Christchurch may not be the clubbing capital of the southern hemisphere, but there's a sprinkling of places within the Four Avenues offering a range of dance-music styles. Some of these are full-on club venues , although there's a growing number of bars which transform themselves into dancing venues at weekends by drafting in a DJ or two. There's a surfeit of bars offering live music , although most places content themselves with a meagre diet of cover bands or minor local rock acts. If you want to just stroll around and see where the crowds are going, make for Lichfield Street, a heady mix of cutting-edge dance clubs and seedy massage parlours.

There's a club info line (tel 03/363 5000) giving a rundown of what's on from night to night.

BASE , 674 Colombo St (tel 03/377 7149). Dark and sweaty high energy club with guest DJs mainly spinning platters from the UK dance scene. Open until late Thurs-Sat. Cover charge $3-10.

Civic , 186 Manchester St. Popular clubbing venue offering a range of themed nights (eg funk, hip-hop, rare groove, house, techno); check listings in The Press to see what's on. 10pm-6am.

The Edge , 85 Hereford St. Open-fronted bar that becomes more clubby as the evening wears on, purveying mainstream techno to a youthful clientele. Occasional spoken word and poetry performances too.

Illusions , cnr Chancery Lane & Gloucester St. Longstanding disco with conservative reputation, playing anything from the 1960s to the current crop of chart toppers, and hosting live dance music from time to time. Strict dress code (no trainers, sandals, jeans or T-shirts). Daily 9pm-late. Regular clubnights such as Club Lovely .

Lone Star , 26 Manchester St. A jumping bar and nightspot that also serves an eclectic mix of Southwestern and Cajun food.

Ministry , 88-90 Lichfield St (tel 03/379 2910). About the biggest and liveliest of the clubs; deep, dark and with a thumping base 'till very late.

Occidental Pub and Chats Club , Hereford St, opposite Latimer Square. Buzzing spot with live bands on Fridays & Saturdays and dance music.

Platinum , 76 Lichfield St (tel 03/377 7891). Dark cellar bar with thumping dance music In the main room and a quieter cocktail bar out the back.

Tuskers Bar and Bistro , 3km south of the centre at 155 Colombo St, Beckenham. Live music bar with local bands playing mostly mainstream rock covers.