Kingston is split into 4 sites and each has its own facilities. Overall Kingston has two main problems socially. First of all it takes many students from the local area. This means that people often live at home or spend a great deal of time there. There is no real spirit or atmosphere to the university as a whole. Secondly the students' union has to compete with the town, which is virtually impossible. All of the uni bars close at 11pm and revellers have to decamp to the town for late night action. There are however functions during fresher's week.
Penrhyn Rd.
This is the main site and has a simple bar and dancing space. It has recently been refurbished and has a fair capacity. It is a favourite with sports players on Wednesdays before a big night out. The bar is also popular with Asian students and this is reflected in the music policy. There are quite few student DJ's and the decks are open to all. The building also holds the dubious title of 'Europe's largest temporary bulding.' Overall it is pretty clubby in style.
Knights Park
This is the arts site and thus has a pretty relaxed clientele. The bar looks out on the river and is lovely in the Summer sun. The music policy is mainly indie and pop.
Kingston Hill
This site is the university's business school and is the furthest away from town and the main administrative centre. The decor is pleasant and the students are usually aspiring city types so cocktails are a favourite. Music is mostly commercial pop. As this site is the most isolated and is the only one with halls, it has a reasonable atmosphere. Still nothing to rival other colleges though.
Roehampton Vale
This is the engineering site and most people here work pretty hard so don't get out much.
The lack of any real bond or atmosphere at Kingston doesn't stop the students getting up to some jolly capers. One story from a reliable source told how after a night out in town a group of students couldn't be bothered to walk home and so stole a double decker bus being garaged for the night at the local bus station. They made it all the way home and thoughtfully left it at the end of the road so as to make sure it could easily be turned around in the morning. You might think that unofficial-guides.com condones these sort of activities. We, of course, couldn't possibly comment.
