Stag-Do City Guides: Manchester

Manchester is an amazing place to have a stag-do, the locals are generally pretty friendly, the beer is cheap and there’s some great clubs to explore. That said there’s been a fine (and often not-so-fine) rain falling on the city since the 1800s, so bring a brolly.

DECENT NIGHT CLUBS

5^th Avenue – Enduringly popular megaclub dealing in current rock pop, old school dance and of course, a healthy dose of Oasis and The Stone Roses. Every night except Sun/Tue, till 3AM. 121 Princess Street, M1 7AG. 0161 236 2754. http://5thavenuemanchester.com

Sankeys – legendary, but relatively intimate electronic club, techno, electro and trance in old soap factory. Popular nights include Bugged Out! And Tribal Sessions. Fri/Sat till 5AM. Radium Street, M4 6JG. 0161 661 9668. www.sankeys.info

Tiger Tiger – Central megaclub with three floors. Pop, indie, mainstream dance and karoake booths. Daily, weekends till 3. 27 Withy Grove, Printworks, M4. 0161 385 8080. www.tigertiger.co.uk

Opus – Another Printworks favourite, playing commercial dance and RnB. 21-23 Withy Grove, Printworks, M4. 0161 834 2414. www.opusmanchester.com

The Warehouse Project – Running September until the New Year, a huge rave underneath Piccadilly Station playing host to the biggest names. Book in advance. M1 2GH, 0161 635 3500. www.thewarehouseproject.com

DECENT PLACES TO GET A BEER

Corbeires – Lively underground bar, good wines, better jukebox. 2 Half Moon Street, M2 7PS. 08721 077 077.

Font – Hip but cheap, vast range of £2 cocktails, popular with students, central. 7 New Wakefield Street, M1 5NP. 0161 236 0944.

Revolution – Cheap vodka, comfy seating, lots of both. 90-94 Oxford Road, M1 5WH. 0161 236 7470.

Common – cool Northern Quarter with relaxed atmosphere and décor that changes monthly. 39-41 Edge Street, M4 1HW. 0161 832 9245.

Temple – located in a disused public toilet beneath busy Oxford Road. No, really. Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5JW.

Peveril of the Peak – The ‘Pev’ as it’s locally known, and Cantona’s favourite. 127 Bridgewater Street, M1 5JQ. 0161 236 6364.

Dry Bar – Accessible but pleasant Northern Quarter bar and gig venue. 28 Oldham Street, M1. 0161 236 9840.

Sandbar – Finest selection of beers and lively and cosy bars, specialist Djs. 120 Grovesnor Street, M1 7HL. 0161 273 1552.

Trof – Three tiered indie favourite with quality jukebox and delicious roast dinners. 6-8 Thomas Street, M4 1EU. 0161 833 3197.

STRIP CLUBS

Obsessions – Newer Manchester strip venue in swanky Deansgate Locks. Whitworth Street West, M1 5WZ. www.obsessionsclub.co.uk

Baby Platinum – Popular club, located on edge of gay village. 109 Princess Street, M1 6JB. http://babyplatinum.co.uk

Long Legs – Established and popular, centrally located. 46 George Street, M1 4HF. 0161 237 3977. www.long-legs.co.uk

DECENT RESTAURANTS

Bem Brazil – Increasingly popular Brazilian barbecue experience. Deansgate, M3 2GQ. 0161 839 2525. www.bembrasilrestaurants.com

Buffet Metro – Centrally located in Piccadilly Gardens, large, fresh Chinese buffet at reasonable prices. 59A-59b, Piccadilly. 0161 238 8686. www.buffetmetro.co.uk

Deaf Institute – A popular gig venue and bar, but also a reliable restaurant with a hearty menu. 135 Grovesnor Street, M1 7HE. 0161 276 9350. www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk

Mr. Thomas’s Chop House – Once Britain’s top voted pub, now retains same atmosphere with amazing steaks to boot. 52 Cross Street, M2 7AR. 0161 832 2245. http://tomsmanchester.thevictorianchophousecompany.com

East Z East – Previously voted Manchest’s best restaurant, this still reasonable favourite does amazing Indian food with great service. Princess Street, M1 7DL. 0161 254 5353. www.eastzeast.com

ALL NIGHT FOOD

Hunters BBQ Grill – Award winning, clean, cheap takeaway in the Northern Quarter. 94 Keith Street, M4 1EF. 0161 839 5050.

Burger King – lacks local charm, but Piccadilly Gardens central branch of BK never closes, as well as the ever-increasing branches of Subway.

TRAVEL

Manchester has a city centre that is easily walkable, but also offers bus and tram services. www.gmpte.com for travel information 0161 244 1000.

Local event listings and detailed tourist information are available at www.visitmanchester.com. For gig listings, restaurant and club reviews, www.citylife.co.uk is fairly impartial.

Oxford Cars – 0161 275 9339

Manchester Cars – 0161 237 3383

Taxifone – 0161 232 3333

ESSENTIAL TRIVIA

Manchester reputably had the first bus service in the world, in 1824.

Manchester’s Beetham Tower is the largest free standing building outside of London, and houses a prestigious Hilton, just in case you’re really splashing out…

Manchester has it’s own Police Museum, which is a charming visit, if ill-suited to stags, as it’s only open Tuesday afternoons. Which is good news for burglars…