Manchester nightlife
When the sun goes down, Manchester offers vast and varied nightlife, from real ale taverns and clubs to the largest theatre stage outside the West End.
With the largest student population of any city in Europe, it's not surprising that there are endless possibilities for what to do. However, Manchester in the evening isn't just for the students. There is something for everyone.
Pubs and drinking
The Oast House
An original Kentish Oast House used for drying hops in the brewing process has found a home in Manchester city centre as a unique place to try cask ales, and rotisserie meats and other barbecued food. Its prime focus is on the locally brewed cask ales, but the bar also stocks no less than 40 bottled beers and ciders from around the world plus a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits.
The Avenue Courtyard, Spinningfields, Crown Square, Manchester, M3 3AE
0161 829 3830
Opening times:
12pm - 12am Monday - Wednesday
12pm - 1am Thursday
12pm - 2am Friday and Saturday
Website: www.theoasthouse.uk.com
Black Dog Ballroom
This funky New York influenced bar offers gourmet burgers and pizzas, alongside a decent selection of draught beers and award winning cocktails shaken and/or stirred by one of Black Dog's 'mixologists'. Found underneath Affleck's Palace on Church Street, the bar holds regular hands-on cocktail mixing classes, which promise to have everybody trying weird and wonderful new liquid concoctions.
Basement Affleck's Palace, Chur
ch Street, Manchester, M4 1PW
0161 839 0664
Opening times:
12pm - 4am Monday - Sunday
Website: www.blackdogballroom.co.uk
The Kings Arms
One of Manchester's key cultural hubs, the Kings has been transformed under the management of Jon Cooper. The Salford boozer's upstairs, with a nautical theme, hosts plays, gigs and film nights, while the ground floor snug is home to a weekly knitting club.
11 Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6AN
0161 839 8726
Opening times:
12pm - 11pm Sunday - Thursday
12pm - 12am Friday and Saturday
Website: www.kingsarmssalford.com
Sandbar
Dominating the middle of the main university area, this expansive bar is occupied by a more mature mix of older students and young professionals. The pub runs an annual beer festival, and is often the destination for plenty of university society socials. It's also the meeting point for Manchester's substantial cycling community. There is a well-kept cellar, homemade pizzas from 6, and regular live music sessions.
120 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HL
0161 273 1552
Opening times:
12pm - 12am Sunday - Wednesday
12pm - 1am Thursday
12pm - 2am Friday and Saturday
Website: http://sandbarmanchester.co.uk
The New Oxford
West of the city centre in Salford's Chapel Street, The New Oxford is a beer connoisseur's heaven. It may be small, but this gloriously cosy pub harbours an impressive selection of both continental bottles and hand-pulled cask ales. Aim to visit during one of The New Oxford's regular beer festivals when you'll be able to choose from dozens of exciting beers over a whole weekend.
11 Bexley Square, Salford, Greater Manchester, M3 6DB
0161 832 7082
Opening times:
Monday - Sunday 12pm - 12am
Website: www.thenewoxford.com
Live music
Matt and Phred's
One of the key touring venues for international jazz acts, Matt and Phred's is a cornerstone for jazz in Manchester. The club is open six nights a week, with excellent live music on its red-curtained stage. It has played host to artists including Jamie Cullum, Wynton Marsalis, and the Small Faces. Open until 3am, the venue offers a range of food and cocktails.
64 Tib Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1LW
0161 831 7002
Opening times:
6pm - 12.30am Monday - Thursday
6pm - 1am Friday and Saturday
Website: www.mattandphreds.com
The Deaf Institute
Located in the centre of the University District, The Deaf Institute is always a hive of activity with various club nights every day of the week. Housed in an actual former institute for the deaf, this beautifully decorated venue serves food and drink in its cafe during the day and offers a jam-packed calendar of music events throughout the year.
135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HE?
0161 276 9350
Opening times:
11am - 2am Monday - Thursday
11am - 3am Friday and Saturday
11am - 11.30pm Sunday
Website: www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk
Band on the Wall
A grand old Victorian pub on Swan Street in the city's Northern Quarter, Band on the Wall is one of Manchester's most important live music venues. It was at the centre of Manchester's punk scene in the late 1970s and was where Buzzcocks, The Fall and Joy Division all first played. Since then it's played host to many internationally acclaimed artists including, Bjork, Simply Red and countless others.
It also has a reputation for showcasing a vast array of accomplished and respected artists from around the world. Visit the nearby Picturehouse for tickets and pre-concert drinks.
25 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JZ
0161 834 1786
Opening hours vary according to events
Website: http://bandonthewall.org
Clubbing
Mint Lounge
Nestling on Oldham Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Mint Lounge prides itself on offering something a little more than a traditional clubbing experience. Home to Manchester's longest running club night, Funkademia, as well as the ultra chilled 'digital disco' clique, this is one to make an effort for.
In addition to the ice cool electronic music nights, the venue hosts regular live music nights with Foals, Mystery Jets and Florence and the Machine having graced the stage in the past. Totally mint condition.
46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester, Lancashire, M4 1LE?
0161 228 1495
Opening hours:
Closed Monday - Tuesday
5pm - 1am Wednesday and Thursday
10pm - 3am Friday and Saturday
9pm - 2am Sunday
Website: www.mintlounge.com
FACTORY251
Built by former Factory Records boss Tony Wilson, and run by New Order bassist Peter Hook in the former Factory Records HQ, FACTORY251 offers fans of the infamous record label a chance to party in the home of 'Madchester'. That doesn't mean it's all Hacienda classics and nostalgia though. The three-floor venue offers a varied clubbing menu covering everything from dubstep and hip hop to indie and electro.
118 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7EN
0161 272 7251
Opening hours vary according to events
Website: www.factorymanchester.com
The Warehouse Project
A new addition to Manchester's night time entertainments, the Warehouse Project is a series of evening events running every year from September to the end of December. It sees the organisers taking over a large underground space beneath the arches of the city's Piccadilly Railway Station. This is really aimed at the city's army of dance music junkies, though there are also several hip hop, indie and drum and bass events.
Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1AB
0161 835 3500
Opening times vary according to event
Website: www.thewarehouseproject.com
Other evenings out
Theatre
Inside The Lowry on Salford Quays, the Lyric Theatre boasts the largest theatre stage outside of London's West End. Major productions are often hosted in the central Palace Theatre on Oxford Street.
The Lyric: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ
843 208 6000
Opening Times vary according to event
Website: www.thelowry.com
Palace Theatre: 97 Oxford St, Manchester, Lancashire, M1 6FT
0161 245 6600
Opening times vary according to event
Website: www.manchestertheatres.com/palacetheatre.htm
The Gay Village
Canal Street, just west of Piccadilly Station, offers a continental style experience, with drinking and partying taking place on the old cobbled street which is lined with gay bars and restaurants.
Click here for current listings and to buy tickets for shows and concerts.
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