Right - new to the forum and thought I'd contribute with a mini data-sheet on Manchester in the UK.
My background: 5'11, black, muscular but not ripped body (hard to eat well when you travel for work!), often described as "beautiful" or "good looking" face. Lived in Manchester for over 6 years now (from London - wanted to get away from the big city!), moved here for university and now based here. I was in a relationship for 5 years of my time here so I may not have the best full knowledge of Manchester's scenes, but hopefully this helps!
The City - Day Game
Short piece on day game since I'm not a big fan of it, much rather go out and pull.
Manchester is the UK's second or third (depending on your data source) largest city, competing with Birmingham after London. Also described as the "capital of the North". Best known for its football teams, Manchester United and Manchester City but there are also other attractions such as The Trafford Centre (one of the UK's largest indoor shopping centres), the Arndale (another large shopping centre) and it also has an incredible number of bars and clubs.
It is also important to note that Manchester has a HUGE student population - there are three major universities around the city centre (Uni of Man, Man Met, Salford) so if you are after students who like to let loose you will have no shortage of them here. And trust me, a lot of them like to let loose. If you're even decent looking, you'll have no problem on some of the student nights here but I'll go into that further later.
If you're looking to day game, Trafford Centre is usually full of women who glam up quite a bit to visit there for one reason or another. It's outside of the city centre, but worth the trip. Its not surprising to find women with heels, fake lashes etc on walking around trying to look their best. Problem with those women, as you'll know if you know the UK at all, is they can be a 6-7 at best but they'll act like a 9. I generally don't find many British women attractive simply because not a lot of British women look after themselves, but you can find a few 8-9s on a weekend here. Mainly because the rich and famous shop around here if they are in Manchester.
Other hotspots include in and around Market Street (where the Arndale shopping centre is), plenty of coffee shops to talk to people and a few pubs/bars nearby as well. If you want somewhere more hipster/trendy, we have the Northern Quarter. For anyone who knows Shoreditch in London, this is our equivalent (albeit much cheaper and in my mind less pretentious).
One other area that did just come to mind, which are popular after work hotspots;
- Spinningfields: it's almost like a miniature Canary Wharf inside of Manchester. Posh bars such as the Alchemist, although most notably Neighbourhood which seems to grab celebrity attention every weekend. Come here around 5-7pm and it'll be full of young professionals finishing work heading for a drink. You'll need to be good at isolating, they'll be in groups with work friends.
- Castlefield: similar to Spinningfields but not as posh, more laidback and great when it's sunny. A lot of the places here have outdoor areas that people flock to when the sun is shining. Also great food served here too. Similar timings apply to Spinningfields if you want young professionals, I'd imagine you'll have students there earlier.
Night Game
This is when I come alive. There's pockets and pockets of bars and clubs all over Manchester. This is from the perspective of a black guy, so most of the places I go are places which work for me (R&B, Hip Hop music, white girls etc.) but I'll try and mix it up. There is a student area called "Fallowfield" as well, but even as a student I rarely went there (bit too trashy for my liking).
Just as an fyi - when university terms are in, there is somewhere to go EVERY SINGLE NIGHT (albeit you'll probably be with the students partying). Manchester's nightlife is great for those who want to bag a student or two. I generally tend to aim for the older crowd (25+) as a 24 year old, so it's been awhile since I've gone to student nights but students aren't difficult for anyone good looking here. Even for the women here, bagging a hottie earns them credit not disrespect.
Deansgate Locks
I used to go here a lot. It's essentially 6 bars with club rooms side by side just by the canal. Bar names are;
Ark, Revolution, Lola Lo, Sugar Buddha, The Comedy Club and Baa Bar (from when I last checked anyway!).
Weekdays is for student nights, normally at least one of the bars has a night on, every night of the week. 18-21 year old girls not wearing much at all trying to bag a hottie. If you're average + looking, you shouldn't have a problem here if you dress decently (mostly smart casual on student nights).
Weekends the dynamic changes, it becomes a young/old mix - people in their 20s/early 30s are normally elsewhere. Smart attire required, so black shoes for men. I don't see the appeal though, it's overpriced for what it is. Generally nights last until 3am at all the bars. Usually a cover, around £10.
Northern Quarter Area
This is the hotspot for anyone in their 20s or early 30s. Its trendy but its not too pretentious - Friday nights most bars aren't fussed about dress code at all (no sports trainers or stupid tops though) although Saturday some places will want black shoes for guys and a sharper look. If you are a brother and want some easier fun, this is the place to be.
Most bars here close at 2am, although there's a few which last till 4am. Normally not any cover to pay at most places, although some have started introducing cover (less than £5). I'll list a few bars/clubs;
Note: there are places to go if you want a bit more upscale too. There's a nice mix in the Northern Quarter. That said, there's also a place called twenty twentytwo which has table tennis next door to the club room. Great for a fun night out, and beautiful music.
