The Albert Dock
Liverpool

For an extra special, glamorous night out, the Albert Dock is a great treat. It's on the expensive side but it has to be tried once. Gather up the girls, or guys, put on your best dress and expect to be dancing with footballers, WAGS and Hollyoaks cast. Each bar also has a top restaurant.

Heebie Jeebies Club
80-82 Seel Street, Liverpool
Tel: 01517092666

A very cool and hip bar/club. Over the last year it has seen an upsurge in popularity, getting very busy downstairs after 11pm on weekends so get there earlyish to avoid queuing in the cold.

Upstairs is the bar where you don't have to queue. Downstairs is the club part, reminiscent of a basement or cellar with lots of archways and entrances to two bars off it. Random vintage sofas and chairs are situated in the entrance, and then a stage and a dance floor to the right.

Playing a wide range of alternative music - the last night I was there was 60's and 70's classics - it's a break from the commerciality of Concert Square. I've never had to pay to get in and the atmosphere is amazingly friendly, definitely a 'social' club with a chilled out atmosphere. It’s a quirky place not to be missed and is often frequented by Liverpool-born band, the Zutons.

The Pilgrim
34 Pilgrim Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 7092302

This friendly pub, located down a cobbled backstreet of central Liverpool, makes a welcome change from the usual student bars in Concert Square. Beatles memorabilia on the walls give it a warm retro feel. Famous for its incredibly student friendly drinks (cheap!!), the Pilgrim attracts people of widespread ages and backgrounds. They range from those sitting outside on benches discussing books, to the alternative music crowd taking advantage of the excellent juke box and cheap drinks before heading into town, to people seeking solace after work. Food, both carnivorous and veggie, is served all day with king-sized breakfasts a speciality. The Pilgrim is unassuming from outside, but don’t be fooled by the doorway (the original stable door), wander in and enjoy this overlooked gem.

Pogue Mahones
77 Seel Street, Liverpool
Tel:  0151 7088301

Close to the town centre, near Concert Square (where most serious drinking is done), this traditional Irish pub, with its wooden interior, candle lit tables, roaring wood fire and comfy armchairs, is a winning combination and very hard to leave on a cold night. There are a variety of themed evenings during the week, such as the quiz and curry night, which are popular. However, it is Pogue’s St Paddy’s Day, or rather weekend, celebrations for which it is famed. Liverpool University’s Drinking Society has honoured it with the prestigious title of ‘The Best Pint of Guinness in Liverpool’ and gigs supporting local talent and acoustic acts draw an appreciative crowd. Memorabilia of football strips on the walls go down well with the lads, and on match evenings this pub has the best atmosphere outside of Anfield, with big screens to ensure the best view.

Slaters Bar
24 Slater Street, Liverpool

Situated on the periphery of Liverpool's buzzing night life, Slaters Bar is a must for all students as a starting point for a guaranteed crazy night. Undoubtedly the cheapest drinks in the city centre. I got a round of three double spirits and mixers and, yes, had change from a fiver - unbelievable! Open during the day, although frequented by locals, this bar is a must for any student, especially during their "skintest" days. Not a bar to stay in all night (although some have been known to get lost in this tiny place!), and be warned it does get sweaty and a touch skanky as the drinks flow, but a definite starting point for any night of magnificent carnage and memory loss. Upon stumbling out, go left, then left again and you'll happen upon Concert Square with a host of clubs to dance the night away – magic!

The Blue Angel
108, Seel Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 1535

Known to students as ‘The Raz’, The Blue Angel is a real dive of a club with blacked out windows, sticky floors and the proverbial sweat dripping off the ceiling. Don’t let that put you off! The beauty of The Raz is that you are bound to bump into someone you know, especially on a Thursday night when hundreds of students descend - drawn by the extraordinary cheap drinks (from 50p). The speciality is a ‘Fat Frog’, but you’ll have to go to find out more. Once you realise that you actually enjoy the cheesy music and crowded boogying, you’ll get even better value by becoming a Raz member (free for girls, £2 for lads), which gives you 50p off the £1.50 entrance fee. The Beatles and The Stones played here in the 60s and even Cilla Black did a turn, so it’s part of Liverpool tradition and you’ve ‘gorra’ give it a go.
Alisa Mitford

Bistro Pierre
14, Button St, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 227 2577

Bistro Pierre offers a scintillating selection of French cuisine and on Wednesdays and Sundays it offers a free bottle of wine to every person! – Not to be missed and a cheap way to get legless! It's in the centre on Matthew Street, so it is right next door to some famous bars and clubs.

