10 Fun Alternatives To Alcohol & Drinking During Freshers' Week

There are plenty of fun things you can do during your freshers' week as alternatives to alcohol and drinking.

Whether you don't drink at all, or just want to take a break from drinking there's no reason why you can't have fun during your freshers' week. Although a lot of freshers' and uni culture does revolve around drinking, you definitely won't be alone if you prefer not to or choose not to drink. In fact, over half of incoming students surveyed in our 2024 Freshers' report said they weren't planning on drinking at all. And with the cost of living ever on our mind, a sober night out is a cheaper alternative than drinking during Freshers'.

So we've gathered some fun alternatives to alcohol and drinking that you can do with your flatmates during Freshers':

1. Have a movie night

Your taste in movies can really bond you with your housemates, but a movie night is also a great way to strike up conversations and learn about the different interests your new friends have.

You can even use the opportunity to all bring your own snack plate (honestly, we're all about the food), to accompany your favourite film.

So decide who has the best TV setup in their room, grab your snacks, take a lucky dip of which film to watch and make some mems.

2. Check out university societies

Clubs, societies and hobbies – there's one thing you won't be at uni and that is BORED.

Every university puts on so many different types of societies, so whether you're a sporty type, have a niche hobby or just need an excuse to meet new people, there's probably a society for you. Sober societies are becoming more common, with a list of the top 10 revealing unis with hundreds of sober societies – the University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester specifically have over 400 sober societies, showing the growing trend of sober life at uni.

3. Go to a pub quiz

Just because you're not drinking doesn't mean you can't get involved in pub activities. It might even make you a bit sharper at the pub quiz if you're going sober. You can check out their alcohol-free beer, or just stick to the soft drinks, but most universities offer great alternatives to alcohol for students who don't drink.

Drinking or not, pub quizzes are a great way to bond with your new housemates, and even an opportunity to start a new tradition with your housemates. Most student unions will run regular pub quizzes but even more so during Freshers' week, so check out what's in store – and make sure you come up with a good team quiz name!

4. Try out new local restaurants or order takeaway

An absolute essential when you're at uni is scoping out the good restaurants and takeaway options for those days when cooking is not an option. Obviously you'll have your Student Beans food & drink discount codes in hand, so why not take advantage of the amazing deals you'll get?

Take turns with your housemates to choose your favourite takeaway option, then test out the local spots so you've got the need to know on the best places to order in the future.

5. Have a gaming night

Let's be real, nothing bonds people like a gaming session. Figure out who has the best gaming setup in their room or house, and get the multiplayer fun going. No alcohol necessary, but it'll give you a good opportunity to find out what games everybody likes to play within your halls or house.

Find out how to upgrade your gaming setup to get ready for uni.

6. Check out events at Freshers' Fayres

During Freshers' week one of the biggest events that your uni will put on is a Freshers' Fayre – sometimes they're on the first few days but they can last the whole week. This is a great way to discover all the different societies, clubs, events that the university is putting on during Freshers' week and beyond. There will be stands and representatives from societies, the student union and more, so you can chat to find out more about the different clubs and ask what the sober offering is like for students.

It's also another great way to make some new friends, especially if you see someone checking out a club or society that you'd like to join – an instant mutual interest!

7. Go sightseeing

If you've moved to a new town or city, finding your way around can be a little bit daunting, but Freshers' week is the perfect time to go exploring and find your bearings. Working out the best routes back from town and seeing what sites your new home has to offer is a great alternative to drinking this Freshers'.

8. Take a walk around campus

Depending on where your university is, you could have one big campus or lots spread out around the city. If you're the type that likes to feel prepared when they're starting somewhere new, then it's a good idea to check out your schedule so you can see where you need to go for your lectures, seminars or other study groups.

Test out the route, check out where the nearest toilets are, nearest coffee spots (for your free coffee, of course) and see where the library or computer suite is nearby. It'lll really help you get to grips with your surroundings, and can be a fun activity to do with your new housemates too.

9. Have a Come Dine With Me dinner party

If you're trying to think of ways to bond with your new housemates without trashing your flat to pre-drinks, then why not host a 'come dine with me' style dinner party? It's pretty self-explanatory, but if you're not au fait with the absolute classical television show (in which case, you should be), each housemate takes it in turn to host a dinner party every night. It should include three courses AND entertainment if you're dedicated – perfect time to reveal your secret party tricks.

This can be a super fun way to break the ice when making friends, communally cringe at terrible cooking or basically nominate a house chef. You could even spread this out so that it's a night each week, in case it's hard to get everyone in one place every night of a week.

10. Go to clubs (or sober bars if you're looking for alcohol-free solutions)

You're not drinking – you're not boring. There's no rule that says you need to drink to have a good time in a club, so crack on with the nights out but stick to the soft drinks. There are so many alternatives to alcohol these days, so see if you can find your new favourite mocktail.

You might actually find that a sober night out is the way forward, as you can witness all the shenanigans without getting that hanxiety feeling the morning after. It might even help you avoid Freshers' flu as you'll be in better health than your housemates!

With more and more students avoiding booze these days, it's no surprise that sober bars, serving non-alcoholic drinks, are becoming more popular in the UK, so if there's a sober bar near you, why not suggest it for an alcohol-free night out?

So now you're ready to tackle Freshers' week with lots to do that doesn't involve drinking! Time to tick off your university checklist before making the move. Make sure you're signed up to Student Beans to take advantage of the best student discounts for your new adventure.