GUIDE TO GREATER

MANCHESTER

OPTIMAX 2016

Welcome to Greater Manchester! My Name is Rob and Im a student studying literature

at University College London. I grew up in a town called Accrington. Being as theres very little
to do there for anyone under the age of sixty, I spent a lot of my former years in and around
Manchester. Thus, I know quite a reasonable amount about the citys day and nightlife (and I
have the internet to fill in the gaps...). I think I can safely say Greater Manchester is my favourite
place in the UK. Its got more students than any other city and is cheap, young and friendly. It
caters for all genres of people, so youll never be stuck with nothing to do. People call it the
heart of the North, and theyre not wrong to do so.
Because yall only have a limited amount of time here, I dont want you to be wasting a
second googling where to go or what to do. So, Ive provided this guide to ensure you hit up all
the best spots. Have a mad one!

Contents:
Introduction and Contents

Getting Your Bearings/Major Attractions

Getting to the City

Basic Amenities

Restaurants

Clubs Pubs and Bars

17

Mancunian Vocab Guide

28

As a side note, Id recommend you skip forward to the Mancunian Vocab Guide before you
start as you might need some of the language when reading through. I tried not to use too much
slang, but sometimes I just cant help myself.

Getting Your Bearings

Just so you know where youre going, heres a short list of some of the popular landmarks to get
acquainted with:

1. Piccadilly Gardens
Right in the heart of Manchester sits Piccadilly Gardens, an open green space to relax
and watch the city roll by. Although it is probably the busiest part of Manchester, when
youre kicking back on the grass with a Burrito (courtesy of Bar Burrito which sits just
adjacent to it), Manchester couldnt be more calming. Its legal to drink here so go grab a
beer from Morrisons and get your chill on!
2. The Northern Quarter
Most commonly known as the hipster hotspot of Manchester, the Northern Quarter is the
place to go for a bit of quirk. If youre looking for vintage stores, charity shops or
needlessly strange cafes, this is the place you should be. Most of you will probably find
your home in this section of Manchester, as every student does. The nightlife here is
probably the best in the city, the prices are good, and the vibe is wavy no matter the
hour. Check out the Bars, Pubs and Clubs section for the low-down on the some of the
nightlife in this area.
3. The Arndale Centre
Not much needs saying about The Arndale Centre, its the mall in the centre of the retail
district and plays host to almost every high-street shop you can think of. Ive wasted
many days, and even more wages in this place. Advance with caution if youre as
susceptible to spending sprees as I am.
4. Deansgate
Although theres not actually that much on Deansgate, if you ever ask for directions
youll probably hear this street mentioned about thirty times. Most bus routes from
Salford pass through here, so if youre ever cruising into town (though Id always
recommend using the train) this is the place to get off for access to the centre. Head
down the road past Spinningfields (7) and youll find yourself at Deansgate Lock, where
clubs like Revolution and Ark are situated.
5. The Gay Village
No guide to Manchester is complete without mention of The Gay Village, otherwise
known as Canal Street. Manchester sets an example for the whole country in its
nonchalant acceptance of the gay community, making this street one of the friendliest in
the city. Its a hotspot for nights out, though you can also visit one of the cafes for a quiet
escape during the day. Do be aware that some of the clubs here still operate on a gaymajority door policy to make sure they get their gay-tio (gay+ratio - thats not a real word,
dont add it to your phrase book) right, so dont be offended if you get turned away.
6. St Anns Square
A quiet and commonly overlooked part of Manchester. This is a picturesque square
adjacent to a small church. Its an ideal spot for a calm coffee.

