Lancaster Area

Dog and Partridge (Bare) - My official local pub. Friendly place with average prices although some of the customers can edge on the scummy side at times. Designed to be a sports pub although atmosphere isn't always at the top.

The George (Torrisholme) - My other local pub. The George is situated in the centre of Torrisholme village and the clientele is on the old side. When you enter this public house you are hit by a large hovering cloud of smoke and doesn't seem to be half as friendly at the D&P (Dog and Partridge).

The Water Witch (Lancaster) - Amazing pub in Lancaster. Based at the top of town along the Lancaster canal, hit this place on a warm summers afternoon and enjoy a cool beverage and you will feel like you are in heaven. Prices edge towards the steep side although the selection of drinks is unbelievable. This pub has every drink you can possibly imagine from all vodkas to blackcurrant beer! The food is really good too, lovely baguette sandwiches.

Revolution (Lancaster) - The best place in Lancaster by a distance, a sexual vodka bar. Friendly atmosphere with good staff and a great menu. Two floors, the top one with the main dance floor and a lush seating area, while downstairs there is more seating and a pool table. The prices have crept up in the last few years so it's worth checking out what the offers are especially if you have a privilege card. Russian Bride and Pear Drop vodka with Cranberry Juice are two of the best drinks I have ever tasted in my life and they are exclusive to Revolution, although I personally invented Pear Drop with Cranberry! Student night in Revolution is amazing and so are most of the other nights with some nights free sweets and pizza available.

Keystones (Lancaster) - Not the best place in Lancaster as a good bit of scum can be found in this place but the prices are ok. A big screen and a couple of pool tables are for the offer but as soon as you notice the sweet machine by the entrance you realise that you shouldn't stay longer than one minute.

Wetherspoons, Bottom (Lancaster) - Cheap and not too cheerful. Large open area where the majority of people will meet up before going out on a night out especially on a Saturday night.

Wetherspoons, Top (Lancaster) - Cheap and a bit more cheerful than bottom Wetherspoons. Good place to go during the week if you want to sit down with your friends and get good and drunk while having a conversation as Wetherspoons never has any music. There is an IT Box in here which on the game "Word Up" I have the highest score for a single word, "Quoting". Genius.

The Lounge (Lancaster) - This place tries to be Revolution but fails miserably. Too small, too expensive and the cocktails are too small and don't even compare to Revolutions cocktails.

LA One (Lancaster) - Just been refurbished, formerly "Muse". Never seems to be packed but is starting to appeal more to people following its redecoration. Once went in here during the week and met a guy who had just been released from jail for assault, that for me sums up LA One.

Varsity (Lancaster) - A very popular place for students and young people. A large open space with a balcony area and a very big screen for football matches. Good atmosphere, especially on Wednesday nights when it is pound night. A large number of bottles and pints for only a pound! That's the prices I like to hear.

Bentleys (Lancaster) - A cocktail bar with some reasonably good cocktails. Fish bowls are the specialty here instead of pitchers.

Walkabout (Lancaster) - The Australian themed bar that seems to hold a large number of people who appear to be obviously under age. Good prices on the right night and almost every night you can guarantee that you will b treated to a range of classic old and new pop songs.

The Friary (Lancaster) - Average pricing and few pool tables makes for a place that's best visited at the start of the night. A good quiz night on Monday nights with dirt cheap drinks.

Blob Shop (Lancaster) - A very weird place that appears to need a large amount of refurbishing. A range of students and scum infiltrate this place. Not the best.

Littentree (Lancaster) - Quite a nice place with some good drink promotions on different nights. Can be a place for the older generations but on a Saturday night upstairs there's an interesting old school style disco. Another IT Box in this pub too which I am again on the top of the high score board for "Word Up" this time with the longest word!

Paddy Mulligans (Lancaster) - Lancaster's Irish themed pub, Guiness galore. A very nice place that's always a good laugh to be in with the usual nights of live music too.

Blue Anchor (Lancaster) - Themed in the style of a boat. You walk in and actually believe that you are on a boat with rigging and port holes. One part of the bar looks like the side of a boat and the other part looks like the stern of a boat. The middle section of the pub appears to be just like an old style alley off a street with lanterns and windows along the side.