Tabac Ltd
126 Bold St, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 9502

Tabac, at the top of Bold Street, is great for food. It first opened in the early 70’s and is still going strong so people can appreciate a real sense of history with their meal. The prices are very reasonable and the service is great.

Bistro Jaques
37-39, Hardman St, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 1998

A fantastic place to eat in Liverpool is Bistro Jacques. Not only is the food lovely, but it is great value for money. On different nights of the week the restaurants offer a two-course meal and a bottle of wine each for only £14 and the restaurant also offers a pre-theatre menu which consists of a three-course meal for only £10.95. There is a small extra charge for fillet steaks and some other dishes however, even at that price, it’s very reasonable.  Bistro Jacques is situated in a perfect location in the city centre if you are hitting the pubs and clubs later on.

Kimo's
46 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool
Tel: 0871 2078926

Kimo’s is a fantastic little eatery situated close to the University of Liverpool on Mount Pleasant. The Mediterranean and Eastern inspired menu (all meat is Halal) is incredibly varied - from delicious falafel and hummus sandwiches, through to mixed kebabs and freshly squeezed juice, all prepared while you wait - and not to be squirmed at by the health-conscious amongst us.The price of the food is extremely reasonable, given its ingredients, and students can fill their bellies for around a fiver (including fresh orange juice!). Not that it’s solely a student haunt; Kimo’s has a greatly varied and cosmopolitan consumer base. The friendly staff, good food, Mediterranean-style décor and twinkly ceiling lights appeal to a wide cross-section of society which guarantees a constantly lively and bustling atmosphere.
Philippa Gray

Soul Café
Bold Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 708 9470

I discovered the Soul Café on a day that I was wandering the streets looking for some good hangover grub and, ever since, it’s become a ‘sex and the city’ style meet-up place for me and my friends. It does scrumptious chucky soups. Stews, traditional ‘Scouse’ food and loads more. It’s the atmosphere that I really love; always upbeat with a bit of funky 60’s soul playing in the background. It’s all you need to turn that frown upside down!
Hayley Esain

Lark Lane
Liverpool
www.larklane.com

If you’re anything like me you probably spend half your money and too much of your time in soulless, uninspiring supermarkets. A quirky alternative with a timeless, community atmosphere is  ‘the Lane’, where shops can supply you with fresh fish, retro clothing, stamps, paracetamol, sofas, newspapers, tattoos and hardware ranging from galvanized buckets to screwdrivers. Services supplied range from betting to arranging your funeral. Everything is delivered with a smile and at least 10 minutes gossip about the shopkeeper’s views on life, the universe and football. Evenings are laid back with a variety of bars, restaurants, takeaways and pubs all jostling within 200 meters of each other. On a warm summer evening the fairy lights will convince you that Lark Lane is really magical.

Dafna’s
240 Smithdown Road, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 733 7808

This shop is believed to be a Victorian dairy and still has beautiful decorative wall tiles dating back to this time. However, Dafna’s is famous amongst locals for cakes that are as close to homemade as you’ll get outside of your own kitchen. Ten flavours of cheesecake are on offer as well as a huge variety of other desserts, confectionery and vegetarian food. They are all made from non-commercial recipes, making Dafna’s a place of sheer indulgence. If you want to impress someone, buy them something scrummy from here.
Roanna Mitford

Cavern Designer Shopping
Matthew Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 236 9082

This shopping centre doesn’t quite fit a student budget but it’s the perfect opportunity to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Shops include everything from Vivienne Westwood and Cricket (a WAGs favourite) to Jimmy Choo and of course there is the nearby famous Cavern Club where live music is constantly on offer.
Jordan Allsopp

Mersey Ferry
Timetable + tickets: 0151 3391444
£2.20 Adult return direct service hourly from Pierhead, Seacombe, +Woodside ports.