7. Spinningfields
This is the upmarket side of Manchester, where most of the offices and high-end
restaurants are. Its worth a walk round as its in pristine condition and even the floor is
shiny (or maybe thats just all the over-polished leather shoes..). There are a few quiet
spots to hang out around here so have an explore.
8. Albert Square
Albert Square is the historical centre of Manchester, and almost every building
surrounding it is listed (ie has been noted for either its architectural or historical
significance). The grade one listed neo-gothic Town Hall sits in the middle of it, and
there are many more monuments and fountains in the square itself. All of these,
including the other listed buildings were erected in the 19th century and so walking
through the square can feel like a trip back in time.
Other notable buildings in this square include:
The Abbey National Building (1900), Neoclassical with a semicircular front;
Albert Chambers (1873), Venetian-style sandstone;
Carlton House (1872), Venetian Gothic-style sandstone office buidlings;
St Andrews Chambers (1874), Neo-Gothic sandstone corner building;
The Memorial Hall (1866), Southmill street corner.
9. Printworks
This building is unbelievably hard to describe. Its like, a cobbled street thats inside with
a whole bunch of restaurants in it? Its amazing. Even if youre not planning on eating
there, its right next to The Arndale Centre so have a quick walk through and tell me its
not impressive, even if a little confusing.
10. Chinatown
No major city is complete without a Chinatown, and to this rule Manchester is no
exception. Although its relatively small in comparison with that of other cities, it still has
a few supermarkets which sell an array of mad ingredients and imported confectionary.
My girlfriend would highly recommend grabbing some Hello Panda! and Id say go for
some peanut butter mochi or grab a matcha green bubble tea. There are also a few
decent restaurants in this area, but if youre looking for genuine Chinese cuisine, hit up
Glamorous in The Northern Quarter (see the Restaurants section).

In case you hadnt guessed the system, the red numbers refer to the numbers on the list above.
Getting to the City
As youve probably already assumed, theres not too much to do in Salford. Its a nice
place, but mostly residential. Thus, here are the quickest ways to escape it and get to where the
partys at.
If youre getting a train from Salford Crescent (see map below), then youll want to catch
either one of these trains:

Manc
heste
r
Victo
ria, in
which
case
you
shoul
d get
off at
Manc
heste
r
Victo
ria
(see
the
statio
n
locations map below)
Manchester Airport, in which case you should get off at Manchester Piccadilly (see the
station locations map below)

The average travel time into Manchester is nine minutes when taking the train. The last train to
Manchester is 00:30 and the last train back is 23:21. To get back after a long night, you should
probably grab an Uber Taxi (search and download the app if possible) which will cost around
5-7 between four people. Or, if youre a powerhouse, the first train back is 05:44.
Basic Amenities
As youll be effectively living in Salford for three weeks, its best that you know your
surroundings to some extent. I wouldnt recommend exploring the area, mainly because you
wont find anything of interest; but also because its not the safest of districts to those who dont
know it very well.
Hopefully none of you will need access to this, but if for any reason you do, then the

nearest pharmacy is Manor Pharmacy, towards Salford Central station.

The nearest supermarket, which will probably become your new best friend is
Sainsburys. Its pretty well priced and should cater to all your needs. Id recommend stocking
up on alcohol here rather than visiting any of the local corner shops, because theyre expensive
and seem to only stock high strength Eastern European import (which Im not necessarily

opposed to..).

Restaurants
Im sure youve all been looking forward to the self-catering life, were youll be surviving
off porridge and pasta; but if you get ever get tired of living the dream, you might want to hit up a
few of the following eateries. Though I havent tried all of them, they come with high
recommendations. Ive split them into ethnicities so you can scroll through and see what youre
craving.

Oriental Cuisine
Glamorous
Without a doubt the best Chinese in Manchester. Ive been here three times and have
never been disappointed. They do a whole range of authentic Chinese dishes at extremely
reasonable prices. The decor is cute, and the staff are all friendly. I recommend sharing a set
banquet between a group which will ensure you get to try everything they have to offer. It sits
above the Chinese supermarket Wing Yip which closes at 17:30, so if you happen to get there

before then its well worth a look round.

Sweet Mandarin
Ive never personally been here, but it looks amazing. They serve authentic Chinese
food and exotic cocktails. Its high-end dining without the high-end prices. They also cater for
gluten and nut free, vegan and vegetarian. Even David Cameron visits, and we all know how
much he likes to save money.
Dont let that put you off, he probably wont be there
when you are.
Visit their website for a full breakdown of the menu:
http://www.sweetmandarin.com/menu/

Bus
aba
Eath
ai
I
have
no

words for Busaba. They may be a chain but, damn, theyre so good at what they do. What they
do is cook up authentic Thai dishes at a price that cannot be sniffed at (ie you cannot be
unhappy with). The interior design is beautiful, with tables so large you could fit the whole
summer school at one. The whole place is filled with the smell of good food and incense. You
can also choose to sit outside and overlook Exchange Square which is equally nice on a warm
evening or a sunny day. They have a lunch menu which includes a starter, main and drink for
9.95. 100% love it, stop wasting time reading about it and go already. I go on my own, its that
good.

Mexican
Wahaca
How to describe Wahaca... Its a street food Mexican fusion restaurant with an unliimited
range of flavours to choose from. They sell the standard burritos, quesadillas and tacos but then
take it a step further to completely revolutionise Mexican cuisine. The combinations sound
strange at first, but once you taste what they have on offer youll never look back. I recommend
the plantain and feta soft taco (I know it sounds gross but have faith, these guys know what
theyre doing). Visit their website www.wahaca.co.uk for the whole menu.

Chi
quit
os
C
hiqu
itos
is a
high
ly rated Tex Mex joint. Ive never been to one, but its popularity tells me they must be doing
something right. They have a whole range of Mexican dishes including a huge grilled range, and
a wide selection of imported Mexican beer. The prices are very reasonable, and they have a
lunch menu with starters at 3.75 and mains at 6.25 (11am-5pm). If you download the app
before you go theyll knock 10 off your bill, so you should all do that. Visit their website for the
menu and more details: www.chiquito.co.uk

English
Alberts Shed
Ive never been here, but its the highest rated place in Manchester for British food.
They describe their aim to be to deliver quality food to local customers at a reasonable price in
a sharp, modern space with friendly, unpretentious service. They have a two courses for
11.95 deal which could work for anyone on a budget. The location is picturesque, described
as canalside dining. Visit their website for more: www.albertsshed.com

10

Alb
ert
Sq
uar
e
Ch
op
Ho
use
I
ve
nev
er
bee
n
here. Its situated in Albert Square, in a converted Victorian warehouse. They pride themselves
on delivering the best of British food and high quality service. From the looks of it, it is quite
high end and so be prepared to spend accordingly. They have a carvery every Sunday which is
the height of traditional British cuisine. Visit their website to see whats in store:
www.albertsquarechophouse.com

Mr Thomas Chop House

Again, Ive never been here.
(Maybe this is the time to explain that I dont eat British food on account of their vegetarian
game being so low, thus I cant vouch for how good carveries are because even the potatoes
arent meat-free.)
11

Mr Thomas Chop House is designed to look like a traditional English pub, however it is
a restaurant and bar. They serve comfort food with a twist, including many classic English
dishes that are a must-try for anyone wanting to experience the national cuisine. It seems quite
upmarket, but well worth paying for. Visit their website for the menu: www.tomschophouse.com

Fas
t
Foo
d
I
wont
wast
e
your
time
expla
ining the subtle differences between McDonalds and KFC, since you definitely know what they
are. Right in the middle of The Arndale Centre youll find The Food Court (its up the huge glass
escalator from the outside). In there youll find: a McDonalds, a KFC, a Wings (a glorified
chicken shop), a Spud-U-Like (a...jacket potato vendor; I dont even know how theyve managed
to stay open this long), and a Taco Bell (a fast food burrito bar, which is actually half decent and
gives 10% off to students)

Italian
Slice Pizza and Bread Bar
Now, Ive never been here, but I have a friend who would die for this place. He says the
combinations are creative and always on point. The prices are so cheap, and the ingredients
are fresh. He would describe it as both a place you can go when youre smashed to sober up
and a place you can take your girl on a romantic evening out. They also have a pretty swish bar
which opens until 1am; it sounds like a winner to me. Even if you dont decide to go, I know I will
be doing. Check out their selection at: www.slicepizza.com

12

Jamies Italian
Think what you want about Jamie Oliver as a TV personality, the man can cook. His
restaurant chain has taken the country by storm, and now theres at least one in every major
city. In London, there are probably five or more. However, just because this is a chain
restaurant, dont expect any lack of attention to detail in the food. Walking in, you would be
fooled into thinking they are individually run businesses as the staff are so welcoming and proud
of what they do. The food is an amazing fusion of British and Italian, with all the dishes cooked
to Jamies specifications. The prices are so reasonable for the quality of food. Highly
recommended. Visit their website for a full run-down of the menu: www.jamieoliver.com

