[HDNG]IN LONDON:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.50 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1.45[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]For a weekly guide to the Capital's entertainments, 'Time Out' magazine is a must. [EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Pubs:[EBOLD][ITAL] London is a bitter blow for bitter lovers. Some London pubs water down their ridiculously expensive beer (sometimes over ú2 a pint), but one of the few sparkles in your glass is the rise of the Weatherspoon chain, dedicated to good ale and food, at superb prices (regular 99p a pint specials). Look for the blue and gold livery. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs in Bloomsbury area: Jeremy Bentham; Rising Sun.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: many repertory cinemas offer student discounts and The Prince Charles Cinema just off Leicester Square shows films from ú1.99.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Theatres: [EBOLD]Student standby tickets are sometimes available for West End shows, but they're still around ú8. The National Theatre on the South Bank is cheaper and features some of the country's top talent. Also, don't forget the Fringe (the collective title for all the smaller theatres around town, ranging from back rooms at pubs to full size auditoria)[ITAL] where you can often see high quality at low cost.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos: [EBOLD][ITAL] [EITAL]Although London clubs are always at the very nub of any fashion scene, you pay for the privilege. At top nightspots, admission starts at around ú5 and drinks can be anything up to 5 times pub prices. There is, however, an ever-changing set of cheaper hang-outs where the latest sounds are available without the latest prices. [ITAL][EITAL] [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Heaven (mostly gay); Camden Palace; Maximus; Ministry of Sound; Fridge; Subterania. These are the venues; individual events move between clubs, and disappear like cliches in the night, so don't blame [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH] [ITAL]if our recommendations for Smashing, Pleased, Billion Dollar Babes and Kinky Gerlinky send them off into the memory-zone of the groove.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Cabaret: [EBOLD]London is a hot-bed of alternative laugh-mongers[ITAL]. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: There's the just-moved Comedy Store or, more cheaply, Jongleurs (Camden, Battersea, Shepherds Bush), East Dulwich Cabaret, Hackney Empire and many, many more.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Music venues: [EBOLD]Many of the country's biggest and most famous, including Wembley Stadium and Arena, Hammersmith Apollo (was the Odeon), The Marquee, The Forum (was the Town and Country), The Garage (was TandC 2), The Astoria, The Hackney Empire, The Brixton Academy, The New Cross Venue, as well as innumerable pubs, warehouses, cardboard boxes, and, of course, Tube stations. [HDNG]SOUTH KENSINGTON:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.60 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1.37[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]South Kensington has a fair level of entertainments of its own, but it's mainly wine bars and posh clubs, although the Queen's Arms is popular. The West End is within a strident stroll's distance and many of the areas around Kensington offer some thrills and spills (Notting Hill, Earl's Court, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Fulham, Putney). [EITAL][ITAL][HDNG]COLLEGE:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][GRPH]E2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.25 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Bars:[EBOLD] There are 3 bars at the main site: the Southside Bar, under the halls of residence, the cafe-style Da Vinci's Bar and the Union Bar. Also one at St Mary's.[PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] Imperial has 2 halls which are both [ITAL]eminently suitable[EITAL] as theatres for its [ITAL]strangely strong[EITAL] dramatic contingent.[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] There are 2 film clubs, showing [ITAL]mainstream[EITAL] films (eg recently, Wayne's World I and II).[PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] Constant bashes and bops banging away all round the college. In particular, there are the weekly clubs Atmosphere and Libido (cap 500), and twice weekly discos in the Union Bar (300).[PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] The Great Hall has a capacity of 600 and there are also the Concert Hall (300) and the Union Lounge (250). [ITAL]Imperial attracts the likes of Jamiroquai and Drum Club.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Cabaret:[EBOLD] Once a month, or less, in the Union building, there's usually some kind of cabaret night. Mark Thomas appeared last year.[PARA][BOLD]Others:[EBOLD] The Union hosts a host of events, which usually involve the incidental consumption of much alcohol, such as the Union Bar Singalong (karaoke, [ITAL]I'm afraid[EITAL]), and quiz nights. In addition to balls a plenty, Union mega events, big discos with bands and so on, are known as Carnivals. Grad balls are held in [ITAL]interesting [EITAL]locations, such as the Science Museum.[HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA]From the morning to the early afternoon, the College refectory dishes the daily diet or there's the Union cafeteria for lunch or evening meals with plastic cutlery. Also, during the day, students frequent the Kentucky Fried Chicken near the halls of residence, or pick up a sarnie and a Mars bar at the Junior Common Room. [ITAL]For budget grub locally after dark, there's The Big Easy on the King's Road.[EITAL] [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Frank and Rosa's (cheap, British grub); Chan's (Chinese, all you can eat for ú4.50); Up All Night (as it says, vicar); Kwality Tandoori; Daquise (Polish). [EITAL] [BOLD]Eating in London:[EBOLD] see [ULNE]University of London[EULNE].
