Featured image: Rebellion
By the time Freshers Week is over, all you’ve been left with is a hole in your pocket and a hatred of Playground. In a city renowned for its nightlife, it would be silly to end up in Hotmess every Wednesday without fail. If the same three clubs have left you wanting a bit more, broaden your horizons and check out our top picks for nights out.
So hardcore techno isn’t your thing — we hear you. Matt and Phred’s is a jazz club with heart. Boasting live music from Monday to Sunday, there’s no better showcase of Manchester’s emerging talent. Enjoy seated or standing, with an expertly-made cocktail.
Self-described ‘community hub in a pub’, the Old Abbey Taphouse in Hulme is the stuff of dreams. From dub to open mic nights, this hidden gem is one you’ll want to get behind. Plus, to beat the end-of-week blues, head down to their renowned Sunday Sessions to enjoy a roast with sounds from guest DJs.
This is where it all began. Stevenson Square great Eastern Bloc began as a record shop in 1985 before transcending into a cultural landmark. Café by day, effortlessly cool bar by night. Catch local talent, classic vinyl spinning and multi-genre madness at this cosy little number.
If you like cheesy hits and pale ales, this might be the one for you. The top pick for a (very silly) Wednesday night quiz, plus classic club nights every weekend, Lost Cat has it all. Save yourself the freeze from queueing for Freemount.
Home to CROP radio, this intimate Northern Quarter venue knows how to throw a party. From gigs, to club nights or live radio, there’s something for everyone. Sure to stretch your music taste far past anything you could anticipate.
The definition of a ‘mixed bag’, Rebellion has hosted the likes of While She Sleeps, WARGASM and Of Mice and Men, whilst also hosting raves minutes from campus. If it’s techno, jungle, death metal or otherwise — Rebellion will probably cover it.
Not just a pizza joint, Ramona Radio goes live every Wednesday night. Laid-back party vibes are guaranteed, with genre weaving and artists encouraged to share their favourite tunes in this intimate atmosphere. Grab yourself a bite to eat before dancing the night away.
A classic but a goodun, Withington’s best is home to Warped Wednesdays, alongside the best up-and-coming promoters’ nights. Your favourite basement rave, this venue is small but packed full of love, no matter the genre.
Featured image and gallery: Hoang Phan Notebooks were carried from one workshop to another. Writers from different generations sat around tables, sharing manuscripts and listening to each other. Outdoors, small groups strolled along Oxford Road, pausing before buildings steeped in literary history. This was the scene during the Manchester Writing School Summer Festival 2026, held…
Featured image: Katja Ogrin With many sore heads and limbs this morning after the most hardcore day of the festival taking place yesterday, many are recovering from the moshing and pit brutality of the previous day’s antics. As the tradition of a morning movie in the Serpents Lair prevails, the crowd sprawls out onto the plush,…
Featured image: Abbi Draper After an electrifying start to the weekend, with temperatures slowly climbing, many lather themselves in suncream, shed their band shirts and rise from their tents to trek towards the arena. Saturday has big things incoming for the humans of Bloodstock 2026. Some pace themselves for the day and hide from the early…
Featured image: Abbi Draper After a memorable Thursday opener, Bloodstock 2026 opens its gates once again onto the Hallowed Grounds of Catton Park, kicking off day two of its 25th-anniversary celebration of metal. As the sun rises on Catton Park, festivalgoers emerge from their tents to prepare for another day of mayhem. The morning brings…
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