Deansgate
This is where we start to go more upmarket with our club choices. Deansgate is a long street in Manchester which has bars and clubs (alongside restaurants) dotted all over it. I wouldn't go out to any clubs around here on a Friday night as its much quieter, but Saturday it really comes alive. If you are out on a Saturday night, polo shirts and black shoes minimum. I'd go shirt for safety though. I'll go through some of my favourite ones so far;
There are "proper" exclusive clubs in Manchester, and they are good if that's what you're into. London-style pricing for drinks, so be prepared for that. Table is probably the way to go if you want to drink heavily. Will most definitely have to pay £10-£20 cover to get in here. Here's a sample;
Thing to note as well - it's well documented that the further north you go in the UK, the easier women become. It's pretty much true. It's a lot easier (and acceptable) to pull in somewhere like Manchester and one night stands are rife. That said not all British women are the most attractive, so beware of beer goggles. It happens...
My background: 5'11, black, muscular but not ripped body (hard to eat well when you travel for work!), often described as "beautiful" or "good looking" face. Lived in Manchester for over 6 years now (from London - wanted to get away from the big city!), moved here for university and now based here. I was in a relationship for 5 years of my time here so I may not have the best full knowledge of Manchester's scenes, but hopefully this helps!
The City - Day Game
Short piece on day game since I'm not a big fan of it, much rather go out and pull.
Manchester is the UK's second or third (depending on your data source) largest city, competing with Birmingham after London. Also described as the "capital of the North". Best known for its football teams, Manchester United and Manchester City but there are also other attractions such as The Trafford Centre (one of the UK's largest indoor shopping centres), the Arndale (another large shopping centre) and it also has an incredible number of bars and clubs.
It is also important to note that Manchester has a HUGE student population - there are three major universities around the city centre (Uni of Man, Man Met, Salford) so if you are after students who like to let loose you will have no shortage of them here. And trust me, a lot of them like to let loose. If you're even decent looking, you'll have no problem on some of the student nights here but I'll go into that further later.
If you're looking to day game, Trafford Centre is usually full of women who glam up quite a bit to visit there for one reason or another. It's outside of the city centre, but worth the trip. Its not surprising to find women with heels, fake lashes etc on walking around trying to look their best. Problem with those women, as you'll know if you know the UK at all, is they can be a 6-7 at best but they'll act like a 9. I generally don't find many British women attractive simply because not a lot of British women look after themselves, but you can find a few 8-9s on a weekend here. Mainly because the rich and famous shop around here if they are in Manchester.
Other hotspots include in and around Market Street (where the Arndale shopping centre is), plenty of coffee shops to talk to people and a few pubs/bars nearby as well. If you want somewhere more hipster/trendy, we have the Northern Quarter. For anyone who knows Shoreditch in London, this is our equivalent (albeit much cheaper and in my mind less pretentious).
One other area that did just come to mind, which are popular after work hotspots;
- Spinningfields: it's almost like a miniature Canary Wharf inside of Manchester. Posh bars such as the Alchemist, although most notably Neighbourhood which seems to grab celebrity attention every weekend. Come here around 5-7pm and it'll be full of young professionals finishing work heading for a drink. You'll need to be good at isolating, they'll be in groups with work friends.
- Castlefield: similar to Spinningfields but not as posh, more laidback and great when it's sunny. A lot of the places here have outdoor areas that people flock to when the sun is shining. Also great food served here too. Similar timings apply to Spinningfields if you want young professionals, I'd imagine you'll have students there earlier.
Night Game
This is when I come alive. There's pockets and pockets of bars and clubs all over Manchester. This is from the perspective of a black guy, so most of the places I go are places which work for me (R&B, Hip Hop music, white girls etc.) but I'll try and mix it up. There is a student area called "Fallowfield" as well, but even as a student I rarely went there (bit too trashy for my liking).
Just as an fyi - when university terms are in, there is somewhere to go EVERY SINGLE NIGHT (albeit you'll probably be with the students partying). Manchester's nightlife is great for those who want to bag a student or two. I generally tend to aim for the older crowd (25+) as a 24 year old, so it's been awhile since I've gone to student nights but students aren't difficult for anyone good looking here. Even for the women here, bagging a hottie earns them credit not disrespect.
Deansgate Locks
I used to go here a lot. It's essentially 6 bars with club rooms side by side just by the canal. Bar names are;
Ark, Revolution, Lola Lo, Sugar Buddha, The Comedy Club and Baa Bar (from when I last checked anyway!).
Weekdays is for student nights, normally at least one of the bars has a night on, every night of the week. 18-21 year old girls not wearing much at all trying to bag a hottie. If you're average + looking, you shouldn't have a problem here if you dress decently (mostly smart casual on student nights).
Weekends the dynamic changes, it becomes a young/old mix - people in their 20s/early 30s are normally elsewhere. Smart attire required, so black shoes for men. I don't see the appeal though, it's overpriced for what it is. Generally nights last until 3am at all the bars. Usually a cover, around £10.
Northern Quarter Area
This is the hotspot for anyone in their 20s or early 30s. Its trendy but its not too pretentious - Friday nights most bars aren't fussed about dress code at all (no sports trainers or stupid tops though) although Saturday some places will want black shoes for guys and a sharper look. If you are a brother and want some easier fun, this is the place to be.
Most bars here close at 2am, although there's a few which last till 4am. Normally not any cover to pay at most places, although some have started introducing cover (less than £5). I'll list a few bars/clubs;
- Terrace - pure old school, hip hop, R&B music and if you want a white girl whose into black guys, pretty much any woman here is looking for exactly that. Play it cool and you'll be fine. Better on Saturday nights, dress code isn't too anal either.
- El Capo - smaller bar again, but same as Terrace music wise. Tequila bar, went here at 11pm for the first time as a late night (normally use it for "pre-game" as Americans call it!) and music + women were on point. It was also a joke the amount of attention I was getting. I genuinely couldn't believe it, I had a choice of 5 women at one stage. Definitely one to try for the brothers.
- Black Dog Ballroom - bit more upscale from the other two, dress sharp especially on Saturday. One of the 4am bars/clubs open in NQ. More house / top 40 music in here, so a bit more something for anyone. They also go a bit techno at some stage during the night.
Note: there are places to go if you want a bit more upscale too. There's a nice mix in the Northern Quarter. That said, there's also a place called twenty twentytwo which has table tennis next door to the club room. Great for a fun night out, and beautiful music.
Deansgate
This is where we start to go more upmarket with our club choices. Deansgate is a long street in Manchester which has bars and clubs (alongside restaurants) dotted all over it. I wouldn't go out to any clubs around here on a Friday night as its much quieter, but Saturday it really comes alive. If you are out on a Saturday night, polo shirts and black shoes minimum. I'd go shirt for safety though. I'll go through some of my favourite ones so far;
- The Milton Club - normally a members' only club but always accept non-members if you get yourself on the guestlist. They also do an event called "Limitless" - £30 (or £20 for members - membership is free if you work somewhere they like) for unlimited drinks between 8-10pm so great for a strong pre-game if you're good at getting drinks down you. Strong hip hop / R&B / old school vibes and they like to take care of you here if you come a few times a year. I know a lot of the female staff here. Opened till 4am.
- Liars Club - bit of a mix with music, it basically goes through everything as the night wears on. It'll move from known classics to house to techno to some cheesy and back again. Great if you're into your versatile music taste. Not as classy as some places on Deansgate (its a tiki bar) but still great vibes. 4am.
- The Living Room - positions itself more as exclusive but I don't think it's quite there. Very particular on dress code though, fix up look sharp or you won't be in. Good place to be if you've got great chat as it's not as loud as other places.
- Neighbourhood - technically this is in Spinningfields, which is right off Deansgate. I mention it here separately as Spinningfields is mostly early evenings kind of chat, this is one of the few night time attractions. You do get some gorgeous women here, and it's not as loud as other places but its also pretty intimate. Hot spot for TV stars, normally a few household names lurking around. Opened till 2am so not the best for a late one, but it's easy enough to walk to somewhere opened later if need be.
There are "proper" exclusive clubs in Manchester, and they are good if that's what you're into. London-style pricing for drinks, so be prepared for that. Table is probably the way to go if you want to drink heavily. Will most definitely have to pay £10-£20 cover to get in here. Here's a sample;
- Bijou - Drake is hosting his official after party here tonight which shows you just how exclusive this place can be. Guestlist is essential, guys really have to look their sharpest or they will be turned away. Women here can be very pretentious, think footballer meets wag kind of place. Hot women looking to bag a rich sugar daddy, mostly the footballers who are celebrating a win or household celebrity names. Either that or you have enough money to bankroll their evening. If you have the money and the looks, you'll do well here.
- LIV - Americans probably know the name as the super-club in Miami, welcome to its only sister club in the UK, based in Manchester. Just as with Miami, heavy entry prices and guestlist essentially on Saturdays. Great music and vibe, and I've got to say it's not as pretentious as the other exclusives. I quite enjoy spending time here.
- Suede - Final exclusive club I'll mention, it's pretty much in line with the others. All about hot women in fantastic clothes, look sharp and you'll have a great night dancing away. Typical R&B style music though, Manchester's exclusive clubs have a thing for that.
Thing to note as well - it's well documented that the further north you go in the UK, the easier women become. It's pretty much true. It's a lot easier (and acceptable) to pull in somewhere like Manchester and one night stands are rife. That said not all British women are the most attractive, so beware of beer goggles. It happens...