The idiot's guide to Britain's media villages
From Edinburgh to Somerset, and Cardiff to Norwich, all self-respecting media schmoozers will gather together at the end of a hard day's deadlines. Genevieve Roberts and Sophie Morris reveal the hottest haunts
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GLASGOW
The Ubiquitous Chip
Who goes there
Attracts celebs like iron filings to a magnet, from Kirsty Wark to Meryl Streep, Ewan McGregor to John Cleese, and Billy Connolly to Keira Knightley.
Why they like it:
Divine home-made ice cream best savoured with a single-malt whisky. Oh, and vegetarian haggis...
The Corinthian
Who goes there
Local nightclub tycoon Stefan King courts all media types here. The party for "Scotland's Most Eligible" was held here.
Why they like it
Upmarket bar in a grand, historic building off George Square.
Groucho Saint Judes
Who goes there
Another mixed-media crowd, including staff on Glasgow Evening Times and The Herald.
Why they like it
Retro-styled regional offshoot of the London Groucho Club.
THE COPY CAT
Who goes there
Notorious drinking den full of hacks and their seedy contacts - difficult to tell who's who.
Why they like it
Close to Daily Record and Sunday Mail HQ at Central Quay. Some hardened regulars are organising a campaign to prevent its planned closure.
Oran Mor
Who goes there
Former Observer editor Andrew Jaspan held his leaving do from the Sunday Herald here.
Why they like it
Unique £6m church conversion with two restaurants, a bar and club, as well as an impressive auditorium for plays and concerts.
BELFAST
The John Hewitt
Who goes there
Journalists from three nearby papers, The Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and Sunday World. Novelists Bernard MacLaverty and Glenn Patterson; playwright Martin Lynch; punk godfather Terri Hooley; artist John B Vallely; musician Francis McPeake.
Why they like it
PC gastropub that ploughs all profits back into Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre. Also serves traditional music, jazz, poetry, theatre and cinema.
Restaurant Michael Deane
Who goes there
Convenient for BBC staff. The eponymous head chef and proprietor is married to Kate Smith, the UTV newsreader.
Why they like it
Michelin-starred for the past eight years, there's a bustling brasserie downstairs and a luxurious restaurant upstairs.
Cayenne
Who goes there
Attracts a cross-section of media types, usually on expense accounts. The chefs Paul and Jeanne Rankin, first in Northern Ireland to be awarded Michelin stars, have fronted their own television series.
Why they like it
The Rankins have created a veritable foodie empire in Belfast so that friends and regulars feel at home wherever they choose to eat. Cayenne remains their most formal restaurant, however.
Nick's Warehouse
Who goes there
Favourite media lunch spot. Close to The Irish Times, Belfast Telegraph and Sunday World, as well as the two main broadcasters, the BBC and Ulster Television.
Why they like it
A top-end wine bar with prices to match, Nick's is an anchor-tenant in the up-and-coming Cathedral Quarter area.
The Potthouse
Who goes there
Style and entertainment journalists such as Maureen Coleman and Andrea McVeigh of the Belfast Telegraph; and BBC Northern Ireland's Christine Bleakley.
Why they like it
One of the latest in a series of stylish bars across the city that attracts a younger, more glamorous crowd for eating, drinking and dancing. The glass ceiling dividing the bar from the restaurant (don't wear a skirt!) has caused quite a stir.
LIVERPOOL
London Carriage Works
Who goes there
Jane Wolstenholme Liverpool Daily Post editor.
Why they like it
Part of the Hope Street Hotel, described by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the coolest in the world.
Everyman Bistro
Who goes there
Highbrow media sorts. The Merseyside Tonight presenter Claire Hamilton practically lives here.
Why they like it
Discreetly tucked under Everyman Theatre, food ranges from trad British to voguish Eastern.
Bar & Grill
Who goes there
Everyone. BBC Merseyside, NorthWest Tonight, Echo, Mercury and Post staff. Venue for launch of new Kelly Brook vehicle, School for Seduction.
Why they like it
Kudos. Previously known as Prohibition, it was popular then. Venue for the BBC's Christmas bash.
WILTSHIRE
The Angel, Heytesbury
Who goes there
Endemol crew when filming The Farm; Rachel Royce of ITV-West and her estranged husband Rod Liddle; Guy Walters, novelist; David Macbeth, writer/dramatist.
Why they like it
Tim Etchells, Anthony Worrell Thompson's business partner, runs it, and opinion is divided over whether it has been improved or ruined by being Londonised. Great steaks.
