Cape Stockton Heath – Cackles in the Cape.

Hello!

First things first, I would like to announce that Party Princess is expanding! You can now find my blogs on AllAbroadUK and Visityourlocal. Very exicting.

The nights have been getting darker, wetter, colder and overall down right depressing. It got  to the point last week where I declared “Enough is enough, I’m bored of the winter blues, I need some laughs and a glass wine”  A few hours later a very interesting email popped up in my inbox entitled “Comedy night at Cape Bar, Stockton Heath” 3 hours of comedy performed by 4 regulars from  Manchester premier comedy club The Frog and Bucket. Not only that but it was all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Can’t turn down an offer like that really can I?

Stockton Heath is a cute little town sat closely to Warrington (Nearest train station was Warrington Bank Quay). Very cosy bar, smaller than the other “Cape” bars I’ve been to in the past but had a great warm atmosphere to it. I can say with absolute certainty that the staff were some the of the most attentive, welcoming and fun loving group of people I have witnessed in a pub. The Manager – Mike is a lovely chap and his friendliness and humour really wears off on his staff. Three cheers to him.

Mike (Centre Right) and the gang

Katie Mulgrew - Ex teacher turned funny lass.

8pm rolled around and the comedy acts started arriving. The MC for the night was ex supply teacher Katie Mulgrew, described as “The fairy at the top of the tree” and set the mood and tone of the night. If her opening act was anything to go by, I was in for a great night!

Left to right - Mike, Will, Katie and Macmillan Sponsor

Next up we met Mike Newall and Will Duggan – Both shared their views on life, relationships and current events.

Finally, the cherry on the top was the fabulous Mickey D an Australian born comedian with a unique blend of satire and dark humour and shared his views on living in England and gave us all a lesson on how to deal with drunken hecklers. There always one crowd who think the comedian is there simply to perform to them and them alone.

The night was a huge success for Macmillan cancer support and was a great cure for my winter blues. Would really recommend anyone in the Warrington area to check out Cape and next time in Manchester I will popping into the Frog and bucket if the 4 acts were anything to go by and would return to Cape in a heart beat!

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  First class service
Atmosphere and decoration:  Giggly…teee heeee
Facilities:  great big pink mirrors!
Talent Radar:  Will Duggan wasn’t too bad! x
Fun Factor: 100%
Perfect for: Giggles, lots of laughs, large group parties.
In 3 words: Tears of Laughter.

Check out other reviews for Cape at Inapub, Onionring and Stockton Heath visitor centre

Durham

Howdy!

I was invited up north again this week to witness the first “Sutra” night of the term at Varsity Durham. As you have gathered I’ve been to a few Varsity’s now so I went up with a certain expectation of the venue, its inhabitants and the staff.  I’m happy to report, all of those expectations were well and truly SMASHED! I do like to be proved wrong (sometimes –let’s not get ahead of ourselves!)

I’ll start with the venue. Most Varsities’ consist of one large space which is then separated by areas with different style of tables, booths and the like.  Durham was totally different! Plain walls were replaced with brightly coloured and textured wallpaper with really comfy trendy furniture and unlike most Varsity pubs; this one had an outdoor area to the back overlooking the river and the bridge. The balcony had at least ten tables and there were another five or six in the terrace which had a roof but open at one side. Seeing as it was such a nice day I sat outside, enjoyed my glass of wine and tucked in to a southern fried chicken wrap and chips (don’t tell my gym buddy, I’ll get told off!)

YUM!

Fun in the sun

Party in the pub

Whilst going to refill my glass I noticed a nice big dance floor and several little hidden seating areas, each with two or three smaller tables, thought it would be really good for a private little date

Whilst talking to the bar staff, it was pretty obvious they were excited about the night as well and were expecting around 700 students over the course of the night. Now over a space of 4/5 hours, 700 hyper students doesn’t sound like much but it wasn’t mentioned that they would all come at once which was indeed the case. The look on the bar staff’s face was priceless, a nice mixture of terror, excitement and determination! Within no time the dance floor was filled to the rafters and considering the playlist was pretty awesome, you couldn’t help but dance along.

