If you have just arrived in the city, you want to find new places to go, or you spent the entirety of freshers’ week at the student union bar, fear not!
According to a 2024 ranking by Time Out magazine, Manchester is one of the top 10 best cities in the world for nightlife – and number one in the UK.
So, you have certainly come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of Manchester’s well-known clubs, pubs and bars, so you can make the most of our city’s diverse nightlife.
The club classics:
FAC251:
FAC251, better known as Factory, is a rite of passage for many of Manchester’s university students.
Its unique Princess Street building was the birthplace of Factory Records, an iconic Manchester-based independent record label which managed iconic Manchester bands like Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays.
Though the club does stay close to its roots, with one floor dedicated to indie bangers, it also boasts two other floors playing anything from Dance and RNB, to techno, Bass and DNB.
Popular nights include Quids In Mondays, Replay Tuesdays and Factory 251 Saturdays.
42nd Street – aka 42s:
42s has stood proud as a Manchester club staple since 2000.
42s club is another student classic, especially for those who chose to come to Manchester for its rich music history. Manchester indie favourites like Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Smiths, and Joy Division are played on repeat here.
Popular nights include Riot!, every Wednesday, Skint!, every Thursday and Urban Legends on Saturdays.
The Deaf Institute:
As well as being an amazing venue for live gigs, the Deaf Institute is home to popular club night Whip-Round every Thursday.
Playing anything from Siouxie and the Banshees to Pulp, Whip-Round is a pilgrimage for alternative music lovers.
Manchester’s Gay Village:
Manchester is well known for its bright and lively gay village.
Located around Canal Street, the gay village is home to some iconic LGBTQ+ clubs that have been staples of the Manchester club scene for years.
Canal Street’s New Union Hotel was one of the first openly gay venues in the city, and its DJ nights, drag cabaret and themed events continue to draw crowds to this day.
Other popular Gay Village venues include G.A.Y Manchester and The Brewers.
For the ravers:
Warehouse Project (WHP):
WHP is a seasonal series of club nights bringing the biggest names in electronic music to Manchester every Autumn and Winter.
It was named the ‘world’s favourite club’ last year, after website DJ Tech review compiled TikTok reviews, Google Reviews and social media followers, among other data to make a comprehensive list of the world’s most popular nightclubs.
WHP’s 2024 season kicked off earlier this month and continues until its massive New Years Eve party on 31stDecember.
The 2024 headliners include Fatboy Slim, Nia Archives, Peggy Gou and Four Tet, among many more famous names.
Hidden:
Located in an old mill near Strangeways Prison, Hidden captures the spirit of the 1990s warehouse rave scene (though perfectly legal).
Hidden have several new student nights, such as UK Garage night, Bubblin’, which starts on Thursday 3rdOctober, and Haustopia, beginning on Thursday 10th October.
Hidden also hosts an array of one-off events and nights with well-known DJs.
Only five minutes away from Manchester’s Victoria Station, Hidden boasts several different rooms – the Basement Room, the Blue Room, the Courtyard and the Hangar.
The White Hotel:
The White Hotel is another staple for those who want to emulate the 1990s raver experience.
Based in an old mechanics building in Salford, a 15-minute walk from Manchester City centre, The White Hotel has a secretive feel to it.
The intimate venue hosts a wide range of DJs and events, with an impressive upcoming lineup including Manuka Honey, Pangea, and Blasha & Allat.
Bars and pubs:
The Courtyard:
Located just off Oxford Road and close to the universities, Courtyard is another classic student bar.
You can expect cheap drinks, a lively atmosphere, and to bump into everyone from uni here.
The Garratt:
Only a stone’s throw from Factory nightclub, The Garratt is the perfect place to start your student night out.
It has become known around Manchester for its famous offer of 2 house doubles for £5, so is ideal for those who want a good night out that doesn’t cost the earth.
YES:
Should you go to YES? The clue is in the name.
This swanky Manchester bar boasts four floors of fun, plus a beer garden ideal for the summer months.
Its Basement and Pink Room floors regularly host club nights, gigs and events, while bars can be found on the ground floor and rooftop
YES is also well-known for its stone-baked pizza, served until 6pm every day.
With DJs playing in both bars at weekends, YES is the perfect place for those who love club music but also fancy a nice sit down and a chat.
The Northern Quarter:
The Northern Quarter is home to that many cool bars and pubs that it could have its own article!
Popular bars include Flok and Soup in Stevenson Square, and Night and Day, Lost Cat, and Behind Closed Doors on Oldham Street.
The beer might be more expensive here than in the student unions, but the atmosphere is certainly unmatched!
Featured image: Manchester’s Gay Village by Serena Murphy
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