Party Time

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. Also on Southfield Road is host to The Southfield and The Star, which is a popular starting point for a night out. Bars like Lloyds, Yates, Barracuda, 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, Onyx Rooms, The Empire, Cornerhouse, The Crown, Uncle Alberts and Spensleys Emporium.

Dance and DJs

If you prefer something cooler, hipper, sharper...mingle with Middlesbrough's it crowd at Absolute, Onyx Rooms or the Cornerhouse for adult-sized moshing on a Friday.

Look out for top name DJs at The Empire, which in the past have included Paul Oakenfold, Pete Tong and Roger Sanchez. Walkabout is another unmissable venue for top D.J'S and live music!

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, The Keys 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.

LGBT Scene

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

Newly-opened Blu and Basement is an open minded venue, keen to accomodate any event and supports the local creative industry. It hosts Middlesbroughs biggest gay club night 'Satur-Gay' (Previously at the Cornerhouse) as well as party games and pop music at 'Pop Boudoir' every Sunday.

Two gay / gay friendly bars for a fun, relaxed time are listed below.

The Oak is on Newport Road opposite the Bus Station, with a club feel it's the perfect way to spend your weekend, although it is open 7 nights a week. It is Middlesbrough's only gay-owned and run pub.

H'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 regular Cabaret events.

Special events and club nights take place in additional venues and are promoted in the locations above. You can also see www.outnortheast.com for more info on the local LGBT scene.