with glass roof and flowers

Live your best day and night life

Eat, drink and shop

Maybe there's something in the water here? Well, this is your chance to find our. Dip your toes in and discover our quirks, our culture, our hidden gems. Together, let's explore the possibilities waiting for you around every corner...

The Avenues: Right on your doorstep

Welcome to Newland and Princes Avenue – Hull's student quarter and your second home for the next few years. Thirsty? Grab a brew at DiveHU5, Barista or Planet Coffee. Hungry? Try brunch at Marla’s, lunch at The Greek, or a Moroccan meal at Marrakech.

The Marina: Coffee, culture and shopping

Start the day (or midday) with brunch at Thieving Harry’s or Nibble on the Marina. Pick up a print from FORM or Art & Soul and a houseplant from Plant & Paint. Then shop vintage threads and high-end fashion for less at Poorboy Boutique and 19Point4.

Three of Hull’s students stand confidently together in front of a fruit and veg stall in Hull's Trinity Market

Trinity Market: Street food heaven

After a £3-million revamp, Trinity Market is one of the most popular foodie spots in the city. It’s easy to see why. Focaccia, gyros, pizza cones, Indian street food, homemade chocolates, good honest butties and micro-brewed beer: all under one roof.

Hepworth's & Paragon Arcade: Hidden gems

Pull up at Beasley’s for a new pair of Dickies and browse local authors at J. E. Books in Hepworth’s. On the other side of town, you’ll find tapas, gooey cookies, mood-boosting drinks, famous sausage rolls and posh sarnies inside Paragon Arcade.

A female student in baggy jeans stands confidently on a cobbled street in Hull's Old Town

A male student in blue jumper stands in front of an artwork consisting of bright yellow tube lighting that says 'Gold Gold Gold'

Three of Hull’s students stand confidently together in front of the Maritime Museum

Three of Hull’s students stand confidently together under string lights on Humber Street

Culture and creativity

Our Old Town has been the backdrop to Netflix thrillers and Channel 4 dramas. The Crown, Enola Holmes 2, Victoria and Blitz have all been filmed here. Why not go on location while you are here?

Art, music, history

Explore Ferens Art Gallery and the Maritime Museum, both in Queen Victoria Square. Discover old and new vinyl, poetry and prose at Wrecking Ball Music & Books on Whitefriargate. Then follow the Old Town’s cobbled streets to our Museums Quarter.

Theatre and comedy

Hull is full of culture and creativity. Plays, shows, musicals, opera, dance, drama groups, stand-up comedy... You can see all these and more at venues like Hull Truck Theatre, Hull New Theatre, Social, and Connexin Live.

Big days out and Insta spots

Who wouldn’t want to see penguins? One of the UK’s biggest and best aquariums is also home to sharks, sawfish and over 3,500 other sea creatures. Plus, your ticket includes free returns for 12 months. So, you can visit as many times as you like.

Three Gentoo penguins stand on an icy surface at The Deep.

Humber Bridge at sunset and the foreground showing muddy, grassy riverbank.

Two Hull KR rugby players run with the ball on a field during a match, while an opponent in a blue uniform approaches.

Live music, clubbing and nights out

Morning, noon and night, there’s always somewhere to go and something to do in Hull. In fact, you’ll do well to fit everything in while you’re here. But it’s when the sun goes down that our thriving music scene really sparks to life. Here are some of the highlights waiting for you...

Live music

Hull has a real knack for discovering musical talent, as you’ll soon find out. The New Adelphi Club is legendary. Radiohead, Oasis, Green Day, Fatboy Slim, and The Stone Roses all played there in their early days. The Polar Bear showcases emerging bands on Tuesday nights. Pave on Princes Avenue hosts its Live Sundays every week. While Asylum in our Students’ Union hosts gigs by everyone from Belle & Sebastian to Self Esteem.

Clubbing

Asylum, our very own award-winning nightclub right here on campus, is home to Tower: the biggest and longest running student night in Hull. Spiders on Saturday serves up punk, metal, Motown … and cocktails like Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters. Social on Humber Street spins pop and soul. Wait, what day is it? Oh, and Jelly! for indie every Thursday at The Welly.

students at asylum nightclub on a night out

concert at Bonus arena with light blur and confetti in the air

Crowds of young people dancing in Asylum nightclub

External shot of Mididleton hall at night with red lights

Here, there’s possibility
around every corner

Memories to last a lifetime

When Hull is the life and soul of the party, it can't help but love a party. With local festivals, fairs and parades, we always find a way to celebrate.

Freedom Festival

A whole weekend dedicated to art, music and theatre, Freedom Festival brings together thousands of people each year to experience world-class performances and exhibitions.

Hull Fair

The sights, the smells, the lights and the food. For one week in October, one of Europe's biggest travelling fairs comes to Hull. You do not want to miss it.

Humber Street Sesh

This award-winning festival showcases over 100 acts and provides a platform for emerging artists and musicians across the region.

Pride in Hull

Pride in Hull celebrates the LGBT+ community with friends and allies across the region. Everyone is welcome here, and this event is equal parts protest and party.

Victoria square in Hull showing the fountains and city hall building

Virtual Tour

Visit Hull before you get here

Take a virtual tour of our buzzing student quarter, as well as Hull itself: a city that embodies that famously warm Northern welcome. There's lots to see and loads to do. So lets get going...

Take a tour

More to explore

Our city

Travelling to Hull and beyond

Your social life as a Hull student