[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.[PARA][PARA]The Wellhead and the Seventh Trap in Perry Barr, and the White Swan in Edgbaston are UCE locals.[HDNG]UNIVERSITY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]E2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Price of a pint of beer: ú 1.15 [BULL] Glass of wine: ú1.10[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Bars:[EBOLD] The Union runs 2 bars: The Union Bar (cap 350) at Perry Bar and The Crow Bar at Westbourne Rd (350).[PARA][BOLD]Cinemas:[EBOLD] The film club shows recent hits and cult faves, from Point Break to Spinal Tap.[PARA][BOLD]Clubs/discos and music venues:[EBOLD] Both bars are used for bops weekly (and frequently, more often) and occasionally for live performances usually by student bands (50p-ú2).[PARA][BOLD]Recent band appearances:[EBOLD] Milltown Brothers, Field Trip.[PARA][BOLD]Cabaret: [EBOLD]Recent chortle enhancement was provided by Donna McPhail and Lee Hurst.[HDNG]EATING OUT:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]The University's feeding troughs are the 9 refectories on the various sites. Still, Birmingham is famous for its curry houses and students rarely starve.[EITAL] Eating out in Birmingham, see [ULNE]University of Birmingham[EULNE].[PARA][PARA]
