 |
|
| Classic UK nights out |
|
|
|
|
|
| A 'night out on the town' can mean
many things when you are a student in the UK. Andrew Jarvis
explores the UK's exciting and vibrant nightlife and discovers
that there is plenty to suit all interests and pockets… |
|
|
|
|
|
| Life as a student in the UK shouldn't
just be about study. When you arrive in the UK you'll have the
opportunity to dine out at world-famous restaurants, keep up
with the latest film releases, attend gigs where you'll hear
new and established bands and experience the UK's outstanding
performing arts. If all of that sounds ambitious on a student
budget, there are plenty of student nights out which are fun
and affordable. |
|
| Eating out |
| The UK has a great variety of restaurants,
cafés, pubs, bars and food outlets with menus to suit all tastes.
You will find Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Middle
Eastern and vegetarian restaurants, as well as specialities
such as tapas, sushi, kebabs and that traditional British dish,
fish and chips. Eating out in the UK can be an opportunity to
experience something completely new or to enjoy a dish from
home. Restaurants serve dinner between 6.30p.m. and 10.30p.m.
and you may need to book in advance to be sure of getting a
table. Students eating out on a budget will find that many of
the chain restaurants - those selling pizza for example - are
the cheapest. Pizza Express, Yo! Sushi and Nandos offer good
menus at reasonable prices, but make sure you look out for special
deals such as Bierodrome's 'Beat the Clock', where the price
you pay for the set menu, is the time shown on your food order
(for example £6 at 6.00p.m. and £7 at 7.00p.m.). |
|
| Film |
| A night out at the cinema is a favourite
- and affordable - option for many students in the UK. You can
catch the latest comedy, drama, horror, romance or animated
feature at one of the many multiplexes located around the country.
With as many as 10 screens, they show the latest film releases
and charge between £4 and £7 for admission. Experimental film,
as well as the classics and international releases, are screened
at the |
|
 |
| smaller, independent cinemas and at university film societies.
An altogether different audio-visual experience can be had at
the IMAX cinemas in cities including Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford,
Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester. The Colossal '3D' screens
and 12,000-watt digital sound enhance the cinematic spectacle
for the audience. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The pub |
| The pub, or public house, is a place
to relax with friends over a drink. British pubs and bars serve
a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and many also
have a bar menu offering a range of snacks and full meals. Prices
vary by region but you can expect to pay between £1.50 and £3
for a pint of beer or lager and about £1 for a soft (non-alcoholic)
drink. The traditional pub has old-fashioned, welcoming interiors,
which contrast to the modern design of the many pub chains and
bars that adorn the UK's high streets. Pubs are a venue for
a range of entertainment including weekly quiz nights, live
music and comedy. They are also the place to head for a game
of pool or darts. Student bars, or city bars that have student
nights, are often cheaper and busier than pubs and are a great
opportunity to meet other students in the area. |
|
| The arts |
| The UK has an outstanding reputation
for performing arts and a night out at the theatre is an experience
not to be missed. Prices vary between £10 and £30 depending
on the production and where you sit, but you can pay as little
as £5 at some smaller venues. London's West End theatre district
is regarded as one of the best in the world, while quality productions
can also be seen in city and campus playhouses throughout the
UK. Productions range from Shakespearean, repertory and classical
productions and musicals to realism, fringe and avant-garde
or experimental theatre. In the summertime, open-air theatre
and outdoor productions staged in the grounds of beautiful stately
homes, parks and places of historic interest provide a wonderful
evening's entertainment. |
|
| Comedy |
| Another great place for a classic
student night out is a comedy club. Comedy clubs can cost as
little as £4 to £8, but expect to pay about £10 or £15 at the
bigger venues. Comedy clubs attract diverse comedians and audiences,
but a typical comedy night will feature a compere, four or five
comedians and a raucous atmosphere. Try to be inconspicuous
if you sit in the front rows because many comedians get their
laughs at the expense of their audience! The best place in the
UK for comedy is arguably Edinburgh, which hosts the renowned
arts festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, every August and
attracts comedians from all over the world. Comedy clubs are
now widespread in cities all over the UK and famous comedians
often tour university Students' Unions. |
|
|
|
|
| Live music |
| Most UK bands tour the UK's Students'
Unions, and going to a Good 'gig' is a favourite student night
out. Prices depend on the venue and the popularity of the band
or artist, but for £15 you should be able to find some decent
rock, pop, dance, indie, punk, hip hop, jazz, folk, blues, roots
or classical music. Many high-profile international acts tour
the UK and play to packed audiences in auditoriums, theatres
and stadiums. During the summer months you will also be able
to enjoy many top bands at one of many colourful outdoor music
festivals held in the UK, such as those at Glastonbury, Reading
and Leeds. |
|
 |
|
| Nightclubs |
| The UK has a bustling nightlife and
you will find nightclubs catering for all kinds of musical tastes
in the UK's cities, towns and universities. Clubs stay open
and remain lively until the early hours of the morning, long
after most pubs, bars, cinemas and theatres have closed. DJs
play anything from hip hop to garage and cheesy pop to alternative
rock. Some clubs have a dress code, so you should either check
before you go or be sure to leave trainers and scruffy jeans
at home. Admission is usually between £5 and £10, but tends
to be cheaper if you arrive early. |
|
| And there's more… |
| There are many more great nights
out for you to enjoy when you arrive in the UK. You may prefer
a cultured night out at the ballet or opera, more leisurely
pursuits such as tenpin bowling or if you are feeling energetic,
a sporting activity. Whatever your favourite type of entertainment,
you can be sure that you will find it in the UK. |
|
| ^ top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Top tips for student nights out |
|
|
|
|
 |
Make the most of your student and
NUS cards. You will be able to get a 10 to 20 per cent discount
in some bars, restaurants, shops, cinemas and theatres. |
|
|
Check out deals such as UCI cinemas
'7 Day Deal', which will save you money and also get you into
advance screenings. Also remember that cinemas are more expensive
at the weekends and after 5p.m. |
|
|
If you are in London, try the 'Tkts'
ticket booth in Leicester Square. You can buy bargain seats
on the day of the performance at up to half price. Or visit
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the River Thames, where you can
get a standing ticket directly in front of the stage for £5.
|
|
|
If you plan to go for a meal, keep
an eye out for 'two-for-one' deals in gastropubs and restaurants,
'all you can eat' buffets for around £5, or any other promotions.
|
|
|
Always have a look at free newspapers
and city guides, because they often have discount coupons or
flyers inside. They also give you a better idea of what's on
in the area. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Web links |
|
|
|
|
www.bfi.org.uk/showing/nft
The National Film Theatre on London's South Bank screens everything
from classics to new releases and cult movies to comedies. |
|
www.filmhousecinema.com
Edinburgh Filmhouse is home to the Edinburgh International Film
Festival. |
|
www.imax.com
Learn more about the IMAX experience, find your nearest theatre
and check out the latest releases. |
|
www.toptable.co.uk
A free online restaurant booking service, you can choose from
1,100 restaurants, bars and venues in 30 cities across the UK
- and check out reviews. . |
|
www.comedyonline.co.uk
Find out where the UK's favourite stand-up comedians will be
appearing next. |
|
www.jongleurs.com
Jongleurs comedy chain has clubs all over the UK in locations
including Glasgow, Cardiff, Oxford Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham
and Leeds. |
|
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Buy your tickets online for everything from the theatre, ballet
and opera, to music concerts, clubs and sporting events. |
|
www.lastminute.com
Go to lastminute.com
for cheap deals on theatres, restaurants, music, film and sporting
events. |
|
|
|
|
