Quay Street, Manchester, just across from The Opera House. Walkabout is a little off the beaten path from many of Manchester's clubs and pubs though the likes of Teasers (shame on you lads if you know what I'm talking about) and Infinity are not a million miles away.

What?

An Australian theme pub, a spacious affair with upstairs area and balcony. Despite the theme don't be expecting pictures of Alf Stewart, cuddly Koala bears and Stephan Dennis on the jukebox -- the decor sticks to a bright orange theme -- possibly to represent the sands of the Australian Outback or possibly to emulate some of the tans glimpsed there.

Handbag or heavy metal?

Some bars play chart tunes with tongue firmly in cheek. This is not one of them. In just the one night I was subjected to Hey Micky, You're The One That I Want and The Only Way Is Up by Yazz, to which a huge crowd of revellers boogied away enthusiastically. On the plus side, they did later play The Jam and Dexy's Midnight Runners, so there was some respite.

In Crowd?

If you are the kind of person who loves to fling your handbag down on the floor and shimmy round it like drum'n'bass never happened then you'll love it. Certainly there is no room for cool here, just people flinging themselves round to daft pop music. Think raucous hen night without the L plate and inflatable boobs.

What's The Damage?

Walkabout is free in the early evening but does charge at weekends at the night progresses, with an entrance fee ranging from £1 to £4 depending on how long after 10.30pm it is. Rumours abound of 2 for 1 offers but you have to catch them at the specified time -- otherwise the bar prices are fairly steep.

Verdict?

A silly night out and a tad too tacky for some I dare say -- but Walkabout definitely can't be accused of taking itself too seriously, that's fair dinkum.