Hey fresher – welcome to Boro!
We know you’re here to study but when you’re ready for a break from lectures and deadlines, this list has you covered! Scroll down for all the best student discounts plus a few of our recs.
From instagrammable hot spots and nights out with your new mates, to where to take your parents when they’re here to do your washing visit, consider this your starter guide to student life in Middlesbrough.
Good for the ’gram 📸
- Café Etch – the cosiest cafe in town
- Disgraceland – you know a place is cool when you can read the walls
- Dovecot – you’re no-one until your photo dumps feature their selfie wall
- The Nuthatch – cocktail glass goals
- The Twisted Lip – the warthog in a tiara is gorge IYKYK
Foodie Faves
- Alkaline Kitchen – vegan perfection
- Baker Street Kitchen – breakfast (lunch and dinner) of actual champions
- Off the Ground – the real OGs eat here
- Steam and Bean – matcha heaven
- The Greek Spot – fresh authentic Greek pastries
- Uttapam – the ultimate hidden gem
Get the gang together
The group chat has finally agreed on a date. Now you just need somewhere to go.
- Level X – arcade games, pool, darts, go karting and mini golf all under one roof
- Play – literally the best quiz nights ever
- Putter Chaos – mini golf with a quirky Boro twist
- Sapphires – the cast of Smoggie Queens end up here, it’s iconic chick x
- The Empire – there’s a reason the queue for this club is massive, join it or wish you had
Parents are paying
When the fam comes to visit, take full advantage. After weeks of Pot Noodles, you deserve it.
- Acklam Hall Brasserie – Boro’s answer to the Bridgerton house
- Bazaar – so boujie, your student loan could never
- Bloom – if your mam likes a boogie, bring her to Bloom
- Rio Brazillion Steakhouse – bottomless steak, need we say more?
- Umi – sushi but make it chic AF
Find your tribe
One of the best bits about student life is finding your people, and whatever you’re into, there’s a good chance you’ll find them in Boro.
- For the arty ones: Explore exhibitions at MIMA and The Auxiliary. Be sure to check out Sawdust too
- For country music fans: Pull on your cowboy boots and do-si-do down to Honky Tonks
- For budding entrepreneurs: Head to Flok for networking events and digital and tech talks
- For tabletop gamers: Find your next campaign at Gates of Cerberus or Rising Phoenix
- For the gig-goers: Get yourself to Middlesbrough Town Hall and The Empire
- For sports fans: No Sky Sports package? No problem – head to Pitch! or STACK to catch the match
- For film fans: Sit on the back row at ODEON or Roxy Movies
Need a trim
You can’t bring your hairdresser or barber to uni, soz.
- All dolled up – icons only pls
- Head Quarters – barbers 🤝beverages
- King B – if you’re going to cheat on your old barber, it might as well be with the king
- The Copperhouse – a safe pair of hands right in the town centre
- Skins and Needles – go in for a fade, come out with a full sleeve
Let’s talk parmos
You knew this was coming.
If you’re going to call Middlesbrough home, you need to have a parmo. Consider it an essential part of your Middlesbrough education.
Where serves the best one is a debate we’re absolutely not getting involved in.
You’ll have to conduct your own very serious research, but here are a couple of places to get you started:
Stuff for your diary
There’s always something going on in Boro. Take a break from the library and check these out:
- Bongo’s Bingo – hoovers and hangovers, and that’s all we’ll say on the matter
- Christmas light switch on – Middlesbrough but make it ✨ twinkly ✨
- The Empire – their gig line up is popping off atm, see for yourself.
- Turner Prize 2026 – this is a huge deal, make sure future-you can say “I went there!”
- Twisterella – award-winning music festival on Saturday 3 October
Home away from home
Got friends or family coming to visit? Here’s some places for people to stay:
P.S. If your parents are visiting, we’d strongly recommend revisiting the ‘Parents are paying’ section above.
The Boro bucket list
You can’t live in Middlesbrough without ticking off a few of the classics. How many can you tick off before graduation?
- Read a book inside Middlesbrough Central Library
- Explore Dorman Museum
- Shout ‘UP THE BORO!’ at the Riverside Stadium
- Take a hike up Roseberry Topping
- Snap a pic of the Transporter Bridge
Use your Railcard
One of the perks of moving to Middlesbrough is having loads to explore nearby. You’ve got the coast, the countryside and the big city right on your doorstep. Here are a few cool spots to choo-choo choose from:
- Durham – explore Durham’s stunning Cathedral – a firm fave for Harry Potter fans
- Goathland – another filming location for Harry Potter. Step on the train as a fresher at Teesside, step off the train as a fresher at Hogwarts
- Redcar – home of the famous Pacitto’s lemon top, a Teesside delicacy which everyone should try
- Saltburn-by-the-Sea – hop on board the Victorian funicular before taking a stroll along the scenic pier
- Whitby – if Dracula’s on your reading list then this is essential
- York – food, drink and cobbles galore
Just don’t forget your Railcard!
Student discounts
Your student ID isn’t just proof that you should be in that 9am lecture.
Loads of businesses offer student discounts, so it’s always worth checking before you pay. Have your student ID handy and sign up to platforms like UNiDAYS, Student Beans and TOTUM to see what’s available.
A few local spots that offer student discounts
- Coco and Rum: 10% off (show student ID)
- Brow Junction: 15% off with Student Beans app
- Dickens: 20% off food, 10% off drinks, 10% off bottomless brunch (show student ID)
- The Copperstone: 20% off main menu from Tues-Thurs (show student ID)
- The Southfield: 25% off all food, Sunday-Friday with Student MIXR app (sign up with your student ID and get a free drink)
- The Waggon: 10% off food and drinks excluding current promotions (show student ID)
And a few big names with student discount
- Ann Summers: 15%-20% off (show student ID and UniDays/Totum/Student Beans app)
- Boots: 10% off with Boots Advantage Card and student ID (pop into the shop to link them up)
- Ernest Jones: 15% off with the Student Beans app
- Holland and Barrett: 20% off in store (show student ID)
- Pandora: 10% off in store with the Student Beans app
- Waterstones: 5% off with Student Waterstones Plus (sign up in store with your student ID)
There’s loads more to Middlesbrough than we could ever squeeze onto one list.
Find your favourite coffee spot. Try your first parmo. Discover a new band. Cheer on the Boro. And make the most of the town while you’re here.
Got a Middlesbrough student essential we’ve missed? Let us know!
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