The Crown Posada at bottom of Dean Street near the Quayside is a good old fashioned real ale pub - there aren't many others with character left in the City now. There are bistros, sports bars, music bars, disco bars, fun bars, hotel bars, but alas not many pubs. Plenty places to eat though and to wander round - it is a very small town/city compared to it's population.
The arena is a glorified cattle shed, and the acoustics were awful on the few occasions I visited. Can't believe (still) he isn't playing the City Hall.
I understand though that the venue is to be shortened i.e. instead of 10,000 seats there will be maybe 4,000 so that should be interesting. Make sure you eat before going in there as the food isn't that much cop and is not cheap either.