Toast (Lancaster) - The smaller of Lancaster's two main nightclubs. The club is split into two main areas with two different styles of music each night. The dance area to the right of the main entrance has a balcony area and a love tunnel, covered in red material with seats along the sides, beneath it. There are a number of themed nights including a very good 80's night with every classic tune you can ever remember. The drink promotions can also be good on the right nights.

Liquid (Lancaster) - Lancaster's main nightclub refurbished just a year ago. You go through the main entrance of Liquid and ascend the large, grand staircase up to the first room, generally known as the R n' B room, with the dance arena above it on the second floor. The dance arena isn't a darkly lit place which is a rarity to find a good club. Lancaster University and St Martin's College nights are great with some good drink promotions. Saturday nights are normally quite good with classic dance music although friday nights are a night to avoid as they tend to be townie night with a lot of scum floating about.

Sugarhouse (Lancaster) - The Lancaster University union club which is situated behind Liquid and is always very busy with very cheap alcohol available. There are a good range of themed nights including rock night and pop scene. The club itself looks pretty much on the poor side and is desperately in need of a good lick of paint.

Chicago Rock Cafe (Lancaster) - This tends to be a older persons place with the majority of people being in the age bracket of thirty and above, this is mainly due to the music which is songs by artists like Rick Astley and Phil Collins. There are also cocktails available in Chicago Rock but they aren't even remotely close to Revolution's cocktails.

Hustle (Formerly H2O) (Lancaster) - Too small, too small, too small. Appears to be the size of a shoe box and isn't really worth going in.

The Crypt (Lancaster) - A pub which is aimed for mosher and rockers. An underground pub which is very dark and dingy although quite a nice place to go now and then.

Merchant (Lancaster) - Opposite The Crypt a very original style pub built partly underground. With a bar along the right side and to the left three long areas like caves dug underground through archways with a big screen at the end of each for sport. This place is very much a student pub with some good priced beverages.

Stirling Area

The Med (Bridge of Allan) - The most local pub that isn't on campus. The Med is an average pub with not really any major outstanding features. Student discount is available before 11pm otherwise the drink prices aren't too nice. The food on the other hand is quite good with student discount again available. On a Wednesday night it is student kareoke night which is always full and normally a good laugh except the ability of the majority of singers is below poor and can often crucify a song you once enjoyed.

The Beat (Bridge of Allan) - This is the club which is attached to The Med about ten metres away round the corner. It is a small club with average pricing. The bouncers are very annoying, they seem to think they are bouncing either the worlds largest club or a club that the queen is currently visiting. Wednesday night is student night again although I have been told that Tuesday nights are by far the better night. On a Wednesday night you can expect the same music churned up time and time again. Hey Ya followed by The Killers with Fat Man Scoop in there somewhere.

Westerton Arms (Bridge of Allan) - Split in to two halves, the Westerton Arms is very much an old mans pub but quite often you can find the odd student in there. The only nights I have ever been here is on a Sunday night when it is quiz night. A cleverly devised quiz with four rounds and you can win anything from some packets of crisps to a bottle of vodka.

The Gannochy (Stirling University) - Sadly The Gannochy has now been closed but at least we can remember the good times (Chelsea beating Barcelona and Liverpool winning the Champions League) when it was the university's sports bar. SUSA (Stirling University Students Association) claimed that due to financial reasons out of their control that The Gannochy had to be removed, despite it being voted the best bar on campus on the SUSA website. There is to be a new, as yet un-named, sports bar which will be situated where long bar used to be next door to glow. The Gannochy was a bar that was loved by everyone who used to visit, from regulars to those just there for the day. With university prices and a very good menu with a range of cheap food, from chip butties to chicken mayo baguettes, there wasn't much that The Gannochy didn't have and we will all miss it dearly.

Studio (Stirling University) - The official campus pub. Good food, same old prices and same old crumby music channels on the plasma screens. Studio opens as early as 9am and closes on a Saturday night at 1am. This is the place you go if you are wanting a pint between lectures and you will usually find a bunch of drunk people in there at sometime of the day. Studio hoses its own kareoke on a Tuesday night and a pub quiz on Sunday nights (hosted by the SUSA president, Al Wilson), this is usually a poorly organised event with about six rounds that take about three hours despite there only being ten questions a round.

