Southampton reduced to Carnage
Floods of students draped with their £10 Carnage t-shirts are ushered by Stewards and over watched by police from venue to venue. The regularity of this event is a cause for concern to many local residents.
Martin James, manager, Buddha Lounge, Bedford Place, Southampton said: “There are lots more stewards and the whole thing is managed a lot better than it was in previous years”.
Southampton regularly experiences the hugely participated student club crawl known as Carnage. Clubs such as Buddha Lounge, 90 degrees and Vodka revolution pay Carnage to attract streams of students to their door ways with the promise of a big night of boozing. Advertised by Carnage UK, owned by the Varsity Leisure group as “Quite simply the best student event ever”. Nuts Magazine naming Carnage as the number one student event of the year, since 2004.
Southampton is one of 45 student cities involved in Carnage UK events across the United Kingdom. Carnage attracts students from Southampton and Winchester. With a student population of 10,000 from Solent alone, the streets are guaranteed to be full. Drunk and disorderly students marching through the streets until the early hours chanting and screaming. Noise disturbance, litter and other general damage is an assured occurrence on a Carnage night.
Carnage UK is constantly being pulled up for the inappropriate behaviour of its participants. Jane Flew, 44 who lives in Portswood said: “They are so rude when they go on their mad, bloody, binge drinking”. Although she did assure us that it’s not all students who act in this degrading way. In 2009 a student from Sheffield Hallam University was taken to court for urinating on a war memorial during a Carnage night. A year later, a repeat of this embarrassing behaviour in Southampton, outrages local press and the community. Receiving negative feedback from press and Southampton residents, Carnage nights are continually branded with a reputation for trouble.
James argues that Carnage nights are actually tame and controllable. He said: “To be honest Carnage nights have changed a lot and got a lot better, especially after the memorial incident. There are lots more stewards and the whole thing is managed a lot better than it was in previous years”.
Carnage appears to be an excuse for students to let loose, booze up and forget the world around them. “Being one of the first venues the students are at their most controlled, most of them come in virtually sober. Although I don’t think the aftermath is any different to a normal night”, said: James.
Beverages such as Jagerbombs and vodka mixers are placed at higher ‘Carnage’ prices rather than student deals. Although this does not defer the binging and resulting behaviour. “The stewards are there but we do employ extra bodies to ensure it all runs smoothly. Normally we have three men on the door but for Carnage we have five”, said James. 
When alcohol and students are involved, situations are likelihood; But Carnage management appears to be improved. With the stamp of approval from both clubs and Southampton City council, residents will have to take Carnage with a pinch of salt and a shot of tequila.
Buddha Lounge dance floor.
Students dancing during Southampton Carnage (Hence blur).
Students drinking Jagerbombs in Buddha Lounge.
Carnage T-shirts, Alcoholic beverages.
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