/THE BEST OF MANCHESTER BEST PLACES TO DRINK WHEN OFF TO A GIG
BLESSED with as many music venues as there are Subway sandwich outlets (probably), Manchester is a mecca for the gig lover. From the 10,000-plus capacity of the Manchester Arena to the intimacy of The Deaf Institute, the spaces for live music in this city come in all shapes and sizes and are scattered throughout the centre and immediate areas.
From the Northern Quarter to the student corridor, each venue has a pick of great places to get (responsibly) fuelled up beforehand. So whether you’re looking for something lavish and expensive or a dive bar where they never have ice for your gin, here’s a guide to some of the best pubs and bars near venues in Manchester. Big Hands Where: Oxford Road Near: Manchester Academy, 2, 3 and Club Academy. Arguably the most renowned pre and post gig hangout for both fans and artists alike. Situated a stone’s throw away from the Manchester Academy and only a two minute walk from the Manchester University SU that houses the other Academy venues, Big Hands really is a prime location for music lovers. While not necessarily a dive bar, it’s not a million miles away and Big Hands’ no frills, grungy quality has a comfort to it that is exactly what you need when you just want to melt into a sofa after sweating out of every pore for 90 minutes beforehand. Open till 2am Sun- Fri and 3am on a Saturday and with a rooftop smoking terrace, Big Hands is ideal if you want to make a night of it but have no intentions of moving back towards town. Hours: 10am-2am The Footage Where: Grosvenor Street, corner of Oxford Road Near: The Deaf Institute While it is quite literally next door to TROF’s Deaf Institute it’s also only a five-minute walk from the Manchester SU so it’s very well situated. The huge two-storey building gets its name from being a cinema in a past life. Somewhat of a student haunt, you can usually find very decent drink deals as well as decent guest ales and craft beers. Ityboasts multiple TV screens a huge projector for football matches. Hours: 11am-1am The Font Where: New Wakefield Street Near: Gorilla, Sound Control, The Ritz Right in the middle of the heart of Manchester’s live music hub. A bar on two levels with many sofas so it’s the perfect spot if you’re a large group of gig goers. Font has a fairly large menu ranging from gourmet burgers to burritos but its real USP is its wide range of wacky cocktails starting at just £2. Hours: 11am-1am Albert’s Schloss Where: Peter Street Near: The Albert Hall Arguably Manchester’s best bar situated directly under perhaps Manchester’s best venue - The Albert Hall. Beer enthusiasts will know that Germany is a country with a knack for great ale and Albert’s Schloss has a huge number of German beers to choose from. The Bavarian bier palace was voted as the Bar of the Year at last year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards and has picked up a whole host of other accolades. The venue can be a little strict on the door on a busy night so avoid sportswear if you can. Hours: 11.30am-2am The Pilcrow Pub Where: Hanover Street, Sadlers Yard Near: Manchester Arena New and contemporary pub neatly hid away in Sadlers Yard, near Victoria Station. Offering modern and seasonal beers and a spacey outdoor area, it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours in the early evening on a warm night. Hours: 12pm-10.30pm Sandbar Where: Grosvenor Street Near: The Deaf Institute Deaf Institute is blessed with multiple drinking establishments in its direct vicinity, thanks to its location next to Manchester’s student hub off of Oxford Road. Sandbar even offers its own musical roster with frequent jazz nights. The building itself is two Georgian houses jammed together and they have a admirable array of real ale and serve food until 9pm. Hours: 12pm-12am (2am weekends) The Apsley Cottage Inn Where: Apsley Grove Near: O2 Apollo Manchester Very easy to miss if you’re approaching the Apollo from town or Piccadilly station. Situated on Apsley Grove immediately behind the Apollo and next door to a warehouse, the small,unassuming old inn couldn’t look more out of place. A long-time keg only pub that can get very cramped inside due to its size. They will however ring a bell five minutes before stage time so you can get yourself next door for the show. Hours: 12pm-11pm