BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
If sipping on warm white wine at a business reception doesn’t sound appealing, Manchester has plenty of trendy offerings which go late into the early hours.
Canal Street (insert left)
Running adjacent to the Rochdale Canal inside Manchester’s gay village, stumble into any of the plethora of the bars and it’s impossible not to have a good time in one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.
The pedestrianised street is home to some of the country’s best drag hosts, theme nights from Abba to Britney and the most exotic – and strongest – cocktails in the city.
Fun fact: though now defunct, back in 2009 the street’s Spirit Bar hosted the first ever official LGBT Conservative event, organised by then-shadow equalities minister Theresa May.
Escape to Freight Island
Built out of an old freight depot, this new, chic, urban market hosts DJs, live bands, comedy gigs every night of the week, with chefs cooking every type of cuisine thinkable.
A specialist wine bar will keep the sommeliers happy while craft beer hipsters can enjoy the brew of Salford’s Pomona Island, who are partnered with the venue. Andy Burnham has been spotted here.
Northern Quarter
Along Thomas St and Edge St, Cane & Grain provides cocktails and singalong indie tunes for those fresh from Conference karaoke. Sit on the roof at the Terrace NQ until late or make the most of the £5 pints and £6 cocktails during the happy hour at Common bar.
A four-minute walk away, Stevenson Square has more bars than it is humanly possible to visit, with The Corner Boy, Flok and NoHo particular highlights.