The Benett Arms, Semley
Who goes there
Michael Vestey of The Spectator, and Bob Walter, Tory MP for North Dorset. Guy Ritchie was in one night with Brad Pitt, shortly after Madonna took up residence at nearby Ashcombe Park.
Why they like it
Traditional pub, but also one of the first to get a free computer to help country folk who can't afford their own. The landlord Joe Duthie stood in the last election as the candidate for the Lower Excise Duty Party. Fine wines and lovely open fire.
SOMERSET
Babington House, Near Frome
Who goes there
Linked with Soho House in London, it attracts many of the same media names, including Steve Coogan; Lorraine Candy of Elle; Marcus Rich, MD of Emap Performance; Jonathan Webb, channel controller of Trouble and Challenge; Rimi Atwal, also of Emap; Julia Hobsbawm of HMC; Harriet Scott of Heart 106.2; and Johnny Hornby, CEO of CHI, all have Soho House membership. Owned by Nick Jones, husband of Five newscaster Kirsty Young.
Why they like it
Exclusivity - Babington House operates as a hotel for members, but is not open to the general public.
EDINBURGH
Valvona & Crolla Caffe Bar
Who goes there
Kirsty Wark, Mariella Frostrup, Clive James, and the wine critic Matthew Jukes.
Why they like it
Good for before, during or after shopping. Ever-changing menu and great Italian wine.
The Tun
Who goes there
Staff of Edinburgh Evening News, The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the BBC. Iain Mcwhirter of BBC Scotland; Iain Martin, editor of Scotland on Sunday; Alan Cochran, Scotland correspondent for The Daily Telegraph; and Robbie Dunwoodie, The Herald's parliamentary reporter.
Why they like it
Opposite the Scotsman, with the BBC above the pub itself and parliament down the road. All the atmosphere of an airport lounge, and better known for bad karaoke than as the hub of political debate.
Doric Tavern
Who goes there:
Alan Taylor, associate editor of the Sunday Herald; Bob Cuddihy, former Scottish TV presenter-turned-PR guru.
Why they like it
Over the road from Waverley Station, and since the 1860s the watering-hole of choice for journalists, writers and artists.
The Witchery
Who goes there
Anyone up from London. An old favourite of Rebecca Hardy when she was editor of The Scotsman, now of The Daily Mail.
Why they like it
A classy restaurant guaranteed to impress.
The Hallion
Who goes there
Simon Cowell, Angie Hunter, Adam Boulton, Jackie Clune and Julie Burchill all visited during last year's festival. Christian Slater held his birthday party there.
Why they like it
A private-members club that maintains an air of exclusivity.
BRISTOL
Hotel Du Vin
Who goes there
Executives from the Western Daily Press; BBC Natural History Unit producers; PR bosses.
Why they like it
The bistro atmosphere and much-improved food. Good for eavesdropping.
Tobacco Factory Arts Centre
Who goes there
George Ferguson, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, redesigned it and lives on top floor. Digital company e3 media also based here.
Why they like it
Bar's vibe appeals to luvvies and geeks alike.
Il Bordello
Who goes there
Favourite with Bristol print journalists; writer Annie Milner hosts poetry nights.
Why they like it
Started out as media-only club, now free to non-members most nights.
NORWICH
Tatlers
Who goes there
Amanda Sandland-Taylor, founder and director of Newsmakers PR; various BBC Norwich journalists and actors.
Why they like it
Victorian townhouse restaurant that is stylish, low-key and relaxed, all scrubbed-wood tables and huge wine glasses. Owned and run by the young restaurateur Annelli Clarke.
The Wildebeest Arms
Who goes there
Susie Fowler-Watt, the Look East presenter, and some of her TV colleagues.
Why they like it
Great food and wine that doesn't break the bank, and exceptional service.
Threeways
Who goes there
Andrew Turner of Radio Norfolk, who says: "It's quite simple but great - authentic Lebanese food is served and there's a lovely family atmosphere."
The Linton Travel Tavern
Who goes there
Alan Partridge, the Radio Norwich presenter.
LEEDS
The Living Room
Who goes there
Most of the cast and crew of the Yorkshire based soap Emmerdale.
Why they like it
Its 1920s-style interior. Asian-influences menu, and traditional comfort food to combat wintry weather.
The Duke Of Wellington, The Old Steps, The George
Who goes there
Yorkshire Post and Evening Post staff.
Why they like it
Old-school hack venues. Dark, smoky, dingy. Where reporters lived and breathed in the days before Leeds regenerated itself.