Glow (Stirling University) - The official campus club. Glow has it's ups but mainly it has it's downs. Alter-ego is the best night that Glow has ever to offer. The drinks are the same price as everywhere else on campus but on a Saturday night the music can be extremely poor with no real atmosphere to the place and as the night goes on and more drinks are spilt the floor gets more and more sticky to the point where I have seen people lose shoes while walking along. Glow has a small cocktail bar area which serves some quite nice cocktails but they look ridiculously tacky with tinsel bits hanging out of them.

Obo Eru (Stirling) - One of the best bars in Stirling and most definitely the best cocktail bar in town. The staff will make you any cocktail that you desire (Russian Bride - 1 shot Stoli Vanil, 1 shot Kahlua, ½ shot Chocolate Schnapps with milk and ice) for £3.75, which is quite reasonable considering other bars. Obo Eru is small but with some good music on different nights and is nicely decorated.

Pivo (Stirling) - The other cocktail bar in Stirling. Pivo (Czech for "beer") is a large and open place but there never seems to be excessive amounts of people in there at anytime. There are two bars both of which are rather large one on each floor. The drinks menu isn't to be admired sadly and neither are the prices unless you go there on a night with good promotions (e.g. Sundays 2 for 1 on cocktails).

Sportsters (Stirling) - This is the main sports bar in Stirling and if I am not much mistaken I can only think of one other bar (O'Neills) that has a screen of some type. Sportsters is done out in an American theme and a load of sports memorabilia along the walls. The prices and some of the clientele sadly make this bar not one of the better ones in Stirling and for watching Sport you will probably be best staying with the new university Sports bar or The Med.

Nicky Tams (Stirling) - Too small, too cluttered, too expensive. The bar is the side of a small computer desk. It is difficult to get to the bar and I think it's also difficult for the bar staff to do anything behind the bar. The pub has a number of interesting objects around it like an old mangle and a range of beer and lager merchanise but after discovering all these things the pub no longer has anything to give.

Whistling Binkies (Stirling) - This is Stirling's newest pub and I have only been able to experience it once so far. It was very nicely done out inside with the drinks at a just about acceptable price. The only time I went here it was early during the night so there weren't many other people so I have yet to get the feel of the clientele.

No 2 Baker Street (Stirling) - Opposite Sportsters and is always busy when you past. Not the nicest looking place in the world but the prices were alright.

O'Neills (Stirling) - The Irish themed pub for Stirling. Quite a nice place with good food at a reasonable price although the drinks can at times be too expensive, although includes an IT Box.

Settle Inn (Stirling) - A very nice looking pub inside although again small. The main room at the back of the pub appears to be dug into the side of a hill creating a cave like appearance. One of the best things that this pub has to offer is the very well stocked jukebox. You can get about five of your songs played for one pound. The selection of music is second to none, a very good range with a great selection of rock songs. Prices are the usual Stirling average.

Enigma (Stirling) - One of only two clubs in Stirling. Enigma is a a one room club split into different areas. There is a balcony area with a bar at the back of the club with the dance floor in front of it on the ground level and a seat area at the front with the main bar on the left side. The student night in Enigma is Monday nights where the drinks are at insanely cheap prices, £1 for a spirit and mixer, some bottles and range of other drinks too (including Baileys (50ml))! The prices are the same on a Thursday night but Fubar is the preferred destination for most students. Enigma is a bit too dark at times and when it is busy you won't get served for around about half an hour or more! The only other drawback is the fact that whenever you are on the dance floor you will be totally emerged in smoke from the overused smoke machine. 

Fubar (Stirling) - The other bigger and nicest looking (inside) club in Stirling. Two floors differently done out although I am not keen on the very low ceilings makes the place feel so much more cramped. Thursday night is student night in Fubar, the music is normally just the average student music you would expect but the drink prices are way over the top.

Drouthy Neebors (Stirling) - A really nicely done out pub with small slate walls separating the different seating areas, a boat on the wall and a weird horse painted onto the ceiling. The toilets are wallpapered with maps of the UK which is truly a stroke of genius. The drinks selection is average and the prices are nothing special. The atmosphere can be quite good at peak times as well.

Best Bar None (Stirling) - This is probably the best bar in town, hence the name. Very well done out inside with a mixture of new and stylish furniture with older looking ornaments hung from the walls. The clientele is mainly students with just about acceptable prices. This is a place I will definitely be going to again.

