[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 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 close by, since the local pubs are full of soldiers - you can tell which these are because they're called things like the Dismembered Argie. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Odd One Out; Hole in the Wall; The Cups (Irish-style real ale); The Lamb (noisy); Siege House. 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 are in Southend[EITAL] (28 miles away) [ITAL]and Chelmsford[EITAL] (24 miles).[ITAL] Colchester's clubs are slower lane, more down-to-earth, but still tacky. Students often don't bother. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Hippodrome (large, crowded, ú5); Club Valentino's (small, a bit Costa Del Sol, ú2); L'Aristo's (expensive).[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The Hippodrome has hosted Adeva and, um, Brad from 'Neighbours'. Better stick to Oliver Twist (blues and rock), Arts Centre (Indie, arty classical, jazz), Charterhall (various). [ITAL]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 Top Bar although it's more cliquey. [ITAL]The new Level 2 bar is a bit posh and cocktaily for an SU boozer.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] The University is [ITAL]well-equipped [EITAL]and the Lakeside Theatre has many visits from national companies. Student shows are also [ITAL]enthusiastically [EITAL]produced.[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] A lecture theatre is equipped with projection gear and 3 films a week are shown (Young Americans, Jurassic Park, 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 Saints, Prodigy in recent months), but there are also frequent band nights in the bar and the Party Room. The various student music societies put on concerts and there are professional classical concerts.[PARA][BOLD]Others:[EBOLD] The University has a purpose-built exhibition gallery. Loads of balls organised by societies, and twice-a-term cabaret in a Level 2 (Doug Anthony Allstars).[HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA]The University dishes a [ITAL]goodly[EITAL] range of chow in the Hexagon Restaurant, the Coffee Bar and in the Top Bar cafe. The SU has a food bar in the bar (open 10.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-11pm). Also 2 general shops on campus to provide the ingredients for a full stomach. Colchester has restaurants of every description - [ITAL]worth checking out those with student discounts[EITAL] - and junk yards of fast food. [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Jade Garden (cheap Chinese); Champagne Charlie's (cheaper and less naff than it sounds); Country Cottage (the best Indian in the area); Rose and Crown for parental purchasing. [EITAL]Some kebab shops and the like are open till 4am and there's a 24-hour cafe on Osborne St. Food on campus ends at 11pm.[PARA][PARA]
