Profil von West

The Intrepid Fox was first described to me as a "sleazy rock club" and hence, for some good reason, the perfect place to 'see in' the New Year. Entry was cheap - I'm not sure whether they always charge - at £5 a head and the drinks were reasonably priced. Downstairs we failed to find seats as the crowds were already settling. True to stereotype the bar thronged with leather, long hair and tattoos. The atmosphere was fantastically rock. Despite this there were a large number of casually attired neutral-looking people which prevented the bar from being intimidating or, thankfully, pretentious. There were also one or two men who had, I’m almost certain, just stepped out of the eighties and a few vamp girls successfully turning the majority of male heads. Upstairs there was a smaller bar, a pool table and a small raised platform which became a dance floor as midnight approached. The DJs played a mixture of classic rock from AC/DC to Lynrd Skynyrd and managed requests such as Clutch and Alice Cooper. The bar proved to be a fantastic choice delivering a fun and sweaty evening…if you like that kind of thing.

The Black Bull is another pub that lies along the Grassmarket stretch. With its traditional vibe and large space this pub is a great place to meet friends. It shows sport on TV and serves good food. There is quite a bit of seating so on busy nights out it is a good stop.

Crows has a fantastic restaurant serving a wide range of delicious food. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with fairy lights adorning the walls. It has booths so you can relax with friends but it also caters for large groups and parties. The food is excellent: the menu is based on tex-mex meals and there is a wide range of vegetarian equivalents such as burritos and burgers. The bar area is more open and looks more like a place to wait until your table is ready than a bar you'll settle into for the night. It functions as an internet cafe as well.

The Gregson Centre is a fantastic place to go in Lancaster for many reasons. It hosts classes from dance to tai chi and uses its space for plays, crafts, group meetings of different sorts, and fairs. It is involved with anything related to community development. The bar is warm and welcoming and serves great food. During the day you can relax and read some of the books they have there, or read a newspaper with your dog lying on the floor next to you. There is a small beer garden. Definitely worth a visit!

The Yorkshire House, affectionately called the "Yorkie" is one of the few alternative pubs in Lancaster. It uses its upstairs space to hold live music gigs promoting local bands and attracting some smaller international groups too. It has a great atmosphere and is packed at the weekends - it is quite small though! It has a small beer garden where smokers convene in winter. The bar stocks a wide range of beverages including rums, whiskies and ales. The staff are friendly and well known by the customers, the majority of whom are regulars. There is a mixture of students and rockers. You can buy test tube shots of Jagermeister for £1 and they serve Absinthe providing you with sugar and teaspoons too. When it gets cold the fire is started and you can relax with friends listening to Johnny Cash on the jukebox.

Tribal is a fantastic tattoo and piercing parlour. The staff are extremely helpful, friendly and professional. They are also refreshingly approachable. You can buy studs, rings and bars and there are loads of tattoo designs for you to browse through. If you go back with any queries or problems the staff are quick to help out. There is also a student discount but prices are fairly average anyway.

With so many Chinese restaurants in China Town it’s difficult to choose. I can at least recommend that the Golden Pagoda serves gorgeous food at good prices. There are about three floors with seating. The service was impeccable with waiters lingering. There is a choice of set meals or a main menu and the wine comes at the usual price. Good value, great experience.

This eclectic pub, near Camden Town underground, is deceptively large. There are two bars and a small upstairs seating area. The first bar has a very traditional, cosy pub feel whereas the second bar has original décor and a unique ambience. The floor is stone and the walls are lined with artificial shop fronts, their windows displaying bits and pieces. It is packed at the weekends, plays a great mix of music (from Buggles of Video Killed the Radio Star fame, to the Violent Femmes), and because it is next to the Underworld club it tends to attract a more alternative, relaxed crowd. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is great.

Excellent venue, good size and atmosphere with a large oval bar in one room. You can get close to the stage and get a good view of the band almost anywhere. Relatively friendly bouncers on the gig nights at least – the venue also holds lots of typically expensive but very popular club nights. There are old style pinball machines to entertain. It’s very close to Camden Town tube station; look out for the neon blue sign to the right of the exit.

Upstairs Solo is a very atmospheric and inviting restaurant/bar serving delicious cuisine and great cocktails (try the Angel Delight for dessert). The food is gorgeous and the service is friendly and fast. You get complementary bread and a shared dipping bowl of olive oil and vinegar to start. How very sophisticated!