For 850 years people have braved the choppy water of the Mersey Estuary, though today’s attractions of New Brighton’s old fort, Birkenhead Priory, the Spaceport and Aquarium (complete with Octopus garden) at Seacombe, are more exciting than the original mudflats. Seeing the Liverpool skyline and renovated docks this way should be first on your cultural list to do on a sunny day. Competitions of who can stay on deck the longest without losing fingers to the cold, before enjoying the warm interior where you will be entertained by the joyous sounds of  “Ferry ‘cross the Mersey”, are highly amusing. See how many times of hearing the song on repeat it takes for the lyrics to be ingrained in your head! Pity the same can’t be said for revision! For those with sea legs nothing beats the smell of sea air and the wind in your hair.

Walker Art Gallery
William Brown Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 4784199

For the more ‘arty’, the Walker is a great place to discover, not least because it is completely free. It’s named after a Liverpool brewer who was mayor of Liverpool at some point, and donated £20,000 towards the buildings construction 120 years ago. It was completely revamped in 1999 in line with its progressive approach and it was one of the first galleries to have a conservation programme. Exhibitions are very varied, from Sci-Fi and fantasy works, modern jewellery, and of course, being Liverpool, a Beatles collection online. There is work by David Hockney from the pool series, a Rembrandt self portrait, religious stuff by Rubens, Stubbs’ ‘Horse frightened by a lion’ - which is pretty dramatic (which cost them all of £22 10 shillings in 1910) and Yearn’s chilling ‘When did you last see your father?’ Rodin’s sculptures and Rossetti’s pre-Raphaelite efforts are worth looking at if it’s raining.

World Museum
William Brown Street, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 4784393

Want to learn the art of animation and view Wallace and Gromit film sets? Fancy finding a real live Nemo and all his mates? Fascinated by the land of the Pharaohs and the original queens of eyeliner? Astounded by the origins of our solar system and our insignificance within the universe? Feeling altruistic enough to adopt an ant? Think you’re secure enough to deal with the emotions evoked by seeing a fused rice bowl from Hiroshima, and a roof tile from Nagasaki? The World Museum has enough to provoke thought, provide fun, and entertain.

Anglican Cathedral
Tel: 0151 702 7217

If you want to impress people when they visit you or just want a great view of the city then the best place to go is the Anglican Cathedral. It’s a gorgeous church anyway as well as being the highest point of the city. My advice is to have a cup of tea in the café and then go up to the top of the tower. You can see the Welsh hills and the Lake District not to mention having a great view of the city. Plus, they offer a student discount on admission to the top of the tower!
Natalie Louise Stephenson

Sefton Park
www.seftonparkliverpool.info

On a blue sky day head for Seffy Park; beloved of generations of joggers, cyclists, picknickers, fishermen, botanists, sunbathers, dog walkers, footballers, cricketers and students. Seffy Park is a reminder the Liverpool was once countryside, later a deer park and then farmland. It’s the biggest green space in Liverpool and features streams, ponds and a lake housing waterfowl and terrapins. There is extensive grass for a variety of sports, entertainment events, circuses and music. An impressive ornate Victorian palm house, 70ft high, has plants from around the world (open free any day). There’s an iron bridge over a landscaped mini ravine, lots of statues and a refreshment kiosk. Go explore Seffy Park on your own, with a friend or a whole bunch of you. But go.
Alisa Mitford

Tate Gallery
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Tel: 0151 702 7400

As a first year student living away from home for the first time, I took refuge in the free galleries and museums of Liverpool. The Tate Gallery on the Albert Dock is my favourite place to visit. I came with hangovers, upset over rows about washing up and stressed about assessments! I found that spending time wandering round, looking at and contemplating the modern art relaxed me. In the clean, bright air-conditioned gallery, the outside seems a bit further away and problems seem a bit more manageable. On leaving the gallery I always felt motivated, energised and inspired!
Louise Waller