Budgeting in college: Cinema deals, student discounts, affordable nights out, bike sharing and more

A Touch Of Culture

Ireland is home to incredibly culturally rich cities – but when money is tight, it can be hard to splurge on an outing. However, there’s no shortage of student deals in cinemas around the country.

Sign up to Odeon Cinemas’ myODEON for free, and enjoy loads of benefits and savings. IMC, meanwhile, is home to the Student Tuesday Meal Deal (€12).

At The Arc Cinema in Cork, there’s a range of midweek deals, including Student Wednesday tickets for just €6.50. Both Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema and Galway’s Pálás Cinema allow students to join their loyalty schemes for free, saving you online booking fees and offering €5 student tickets from Monday to Wednesday, as well as €4 popcorn (any size, anytime).

If you’re looking to enjoy the theatre in Dublin, the iconic Abbey offers affordable €15 front row tickets for all shows, and concession prices for students. Students can also avail of special discounts at the Gate Theatre. In Cork, there’s plenty of ways to save at The Everyman, including student tickets from €11.

The Everyman, Cork

On the live music front, Whelan’s and Fibber Magees in Dublin, as well as the Róisín Dubh in Galway and The Harbour Bar in Bray, regularly run free or very affordable gigs. You can also soak in trad sessions at Walsh’s, McNeill’s, Dudley’s, the Pipers Corner and Mother Reilly’s in Dublin; The Crane Bar and Tig Chóilí in Galway; Sin É, The Corner House and An Spailpín Fánach in Cork; and Dolan’s in Limerick – to name just a few.

Although it’s a one-night-a-year event, Culture Night is also a great way to experience a wide variety of events and venues you wouldn’t usually have access to. Taking place on September 20, this year’s event will include late opening hours and special events programmed at participating locations, free of charge.

Going Out On A Budget

Be sure to take full advantage of your college’s societies – many of which regularly organise events around the campus, handing out drinks and food to attendees. Towards the end of the year, there’ll also be lots of exhibitions showcasing students’ work – which can be a great, free way to enjoy art, and discover up-and-coming visual artists.

Finding free night outs can even be as simple as typing the keyword ‘free’ into EventBrite.ie – or going to nightclubs before 10 or 11pm to enjoy free entry. For something a little different, but just as dancey, Madigan’s on O’Connell Street offers free Bachata practice every other Sunday.

From Mondays to Wednesdays, disndat on Dame Court in Dublin also offers €5 pints, €7.50 spirits with a dash, €10 cocktails, free live music, and all-round good vibes. They also run a brilliant €10 pint of Guinness, toastie and crisps deal, available on weekdays until 5pm.

For that essential post-night-out snack – or for a meal to power you through the next day – you can use the Supermac’s app to score some Midweek Mayhem offers. You’ll also get €5 off your first order with the NEWBIE discount code (minimum order €25).

Cheap Ways To Get Around – And Look Your Best

Of course, nights out aren’t students only budgetary concerns. If you’re looking for cheap ways to travel into college and around the local area, TFI Bikes are a fantastic option. Available in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Waterford, you’ll find bike stations in handy locations throughout the cities. An annual subscription costs €10, with no additional charges for the first 30 minutes of each trip. Students in Dublin can also avail of Dublin Bikes (who offer a student subscription), Bleeper and MOBY.

To cut down on cosmetic expenses, going to a trainee is always a good idea – haircuts, for example, can be free if given from a student trainee.

The Grafton Barber, meanwhile – with locations right across the country – offers its own student discount: a Dry Trim Haircut for just €16 on weekdays, until 12.30pm.

Finally, websites and browser extensions like UNiDAYS and Student Beans are a great resource for finding online student discounts. Once you make an account with them the discount is applied to all sites they have a partnership with – covering fashion, beauty, technology, food and drink, fitness and more.

Read the full Student Special in the current issue of Hot Press – out now: