Cinema
It is worth noting that the mobile phone network Orange offers two-for-one cinema tickets every Wednesday, so if you’re a keen movie-goer it might be worth acquiring an Orange SIM card (or some friends who use Orange) for a cheap night out. All cinemas also offer some form of student discount, so make sure to bring your University Card.
Arts Picturehouse Three screens. The Picturehouse offers a commendable choice of independent films and allows you to bring drinks purchased in their rather trendy bar in with you to the showing. They offer a yearly membership that is definitely worthwhile if you’re living nearby and are an avid cinema-goer. A favourite.
Vue Cinemas Eight screens. Located in the less-than-lovely Grafton Centre, and now beginning to show its age, this multiplex offers the usual array of overpriced sugary products, blockbuster movies and screaming children. Despite this, it’s not even cheaper than the Picturehouse.
Cineworld Eight screens. Located in the Cambridge Leisure Park, this cinema is further away than the Vue, but also considerably more pleasant. Also shows the usual selection of Hollywood output interspersed with the occasional artsy œuvre. They run a “bargain Tuesday” promotion where tickets are around £5.
For even more economically priced cinematic experiences, you can also try out some of the college-run film societies:
Trinity Hall Film Society This somewhat elusive society organises film nights, usually on Wednesdays during term. Unfortunately this means it clashes with Grad Hall, but if you’d rather sit in silence and ignore your fellow grads it’s probably best to do it here rather than at dinner.
St John’s Film Society Showing a diverse range of films in the 250-seat Palmerston Room. Tickets may be had for the bargain price of £2.50. Check their website for their termcard.
Theatre
ADC Theatre The home of student theatre in Cambridge—thespians, this is your mothership. During term time, there are usually two shows per evening, the main show (7.45pm) and the late show (11pm), although this may vary. The Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and the Footlights (a very famous student comedy group) both call the ADC their home. In addition, this theatre also hosts productions by various smaller college-based drama societies.
Corpus Christi Playroom The friendly student theatre at Corpus has been producing talent (for example Stephen Fry, who is a patron) for twenty-two years now. It is home to the Fletcher Players and well worth a visit.
Arts Theatre With its 666-seat auditorium, the Cambridge Arts Theatre hosts an eclectic programme of professional touring companies of various genres: dance, drama, opera and pantomime. You can often purchase student standby tickets on the day of the performance. There is a £2 booking fee on all listed prices, but this goes directly to the theatre itself.
Corn Exchange If you’re a scientist of some description, you will probably be introduced to this venue through an incredibly dull series of health and safety talks and lectures. Fear not: the Corn Exchange is also a popular stop for nationally touring comics and theatre groups, and indeed has received awards for its arts and music programme, so be sure to check their listings.
Music
If you want to listen to some traditional/acoustic/live music, then Cambridge has a wealth of options for you—those listed below are a good start for following the musical trail…
Man on the Moon This friendly and welcoming pub is great for a drink, and its back bar also functions as a live, alternative music venue. Can sometimes—especially at the weekends—be overrun by teenagers.
Portland Arms Despite looking like a traditional pub from the outside, this cosy venue offers a diverse mix of up-and-coming bands on the Cambridge music scene. If you’re into indie, electro or punk, or indeed a mixture of the three, then the Portland Arms may just be the place for you.
Corn Exchange Adding to the varied list of functions this venue fulfills, it also operates as a premier music hall, attracting some big names (recently it has seen La Roux and David Gray) and in the coming months will host Peter Andre, UB40 and Thin Lizzy. It is also, less enticingly, used as an examination hall for exams in Lent Term.
The Junction The Junction is Cambridge’s alternative arts/cultural centre (the hipper, younger yet bigger brother of the Corn Exchange). With two generously-spaced floors and a huge outdoor (smoking) area, it hosts an eclectic range of events and gigs, including theatre, live music, dance, comedy and club nights. A bit of a trek (especially from Wychfield), but worth it for a good night out.
If the word “music” summons visions of choirs, orchestras and conductors rather than rock’n’roll concerts and coke-fuelled raves, then be sure to check out the following.
Evensong Evensong in Cambridge is a remarkable experience that deserves not to be missed. Comprising a sung Anglican liturgy in the late afternoon or evening, these choral services are free of charge in various chapels across Cambridge. Those of St John’s, King’s, Clare and Caius all come highly recommended.
West Road Concert Hall This purpose-built venue hosts three resident ensembles (The Academy of Ancient Music, Britten Sinfonia and The Endellion String Quartet), as well as countless concerts from various divisions of the Cambridge University Music Society. You’ll usually spot posters affixed to gates and fences all around Cambridge informing you of upcoming concert events, although many of these will also take place in more intimate venues (e.g., in smaller college-owned spaces).
Clubs
Cambridge is not exactly the raving capital of the UK—for that you’ll have to hop on the 45-minute train to London. However, it does have its fair share of fun/sticky/awful/cool clubs.
Fez Sandy brown walls, burgundy leather stools and multicoloured lanterns give this cave-like club a pseudo-Moroccan feel. It’s actually quite expensive, but by the time you get here you’ll probably be so inebriated you won’t notice or care. Traditionally (if somewhat inexplicably) a popular venue for Tit Hall grads on a long night out.
Ballare Popularly referred to as Cindy’s, think cheesy pop music from the 90s and a random assortment of TV theme tunes, each played for no longer than 30 seconds and punctuated by shout-outs to various birthday parties/colleges/sporting societies. If the music doesn’t entice (why would it?), at least the drinks are relatively cheap, and you have a good chance of “meeting” some undergrads, if that’s your thing. A uniquely Cambridge experience—try it out at least once in your time here.
Soul Tree Probably the trendiest club in the town centre, it is spread over four floors and hosts live bands as well as regular club nights through the week with music styles spanning nearly every clubby music style you may care to think of.
Kambar Playing alternative and indie music until the wee hours, this somewhat grotty club has been described as a “ramshackle cowboy saloon”. The bar staff may be surly, but the price of the drinks easily makes up for it—they almost always offer some pretty good deals on house spirits/lagers.
The Place Defies description, but more “town” than “gown”…