Funky bars, great clubs and a warm welcome from the locals, Manchester’s got it all… and more. Here’s our guide to a lost weekend in Mancunia.
Manchester is a city that is steeped in musical history. Seminal bands like The Buzzcocks, Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, Stone Roses and not so seminal (indeed some would say shite) bands like Simply Red and M People and many more all hail from the greater Manchester area and still today the city buzzes with an artistic and musical heartbeat that other cities envy.
Manchester is primarily associated with Old Trafford and football (hark the narky Arsenal fan) but the city has a hell of a lot more to offer than a short boozy stay for a football match – not that there’s anything wrong with that.
In terms of ease of access for us Irish you can’t really get any closer, or indeed easier, than Manchester. There are flights from all major Irish airports and the ferryis an alternative if you don’t mind taking a short train journey from Liverpool.
If you’re up for shopping the city has loads to offer from large department stores and shopping centres to quirky smaller purveyors of the finest fashion.
And then there’s the people. There’s just something about the down-to-earth, friendly, chatty but caustically funny northerners that’s endearing and makes your stay all the more interesting.
What we’re getting at here is that it’s a vibey, laidback city with a lot going for it, including a thriving nightlife. And speaking of which, here’s our guide to a weekend of fun and frolics in Manchester.
BARS
When in town there’s no need to steer far from the city’s funkiest area, the Northern Quarter. It’s where the vast majority of quality bars and clubs are concentrated.
The old-fashioned Castle Hotel on Oldham Street plies customers with lip smacking local ales as well as tasty pub grub and cool music on the jukebox. The Purple Pussycat is a neon stripped late-bar den of iniquity where you can dance away to the wee hours with residents like the sleazy Disco Outcasts. Other fine boozers in the Northern Quarter include the lounge-cool surrounds of Cord Bar, Common with its “nice bar for normal people” mantra and the Black Dog Ballroom.
A short trip on the bus or in a cab takes you to leafy Chorlton where again you’re almost ruined for a choice of good bars. The Unabomber’s Electrik bar is an essential stop-off on your Mancunian escapade. Though it’s a bar owned by DJs they’ve not turned it into a DJ bar, just a café by day and top boozer by night with tasty pub grub, local and international beers and great background music.
Next door to Electrik is the wonderful Dulcimer. As with Elektrik its run by music loving freaks and the background soundtrack will range from folk to psyche to world vibes. Killer beers and friendly staff, nuff said.
CLUBS
Linked with the great and good of house and techno for many years now Sankey’s still hosts top nights such as Bugged Out and also plays host to one off sets from the likes of Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia and Laidback Luke.
A large cavernous venue around the corner from Piccadilly Station with four different rooms means variety is the spice of life in this old but hospitable venue. Theme nights run from Goth to gay to rather wonderful HomoElectric where “homos, hetros, Lesbos, don’t knows and disko asbos… can get back to basics with outer space dancing”.
A kooky café by day and a cool late bar with a basement club by night. Plays host to some of the best local underground promoters such as Meandyou and Wet Play with a music palette of the house and disco variety.
Taking place at Manchester’s Piccadilly Station these large events see the biggest names in dance music such as David Guetta, Steve Angello, Dubfire, Skream, Sasha, Carl Craig or even Ian Brown headline.
The iconic live and club venue has seen many great bands and DJs perform there over the years and local crews such as Cut Loose still put on the great and good of underground house like Moodymann, Mark E and Theo Parrish here.
Other promoters, parties and lovable loons worth seeking out are the El Diablos crew, Eighty Six at Jam Street Café, Stretch Disco and other styles of music like reggae and world folk music at Band On The Wall
FOOD
There’s a lot of value for money to be had in the eateries around Manchester. If you’re after top Asian nosh then Baekdu does a fine line in phenomenal but inexpensive Korean grub while Ning, 5 minutes walk from Piccadilly gardens, does it Malaysian style and does it very well. For an Indian treat then nab a cab or bus to Chorlton where the traditional, fresh, spicy goodness of Coriander is a must.
For an Italian experience to remember then check out the Manchester branch of San Carlo for some fine pizza or pasta action.
There’s an abundance of great traditional English pub grub to choose from too, with Mark Addy’s and The Lime Tree particular highlights. If, after your raving, you can actually stomach a Sunday lunch or carvery special then off to Chorlton with you young man and get settled into The Horse and Jockey where you can tuck into a scrumptious Sunday roast with wicked Yorkshire puds and some mighty fine ales to wash it down.
WHERE TO STAY
Keep it simple and stay somewhere central whether you choose apartments or a hotel. Websites like Premier Apartments or City Stop give great value on funky new apartments all over the city centre.
Who knows who you might bump into at Malmaison?
If you’re looking for a hotel room for your stay and want it on a budget rate then the hostel/small hotel vibe of Hilton Chambers in the Northern Quarter is perfect. More expensive but literally next door to Piccadilly Station is the Mint Hotel and if you want to lord it up like a rock star for the weekend and don’t mind spending a bit extra then look no further than the luxurious Malmaison.
GETTING AROUND
As long as you’re staying centrally and in or around the Northern Quarter then you’ll be keeping travel costs to a minimum. Trips to Chorlton, Didsbury, Old Trafford or elsewhere are easily done by bus or, if you’re feeling lazy, by taxi.
OUR TIP
Even if you think you won’t like them, try the local beers and ales. There are a lot of them though, so mind how you go! And our other tip is… just go… now! Though not the sunniest place in the world the sunny and friendly disposition of the locals more than make up for the weather. It’s a guaranteed fun and frolics time in Manchester, no mistake.
Story image credit: Sebastian Matthes, Manox.net
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