Starting university in Exeter? Welcome to one of the best small cities in the UK for food, drinks, live entertainment and unforgettable nights out.
Whether you are arriving in Exeter for the first time, returning for another year or simply looking for somewhere new to go with your housemates, Freshers is the perfect time to discover everything the city has to offer.
Exeter might be compact enough to explore on foot, but it is packed with independent venues, restaurants, cocktail bars, live events and late-night experiences. It does not take long to find your favourite places, meet your people and begin creating the stories you will still be talking about at graduation.
Here is our guide to eating, drinking and going out during Exeter Freshers 2026.
Welcome To Exeter
Exeter combines the energy of a university city with the personality of somewhere much more intimate. You can walk from the historic city centre to many of its best bars and restaurants, discover independent businesses around almost every corner and enjoy a night out without spending half of it travelling between venues.
The city attracts students from across the UK and around the world, so Freshers is filled with people who are just as new as you are. Everyone is looking to meet new friends, explore their surroundings and find the places that will become part of their university experience.
The best Freshers memories rarely begin with a perfect plan. They begin with good people, a great atmosphere and deciding to try somewhere new.
Where To Go Out In Exeter
Exeter city centre is the natural starting point for a night out. It has everything from relaxed places for an afternoon catch-up to cocktail bars, live entertainment and venues that keep the music going late into the night.
One of the best things about going out in Exeter is the variety. Your evening can begin with food, move into cocktails and finish with music or an event, all without needing to leave the city centre.
Oriels is located at 223–226 High Street, putting us right in the heart of it. We are open from midday, making us a place where you can meet for lunch, begin your evening or stay out late with your new university friends.
Start With Food
Going straight from a day of unpacking, introductions and Freshers activities into a night out is a classic mistake. Starting with food gives everyone time to relax, learn each other's names properly and make a plan for the evening.
At Oriels, our menu is made for social occasions. You can settle in for a full meal or choose something more casual before the night begins. It works just as well for a catch-up with one new friend as it does for bringing the whole flat together.
If nobody can agree on what to order, our online food-matching quiz can help you find an Oriels dish based on your hunger, mood and table energy. It will even suggest a cocktail pairing.
Find Your New Favourite Cocktail
Freshers is an opportunity to try new things, and that includes moving beyond the same drink you have ordered everywhere else.
Our cocktail menu combines signature serves with familiar classics, so there is something for every taste. Whether you prefer something sweet, fruity, refreshing or a little stronger, our team can help you find your new favourite.
You do not need to drink alcohol to be part of the night, either. A good night out should be about the people you are with and the experience you share, not what happens to be in your glass.
More Than Just A Night At The Bar
The best student nights are the ones that give you something to do, watch or talk about. That is why Oriel's is built around experiences as much as food and drink.
Live Music And DJs
Discover live performances, DJs and late-night music in the heart of Exeter. Keep an eye on our events page to see what is coming up during Freshers and throughout the university year.
Oriels Comedy Club
Our Sunday Comedy Club brings live stand-up to Exeter every week. It is an easy, low-pressure way to spend an evening with new friends and gives everyone something to talk about afterwards.
Bottomless Brunch
When you want to turn the weekend into an occasion, our themed bottomless brunches combine food, drinks, music and entertainment in one lively afternoon experience.
Group Celebrations
From society socials and sports-team celebrations to birthdays and end-of-term parties, Oriels offers group bookings and private-hire options for events of different sizes.
Make Sunday Part Of The Weekend
Sunday does not need to mean sitting at home thinking about Monday morning. At Oriels, it means live stand-up comedy in the middle of Exeter.
Our Comedy Club features performers from across the UK comedy circuit, with a new lineup bringing a different atmosphere every week. It is a brilliant option when you want a proper night out without doing exactly the same thing you did on Friday or Saturday.
Comedy also removes one of the most awkward parts of meeting new people: trying to keep a conversation going all evening. Watch the show, share the experience and let the comedians provide the talking points.
Planning A Society Or Team Social?
University life is not only about lectures. Joining a society, club or sports team is one of the easiest ways to meet people who share your interests.
When it is your turn to arrange the social, choosing somewhere central and flexible makes everything easier. Oriels can accommodate anything from relaxed group bookings to private celebrations, society events and larger team parties.
Our central High Street location, food and drinks options, music, lighting and late licence mean your group can spend more time enjoying the occasion and less time moving everyone between different places.
The people you meet during Freshers can shape your entire university experience. Give yourselves somewhere memorable to meet.
Freshers Night-Out Essentials
A little preparation can make the difference between a brilliant night and one that ends before it properly begins.
Bring Valid Photo ID
Oriels operates a Challenge 25 policy, so remember to bring valid photographic identification when visiting us in the evening.
Plan Your Journey Home
Decide how you are getting home before going out, keep enough charge on your phone and stay in contact with the people you arrived with.
Eat Before Drinking
Make food part of the plan, pace yourself throughout the evening and drink water regularly.
Book Popular Events Early
Comedy nights, themed brunches and special events can be busy. Check availability and book ahead when there is something you do not want to miss.
Your University Experience Starts Here
Freshers can feel exciting, overwhelming and slightly chaotic all at once. You are learning a new city, meeting more people than you can possibly remember and beginning a completely new part of your life.
You do not need to experience everything in the first week. Exeter has plenty waiting for you throughout the year, from food and cocktails to comedy, live music, themed brunches and spontaneous nights out.
Oriels is proudly independent and based in the heart of Exeter city centre. Since opening in 2025, we have set out to create somewhere people can eat, drink, laugh, celebrate and make memories together.
So gather your new flatmates, bring the people you met five minutes ago and come and discover your new city.
Welcome to Exeter. We will see you at Oriels.