Ramshackle

It’s been years since I went to Ramshackle, but in my first year at university it was either that or the Oceana/​Lizard Lounge circuit so I ended up on the sticky floors of the then Carling Academy more times than I care to admit.
So predictably there’s a reason I may have moved on in the Bristol clubworld. There are some relatively big names roped in to do the occasional dj set and drinks are very cheap, but unless you’re under 21 and heavily into your emo/​indie music this night is unlikely to float your boat.

Ramshackle is an alternative club night which takes place on a Friday at the o2, and it’s especially geared towards the younger audience around 18−24ish.
I personally am not a fan of this night — I have been here once and felt a bit out of place. I got the feeling that you had to be of a certain look and style to fit in here — and not just anything goes. Everyone in the ‘scene’ dressed pretty indie and grungy (youths and student will get this term!), and the music wasn’t really up my street.
On a plus side, drinks prices were pretty good — think student prices — and if you have an NUS card then you get money off entry. If you really fancy trying somewhere different then by all means give it a go — but I won’t be going back.

Careful promotion and word of mouth have turned a somewhat cheesy clubnight into something of a religion among the indie and alternative crowd of the city. Ramshackle happens on a Friday night, giving you enough time to recharge after Syndicate’s Propaganda clubnight on a Wednesday. Resident DJs and guest sets manage to make every week seem like a party. The drinks are cheap; £1.95 for a pint, alcopops, vodka and coke etc. and the signature ‘cocktail’ (vodka VK blue and coke), the Yo-​Yo is always popular. If you’re up for getting away from the mainstream indie hits (main room), try the Star Bar Academy 2 upstairs for more metally tunes or the back bar for a more clubby dubstep and drum and bass atmosphere.

This weekly Friday night indie dance behemoth continues to pack in a curious mixture of students, scenesters, beer boys, emos and a slightly confused looking minority who lack the imagaination/​cash to source a better alternative.
And money is certainly a motivator here as (somewhat shockingly for the Academy) the booze is puke-​inducingly cheap; around £2 a pint with various shot promotions. The huge dancefloor positiviely heaves with a curious blend including a great many who can’t actually be bothered to dance (?!) and others who are never happier than when punching someone in the face.
It’s an okay night if you’re in a big group and there’s nothing else on, though it only really comes into its own when they showcase up and coming bands (The Cribs, The Fratellis and Little Boots have all played live for free in the past).