BIRMINGHAM
Bank
Who goes there
Roger Borrell, editor-in-chief of the Birmingham Post and Birmingham Evening Mail; Fiona Alexander, editor of Birmingham Post, along with most of city's media and business community.
Why they like it
For its smart, modern, canalside setting and its buzz. Great smoked-fish risotto with poached egg on top - nursery food of the gods. Lively bar area with strange-coloured drinks.
Hotel Du Vin
Who goes there
Particularly popular with advertising types and design creatives.
Why they like it
It's a spectacular restaurant and bar inside a redbrick Gothic pile. And it has a great wine list.
The Bull
Who goes there
Popular with the boozier element of the Birmingham media community.
Why they like it
It's a Victorian real-ale pub with strong Irish links. The landlady, Rose McCann, is as warmly welcoming as the dishes she serves, which include winter delights such as partridge with fennel.
Jessica's
Who goes there
A cross-section of high-flyers from the worlds of television, press and PR.
Why they like it
French cuisine served up in stylish contemporary surroundings. Tipped for a Michelin star, this is the latest place to see and be seen in the Midlands.
The Malt Shovel
Who goes there
Among the first ports of call for any media type visiting the area.
Why they like it
For its hearty gastropub fare away from the city centre.
CARDIFF
La Fosse
Who goes there:
Wyn Innes, managing director of S4C International; BBC Wales producers.
Why they like it
Seafood restaurant, with Welsh lamb thrown in for carnivores. The bold interior features a glass cauldron spouting dry ice, and you can see into the kitchen. Discretion prevails here - you're unlikely to find out who frequents La Fosse without paying a visit yourself.
The Yard
Who goes there
Employees of The Western Mail and South Wales Echo; and News Wales reporters.
Why they like it
Big, modern, light bar close to Mail and Echo HQ, Thompson House.
Y-Mochyn-Du
Who goes there
Western Mail & Echo and News Wales employees.
Why they like it
Genuine Welsh pub where you can even hear the mother tongue spoken (its name means "the black pig"), with huge beer garden.
La Brasserie and Le Monde
Who goes there
BBC employees and anyone with a budget for boozy lunches.
Why they like it
Smartest French places in town.
OXFORD
Qi Club
Who goes there
The QI (Quite Interesting) is the brainchild of John Lloyd (producer of Blackadder, Spitting Image, and the BBC quiz show QI). Rowan Atkinson was at launch party and Lloyd offered honorary membership to John Sessions, Jo Brand, Bill Bailey, Hugh Laurie and Alan Davies.
Why they like it
Quite interesting chat - you're allowed to say that Mozart is better than Eminem (but some say it's a "lame Soho House").
The Watermans Arms
Who goes there
Oxford Mail and Oxford Times staff.
Why they like it
Great beer selection, and it's five minutes along the Thames from the office.
Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton
Who goes there
Anyone who's feeling rich or being spoilt.
Why they like it
Raymond Blanc's legendary HQ, voted best hotel in Britain by Condé Nast Traveller in 2004.
Sir Charles Napier Inn
Who goes there
Media types on their way in or out of the city.
Why they like it
Idiosyncrasy - sardines with piccalilli, anyone? Speciality ales, vintage bubbly, croquet, boules.
MANCHESTER
The Circle Bar
Who goes there
Chris Bisson (Kash in Shameless) with cast and crew.
Why they like it
The Man Utd of venues. Sophisticated and sexy, with designer unisex toilets. Exotic lagers prevail, and you are as likely to bump into a Premiership footballer as someone winding down from the set of Shameless.
The Press Club
Who goes there
Tyrone Dobbs and colleagues from Coronation Street; Jon Montague, head of comedy, BBC Manchester; Manchester Evening News staff; local-radio presenters.
Why they like it
Described as being the Oldham Athletic of media haunts, or like an episode of Shameless but with folk who think they're posh. Delightfully grubby, it was originally a den for the city's many hacks, it's now a big, square downstairs room, like a slightly better-decorated Phoenix Club or rehearsal space for Stars in Their Eyes. No brewery deal - it serves cans of Stella at about £3 a pop. Open till 5am.
Piccolinos
Who goes there
The music industry's Tony Wilson, and the city's PRs.
Why they like it
Wilson loves the ambience and says that the restaurateur's a genius.
Sam's Chophouse
Who goes there
Tony Wilson, again, who likes the "brilliant chef and traditional English food".
Palmiro
Who goes there
Wayne Garvey, head of entertainment,: "Extraordinary place, experimental Venetian cuisine that is either sublime or, frankly, terrible, but always exciting and memorable.
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