Nightlife

If you want to relax in a pub, grab a pint of Marston's at the Olde Custom House, Watergate Street (tel. 01244/324435), a 17th-century customhouse with many original features still intact. The Pied Bull, 57 Northgate St. (tel. 01244/325829), is an 18th-century coaching inn where you can still eat, drink, or rent a room. Real ales on tap include Bitter and Traditional. At Ye Olde King's Head, Lower Bridge Street (tel. 01244/324855), ales are not the only spirits you may encounter. This B&B pub, built in 1622, is said to be haunted by three ghosts: a crying woman and baby in room no. 6 and a ghost whose initials, "ST," appear in steam on the bathroom mirror of room no. 4. If you prefer your spirits in a glass, stick to the pub, where you can sip on a Pedigree, or Greenall's Original or Local.

Live Irish music and atmosphere can be sampled at the Red Lion, 59 Northgate St. (tel. 01244/321750), where you can hear traditional music on Sunday nights for the price of a pint of Guinness. Alexanders, Rufus Court off Northgate Street (tel. 01244/340005; http://alexanderslive.com), offers more varied entertainment.