[HDNG]CITY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.17 [BULL] Glass of wine: 95p[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] In and around the city, there are 4 multiplexes with a total of 38 screens and various smaller cinemas, including specialist Indian cinemas, the arty Triangle cinema (on the [ULNE]Aston University[EULNE] campus) and the Tivoli cinema. The Odeon and MGM offer ú2.50 student deals. [ITAL]If you can't find a film they want to see, you're impossible to please.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] The Birmingham Rep is one of the [ITAL]best [EITAL]rep companies in the country, but it's not the only one in Birmingham - there's also the Alexandra Theatre and the Hippodrome for ballet. Everything from visiting RSC productions to the Sound of Music, from Ben Elton to Bennett to opera and beyond...[PARA][BOLD]Pubs:[EBOLD][ITAL] It's rumoured that there are more pubs per square mile in Brum than anywhere else in England - whether it's true or not, there are plenty and they're varied and vital. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: The OVT (The Old Varsity Tavern), for rugger buggers and posers, crowded and loud, 6 TVs (including satellite sport, videos) and tacky decor with stuffed animals; The Fighting Cocks in Moseley is a dive with quirky middle-aged twins as landlords; nearby, the Jug of Ale, with multiple rooms and guest indie DJs; The Crooked House is so askew because of mining subsidence, patrons don't even have to be drunk to think the rooms slope; Hibernian; Brook; Country Girl; Unspoilt by Progress; Green Man. The latest craze in Brum pubs is, apparently, spider-fighting.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Bobby Brown's (student night Wednesdays, ú1); The Institute (rave, near Digbeth, ú1); Tressines (70s disco, ú1-2); Dome II (tacky gloss, ú1.50-6); Moseley Dance Centre (dance, reggae, ú2-ú10). On Mondays at the Ritzy, entrance is ú1 or a banana.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The NEC is an essential tour date on every megastar's calendar (Meat Loaf, Depeche Mode, Take That, etc), and Aston Villa Leisure Centre nearly had Nirvana, but for more down to earth sounds, the [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Edwards No8 (Elastica, S*M*A*S*H); The Institute (Breeders, St Etienne)[EITAL]. The Jug of Ale hosts indie popkids, and the Hibernian and the Irish Centre feature... have a guess. Ronnie Scott's caters for jazzers, and there's a Jazz festival come summer. The Symphony Hall is home to the Simon Rattle's CBSO, but can adapt itself to the [ITAL]less classical delights [EITAL]of Paul Merton and East 17.[PARA][BOLD]Others:[EBOLD] Other pastimes to pass the time include the Silver Blades Ice Rink and Merry Hill (out of town), which is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe and houses a multiplex cinema and a bowling alley. The Town Hall is increasingly being used as a venue; recently offering Jack Dee and Sean Hughes. And you can always go and see 'Gladiators' at the Indoor Arena.[HDNG]UNIVERSITY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.13 [BULL] Glass of wine: 85p[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Bars:[EBOLD] There are 12 bars around the University including 1 in each hall of residence and 4 Guild bars (the cheapest in town for a lunchtime pint or an evening binge): Mermaid Bar ([ITAL]packed pub atmosphere[EITAL]); Old Joe's (open till 2.00am on club nights); Berlins ([ITAL]smart, for posers during the day, the best club at night[EITAL]); PMSA (postgrads and mature students, [ITAL]quiet[EITAL]).[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] Films are shown on a large screen video; Thelma and Louise, Forever Young, Indecent Proposal.[PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] The University Studio Theatre is frequently used by the Guild's Theatre Group and the Drama Department. There are also 2 other theatres around the campus and 8 productions went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.[PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] The Guild runs 3 regular clubs, the largest of which is Old Joe's (cap 700, adm ú1.50-ú3) open Wednesday to Saturday. With Berlins (400) as well, it's possible to die by dancing until late almost every night of every week. What's more there are frequent discos in halls, departments and common rooms.[PARA][BOLD]Cabaret:[EBOLD] Comedy Club run by Guild Ents and the Independent National Comedy Network featuring some of the [ITAL]funniest [EITAL]joke junkies, for example, Jim Tavare, Jenny Eclair and Harry Hill.[PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The Debating Hall (cap 700) is the University's largest venue, hosting the likes of D:Ream, Urban Species, and Oui 3. Also live bands at Berlins (400) and PMSA (150).[PARA][PARA][PARA][HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA]There are 2 Uni-run refectories on campus. The Guild offers an almost unlimited choice - 5 cafeterias and snack bars open all day. Brum itself offers eateries of all kinds, but you can't avoid the Balti houses ([ITAL]mouthwatering[EITAL] Indian nosh, served on iron plates, with vast slabs of nan bread) and there are plenty of [ITAL]top-level [EITAL]Chinese outfits. Around the city centre and the campus area, the grub markets are open till 3am. [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Digbeth Fish Bar; Happy Gathering (Chinese); Chamon and Dilshad (Balti houses, tolerate rowdy studes).[EITAL][PARA][PARA]
