Charley’s unsolicited weekly take on the uni topics no one else dares to mention…
Because obviously you’re dying to know, I decided to venture out to the first “Leadmill Fridays” at our very own Foundry. This was definitely an important professional journalistic mission, and there were in no way other reasons I attended.
As a leadmill regular last year, I am very much qualified to point out the pros and cons of what can only be called the zombie version of Leadmill Fridays.
First, because sometimes we need to be optimistic, are the pros:
- The journey: it is significantly easier to both get there and home from the foundry than the leadmill from most uni accommodation and houses. Regular buses, ubers and decent walking distance. Who’s to complain when you can walk home in 20 minutes rather than getting lost in the city center at 3am with no way to get back?
- Uni Of supremacy: hosting this club night in a Uni Of Sheffield venue instantly means the amount of Hallam students decrease, which is not necessarily an awful thing!
- Entry: surprisingly for the foundry, the queues were minimal and we got in smoothly and easily, not having to push and shove like I am accustomed to on a very specific Wednesday foundry club night. AND, you can get in with your ucard if you forget your ID which is always a plus.
- The smokers area: you can’t beat a nightclub smokers, even if you dnt smoke yourself. This is the place to meet the most random people that you’ll probably never meet again but will gain the fondest memories of a 26 year old physics student that you unironically bullied for an hour (sorry!) or the girl that invited you to her birthday party in January!
I’ve been very generous and given you four whole positives of my experience – so now for interesting part: the cons of the night:
- Doors close at 12:30: classic foundry move, but when you’re used to turning up at the Leadmill at 1:30 am earliest, you can definitely notice the change. When you have to run down conduit road in fear of being too late entry, you know there may be a slight problem going forward
- The price of drinks: all i can say is the cheap leadmill drinks are no more: replaced with 2 double vodka mixers for £9 which is absolutely abominable. I really don’t want to take out a loan to get drunk thank you very much. And the worst bit: the leadmill card doesn’t even work anymore – you have to BUY a new one- ridiculous! It’s starting to feel like much more of a money making scheme than the classic chaotic Friday night we all know and love.
- The music: absolutely dead for at least the first hour, with even the indie room (no doubt the best room ever) not even playing any real bangers until about 2am. By the time the fun actually starts, your feet are aching, your mouth is dry and wallets empty – but you persevere anyway!
Feel free to take what you’d like from my comments, but believe me I do know what i’m saying. Overall, I’m sure i’ll be back (because what else am I supposed to do?) but will forever be in mourning for my beloved Leadmill, which can never be fully revived.
Come back next Monday for another column from your new favourite oversharer!
