There are plenty of clothing rails to search through at End, Attica, Mint, Skirt or Union, and if it is retro chic you are looking for, try Period Clothing. Music-lovers will want to visit Spin or RPM for their collections of vinyl as well as CDs. High Bridge must class as the coolest shopping street in the city, and has plenty to appeal to the student population as well as anyone wanting something a little more bohemian or unusual. Where: 24 Pudding Chare, Newcastle (0191 261 1525) When: Noon to 2.30pm Tue to Fri, 6-9.30pm Wed to Sat How much: One-course lunch £9.95; dinner main courses £11.95 23 High Bridge Given the amount of city space devoted to shopping malls, it is refreshing to find a street with such an eclectic mix of independent shops. Local here really does mean somewhere close by, and homemade means that the chef himself put the ingredients together.

The menu may have a limited choice, but most diners see that as a strength rather than a weakness. What this actually means is that everything is local, from suppliers who are named on the menu: fish is from Ridley's in Corbridge, beef comes from Well Hung and Tender, a farm in Berwick. Where: University of Northumbria, Sandyford Road, Newcastle (0191 227 4424; online.northumbria.ac.uk/gallery) When: 10am-5pm Mon-Thu, 10am-4pm Fri-Sat How much: Free 22 Comfort Food Company This small establishment boasts that it serves real food simply cooked. Works chosen are by artists who have some connection with the region, although they are not necessarily British; the gallery has strong links with the art scene in Norway.

It is independent within the university, and although it does have a collection of its own, it funds itself through the sale of the works on display in a series of changing exhibitions. Describing itself as a luxebar - part restaurant, part bar, part club - it is an excellent place to head for, either early in the evening or late at night. Essentially, Apartment is music-based, with live music six days a week and a DJ on Sunday. Where: 28-32 Collingwood Street, Newcastle (0191 230 4114; www.apartment-luxebar ) When: Noon-2am Mon to Sat, noon-12.30am Sun How much: Cocktails from £5.45 21 University Gallery This newly refurbished space began life as a teaching gallery, where the staff of Northumbria University's art department could exhibit their works. Where: Between East Park Road, Saltwell Road South and West Park Road, Gateshead (0191 478 4222; www.gateshead.gov.uk) When: Daily from dawn until dusk How much: Free 20 Apartment Although it has only been open a couple of years, Apartment is now so well-established and so popular that others are now trying to emulate it - although no one has managed to do anything better.