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England Information · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 22 Home Country: uk

NIGHTLIFE IN ENGLAND (LIVERPOOL & NEWCASTLE)

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool has a well-deserved reputation as a party city and there are numerous traditional pubs, trendy bars and clubs for visitors to choose from. The evening Liverpool Echo is a good source of daily information about larger and fine-arts events; the youth-oriented L: Scene magazine will provide you with a thorough calendar of club dates and gigs; and the free City X Blag, available in most clubs and pubs, will do the same. Available free in gay clubs and pubs, Pulse lists gay activities and events throughout the region.

Bars: There’s a lively scene around Concert Square in the centre of town where a host of late bars and clubs offering loud music and plenty of cheap drinks promotions can be found. For those wanting to get dressed up in their finest glad rags and rub shoulders with the city’s elite, try Baby Blue or the Blue Bar & Grill, both on Edward Pavilion at Albert Dock (website: www.thebluebar.co.uk). Baa Bar (website: www.baabar.co.uk) on Fleet Street is another trendy place that has a laid back style and is popular with young urbanites.

A pub with a Fab Four spin, Ye Cracke, Rice Street (tel. 01517/094171), was a favourite watering hole of John Lennon in pre- and early Beatles days (but expect regulars to suggest you quit living in the past if you ask about it). Better just soak up the little-changed atmosphere over a pint of Oak Wobbly Bob, Cains, or Haywood Oak.

Clubs: The city has a big clubbing scene and Liverpool’s most famous club night is Cream at Nation off Slater Street (website: www.cream.co.uk); the club no longer holds its monthly nights but it’s well worth trying to make it to one of the one-off events of which there are usually three or four a year. Cream has been so successful it’s spawned its own international brand with other Cream events taking place at clubs and venues all over the world. For something a little more laid back, try the Camel Club on Wood Street, which plays a good mix of urban music and is popular with the city’s large student population.

Live Music: The city is synonymous with live music acts and many visitors to Liverpool head to the famous Cavern Club (website: www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk) on Mathew Street in the heart of the Cavern Quarter where The Beatles first made their name – although the modern day Cavern Club is actually a replica built on the same site after the original closed down and was demolished in 1973. But it’s still a great place to hear live music with local bands often performing afternoon sets at the weekend. The Zanzibar Club (website: www.thezanzibarclub.co.uk) on Seel Street is another popular venue with an excellent reputation for its live music program. There are plenty of other small- to mid-size venues that put on live acts dotted around the city. Bigger music acts can be seen at the Liverpool Carling Academy (tel: (0151) 707 3200; website: www.liverpool-academy.co.uk) on Hotham Street.

NEWCASTLE

Newcastle-Gateshead was recently included in a list of the world's top ten party cities - so it's no surprise it has a booming late-night scene. There are popular mainstream clubs on the Quayside (www.newcastlequayside.co.uk) and in the city centre.

Bars: Geordies have a well-deserved reputation for knowing how to have a good time and the great range of pubs, bars and clubs in the region reflect this thirst for life. For old-fashioned drinking, try The Bodega on Westgate Road which specializes in real ale. Formerly the first class lounge at Central Station, the beautiful high ceiling and antique tiling of the Centurion on Neville Street has to make this one of the most attractive station bars in the country. For something more modern, try the relatively new Apartment on Collingwood Street – it oozes cool and laidback chic.

Clubs: Clubbing is a way of life on Tyneside and there is no shortage of late bars and clubs for revelers to choose from. The area around Quayside is particularly popular with several clubs close to the Tyne Bridge; try Julies 2 and Sea. Also popular are Baja Beach and the iconic 'Boat' - the Tuxedo Princess, a nightclub on a ship, complete with 70s room and revolving dance floor! For something a little different, try the World Headquarters (website: www.theworldheadquarters.com) in Carliol Square for its eclectic blend of the best music from around the world. Many clus are huge - such as Legends and Klub Ikon - and cover different music in each room.

Newcastle's gay scene revolves around the south west corner of the city. The wild and friendly Rockshots is a popular club, while Camp David (www.campdavidbar.co.uk/) is a cool 60s retro bar that attracts mixed crowds.

Live music: The region also supports a thriving live music scene. Jazz aficionados will love the intimacy of the Jazz Café (tel: (0191) 232 6505) on Pink Lane. Newcastle University Union (website: www.union.ncl.ac.uk/entertainments) on Kensington Terrace is a great place for new up and coming indie bands. Or for bigger acts, head to the impressive Metro Radio Arena (website: www.metroradioarena.co.uk) on Arena Way.