Gulbenkian Theatre, University of Kent, Giles Lane (tel. 01227/769075; www.kent.ac.uk/gulbenkian), is open from 11am to 5pm during school terms and 5:30 to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, and offers a potpourri of jazz and classical productions, dance, drama, comedy, and a mix of new and student productions. The highlight of the theater season occurs at Cricket Week during the first week of August. Tickets cost £7 to £20 ($14-$40). The location is too far from the center of Canterbury to walk to -- you need to drive or take a taxi.
Marlowe Theatre, the Friars (tel. 01227/787787; www.marlowetheatre.com), is Canterbury's only commercial playhouse. It's open year-round and offers drama, jazz and classical concerts, and contemporary and classical ballet. Tickets cost from £10 to £38 ($20-$75). The box office at Marlowe Theatre is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm (Tues from 10:30am), and until 7pm on nonperformance nights. Most shows begin at 7:30pm.
A favorite local pub, Alberry's Wine Bar, 38 St. Margaret's St. (tel. 01227/452378), offers a clubby atmosphere every night with a DJ spinning hip-hop, drum and bass, or chart music. The cover is £5 ($10) after 9pm Tuesday to Friday or the same fee after 10pm on weekends.
A laid-back student hangout, the Cherry Tree, 10 White Horse Lane (tel. 01227/451266), offers a wide selection of beers, including Bass Ale on draft, Cherry Tree ale, three traditional lagers, and four bitters. The atmosphere is clubby, filled with casual conversation.
