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A typical Ōtepoti student knows the ins and outs of each club and venue in town. They know the sticky floors, vape clouds hanging above the dance floor, and the sickly sweet smell of alcohol in the air. The overpriced drinks and pint specials lure us into coming out night after night, just for the notion that we might stop at that banging Kebab joint on our way back down George St. But UBar is different. Situated right here on campus, you may not first think that the nightlife is particularly rampant in this underground bar. But on Wednesday nights after 8pm, it becomes a hub for student activity and locally grown music. As an American international student, I’m not quite used to the bar atmosphere yet. But let me tell you about my experience at UBar’s Pint Night this last Wednesday, the perfect way to find local music and good pints.
Pint Night is a draw for many tired students trying to make it to the end of the week, a sustaining night out that has you back in your flat or at your hall at a reasonable (enough) time to make it to your 9 am the next morning. Let's face it though, you were going to skip that class anyway.
With its central location, UBar is a perfect starting point for many of Dunedin’s very own bands, musicians, and songwriters. The atmosphere is one that you can't help but want to create in, and the inspiration taken from students wanting to have fun is infectious. Many bands and singers start out their following at UBar, surrounded by peers who help to grow their following before they branch out into the wider Dunedin music scene.
With a hazy atmosphere and brightly painted walls, UBar has the kind of energetic vibe that can only occur when young people gather. The mural-adorned, wooden paneled walls might be mistaken for a nice restaurant, but the high tables and sticky floors are undeniably those of a bar. The hipster mixed with dive-bar feel is unique to UBar, a more diverse vibe compared to Vault 21 or Catacombs. The music is loud, and the seating is spread out enough to accommodate the students who want to mingle with other groups.
When you travel to the dance floor, the people there are piled up against the barricade, screaming for Purple Dog, Ammonita, or Monkey Do to ‘PLAY ONE MORE SONG!’. The air is electric, and you can just make out the silhouettes of people dancing in the neon blue lights rimming the walls. This is an honest-to-God bar dancefloor, where the ceiling is less than a meter above your head and occasionally drips on you. The determination of this many Otago students to fit into such a space is admirable.
Whether you want a sober evening of fun or a more buzzed night that makes up for the clubs being closed, Pint Night at UBar has the vibes, and more importantly, the pints. Dunedin’s favourite bands and performers are booked and ready to entertain you and your friends, and the friendly staff and security are ready to make sure you have fun, all on campus property. After my first Pint Night at UBar, it's safe to say that I sure did.
