By Amelia Hart, Curation Editor
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Looking for the best clubs in London for students? For a big, affordable night, start with a ticketed room like Ministry of Sound; for a dressed-up West End night, 99 Regent Street (formerly the Cuckoo Club) is the pick, as long as everyone is 19 or over. Winging it in London usually isn't a good idea unless you're well connected, so here is where to go and how to do it without blowing the loan.
99 Regent Street (formerly Cuckoo Club)
99 Regent Street is the club formerly known as the Cuckoo Club, reopened in October 2026 by the Cuckoo founders with a new concept. It is not a student club, and it doesn't operate as a student bar or anything like that, but it is the obvious choice for students who want an exclusive, polished West End night out. The entrance is on Swallow Street, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus tube.
As of October 2026 it opens Wednesday to Saturday, 11pm to 4am. Wednesday and Thursday use one floor; on Friday and Saturday both floors are open, with open-format hip hop and RnB upstairs and house downstairs.
A few things students should know before going:
- Age: the door is 19+ with physical photo ID, no exceptions, so a first-year group with an 18-year-old in it should pick somewhere else.
- Dress code: elegant, and enforced at the door.
- Guestlist: by request, with mixed groups welcome. Entry runs from free to about £50 depending on the night and arrival time, as of October 2026, so ask in advance.
- Tables: from a £600 minimum spend, which covers entry for the group. Split across a big group, that can work out better than it sounds.
Ministry of Sound
A London staple, Ministry of Sound (or MoS) is a large warehouse-style nightclub in Elephant and Castle. It goes on until very late and features techno, EDM and house DJs, with The Box room built around one of the most famous sound systems in the country.
Entry is by advance ticket or a table booking; there is no guestlist, as of October 2026. Come in comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away.
Many students go to Ministry of Sound, and you're bound to meet people here. It's a big party with different types of people all coming together to have fun and make memories. It's an excellent club in London for students to feel included within a community, party, and make new friends.
Keeping a Student Night Out Affordable
The cheapest big nights in London are in the ticketed, music-led rooms rather than the table clubs of the West End. Our guide to the best clubs in London for a night out on a budget ranks Ministry of Sound, Fabric, XOYO, Egg London and KOKO on value, with the habits that keep the cost down: book the earliest advance ticket, arrive early, and warm up somewhere cheaper before you go in. If it is your first proper London club night, the London nightclub guide for first-timers covers queues, ID and timings.
For what is on this week across the big rooms, Time Out's London clubs coverage is the most reliable listings source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age for clubs in London?
The legal minimum is 18, and every club asks for photo ID at the door. Some venues set their own higher limit: 99 Regent Street is 19+ with physical photo ID, as of October 2026, so check before you travel as a group.
What is the cheapest way for students to go clubbing in London?
Pick a big ticketed room such as Ministry of Sound, buy the earliest advance ticket, and skip the table. Our budget clubbing guide has the full list of value venues and money-saving tips.
Do students need to book a table at 99 Regent Street?
No. The guestlist is by request and welcomes mixed groups, with entry from free to about £50 depending on the night and arrival time, as of October 2026. Tables start from a £600 minimum spend if the group wants one.
London boasts an array of vibrant nightlife options and the list runs much longer than the two clubs above. Still deciding? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan a student night out that suits your budget.
