The presence of Yale and a highly educated faction of the general population ensures a cultural life equal to that of many larger cities. A reliable source of information on cultural events and nightlife is the free weekly newspaper, the New Haven Advocate (www.newhavenadvocate.com).
The Performing Arts
Within a couple of blocks of the Green, the Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St. (tel. 800/228-6622 or 203/562-5666; www.shubert.com), presents musicals, opera, plays, cabaret, concerts, and such touring troupes as the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. The well-regarded Yale Repertory Theatre (tel. 203/432-1234; www.yalerep.org) mounts an October-to-May season of modern productions as well as classics by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, and Tennessee Williams. It uses three venues: University Theater, 222 York St., the New Theatre, 1156 Chapel St., and The Rep, 1120 Chapel St.
Away from downtown, but worth the cab fare, is the prestigious Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr. (tel. 203/787-4282; www.longwharf.org), known for its success in producing new plays that often make the jump to off-Broadway and even Broadway itself. The season runs from October to June. The Long Wharf spawned the smaller Stage II.
Several venues on the Yale campus, including Sprague Memorial Hall, 470 College St., and Woolsey Hall, College and Grove streets, host the performances of many resident organizations, including the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Civic Orchestra, Yale Concert Band, Yale Glee Club, Yale Philharmonia, and Yale Symphony Orchestra. For upcoming events, call the Yale Concert Information Line (tel. 203/432-4157).
The Club Scene
The biggest and best venue for live rock and pop is Toad's Place, 300 York St. (tel. 203/621-TOAD), which has welcomed the likes of the Rolling Stones, U2, and Bob Dylan, although the usual fare is tribute bands and regional groups.
For something less frenetic, the popular BAR, 254 Crown St. (tel. 203/495-1111), has a lounge in front -- open to the street on warm nights -- and a pool table, terrace, and dance floor in back. On Sundays, listen to live jazz or blues. The Brü Rm, a brewpub tacked onto the slightly older nightclub, produces rich beers and poses a naked challenge in the eternal New Haven pizza wars. Its thinnest-crust pies are leading contenders for the crown long held by Frank Pepe's.
