http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18745 I'm recommending it on the strength that it is the best place to drink outside in central Dublin, legally.

On a Thursday and more so on a Friday there will be literally thousands of people, students, office slaves and more, sitting in the sun drinking. Drinks can be bought at the bar- 4 cans of larger for €8 - or more often brought in. Sometimes there's cricket on, and you can laze and look at that, or the stunning Berkley Library full of studying students, all wishing they were down on the grass next to you.

Other activities might include an impromptu kick about, impromptu sing-a-long, frisbee game, streaker and other studenty type activities.
Food and other drinks available and there's a very limited selection of beers and stouts on tap, but buying drink in there seems against the whole spirit of the thing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18745 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11597
Russell Brand, Daniel Kitson, Phil Nichol, Russell Howard, Stewart Lee and more have all graced the stage in recent months, usually accompanied by some suprising talent from less well known acts.

It's just one stop by train from London Bridge, so pretty easy to get to for a cheap and entertaining night out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11597 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11117
Rents are relatively cheap so it’s the preferred area of students, making it very lively and full of bustling clubs and cafes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11117 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10881 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10881 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9594
Preferably use bottled drinking water like Schweppes, Nestle, Aqua and Baraka. University students like to practice their English so don't be baffled if they try to talk to you. You will know them because they use complicated vocabulary compared with street vendors who may try to rip you off in their simple English. I am an Egyptian who lived in England some years ago and adored the Brits I hope you have a wonderful time in Egypt.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9594 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9561 to be made. If 30 signatures are collected the management will consider making it.
The cafe also serves great pizza bagels for those who need a savoury snack. It is open until midnight and, although there are plenty of students in term-time, it's worth making a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9561 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5330
It's a lovely place to stay, much more relaxed than the city centre and easy to get to by metro and cheap(ish) by taxi in the early hours of the morning. Also, if you fancy a day by the sea, skip the undesirable beach in the city (Barcelonetta) and head for Sitges, 15 minutes by train, for a lazy day by the water and a big seafood paella, getting the last train back (about 10 pm) and heading out into the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5330 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3177 If you go around back, there's a bar that sometimes never closes full of students. Apparently smoking friendly too.

The Brickhouse
730 Main St, Vancouver
Lo-Fi place to relax on some couches, shoot pool and drink in a non BS atmosphere. meet girls and actually be able to talk to them without blasting garbage House music. No idea when it closes. Sometimes 5:00am, sometimes 2:00am.

The Templeton Restaurant
Monday night is movie night. See a movie still in theatres and get blasted on $9 pitchers of ale. It's a diner, but all the food is organic and tasty.

Arts backstage lounge (on Granville Island).
Take a $2.50 ferry ride to granville island from beach avenue. check out the best patio in Vancouver. Full of Emily Carr students, and a secret place to watch the fireworks if you don't want to brave the ridiculous crowds of drunk teenagers.

Butchershop on Main St.
All sorts of stuff goes on here like midnight movies, local artists, great people.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3177 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3176 www.livemusicvancouver.com

The best hostel in the city (during the summer) is the Jericho Beach Hostel. They organize all sorts of bar-crawls, vollyball and the usual BS. Plus it's a giant dorm right on the beach.

However, if you're coming here anywhere outside of summer, stay here www.samesun.com/vancouver_hostel.html or check out the Cambie Hostel/Bar. Both Hostels have good bars with cheap $6-10 pitchers of beer, full of ex-pats, and opportunities to go into the interior/Banff ect. The Cambie is a rowdy dive of a bar, so expect picnic tables, and lot's of beer being tossed everywhere by 19-23yr olds.

There are a few smaller hotels around Robson St. for about $90CAD a night. There's a million luxury hotels such as the Opus Hotel, and Hotel Vancouver (google for info).

For restaurants, you can either score $0.99 sushi on Davie St or check this www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=12744 (Best of Vancouver).

420!
Contrary to popular belief, it's not 100% legal here. However use common sense and you'll be fine. There are a few cafes around town, and an actual store operating called 'Vancouver Connection'. Read this magazine: www.cannabisculture.com/ and ask around the forum.

Get on the skytrain and get off on Broadway St. Make your way down commercial drive towards the water and you'll come across a billion artist-run centres/cafes/bars galore.

If you really want to do something awesome, look for vacation cabins along Shushwap Lake, Christina Lake, or the millions of other cabins. Rent a boat and party till the sun comes up on the beach in Osoyoos or whatever. Not cheap :(

Finally, if you want to check out local punk/metal bands, meet awesome people and drink the cheapest booze on the planet go here www.thecobalt.net]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3176