• Added: 17th of November 2008
• Area: Heywood
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Heywood OL10 2QL

minus said
Cheap food and drink
Part of the Sizzling Pub Company chain. Food and drink are very well priced, there always seems to be offers on. Staff are friendly and service is very efficient. A fairly large pub - which is great as you're almost always able to get a seat. Nice for a quick drink and pub lunch, also good for families.

• Added: 31st of October 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Restaurants

Manchester M3 2QG
0161 832 4332

minus said
Good service & atmosphere
Nice ambience, quite cosy - you do sit very close to the people / table next to you. It does get very busy on weekends, expect to queue, only problem with this is that there is only a small entrance so there is no where to really wait - we ended up standing outside the restaurant (thankfully it wasn't raining!). Food is delicious though and reasonably priced. Service was good despite it being very busy, would return here again.

• Added: 31st of October 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Manchester M3 1AR
0870 190 8000

minus said
Average Arena
A venue built to host popular, well known bands. Obviously a lot of money has been spent to build a venue this big so as expected the sound / acoustics are fantastic and fill the arena. It's also impossible to get a seat where you can't see. My main dislikes against the arena are the stairs leading down to standing level / main seating level from entrance level - it's almost impossible to see the stairs when going down them in the dark - couldn't lights or better reflected strips be put on each step?! The stairs are also fairly steep and you do have to watch your balance (more of a problem when a concert ends and everyone is trying to leave at the same time - pushing occurs). Also I wish the MEN would sell water on the standing floor and not just alcohol. I've seen many people faint through dehydration which could be avoided. Yes you can buy water at the food / drink stalls on entrance level but when you're stood at the stage barrier it's hard to push your way out and it's a fair walk as well!

• Added: 31st of October 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Nightlife

Manchester M13 9PR

minus said
Best live music venue in Manchester
Been to many gigs here (some where in the region of 50?!) over the years, it's by far the best venue in Manchester for live music. I'm a fan of Academy 3 - the smallest stage / bar, by far the most intimate. The atmosphere is electric with the right band. Drinks are averagely priced (still cheaper than the M.E.N arena!). The recently built Club Academy is good for acoustic / mellow gigs and to just have a drink. I have seen a metal band in Club Academy but unfortunately it's not really built for mosh pits. Good sound in all four academies.

• Added: 31st of October 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M1 5JG
0161 235 6500

minus said
Rather good
Very popular for after work drinks & it's also ideal if there's a group of you meeting up as unlike most pubs you'll all be able to sit round a table together! (large wooden tables). Lovely on a summer's evening when you can sit outside by the canal and completely relax. Friendly atmosphere, suitable for all ages.

• Added: 7th of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Nightlife

Manchester M1 7AD
0161 236 2754

minus said
Student club
Very popular nightclub for students, drinks are cheap and the place is always packed out. They're very strict on ID and will ID everyone in the queue if they have to. Dance floor is a nightmare, expect to get shoved / pushed constantly - do not come here if you want a chilled out evening.

Foam parties are fantastic, make sure you buy your tickets in advance as it always sells out really quickly and there is a limited number of tickets available on the night. You really get your money's worth, foam is constantly sprayed onto the dance floor every 5-10 mins, expect to get very wet and messy. Set list is mostly indie with a couple of cheesy songs after 12pm (everyone is drunk by this point so nobody cares) I've heard MMMBop, Jump Around, etc. Good night out for those no older than their early twenties (and I mean very early!).

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Nightlife

Manchester M1 6FQ
0161 236 9971

minus said
A loveable dive
Jilly's - our shoes stick to the floor, you insist on playing the same soundtrack every week but we still love you. Four rooms playing goth, metal, emo, punk, rock, ska and such like. Don't bother getting dressed up, jeans and a t-shirt will do. Drinks are reasonable, good atmosphere and crowd, new / different songs wouldn't go a miss though. Just don't stand near any guys with long dreads on the dance floor unless you want whiplash.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Nightlife

Manchester M1 6DD
0161 236 0666

minus said

Interesting decor - after a few drinks the devil starts to look a bit real. Place is always packed out, full of indie / emo / scene kids - music matches the people who go in there. I know people who have experienced problems with the bouncers however I can't say I've ever had any problems myself. Not a bad night out but lack of seats, space and dancefloor tends to get a bit annoying.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M13 9RN
0161 248 9873

minus said
Good meet up point
A good place to start your evening, usually meet up in here with friends before moving on. Nice big place, well arranged seating areas with big comfy sofas. Drinks are expensive though. As mentioned previously you can buy a Varsity card for a reasonable £2, ask at the bar for one or check out the Varsity website. You'll get a couple of decent vouchers and 25% off your drinks - you'll earn back the £2 in no time!

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M1 6DN
0161 236 2019

minus said
Fab night
I've been to both the Fab Cafe in Leeds and Manchester and have to say I've enjoyed visits to both. Definitely a student bar (or for those who don't want to grow up) but with a geeky / retro twist. Expect to see the contents of your primary school tuck shop (think Drumstick lollies, Space Invader crisps, etc) behind the bar ready for purchase. I feel the Fab Cafe is more of a pre-club kinda bar, only problem is the music is a bit loud for conversation so you'll probably end up just gazing at the walls covered in Sci-Fi memorabilia. From about 11.30 onwards the place is a lot more livelier and everyone is up dancing (however not the best / biggest place for a dance), music selection is fairly decent. I also recommend the quiz night!