[HDNG]THE TOWN:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.50 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1.20[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] The Odeon shows mainstream films and St Mary's [PARA]Arts centre features more arty flicks.[PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] The Mercury Theatre hosts a rep company.[PARA][BOLD]Pubs:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Students more usually stick to their own bars or the pubs [PARA]close by, since the local pubs are full of soldiers - you can tell [PARA]which these are because they're called things like the [PARA]Dismembered Argie. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Odd One Out; Hole in the Wall; [PARA]The Cups (Irish-style real ale); The Lamb (noisy); Siege House. [PARA]Some of the older pubs are also worth a sip and a sup.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] [ITAL]The real stiletto-heeled, mini skirted cattle markets [PARA]are in Southend[EITAL] (28 miles away) [ITAL]and Chelmsford[EITAL] (24 miles).[ITAL] [PARA]Colchester's clubs are slower lane, more down-to-earth, but still [PARA]tacky. Students often don't bother. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Hippodrome [PARA](large, crowded, ú5); Club Valentino's (small, a bit Costa Del Sol, [PARA]ú2); L'Aristo's (expensive).[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The Hippodrome has hosted Adeva and, um, Brad[PARA]from 'Neighbours'. Better stick to Oliver Twist (blues and rock), [PARA]Arts Centre (Indie, arty classical, jazz), Charterhall (various). [ITAL][PARA]Better still, stick to London.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]UNIVERSITY:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][GRPH]E2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.10 [BULL] Glass of wine: 90p[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Bars:[EBOLD] (3) The SU's main bar is very popular, as is the University [PARA]Top Bar although it's more cliquey. [ITAL]The new Level 2 bar is a bit [PARA]posh and cocktaily for an SU boozer.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] The University is [ITAL]well-equipped [EITAL]and the Lakeside [PARA]Theatre has many visits from national companies. Student [PARA]shows are also [ITAL]enthusiastically [EITAL]produced.[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] A lecture theatre is equipped with projection gear and 3[PARA]films a week are shown (Young Americans, Jurassic Park, [PARA]Much Ado recently).[PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] 3 times a week, get down in Level 2 (350).[PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The Dance Hall (850) is the main gigs venue (Utah [PARA]Saints, Prodigy in recent months), but there are also frequent [PARA]band nights in the bar and the Party Room. The various student [PARA]music societies put on concerts and there are professional [PARA]classical concerts.[PARA][BOLD]Others:[EBOLD] The University has a purpose-built exhibition gallery. [PARA]Loads of balls organised by societies, and twice-a-term cabaret in[PARA]a Level 2 (Doug Anthony Allstars).[HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA]The University dishes a [ITAL]goodly[EITAL] range of chow in the Hexagon [PARA]Restaurant, the Coffee Bar and in the Top Bar cafe. The SU has[PARA]a food bar in the bar (open 10.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-11pm). Also [PARA]2 general shops on campus to provide the ingredients for a full [PARA]stomach. Colchester has restaurants of every description - [ITAL][PARA]worth checking out those with student discounts[EITAL] - and junk yards [PARA]of fast food. [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Jade Garden (cheap Chinese); [PARA]Champagne Charlie's (cheaper and less naff than it sounds); [PARA]Country Cottage (the best Indian in the area); Rose and Crown for[PARA]parental purchasing. [EITAL]Some kebab shops and the like are open till [PARA]4am and there's a 24-hour cafe on Osborne St. Food on campus[PARA]ends at 11pm.[PARA][PARA]