Croma
13

Once a single restaurant that began in Manchester, Croma is now a UK-wide chain. Ive
never been here, but one look at their menu tells me they know whats up. They serve
everything from the classic Margarita or Florentina to their own creation, the Anatra, which is a
Peking duck pizza. All the pizzas are under 10s and they also sell a range of lasagnes for
around the same price. This place definitely looks like somewhere to be tried if youre in the
mood. Their Manchester menu is available here:
http://www.cromapizza.co.uk/menus/main/#manchester

Breakfast
Moose Coffee
Breakfast is my absolute favourite meal of the day. I would rather starve than settle for a
bland bowl of average and milk (ie cereal). Why would you want to wake up to anything other
than awesome? And dont even get me started on how nutritionally important a meal it is. I pride
myself on knowing what a good breakfast is, and Moose Coffee nails it. Its so good. The decor
is all Moose related, with false Moose heads mounted on the wall and a chandelier made from
faux antlers. The names of the food are all Moose related (dont worry, none of them actually
contain Moose), and the coffee is unreal. They roast their coffee beans on site, so its as fresh
as you can get it in Manchester. They serve traditional and non-traditional dishes, from a simple
scrambled eggs to a breakfast burrito. I would advise going in hungry as the portions are
monstrous. Hit up the website for more: http://www.moosecoffee.co/

14

The Koffee Pot

Ive never been to The Koffee Pot, but the menu looks like itd appeal to the carnivores
amongst you. They sell a huge range of traditional fry ups from all around the UK, including
kippers and haggis (a Scottish favourite). They open all day, for breakfast, brunch, evening meal
and then later on serving craft ales. They also run a small gallery on site which would definitely
be worth looking round while waiting on your food. Check out the website at:
http:/
/www
.thek
offee
pot.c
o.uk/

Indi
an
Indian Cuisine is the most popular cuisine in England, so if were talking traditional
English food, were really talking about this. I cant vouch for any of the Mancunian Indian
restaurants as my English heritage means I ate curry so much as a child I cant even think of it
as food anymore.
Akbars
Akbars is a highly rated Indian restaurant with a huge range of dishes. I mean, they
have four different starter menus. Thats a lot of starters. The prices are agreeable, with main
dishes coming in under 10. There are no surprises here as Akbars looks like a straight up
Indian curry house, thus a staple of British culture. Check out their Manchester menu at:
http://www.akbars.co.uk/manchester/akbars-manchester-menu

15

Swadesh
I could describe this place to you, but they describe it themselves so much more
elegantly than I ever could:
The teams that have been brought to Swadesh have worked in some of the finest
establishments in the World. The seasonal menus features a vibrant mix of dishes from culinary
areas across India. Only the finest and freshest ingredients are used with many of the recipes
having been handed down across generations. The beauty and the charm, diversity and depth,
simplicity and complexity of Indian cuisine are all behind the showcase restaurants.
Check out the menu at www.swadeshrestaurants.com

16

Scene Indian Street Kitchen

They describe themselves as a restaurant which engages with all the five senses. I dont
really know what to make of that, but their Indo-Chinese cuisine looks amazing. They start you
off in a veranda with access to shisha pipes, nibbles and drinks, before moving you into a
vintage bar and restaurant. The prices seem reasonable considering how upmarket the place is,
with most mains costing between 10-15. It looks like itd more than a meal out, but rather a
whole evenings entertainment. Scan through the menu or reserve a table at
www.scenedining.com

Clubs, Pubs, and Bars

The nights Ive had in Manchester have been some of the best Ive ever had, and thats
saying something when I used to live forty-five seconds away from a five-room mega-club in
London. The charm of Manchester is that it is the exact opposite. The clubs arent huge, the
drinks arent expensive and almost nothing is for show. As for the pubs and bars, you can
expect to find the same amount of quirk and variety as in any other major UK city, only with
added Northern politeness and lower prices.

6.

Its ON.

5.

Calm down, mate

1.

4.

Pushing it

3.

Average

2.

Weeknight

Tame

Just for a quick reference guide, I thought

itd be useful to create a ranking system so yall can
get an idea of how wild your night would be
depending on where you decide to go.:
Note that this is not a rating of how good the places
are, but how wild they are.

17

Disclaimer: The University of Salford will not be held responsible for you guys overestimating
your own strength; dont be hitting up an ITS ON on a Tuesday, thinking you can hack it, then
spending the rest of the three weeks buried under six layers of duvet.

