If your idea of a good night out is unrestrained boogying topped off with drinking games and Frank Sinatra singalongs then rock this way. Middlesbrough is a great night out for people who don't take life too seriously. From Thursday to Saturday, the town centre is heaving with clubbers of all different ages and groups of party-going hens, stags and birthday brigaders. A good starting point is the Dickens Inn on Southfield Road - a favourite hang-out for the town's trendysomethings, especially in the summer when the patio barbeque gets underway. Bars like Lloyds, Yates, Blue, Flares and the Hairy Lemon set the tone from early doors; the drinks are good value and the life-loving atmosphere is typically Middlesbrough - a great mood lifter, dancing shoes on or off. It's all pretensions barred at the town's main nightclubs such as Walkabout, Jumpin Jacks, The Crown and Chicago Rock where the fun, and the volume, gets cranked up a notch. It's nightlife in the spirit of John Travolta, and entry is strictly for the fun-at-heart only.

Dance and DJs

If you prefer something cooler, hipper, sharper...then break some beats at Club Night Replica with live DJs at the Purple Onion's Cellar Bar, or mingle with Middlesbrough's it-crowd at the Cornerhouse for adult-sized moshing on a Friday or hip-hop, R&B and house at Sixty-nine on a Thursday. Also look out for top name DJs at The Empire, which in the past have included Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong and Roger Sanchez

Rock, Indie and Live Music

For live guitar rock and indie chartstoppers, head for Play at the Empire where you can jump around to rock classics and live bands in the glorious setting of an old, art-nouveau theatre. The music's energetic and it's great for catching upcoming acts before they make it big - recent gigs include the Kaiser Chiefs, The Ordinary Boys, Kasabian and Scissor Sisters. .

Dr Browns is a brilliant little venue that was once the home of X-factor's Journey South; there are free jazz, jam session and cover band nights that pull in a good crowd most evenings. There's more live pub and acoustic rock at the Crown, the Princess Alice and the Dickens Inn, and the Cornerhouse and Middlesbrough Town Hall stage bigger acts, from the likes of Oasis, James and The Arctic Monkeys through to Mel C and Beverley Knight.

Gay Scene

Middlesbrough may not be top of your list when you are thinking of a top gay night out but its gay scene is quickly developing and becoming more and more talked about throughout the North.

The town has three gay bars, two of which open really late and an award winning weekly gay fest, SATUR-GAY, at Basement Nightclub, under Centre North East slap bang in the middle of the town centre. The night is hosted by two of the North's brightest drag talents, Honey and Flic who work alongside dancers, entertainers, clowns, fire eaters and more to provide you with more than just a night out - it's an all round experience. Every Saturday the doors open at 11 pm, and don't close until 3 am.

Annie's Bar, on Linthorpe Road is open daily from Noon until Midnight. Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays are karaoke nights so take along your best voice and Sundays see punters taking full advantage of free pool.

The Oak is on Newport Road opposite the Bus Station, with a club feel it's the perfect way to spend your weekend, although is open 7 nights. Sundays are unique, hosted by Kev T and is often themed with an annual Drag Ball and Midsummer Christmas celebration.

For the full lowdown on Middlesbrough's gay scene, check out www.outnortheast.com.