Ride Bar, Nottingham Central

Are you based in Nottingham? Do you love partying the night away? Are you an arcade game enthusiast? Then this bar might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Ride Bar is situated in Nottingham’s nightlife centre. Surrounded by bars and clubs, it is a popular destination for both locals and students alike. Don’t be fooled by its size, it may be small, but the music is good the drinks deals are great!

First things first, you need to get the dress code correct. Ride bar operate with a strict dress code. No snapbacks, no outrageous t-shirts, no trainers! Smart casual is the intended mood. That means collars and smart shoes for boys, and dresses and tops for girls. With signs all over the bar reminding you of the dress code, its better to get it right than having to go home early.

Now it’s on to the more important stuff. During term time, the Nottingham Trent University Snow Sports society frequents the venue before going out on their weekly socials. To accommodate this, the bar picks up a snow-sport theme. Covered in fake snow and with snowboarding slogans all over the wall, the venue really does transform into an après-ski party. If that isn’t cool enough for you, Ride also provides a selection of bar games to keep you entertained. Hoping to stir up feelings of nostalgia, they have vintage arcade game tables like PacMan and Space Invaders, combining the best childhood games with all the guilty pleasures of being an adult.

When it comes to the all-important drinks prices, ride has a wide selection of spirits, beers and classic cocktails for you to choose from. If you’re a student, make sure to look at the ‘Student Deals’ offer board and you’ll see some of the best drinks offers in Nottingham, serving everyone’s favourite, bottles of Desperados and pints of snakebite, for just £2.50. In 2010, it was voted Best Small Bar in Nottingham at the local nightlife awards. If that doesn’t convince you, nothing will!

Open seven days a week until 1 AM and with some the finest nights in Nottingham, such as ‘Smashbox’ and ‘Shake n Break’, Ride Bar provides the perfect setting for either a quiet drink or something a little more adventurous. So next time you’re in Nottingham, have a drink at Ride Bar, through caution to the wind and see where the night takes you!

By Paige Bromley