For a more comprehensive list of every event in Manchester than I could ever provide, either
visit http://www.skiddle.com/ or download the Skiddle app. From there, you can see whats on
and buy tickets.

Pubs
There are countless pubs dotted around the Manchester area, so youll have no trouble
finding a place to get on it. However, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
The Castle Hotel
Simultaneously a small charming pub and a beautiful music venue, The Castle Hotel is
unbelievably charming. Its been a drinking house since 1776, and much of the decor celebrates
its historical status. The drinks are reasonably priced and the service is great. If youre coming
here for some live music, expect to hear acoustic, mellow, experimental tunes from up-andcoming artists. Once youre done, bounce across the road to their sister pub, Gullivers, which
has two music venues and a larger bar. For more about upcoming events and the history of the
place, see the website at: http://thecastlehotel.info/

RANK: 1.5
TAME/WEEKNIGHT

18

The Angel Pub

The Angel is a Northern Quarter pub, filled to the brim with edge and class. The place is
full of mismatched furniture and they pride themselves in having no television. The purpose of
this place is to have a pleasant conversation over some real ale and locally sourced, homecooked food. They open from noon (12pm) and serve lunch and evening meal. This is definitely
not the place to go if youre on a mad one, but rather for those of you wanting a calm, relaxed
evening to talk about the wonders of dose optimisation (or, whatever it is scientists talk about...).
Its extremely close to Manchester Victoria station, so couldnt be more convenient on a
weeknight.
RANK: 1
TAME

Sinclairs Oyster Bar

19

This place gets crazy busy on a sunny day, and youll see why when you get there. Its
right in the middle of Exchange Square and looks like its been untouched since the Victorian
era. The building is beautiful, the drinks are so cheap, and the atmosphere is awesome. Its right
next to The Old Wellington Inn which has been there since 1552, and was actually the
birthplace of John Byrom the poet, so thats fun. Between the two pubs is Shambles Square
where the drinkers from both pubs converge when the weathers good to bask in the sun and
share a pint. This is a very loud and busy place, so its best to avoid peak times where at all
possible, unless thats your thing. To describe this place with one word, I can only call it iconic.
RANK: 2.5
WEEKNIGHT/AVERAGE

Bars
Apotheca
Apotheca is an archaic name given to someone selling drugs for medical purposes, from
the Greek apotheke. They call the place this on account of the old pharmaceutical cabinets
behind the bar, on which they styled the whole place. Probably one of the best places for
cocktails in Manchester, this Northern Quarter bar is up there. I cant guarantee the prices will
be low, but the drinks will be worth paying for. A year after the place opened in 2008, it won an
award for Manchesters best bar, and they havent lost face since then. Its a great place for a
night out, or even a stop off for pre-drinks on your way to a club. Visit their website for a full
menu and a fun, themed animation: www.apothecabar.co.uk
RANK: 3.5
AVERAGE/PUSHING IT

20

The Liars Club

Serving up Manchesters biggest selection of rum and afrobeats is The Liars Club. Its a
basement bar with bags of character, good music and tiki vibes. It opens from 5pm-4am
everyday (except Sunday, when it closes at 3am), so could be a spot for pre-drinks or an allnighter. Cocktails are all around 7 each, so its pretty reasonable. The decor is crazy cool, set
up like a legitimate tiki bar. Its one of the most out there places youll find, so I highly
recommend going. Visit the website for a full menu of the cocktails: www.theliarsclub.co.uk
RANK: 3.5
AVERAGE/PUSHING IT

The Alchemist
This is the place for cocktails, hands down. They use bunsen burners to make them, its
like when your chemistry teacher would do explosive experiments to remind you why science is
cool, only you get to drink the end product. The drinks range in price, between 7-12, which is
extremely reasonable considering the bartenders may as well be wearing lab coats. Its only
7.50 for a refill of any cocktail if you return the flask they served it to you in, otherwise you can
21

take it home as a souvenir. They sell breakfast, lunch and dinner and are open from 10am12am Mon-Thur, till 2am Fri-Sat, and till 11pm Sun. On a Saturday night they host The Late
Lab, where they dim the lights, crank up the music and let you get your party on. Its
recommended that you book a table anytime you go, so you can be guaranteed a seat. Visit
their website to see the menu and book in: http://thealchemist.uk.com/venues/spinningfields/
RANK: 3
AVERAGE