All That Jazz (Stirling) - Another example of a pub that shouldn't be visited often or more than once. Sweet machine by the wall with a range of scummy people for regulars. Not nice at all, avoid with all haste.

The Arches (Stirling) - Only visited this establishment on a Friday night (kareoke night) and it was overflowing with what appeared to be many people who were under the legal drinking age, although saying that it was excessively cheap so worth going more and than once.

Barton Bistro (Stirling) - Cheap, cheap, cheap. That's the good points about the Bistro. It looks like a very run down cafe with a bar and pumps. On a Friday night (rock night) it is a pound a pint and pretty good.

Other Areas

Dowse (Glasgow) - Situated just outside Queen Street station a reasonably nice place. Drinks are at a very cheap price although the people that hang around in this pub are towards the older side of life and could remind you of what you are turning in to.

The Vale (Glasgow) - Situated next to Dowse an average place. The Vale doesn't go for quality of product or establishment but for cheapness of alcohol and it achieves this. A pint of Guiness for just £1.60!

Times Square (Glasgow) - Cheap and very cheerful. Times Square is one of the cheapest places in Glasgow and centrally placed too. This is a very nicely decorated pub with prices very similar to Wetherspoons. Kev lives here too.

The Sports Bar (Glasgow) - Glasgow's main sports bar. The prices aren't pretty but if you have come to play pool then this a one of the places to come to. Two floors with a small dance area on the ground floor and a mass of pool tables on the first floor with screens everywhere surrounding you for sporting events.

Thirteenth Note (Glasgow) - I visited this place to see the sexual Contradictions live. The drinks are a good price and the gig was held in a basement area which was exceptionally good as you were very close to the performance.

Fury Murrays (Glasgow) - I also visited this establishment to watch The Contradictions play. The drinks are ridiculously overpriced and it was anything special. They do have an IT Box though.

Revolution (Glasgow) - Small but as with all the other Revolutions nicely furnished with similar prices to all the others with the same classic cocktail menu.

Old Peacock (Leeds) - Opposite the glorious home of Leeds United FC, Elland Road. The Old Peacock is the pre-match pub. Good prices on match day with a good atmosphere. A good few years ago when Elland Road's South Stand was smaller (named "Scratching Shed") there was the possibility that you could climb up onto the top of the Old Peacock and watch the game from there as someone who used to go to games with my family did with a group of policeman waiting for him to come down after the game.

Revolution (Newcastle-Under-Lyme) - Again, same glorious menu of cocktails but this Revolution is much larger than the Glasgow one. Nicely done out with a good student night on Tuesdays.

Idols (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - One of the best bars in Newcastle. This is the place to be for pre-match entertainment. Hidden in a run down shopping area, underground. With an awesome DJ who comes up with classic jokes interspersed with well timed swearing and an awesome Geordie accent and barmaids in bikinis. With two topless girls doing a dance on the lower bar every half an hour you can't beat this place.

Revolution (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - One of the biggest Revolutions in the country. Very open with giant pillars around the one large main area and original decoration remaining on the ceiling. Some very nice seating available here including one amazingly large seat which I had my photograph taken in.

Sam Jacks (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - A cool bar with a western theme. Two floors with a bucking bronco by the main entrance, dancers in bikinis and Newcastle Brown Ale on tap.

Sea (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - One of Newcastle's many clubs. Two levels, average music and quite busy on Saturday night. This is one of the places that you might be able to find some of the Newcastle United footballers hanging around on a night out after a game.

Pop (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - A small pub that tries to be a club. Good selection of music and good drinks too. Open till 1am on a Saturday night with an interesting clientele.

Wetherspoons (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) - Cheap just as all the other Wetherspoons. This Wetherspoons is a special one though. Very large with a grand staircase running through the middle. Two levels with good food and live sport available on the big screen. Wetherspoons is a must go if you need to get drunk.

Revolution (Nottingham) - Quite a nice Revolution for the side it is. Differently decorated too the other with more of a old wooden theme to it but the staff were very friendly. I went during the day so couldn't get a good feel of the atmosphere.

Water Witch Pub on Lancaster Canal

Revolution in Nottingham

Revolution in Lancaster

Blue Anchor Pub in Lancaster Town Centre

Bottom Wetherspoons in Lancaster (The Green Ayre)