Lincoln doesn’t exactly play by the rules. On one hand, it’s a historic city adorned with castles, cathedrals, and cobblestones. On the other, it’s crammed with bars and clubs that excite even those jaded third year students. Throw parties, games, cultural events, and social meetups into the mix and you get one of the most varied, most exciting, most beloved student cities in the UK.

Grab your mates, shove your student card in your pocket, and get to know your city:

  1. Get lit Friday night

Lincoln is steeped in history, but on Friday night 90% of its students are steeped in alcohol. Everyone heads to Superbull at Moka from 10pm – Lincoln’s longest running student night. Huge DJs reign over euphoric fun across three floors of cheese, chart, urban, RnB, hip-hop and indie all night long. Get tickets before you go because queues are insane.

  1. Prefer alt music?

Head to Sugarcubes from 11pm. It ain’t student night (that’s Tuesdays!), but it’s cheap and the music’s great. Vigorous headbanging optional, but encouraged.

  1. Breakfast at Rising Café Lincoln, a hidden gem

Coffee and a “Babe Ruth” Breakfast Bruschetta will revive you and your mates Saturday morning. Rising Café is staffed by women recovering from addiction, homelessness, or prostitution and all profit goes directly to “helping restore once-vulnerable lives.” And, with homemade food from just £2 and 15% student discount, you’ll barely dent your budget. Win! It opens at 10.30am and is a 10-minute walk from the University of Lincoln.

  1. Pre-drink, eat, and play for a tenner at Buzz Bingo (it’s not just for grannies these days)

Bingo is quickly becoming a UK student phenomenon. Probably because it’s fun, cheap, and you could win enough to cover your night out. Bingo’s dead easy to play, especially on electronic touchpads – the autoplay option means you won’t miss a number.

Buzz Bingo is just a 15-minute walk from the University of Lincoln and knocks it outta the park with value – new players get bingo and your first drink all-in for a tenner. After that, cocktails are just £3.99, 4-pint pitchers are £11, and two main meals are £9.50. The food is surprisingly delicious, try the chicken basket. There are three sessions every Saturday night- get there at 6.15pm, 7pm, or 8pm and choose electronic touchpads.

  1. Party time at Anthem

Take your bingo winnings to festival party night Anthem at the Engine Shed! Dance to the biggest tunes from Arctic Monkeys to Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy to Major Lazer, and The 1975 to Stormzy. Drinks are £2, the stage production is insane, they do awesome giveaways, and the DJs are all massive-deal. It’s hands-down the place to be on Saturday nights from 10.30pm.

  1. Sunday brunch

Lie in today, you need it. When you finally emerge, stagger only as far as The Quad Diner in University of Lincoln’s Minerva Building for cheap eats, or The Refectory if you’re at Bishop Grosseteste.

  1. Kick some ass at Akēdo gaming bar

Once you’re feeling alive, go to Akēdo gaming bar on Corporation Street, inspired by gaming cafes in South Korea and Japan. It seems obvious to say it, but as tech-savvy young adults our lives can feel utterly dictated by smart phones, laptops, calendar pop ups and push notifications. Akēdo offers a chance to escape all that – gaming consoles of the 80s were built for fun with friends, end of.

Events on Sunday afternoons include movie nights, video game exchanges and live music. If you still want alcohol (you monster!), go for a craft beer or try the bourbon and blueberry Blind Pig cider in the upstairs bar. Check out gaming and geek culture art plastered on the walls, too.

Message your mates, organise where you’ll meet up Friday evening, and keep this guide open on your phone while you have an epic weekend to remember.