Head straight to Union Street in the city centre for the widest choice of drinking establishments, including a Walkabout. The highly recommended and stylish new Ha Ha's is also nearby.

If you're more interested in pubs with history, start with a Pink Gin in BlackFriars. The Distillery (Barbican) was invented in the earliest days of the Royal Navy to nourish sailors. You can then visit the city's oldest pubs, The King's Head at Bretonside and the Minerva on Looe Street.

Destiny (Barbican Leisure Park), Millenium (a huge venue with 6 themed bars), Dance Academy (which has hosted the famous DJ Judge Jules) and Treasury are all popular nightspots.

Just like any other bustling student city, Plymouth has its share of the mainstream cinemas: there's a Warner cinema in the Barbican Leisure Park, an ABC cinema in the city centre. If your tastes are more refined, you can catch foreign and arthouse films at the Plymouth Arts Centre on Looe Street.

For live music, top of your list should be Plymouth Jazz Club's venue, the Mermaid (local jazz, both modern and traditional), the Barbican Jazz Cafe, The Cooperage (mostly rock acts), and for music to accompany your drinks (rather than the other way around), try Kitty O'Hanlon's or The China House (an old warehouse, with a great atmosphere and superb views), the Bank on Old George Street, or the Maritime in the Barbican.