Hi all,

we are to visit Manchester for a couple of days in the beginning of November before going to London, aside from sightseeing any recommendations on night life?

Thanks a lot

What are your interests ? There are lots of great traditional pubs; a couple of cool cocktail bars at the Malmaison & Alias Rossetti hotels (you may need to book for the latter); some nice places to eat, including pubs & the small Chinatown; the Halle orchestra & others at the Bridgewater Hall for classical music; theatre, opera & ballet at the stunning Lowry centre (www.thelowry.com); more contemporary arts at the Cornerhouse; and I daresay lots of young people's clubs & music venues which I wouldn't know about. There is a listings magazine called 'City Lights' which you could buy when you arrive to see what's on. Let me know if you want any more details, e.g. of pubs.

Around Deansgate there're a few.

I've been recommended "The Living Rooms".

Manchester has got some great eateries - if you are into spicy food there is Rusholme for restaurant after Asian restaurant, and there is Chinatown. There is a fabulous and atmospheric tapas bar called El Rincon which is well worth the convoluted find. Let me know if you need any other tips.

Simon, the Living Room is part of a chain of young people's trendy bars. May this appeals to you, maybe not. I went to the Manchester one on a Friday night & thought it was hideous - packed with people just drinking & with music so loud we had to shout over it. But my DH (who used to work in Manchester, which is how I know about it) had previously been on something like a Monday night & it was v. civilised - people eating, pianist playing. Horses for courses.

Looks like I'm a Monday Nighter... rather than a Friday Nighter!

But YurPoppy was looking for night life.... or places "packed with people just drinking & with music so loud you have to shout over it."

;-)

Areas where you'll find plenty of lively bars to choose from are Canal Street, Castlefield and Deansgate.

I second Steve's recommendation for El Rincon's. Don't be put off by the "spit and sawdust" surroundings, the food's excellent. Or if you like Chinese food, you've got to try the Yang Sing in Princess Street, which has long been held as one of the finest Cantonese Restaurants in Europe.

Gatecrashing Xenos recommendations; I would also recommend Deansgate Locks. There are a few lively (ish) bars round there (although better experienced in summer),it features a nice (ish) Italian called - of all things - 'Albert's Shed' (on account of buying the place off a bloke called er Albert). I say 'ish' because I have eaten thrice there, and had two good and one poor meal. I second Canal Street for eating and drinking; its a gay area suitable for not so gay folk.