[HDNG]TOWN:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E3[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú1.30 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1.20[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]Newcastle is as happening a city as any, running a close race with the likes of Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and London. The club and music scene is massive, both mainstream and commercial and particularly strong on rave in Gateshead. There is a strong gay and lesbian undertow.[EITAL] To keep a check on what's on, pick up a free copy of 'Crack' or 'Paint it Red'.[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] Apart from the multiplex at the Metro Centre, there's another 10-screen Warner cinema, a 4-screen Odeon and the most excellent Tyneside Arts Cinema (2 screens).[PARA][BOLD]Theatres:[EBOLD] Among other theatres, there's the Theatre Royal, a regular venue for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Tyne Theatre and Opera House and a number of smaller fringe venues. The Newcastle Playhouse, the Gulbenkian and Lipman theatres - the Gulbenkian owes its history to University connections.[PARA][BOLD]Pubs:[EBOLD] Newcastle has many, many pubs, some rougher than students might like, but plenty serve a welcome brew, not least a pint of the ubiquitous 'dog' - Newcastle Brown. [ITAL]The best are around the Bigg Market in the city centre, but this is town territory at weekends. [EITAL] [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: Barley Mow (overlooking Tyne); 3 Bull's Heads; Offshore 44 (reasonable cocktails); Strawberry.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos:[EBOLD] Without ever getting hooked on one sound like Manchester, Newcastle has been constantly cool throughout the rave scene. Club life is part of the Geordie way of being. Some clubs have special gay nights - or even special straight nights. [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs (among others): The Studio (indie, chart, students on Mondays, ú3.50); Bliss (ravey, ú4-6); Rockshots (dance and indie, studenty, gay on Tues/Thurs); Powerhouse (high energy gay, with women's bar, ú2); The Mayfair (alternative, goth, punk, ú3); Madison (Tuesdays, ú4); The Ritzy (tacky nightmare, students on Mondays, ú1); Club Afrika.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] Whitley Bay Ice Rink, 12 miles away on the coast (but still on the Metro), is the largest musical venue. In town, there's the City Hall, for both classical music and popular bands, Mayfair (see above) and the Riverside (Credit to the Nation, Aimee Mann).[PARA][BOLD]Cabaret:[EBOLD] Newcastle nurtures many a comic talent in pubs and clubs such as the Ugly Jugglers. [PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plug: Cabaret A-Go-Go in Byker.[EITAL][HDNG]UNIVERSITY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E1[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: 95p [BULL] Glass of wine: 50p[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Bars: [EBOLD]The vast Union building has 7 [ITAL]excellent [EITAL] and popular bars, 3 of which are usually open only for events. The Cochran bar is no smoking, and the Mens Bar is not for men only, but named after the the Uni motto, 'Mens agitat molem' [ITAL](velvety rodents upset my brain)[EITAL].[PARA][BOLD]Theatres: [EBOLD]The University has its own theatre, and occasionally student productions appear at the Gulbenkian (see above) and there are regular jaunts to Edinburgh.[PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos: [EBOLD]Sublime, in the Union Building (cap 1,400, adm ú2) is the dance pad for feet with fever. Student societies host their own regular ents.[PARA][BOLD]Music venues:[EBOLD] Level 2 in the Union Building is big enough to attract some major names, such as, recently, Blur, M-People, St Etienne and Chumbawamba.[PARA][BOLD]Others:[EBOLD] Freshers and graduation balls, quizzes, bingo, you name it.[HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA]The University turns out the tummy timber from 11am to 2pm every day in the refectory. Meanwhile, all day in the Union, belly lumber is available from Spiny Norman's and 6 other food outlets, including the main bar. [ITAL]The quality leaves a little to be desired and students left desiring a little may be satisfied[EITAL] at the Newcastle Playhouse Coffee Rooms or in any or many of the local pubs and cafes. Food in Newcastle caters to every taste - from those who like haute cuisine, and are willing to pay, to those who don't care what junk they put away so long as it's cheap. [ITAL]Particularly recommended are many, many marvellous Chinese restaurants, Italians and greasy Joe-type places. [EITAL][PUSH]push[EPUSH][ITAL]plugs: the Tyneside Coffee Rooms, One Eyed Jacks, Komal Tandoori, Veggies and Don Vito's.[EITAL] [ITAL]Newcastle stays up till long after many other cities have given in to a little shut-eye. [EITAL]There are chip shops, kebab joints and even a few restaurants (especially around the station) open till 3am.[PARA][PARA]
