Bars and Cafes in City Centre - St Peter's Square & Oxford Street (Manchester)

Down Under

As lively and down-to-earth as you would expect of an Australian establishment, this popular basement bar and restaurant is busiest at weekends, when its late license and dance DJs give the place an almost nightclubby feel. The authentic atmosphere is mainly accomplished using aboriginal paintings on the walls and the odd boomerang, but the large crowds of rowdy students also help. In addition to a fair selection of Australian beers and wines - including the ubiquitous Fosters and Castlemaine lagers - the food menu is spiced up with antipodean specialities such as emu, kangaroo steaks and crocodile burgers.

Fab Cafe

Fab Cafe bills itself as the world's first cult TV and movie theme bar. It has certainly got loads of personality, helped by the presence of lots of original film props, posters, memorabilia and even some brilliant retro arcade machines. It is very popular, particularly with the student fraternity, and there is always something going on, such as the near legendary Tiger Lounge club night. There is a standard range of draught and bottled beers available, along with great cocktails and a reasonable snack food menu. Get there early to avoid queuing on the street at weekends.

The City Arms

This tiny architectural gem is popular with the city's financial and business types as well as tourists due to its central position and welcoming atmosphere. Even the walls are lined with lots of witty epigrams about the delights of drinking ale. The pub sells an extensive range of beers and spirits and serves good value home-cooked lunchtime meals and bar snacks. Friendly, with an authentic Victorian feel, it's small enough for you to easily strike up a conversation with neighbouring drinkers if you wish.

The Rain Bar

J W Lees (a Middleton-based brewery) wanted to reinterpret a traditional hostelry to reflect modern Manchester, it must have worked because this new addition to the city scene is already winning awards. Built in designer grays and browns to reflect the rainy city, The Rain Bar offers good quality food, cask ale and a wine list selected by upmarket wine merchants Willoughby's, in a pleasingly low-key environment. Close to the Bridgewater Hall, it is a great pre-concert meeting place and there is also a large function room available on request.

Grey Horse Inn

With a lively, friendly feel, this tiny, historic former Campaign for Real Ale Manchester Pub of the Year, attracts a mixed clientèle of all ages. It is particularly busy with the after-work crowd and at weekends, when it is a handy meeting place if you're planning a meal or night out in Chinatown or the surrounding area. The interior is simple, traditional and somewhat cramped, but the atmosphere is always good. Food is limited to bar snacks, but it is notable as one of the city's few outlets for the beers of its smallest established local brewery.

Po Na Na Souk Bar

This two-floor bar successfully works on a Turkish theme with lots of small rooms filled with ottoman-style couches under ceilings of muted white and deep yellow billowed cloth, offset by the low-lit beige walls. Playing host to several popular DJ nights through the week - mainly mixing soul and funk - this lively place attracts a trendy mixed crowd who enjoy its unique feel and deadly range of drinks and cocktails - particularly recommended is the fiery, inspired and Chartreuse infused Russian Quaalude.

Aqua

Tucked away between fashionable Deansgate Locks and Whitworth Street, Aqua is a fun little bar and club that may seem a bit off the beaten track but is well worth checking out if you fancy a night of light-hearted, kitschy fun. If you want to get an idea of what the place is like, check out the entrance with its display of photographs, showing regular revellers having a great time. You can enjoy yourself dancing around - or you can just talk away on the big comfy sofas if you like - to a mixture of funky pop tunes, garage, house and the odd touch of Latino groove.

Opus One Bar and Restaurant

Vibrant is the best word to describe Opus One Bar and Restaurant at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Manchester. Located on Peter Street, this restaurant and bar draws locals and tourists in with its lipstick red colors, gleaming wooden accents, golden walls and elegant air. The ambiance is inviting, as is the contemporary British cuisine, and the delicious cocktails.

Font

Font is a recent addition to the Oxford Street triangle of bars, clubs and pubs, including Generation X, Revolution, Elemental and the Attic. Designed in a unpretentious and funky manner, it is targeted to especially please students and those looking for a simple, fun night out. Built on 2 levels the decor is all bright primary colours, plenty of wood flooring and comfy sofas - the bar even has multi-coloured beer taps. As well as plenty of indie and dance music, entertainment is provided by a Playstation hooked up to a giant screen at the back of the lower floor. Drink prices are cheap for the area and a limited food menu at lunchtimes is also good value for money.

City Café

Come to City Café to experience European dining in an ambiance that matches the charm of City Inn, in which it is located. The alfresco seating option, makes this place a favorable option for intimate dining. The à-la-carte menu features classic dishes like 'Rosset Fillet of Cheshire Beef Rossini' and 'Tempura of Monkfish'. The ambiance at this place is chic and the decor is contemporary, thus making this place a favored venue for dining occasions with friends or associates.

Piccadilly Lounge

The contemporary decor of Piccadilly Lounge exudes warmth and vibrancy. Located in City Inn, this place serves excellent drinks and amazing cocktails. Enjoy the wines or just stick to a chilled beer, this place simply rocks when it comes to spirits. The snacks and tapas available go well with the drinks. Enjoy a get-together with friends or have a business conversation, this place is apt for any occasion.

Revolution

One of the early success stories of Manchester's now burgeoning bar society, this is the original Revolution along with its new sister in the highly fashionable Deansgate Locks. This popular vodka bar plays host to a wide range of clientèle, from affluent students to businessmen. The interior is a mixture of cozy and cool with big leather sofas and crimson walls adding warmth to the room. A wide variety of flavored vodkas and other spirits are available along with Stella Artois, Staropramen and Boddingtons on tap.