Oh great STW hive where does the discerning gentleman spend Friday on an overnighter in Buckinghamshire’s capital of fun? Oh, and it shouldn’t be too much fun, so no coke and hookers. Staying at the holiday in central nearby recommendations appreciated. Google informs there is a Nandos and a Wetherspoons nearby! Cheers for any suggestions however helpful.

Central MK only gives you the choice of standard town ‘bars’ rather than pubs. Personally I find you’re better off near the Hub for a couple of Weatherspoons and an All Bar One as well as a few others but, to be frank, they’ll all soulless.

Unfortunately, the best places to find a pub in/near MK is either the surrounding towns like Stony Stratford, Wolverton or the villages – Woburn Sands, Middleton, Shenley etc. But I’m guessing that’s not really an option.

MK Food and Leisure Awards

Might give you some ideas.

Thanks Elliot, will see if anything stands out. Last time I needed to be in Milton Keynes I stayed in Wolverton were there’s a couple of ok boozer style pubs.

There’s a few nice ones near the canal though a bit further out really The Barge does nice food in the day, never been at night

The Talbot near me in Loughton is nice, but 15 minute cycle from the centre

Really struggling as it is all generic chains

I’d eat in Brassiere Blanc as one of my preferred chains

Maybe see a movie, go skiing, ice skating or pop over to Big Rock for climbing

Cheers all for the suggestions. It does look really generic, most UK cities have something a bit more individual. Personal favourite is the Wellington in Birmingham. The barge looks good as does the suggestion of climbing (started in April) /skiing.

Missoula in the Hub is very good, Brasserie Blanc et al in the Hub. If you want a proper pub then you need to get out of the main centre and head out on the canal – most are good.

If you go to Xscape there a Wetherspoons, Revolution, Bowling Alley, nightclub and Casino. Then many different chain type eating establishments. Across the road is what is known as the Theatre District which had a few more bars, I’ve not been there for a while but someone mentioned that a few of the bars had shut down (and the website seems to echo this http://www.theatre-district.co.uk/venues/).

As others have said there is The Hub which is another chain type eating and drinking area. http://www.thehub-miltonkeynes.com/eat-and-drink

Big Rock is excellent and they will let you climb if you fill out a form. You don’t need to book an assessment. Try posting on UK climbing if you want a partner. Otherwise the boldering area is quite good.
Pubs wise.. the Wetherspoons at Seclow 100 will be horrible on a Friday night. The other Wetherspoons down the road is more boring and the one at Xscape busy.

Not much at the theatre district now. The only busy spot is the Latin place. Mk social is supposed to do a good burger but generally they have 7-8 people in on a Friday night.

Cheers timidwheeler, good to know about big rock

Big Rock was excellent. Very friendly/welcoming (told them they were recommended by STW), and good routes on the bouldering wall.