Sheffield is a city with a thriving student population, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s packed with top attractions, trendy eateries, boozy bars and lively nightlife. Oh, and last year it was named as one of the top three most affordable student cities in the UK – bonus!
If you’re heading to the northern city for uni then hold tight – we’ve compiled an ultimate guide of the best things to do in Sheffield, including the best things to see, do, and eat.
From award winning Indian cuisines, to authentic Italian dishes, Sheffield is home to a whole host of mouthwatering eateries.
Set in a grade II listed Victorian building, Sheffield Waterworks is a bit fancier than your average Wetherspoons. But, it has everything you’d expect from the reliable food chain – cheap booze and brilliant value food.
Located in the heart of Sheffield’s bustling Kelham Island, The Grind Café is an award-winning café and bar. With fresh coffee, tasty baked treats, and delicious dishes like bacon and maple syrup pancakes or Turkish eggs, it’s a great brunch spot for those lazy mornings before afternoon lectures.
For affordable food and drinks, you can’t beat Bar One at Sheffield Students’ Union. Open every day from 12pm until late, you’ll find every drink imaginable, as well as burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches for satisfying those hangover cravings!
Featured in The Times Top 10 Indian Restaurants and listed within the Top 60 in the Good Curry Guide, Ashoka is Sheffield’s oldest and most popular Indian restaurant. Try the famous Karamelised Kashmiri or the Mustard Pepper Lamb Chops straight from the tandoor – mmmm.
Nonnas is an iconic multi-award-winning Italian restaurant located on Ecclesall Road. There’s an extensive menu featuring Tuscan classics like burrata, bruschetta, antipasti, fresh pasta, and delicious meat and fish dishes.
Who doesn’t love an Irish pub? For the best craic in town, head to authentic Irish tavern, Molly Malones. Every Wednesday is student night, where both Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield University sports teams collide before heading off to HallamNation and ROAR.
With regular drinks deals, free entry, guest DJs and themed nights - Coco Lounge is a popular hangout for students. If you’re peckish, there’s a small but perfectly formed food menu including gyoza, spring rolls, ribs, wings and BBQ skewers.
Ready to hit the clubs after pre-drinks? Check out Sheffield’s best below.
The Leadmill is the longest running live music venue in Sheffield and has played a pivotal role in the careers of some of the UK’s most famous rock artists. As well as live music, The Leadmill hosts Freshers’ events and club nights throughout the year, including Leadmill Fridays – its popular student night.
Located at Sheffield Students’ Union, just around the corner from Bar One, Foundry is a three-room live music and club night venue. During Freshers’ Week, the venue plays host to themed nights each day, including The Big Freshers’ Ice Breaker, Grapefruit LGBTQ, and Desert Island Beach Party.
Known as ‘Corp’ by the locals, Corporation is an independent live music venue and nightclub. It hosts live music from touring bands and club nights like Skint Wednesday, where drinks start from 90p and tickets to see DJs and live entertainment cost as little as £1 (win, win!).
For your house, tech and bass fix, head to Tank at Arundel Gate. Open until 5am, this sprawling underground nightclub is the ultimate destination for late-night revellers and electronic music lovers. It plays host to the legendary annual Bassfest and a number of student nights throughout the year.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Sheffield – you’re in luck! The city is full of exciting attractions and activities to keep you busy all year round…
Day or night, Lane 7 is a lively venue packed with activities, including bowling, ping-pong, darts, arcade games, beer pong, American pool, and shuffleboard.
After working up an appetite, refuel with a tasty burger and sides from resident food vendor, Fat Hippo. Wash it all down with a cocktail, beer, hard shake, or alcoholic slushy.
This jaw-dropping inflatable theme park is the perfect place to burn off some steam.
Take on challenging obstacle courses, slides, giant wipe-out balls, a huge ninja course, and an epic new football cage for a game of five-a-side.
Don’t forget your TOTUM card to get 20% off entry.
Open seven days a week until late, Boom Battle Bar is an experience not to be missed. There’s axe throwing, crazier golf, AR darts, beer pong and shuffleboard, plus two private hire karaoke rooms.
There’s also wings, street food treats, cocktails, and craft beers. Plus, students get a 15% off full priced games on Monday – Thursday. Boom.
Golf Fang is a vibrant and eclectic 18-hole crazy golf experience, combined with street art from local graffiti artists, themed cocktails, street food and DJs.
The golf courses feature weird and wonderful designs including buses, shop fronts, film studios and pubs. Undergrads can book onto the Student Experience, which includes 18 holes and a drink.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Sheffield’s vibrant city centre. Although it is pretty hilly, the centre is compact enough to explore on foot…
If you’re in the market for a new outfit for Freshers’ Week, Sheffield has you covered. Meadowhall Shopping Centre is the best place to shop the latest high street and designer fashions. There are 290 stores from top independent and international brands to choose from, plus 50 places to eat and drink and an 11-screen cinema.
Home to Sheffield’s largest selection of indie businesses, Moor Market is a must-visit for affordable clothing and footwear, as well as local produce, delis, homeware and food vendors.
Keen to find out more about the history of Sheffield? Check out Sheffield Museums. Featuring six free-to-visit venues, the museums tell stories of Sheffield and its people, and celebrate the city’s reputation for art, design and innovation.
Sheffield is also home to the National Videogame Museum. Here, you can explore how video games are made and who makes them, while playing gaming favourites like Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Pacman and FIFA.
Escape the noise of the city at Winter Garden – the largest urban glasshouse in Europe. Home to more than 2,500 plants from all around the world, colourful flowers and an indoor waterfall, there’s no better spot to sit and enjoy a coffee.
The Garden also provides free access to the Millennium Gallery, where you can see some of Sheffield’s unique heritage, alongside contemporary art and design exhibitions.
So, there is your ultimate list of things to do in Sheffield! Let’s get started ticking them off.
Still need to sort your accommodation? Don’t worry – there’s still time. Take a look at our selection of affordable student living spaces in Sheffield here.
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