For some laid-back fun, try the Evil Eye Lounge, with its louche, lamp-lit rooms and broad range of cocktails and (beware) absinthe. It's probably the most eccentric drinking hole in the city, with influences from as far-flung, disparate places as Morocco, Brazil and Haiti. Proudly offering a 'sanctuary from the norm', Evil Eye isn't just a bar – there's a cinema room and even wooden beds to hide in upstairs.

The famous York Brewery owns several pubs within the city, the best-loved of which is Last Drop Inn. Set within a historic building, it serves a range of quality ales, and friendly staff are on hand to help you choose. The brewery was born in 1996 within the old city walls, and is the first to offer traditionally brewed ales in nearly half a century.

In a beautiful timber-framed building near the Shambles, which dates back to 16th century, Pivni is named after a Czech beer in homage to its cosmopolitan selection of drinks. There are more than 80 draught and bottled beers to choose from and several wonderful cask ales. Wander up the creaking stairs and take a seat in the corner beneath dark timber beams – the perfect place to conspire over a rich stout or rare ale.

Dating back to the 15th century, this atmospheric Tudor inn is a sight in itself. But far from being just a tourist attraction, The Black Swan is a thriving old tavern, with live music most evenings, including everything from jazz to ever-popular folk nights. It also serves hefty plates of British pub food.

One of the coolest spots in a city renowned for its oldie pubs, The Habit is a café-bar with assorted, reclaimed furniture, relaxed vibes and a decent selection of guest ales and beers. One of the main attractions, though, is the regular live music and hip DJs, making it quite popular with the city's student population. Head up stairs to the terrace in the summer, where you'll also find The Habit's renowned graffiti wall.

Dating back to the 18th century, and housed in a Grade II-listed building once used as a hospital and mortuary by the Roundheads, this is reputedly the oldest pub in York. Set down a little alley (indicated by an old sign hanging over the main street), it's slightly ragged around the edges and other pubs in York have a wider selection of drinks. But for a bit of history in a city so steeped in it, Ye Olde Starr Inn is worth dropping in for a pint or two.

City Screen York is considered to be one of the finest cinemas in the country, if not Europe, with superb quality in sound and vision, not to mention comfort. Apart from its beeline in independent art-house films, there are live screenings of opera, ballet and theatre. Not just a cinema, City Screen is also well known for its live music venue, The Basement: an intimate spot for bands, comedy and poetry, which also doubles as an art gallery promoting local artists.

The premier choice for theatre in York, the Royal puts on the land's best plays and performances, while attracting many stars of stage and screen. Opened some 250 years ago by the Keregans, the building boasts a Victorian façade, Georgian interior, structural elements of a former 12th hospital, and even a Roman well concealed beneath the stage. The stunning main theatre seats more than 800, while a second, smaller playhouse has room for 100. Having recently gained funding from the Arts Council, the Royal is undergoing a major redevelopment from 2015.

Despite being a Grade II-listed building, this theatre and music venue isn't the most glamorous in York, at least from the outside. Inside, it's a handsome red-and-gold affair befitting its century of history. Originally set up to show films (the first place to do so in York), it reopened as the Grand Opera House in 1989 with a performance of Macbeth. Today it hosts popular theatre productions and musicals, and is one of the city's main live music venues.

Situated in St Margaret's Church on Walmgate, the centre attracts some of the finest in jazz, folk and world music within a medieval church. Converted in 2000, the project received several conservation awards. The raison d'etre of the NCEM is to put on early music performances of the highest quality possibility. Expect European music of medieval, Renaissance and baroque origins and influence.