After talking to some students it was clear that Varsity is one of the better places in the city for students and it’s really obvious why.

All the students were really friendly which makes a nice change. Sometimes they get a bit too drunk and get rowdy but there was good clean fun to be had by all including little old me! As you can see, everyone was really friendly. Little note to the girlies reading this….Durham has some great guys, easy on the eye if you catch my drift! *wink*.

 

Nutters

Crazy girls!

 

 

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  swift service, fab food.

Atmosphere and decoration:  On trend, surprisingly lush and warming

Facilities:  HUGE bathroom.

Talent Radar: yes yes YES!

Fun Factor: University fun at its best

Perfect for: Cosy date,  quiet dinner, party hard, lunch time chill out, watching the game.

In 3 words: Student hot spot.
For more reviews visit Beer in the Evening, Qype, or Scoot OR watch these videos

Varsity Plymouth

Hello Party Kings and Queens

I live with two blokes who both went to Plymouth University together and I’m always regaled with tales of drunken nights, waking up in strange places, new recipes for stomach churning shots and most of all Varsity! So when I got the chance to party with the students I jumped on a train with red bull, pro-plus and the vital post-night out orange berroca in hand.

The venue was HUGE. I mean massive. All the way at the back was a good sized stage and I noticed huge projector screens for watching sports. I was told later that Varsity hold NFL Sundays and show a lot of the football and major sports games

Varsity hold a weekly promo night called Funky Monkey, and upon my arrival I was greeted (I say greeted it more chased) by a massive 6ft gorilla who I now know goes by the less ape-y name of Lee!

No Monkey-ing around here!

I was invited to sit with the lads from the American Football team who were sponsored by Varsity (Varsity also sponsor Lacrosse, Ladies rugby, Cheerleaders and a few others I think) and after spending a lot of time with the rugby blokes from my own Uni I thought I could match the banter, alas no! Al the guys were so much fun and I enjoyed hearing the disgusting, gore filled, cringe stories and tales of broken bones, initiation tasks and messy nights outs.

American Football Team.

Decided to have a chimichanga from the new Mexican section of the menu, which, besides from being massive, was so yummy although there’s no way I’d want to see the calories from that dinner, don’t care, it was too good.

All the bar staff were wearing yellow monkey T-shirts and it was nice to see a dash of colour and solidarity behind the bar. I was “treated” to a shot of gin by the football boys and the night began! (Note to self, never accept a shot again unless you want your throat to burn, who thought one little shot could bring me to my knees!) I watched a very messy game of beer pong, joined in the YMCA dance and somehow ended up with a big inflatable monkey which – with the help of some unsuspecting students, I named Spank! So armed with Spank my pet monkey we travelled the bar meeting new friends.

I was warned by my housemates to “watch out for the navy men and the squaddies” and they were right! Lock up yours daughters when they are about!

Boy what a night it was, my hats go off to Plymouth, you guys can party! I’m going to put my name on the guest list next time I go for sure. Party Princess plus 1000000 guests!

Football team and Spank the pet Monkey

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  Had a good laugh with the gorilla!

Atmosphere and decoration:  MASSIVE venue with stage at the back

Facilities:  Very gothic themed bathroom, but hold your nose going past the boys loos – You know what they’re like!

Talent Radar:  Top notch. 10/10 for cheeky smiles!

Fun Factor: Loads of good clean(ish) Uni fun!

Perfect for: Watching the game, all in one venue, sports bar, hangover food. Group parties

In 3 words: Sports, banter, cheeky!

Don’t just take my word for it though! Check out other reviews at ……..http://www.inapub.co.uk/pubs/varsity-plymouth/plymouth/PL12SW/24569.aspx