Dusk til Pawn

This place is the definition of Speakeasy, which, if you didnt know, was the term given to
the underground illegal bars during the prohibition era. Thankfully, its not the prohibition
anymore, so its only the decor thats modelling the illegal theme. Its an iconic Northern Quarter
bar with a pawn shop vibe and a huge array of spirits. The cocktails start from 7, but go on a
Sunday before 9pm and youll grab one for 4. It gets going on Thursday-Saturday, when they
have resident DJs spinning until 3am. If youre in the Northern Quarter, this place is worth hitting
up. Visit the Manchester Bars website for more information:
http://www.manchesterbars.com/dusktilpawn.htm
RANK: 3.5
AVERAGE/PUSHING IT

22

Gorilla
Theres so many things Gorilla does, its hard to categorise the place. It has a kitchen
with an impressive grilled selection, a bar, a gin parlour, a gig venue and a club; all of which are
top-notch. The bar is pretty upmarket, but if you go between 5-8pm all cocktails are 5, and
house wines are 8 a bottle. As a club, I dont recommend it too highly. They have a great
sound system and a large space, but it somehow never delivers. Theres only one room which I
feel is more suited to hosting gigs than pumping out EDM (Electronic Dance Music). However,
in saying that, they do still hold decent raves which often sell out. Its worth giving this place a
shot as you can pre-drink in the bar then head to the club whenever you feel like it. Browse
through their huge array of services at www.thisisgorilla.com
RANK: 1-5
ITS HARD TO RANK THIS PLACE, AS YOU COULD GO WILD OR BE IN BED BY 11PM.

Clubs
Fifth
If youre into mainstream clubbing, Fifth is your place. Its one of the most popular clubs
in Manchester, especially amongst students. It plays a whole range of tunes from commercial
23

hip hop and RnB to House. Expect to hear non-stop current chart music and classic anthems.
The drinks are cheap (were talking 90p vodka mixers), and the crowd is young. Overall, it ticks
the boxes to be a decent night out for those who are into it. Make sure you take your student
card to get discounts on the door. Hit the website to see their weekly events:
http://www.fifthmanchester.com/
RANK: 4.0
PUSHING IT

Sound Control
Sound Control is a hard place to pin down; they host everything from smokey techno
raves to Brazilian groove nights. If theres one thing is for certain, its that youre in for a wavy
evening if youre going to Sound Control. Its a part-time venue, part-time club with a passion for
all things different. It has three rooms but usually therell only open the basement club. You can
be sure youll have a good one no matter what night you choose to go on, but its best to check
the website and make sure you know what youre in for. The tickets range in price, but Id
always recommend booking in advance to avoid on the door ticket prices:
www.soundcontrolmanchester.co.uk/
RANK: 4.5
PUSHING IT/CALM DOWN, MATE

24

Sankeys
Sankeys. Oh, Sankeys. Without a doubt one of the most notorious clubs in Manchester,
but also probably the best. Its usual clientele are fans of EDM as it primarily hosts House and
Techno nights which go on until 5am every weekend. It has one main room with an impressive
light show and a smoking terrace with movies projected onto the wall. Its absolutely not for
everyone, but if you want to experience the Northern rave scene, Sankeys is where you need to
be.
RANK: 6
ITS ON, ITS REALLY ON.

Ark
Ark is the most popular club on Deansgate Lock and boasts four rooms, resident DJs
and a whole range of nights to suit any taste. They open afternoons on Saturday to play
Tropical House and Chillout, whilst also serving food and cocktails. Its most popular with
students on a Friday night, because on Saturday they crank up the prices and attract young
professionals (they have to make money somehow). If youre planning nights out, Ark is a place
you need to be considering. Check out their website for details on upcoming events:
http://www.arkmanchester.co.uk
RANK: 4
PUSHING IT

25

Antwerp Mansion
Antwerp is a revolution in clubbing. Once a derelict Victorian Mansion, its now
a...slightly less derelict Victorian Mansion that hosts art and music events. The nights they host
are far more eclectic than anything else youll find in Manchester, ranging from Old School
House to Jungle and Drum & Bass. They have a free night on the 14th July, so make sure
youre on that, even if just to check out the architecture. It long to get to, so itd probably be best
if you get a taxi. Afterwards, you can check out the famous curry mile which leads back to
Manchester; its a never-ending road of takeaways and bars, the perfect combination. Have a
look at what they have in store: http://www.antwerpmansion.com/
RANK: 6
ITS ON

