Exeter is a lively university town offering an abundance of classical concerts and theater productions, as well as clubs and pubs.
An abundance of concerts, opera, dance, and film can be found year-round at the Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street (tel. 01392/667080; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk), and Exeter University's Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road (tel. 01392/493493; www.northcott-theatre.co.uk), which is also home to a professional theater company.
On the club scene, head to Riva, the Quay (tel. 01392/211347), a two-story club that attracts a young crowd. The upstairs bar, Riva VIP, has a lounge area and VIP room decorated with blue and lit by red lights. In the downstairs bar the aura is more rustic, with exposed bricks, slate floors, and rich browns and reds. Monday is student night; Tuesday is gay night; on other nights, pop music, rhythm and blues, and disco take over. Riva is open Monday 9pm to 2am, Tuesday 10pm to 2am, Thursday 9pm to 2am, and Friday and Saturday 10pm to 3am. The cover charge varies from free to £5 ($10).
Well House Tavern, Cathedral Close (tel. 01392/223611), is part of the Royal Clarence/ABode Exeter. It's housed in a building believed to have been constructed in the 14th century, though the Roman well in the basement predates that estimate. The tavern is said to be haunted -- though the ghost, who wears a flowing white dress and is affectionately called Alice, is said to be good-spirited when she appears. Join Alice and the other regulars for a pint or a light meal.
Featuring a great view of the canal, Double Locks, Canal Banks (tel. 01392/256947), welcomes a varied crowd, largely students. It features live music (jazz, rock, and blues) with no cover charge, and you can get traditional pub grub to go with your pint. Though spaciously spread through a Georgian mansion, the Imperial Pub, New North Road (tel. 01392/434050), is friendly to frugal travelers, with the cheapest brand-name beer in town, starting at £2 ($4), and a fast-food menu.
