Cherwell can exclusively report that Plush will begin a new Wednesday student night, Quackers. This comes after ATIK Oxford closed at the end of Trinity Term and coincides with the move of Park End, previously held at ATIK on Wednesdays, to Bridge.
The club aims to “refresh the scene”, with lower entry and drink prices compared to its competitors, in response to the rising cost of Oxford nightlife. This is set to include £1 shots and £5.50 doubles, alongside other drink deals, a Blues Events spokesperson told Cherwell.
Quackers will be exclusive to students, with a focus on those from Oxford University. It will feature a duck mascot and hopes to attract sports teams, including facilitating pre-drinks in various bars around the city. Plans are currently being made to enable sports socials between different teams.
Plush plans to introduce various themes throughout the term because the team hopes to counter “stale” nightlife with events that are “more than just clubbing”.
Bridge is set to host Park End, previously held at ATIK, also on Wednesdays. Before the closure of ATIK, Plush and Bridge were typically attended by students on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively.
Despite students telling Cherwell they find Oxford clubbing “astronomically expensive” compared to other cities, citing entry fees of over £10, venues have struggled to stay afloat.
The city has seen a number of clubs close over recent years, including Fever and Cirkus, largely due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. The Blues Events spokesperson told Cherwell that while they do not think new clubs will open, they hope to create contrast between Plush’s nights that counters the absence of other venues.
The closure of ATIK at the end of Trinity Term, as the result of the landlord’s decision, has left Plush and Bridge as the only clubs in the city centre. Nationally, as many as five clubs a week have closed, with various factors being cited, including lowering levels of drinking among young people and the rising cost of living.