Satans Hollow
If metal/rock tunes
are your thing, Satans is
your place. Its not mine,
so I cant vouch for it, but they claim to be the only dedicated rock and metal venue in
Manchester, so I think they know what theyre doing. They do have one amazing perk though:
every Tuesday night its 4 entry and theres a free bar from 9-10pm. If youre out to get wasted,
this is the night. Check out the Facebook page for more:
https://www.facebook.com/satanshollowmanchester/
RANK: 4
PUSHING IT

26

Factory
This is a club with a long history. They were originally a record label with bands such as
Joy Division under their wing. However, as the age of clubbing evolved, they changed their
tactics, bought a factory and converted it into the crazy space it is today. They have three
separate spaces with completely different vibes, allowing for several genres to be playing on
one night. They claim to be undiscriminating in their choice of acts and thus appeal to absolutely
everybody. This place is iconic in the Manchester scene; you have to go. Visit their website for
the history and a list of events: http://www.factorymanchester.com/
RANK: 4.5
PUSHING IT/CALM DOWN, MATE

Alter
Ego
P
roba
bly
the
most
popul
ar
club
on
Canal Street, Alter Ego is a must-visit. It hosts flamboyant nights, the most successful of which
being Poptastic, and otherwise opens as a regular gay club. Its such a friendly environment to
be in, surrounded by bars and clubs with the same vibe. Canal Street is a hugely iconic part of
Manchester so Id recommend checking it out at least once. Check their Facebook for an events
list: https://www.facebook.com/Club-Alter-Ego-116392715108719/
RANK: 4
27

PUSHING IT

The Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Okay, so its not a club, strictly speaking; but its probably somewhere youll want to hit
up at least once. The Frog and Bucket is an amazing, highly regarded comedy club with events
almost every day. Tickets are rarely more than 5 and the events usually end before 12. Its a
perfect weeknight activity that you all should get onboard with. Go down, buy a bottle and be
entertained. See whats in store on their website: http://www.frogandbucket.com/manchester/
RANK: 2
WEEKNIGHT

Ma
ncu
nia
n
Voc
ab
Gui
de
As
youll be living in the 0161 area, youre going to need the know how on speaking Mancunian.
Heres a quick list of all the essential words and phrases to get you started:
0161
All Day/Every day

Greater Manchester
A Way of Saying you Like Something (e.g. Radiography

28

all/every day)
A Mad One
A Good/Crazy Time
At Me
Fight Me
Bae/Missus
Girlfriend
Bae/Fella
Boyfriend
Beg You
Please
Bless
See You Later/Thanks
Bottle
Alcohol
Bounce/Move
Leave/Run
Brew
A Hot Beverage
Calm it
Calm Down
Chuddy
Chewing Gum
Dead/Mad/Pure
Very
Dead
Finished/Pointless/Boring
Do One
Go Away
Dough/P/Stacks/Skrilla/Tater/Mulla Money
Ends
Neighbourhood
Fam/Blud/Bruh/Donny/Cuz/G
Friend (second person, e.g. Wagwarn Bruh)
Feeling Blessed
Feeling Good
Gaggin
Thirsty
Getting your scran on
Eating
To Glow Up
To Get Rich/To Get Happy
To be Glowed Up
To be Rich/To be Happy
Hack it
Handle it
Hanging (pronounced anging)/Peak/Bun
Bad
Long
Hard/Difficult/Tiresom
Mad fer it
Crazy about it
Mandem/Galdem
Friends (masculine/feminine)
To Mither
To Bother
My Man
Anyone, Friend or Stranger
Our Kid (pronounced aa kid)
Family Member/Close Friend
Safe/Mint/Sick/Buzzin/Fat/Bad/Gassed/Large/Sound
Good
Pres
Pre-drinks (before a night out)
Raaah
Wow
Rough/Hanging
Hungover
Shank/Blade
Knife (if you hear this, bounce)
Wagwarn/Whats Gwanin/Whats Good Whats Up/Hello
Ting
Used to describe a bad thing (AKA blade/drug)- again, bounce
Wavy/Smashed
Drunk
Wavy/Hatters
Mad
Yout
Child
Yard
House

29

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