Oakford Social Club / Reading

The first bar you'll see when you step off the platform of the station is OSC. The sign outside boasts what Oakford Social Club does best: Eats, Meets, Beats and Treats. You'll definitely want to be here on one of their many live music nights, particularly the BBC Introducing shows, that exhibit some of the best young bands and live talent I've seen in a bar. It's been super busy every time I've been, and getting a seat on one of the comfy's is a struggle, so get to the bar early!

Okay. Now here's the catch: Don't ever come here on a normal evening or in the daytime. The price of the beer here match London prices, to the point you'll be wanting to bring a hip flask to swig in between the barman's trips to collect your empty glasses of tap water. Without the music, it's also hard to drown out the acne, spectacled mozart who took it upon himself to play the entirety of Bat out of Hell on the free piano. I will be going back here one day, but only for a gig, and only with a heavy pre drinks.

7/10

Milk Bar / Reading

I hate the phrase 'hidden gem', but I'll make an exception for Milk Bar. I ended up on a mini quest to find it, having walked up and down Friar Street, diving into a side street and through a cafe, I found myself tentatively making my way up some stairs in to an attic. You'll be pleasantly rewarded though when you get to this student den. The sofas, chilled music and sweet cocktails make this a great place to go with a small group of mates or on a date. It's by no means cheap, and so you won't be here every night, but hitting this place up during Happy Hour and you'll be laughing... and pretty smashed (recommend a Jack the Lad for those rum lovers).

There's a few music and comedy events I saw advertised up on the wall if thats what you're in to, but the bar is pretty small, and I feel it's a much better place to rock up for a couple of hours and get merry with your close mates.

9/10

BSB / Bristol

Ahh nostalgia reigns. The good old days of hitting up BSB, grabbing some £1 jagerbombs and a pint, and dancing to some cringey chart music and tubthumping, as you literally get knocked down and get back up again, only to crawl back to the bar for some outrageously cheap drinks. The recession has just hit BSB it seems however, as theres not a drinks deal in sight, and the shocking tunes just aren't as fun as they used to be in this awkwardly shaped bar/nightclub/I don't know/future Starbucks?

I wouldn't be persuaded to go to BSB these days as theres just nothing special about it, some might say overprice, particularly with V shed just down the harbour. It's boring and perhaps the CD ROM of the bar world, just a necessity of the past. Feeling for the awkward toilet man I used to have a chat with, the sound of coke snorting just doesn't seem worth it now does it mate?

2/10

The Woods / Bristol

No I'm not talking about having a few tinnies up in castle park; quite the opposite. The Woods is one of the more expensive bars around the park street area that you'll be paying Clifton prices for. It's pretty tucked away up a side road, but it's right next to everything else you'll want for an evening.

No promoters for this place, you'll want to be going here if you got your glad rags on. The first time I went to The Woods, a friend rented out the upstairs area, for what was meant to be a classy occasion... I think. However, both times I've been have ended up being somewhat undignified, whether it was the sophisticated interior or the fact you can only order lager in pitchers, I don't know. Would definitely return, but perhaps only on payday, when I'm feeling confident with my spending.

8/10

Elbow Room / Bristol

Elbow Room is slap-bang in the middle of Park Street. I can guarantee you'll end up here at some point on your crawl to your last bar or club. It has VERY average prices with a VERY average selection of your usual lagers and ciders. Unless you get a chance to jump on one of the 2 pool tables before the slurring fat bastards piss their drink all over the table, this is one where you'll want a quick double vodka/jagerbomb and on to the next one. Despite the name, theres no place for elbows unless you get a booth, particularly with the egos I've come across in there. There is a dancefloor if you feel brave enough to go up the stairs, or brought the rest of your sixth form social. Not one of may faves, sorry Elbow Room.

3/10

Start The Bus / Bristol

Let's start with one of my my favourites. 'Start the bus' is a fantastic student bar just off of the city centre fountains. Having been there a few times later on in the night, it was great to kick things off at STB for once. If you're like me and my mates, conversation can get dry in the early hours of the evening, making the foosball table and (weirdly) a small collection of nostalgic board games a great way to get the the night going and drinks flowing. There's a great mix of alternative rock music on the system and actually a dancefloor if you're pissed enough. The lagers are pretty standard, as we receive our Red Stripe tinnies in a four pack, with very little draught selection, but meh, its not too expensive. Only a couple of downsides to this bar for me: Never seen it busy, so it does kill a bit of the atmosphere, and it's not close to any clubs or bars... making the next destination a bit of a trek away.

7/10