Your social life
As a regional university city with all the benefits and services of a larger city, Armidale pulses with a unique blend of cosmopolitan vitality, cultural diversity and easy-going hospitality, which sets it apart from other regional centres.
Food and Entertainment
Cafes: (Many situated in Armidale's outdoor malls; a great place to meet for a coffee or lunch with friends)
- Booloominbah Collection (UNE)
- Cafe Midale
- Cafe Royale (Belgrave Cinema)
- Caffiends
- Coffee Club
- Courthouse Cafe
- Elly's Coffee Lounge
- Filling Groovy
- Gloria Jeans
- Michele’s Patiserie
- Rene On The Mews
- Rumours
- Shenanigans
- The Cafe @ NERAM (at Armidale's Art Museum)
Pubs/ Clubs:
UNE's infamous Bistro (The 'Stro) rocks; playing regular host to top local/ national/ overseas bands and performers. The Bistro also hosts regular pool and band comps, and promotions, as well as providing a great everyday venue for eating, drinking and just kicking back.
If you are heading in to town for a night out there are plenty of venues to choose from
- Armidale Bowling Club
- Armidale Golf Club
- Royal Hotel
- St. Kilda Hotel
- Tattersall's
- The Grand
- The Imperial (Impies)
- The New England Hotel (Newie)
- The Wicklow
- Trax (Railway Hotel)
- Tuscany Brasserie (Ex Services Club)
- White Bull
- YCW Leagues Club
(The University of New England encourages responsible drinking).
Restaurants
- Booloominbah Collection Brasserie
- Mandarin (Chinese)
- Mun Hing (Chinese)
- Mun Shing (Chinese)
- Red Grapevine (Italian inc. gourmet pizza)
- Split Dining
- Jean Pierre's (European)
- Cattleman's
- Manor at Cotswold Gardens
- Squires Cottage
- Deer Park Restaurant
- PJ Thai
- One Baht Thai
- Green Papaya
- Archie's On The Park
Fast Food Chains:
- Dominos
- Donut King
- Eagle Boys
- Hungry Jacks
- Ispa Kebabs
- KFC
- McDonalds
- Red Rooster
- Subway
Popular local takeaway alternatives, including:
- Armidale BBQ Chicken
- Delicious Noodle
- Ferrari Gourmet Pizza
- Knight's Store
- Moxon's Bakeries
- Neville's Corner Store
- Pearl Perch
- Ridgy Didge Pies
and lots of great corner stores scattered all over town.
Groups/ Associations
UNE's Student societies/ clubs/ associations provide social opportunities for students to become involved in a diverse range of interests and activities, including areas such as: Astronomy
- Film
- Drama
- Music
- Literary
- Games
- Business
- Religion
- Internationality
- Gender and
- Media/Broadcasting (UNE has its own radio station: tune.fm).
There is a wide range of cultural and other groups in Armidale for you to get involved in too. There are always lots of shows and events on for you to enjoy from small gigs in pubs or art shows through to major events like Wool Expo and the Women’s Comedy Festival.
Specialities include:
- Pottery
- Spinning and Weaving
- Painting/ Sculpture/ Life Drawing
- Quilting
- Environmentalists (eg. Armidale Tree Group)
- International (also specialties in music, food and art forms)
- Drama/ Theatre (various local groups staging regular major scale productions each year)
- Music (huge diversity of renowned vocal and instrumental ensembles/ bands/ performers)
- History (including the New England Mediaeval Society -NEMAS, who foster arts such as armoury, costumery and sword fighting; and biennially construct an authentic working Viking Village in the local pine forest)
- Service clubs (Apex, Rotary, Lions and many others)
- Bridge club and other light recreation
Festivals/ Events
- Autumn Festival and Parade
- Women’s' Comedy Festival (local, national and international acts)
- Wool Expo and Fashion Awards (nationally recognized event)
- NEMAS Easter Gathering (local, national and international participants)
- Armidale Car Show
