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It’s that time of year again where parents say goodbye to their kids and drop them off at uni for either their first time surviving away from home, or for their return at another year of university. Whether you’re a newbie to Manchester student life, or you’re a returning student, these are the best bars you need on your radar this year in 2023.
Hatch
We’ve decided to start off our list with Hatch for one big reason; you only have two weeks left to enjoy this fun local spot for it closes for good! Take your chance to be one of the last students that gets to experience the hustle and bustle of Hatch before it’s gone forever, and support the small vendors here who will be looking to find a new location to set up shop.
Only a stone's throw away from Manchester Uni, you can find Miami Ice; an 80’s disco nightclub serving up fun cocktails alongside a selection of rum and whiskies. Only launching a year ago, make sure you check out this fun bar whilst you can. Alongside this, there’s also ÖL bar if you’re looking for something more laid back and casual. This bar serves up specialist craft beers with 8 taps and over 70 cans and bottles to choose from.
Yes
Next on our list is Yes. This has been a long-time favourite amongst students, and not only serves up cheap drinks, but also doubles up as a live venue and restaurant. With several floors and settings to choose from, Yes is the perfect hub for social students, with plenty of space even during busy hours. Head to their website on the Chatloop app to discover all the upcoming events, or make use of their roof terrace and beer garden with friends. Alternatively, if you’re just looking for a bite to eat, you’ll find delicious pizzas and kebabs here, catering to a variety of different dietary requirements.
256
Another popular establishment amongst students is 256. Located in Fallowfield, this bar is situated amongst Manchester’s biggest area for student accommodation. 256 is open day and night, so is a popular favourite no matter the time of day, and provides a great hangout spot for freshers getting to know each other, as well as flat-mates and course-mates alike. 256 hosts student friendly events and DJ nights, accompanied by cheap drinks and food. From relaxed afternoons with friends to partying the night away, head to this spot to find students that live locally to you.
Bread Shed
Situated across from Oxford Road, Bread Shed is a live-venue that hosts a mix of events from Drum and Bass to Alt-Rock. As well as playing host to gigs and events, you’ll also find club nights hosted here from time to time from freshers week parties to alt-rock club nights from Deadbolt. Find your community here and have fun with people who share your taste in music.
Courtyard
Naming itself as Manchester’s cheapest bar, you can’t go wrong with Courtyard as a student looking for a bargain. With cocktails being sold as low as £2.50 (yes you read that right!), this is a must-visit place if you’re looking to make your student loan stretch as far as it can. There’s also a huge beer garden and showings of football and rugby games on the big screen.
Footage
Footage is known as the local student union bar, so you can be assured you’ll find some great student deals and student nights here. With free wi-fi, Sky Sports, an outdoor area and a dancefloor, this is the perfect hangout spot close to uni where you can head to relax after lectures, or come for student socials and society meetups, and party into the night. The building itself is an old renovated cinema that still has some of its original features including the upstairs seating gallery. One thing you do need to come here for is the burger and beer deal; a step above what you’d find at Wetherspoons, but still at a great price, this is perfect for students and also provides a great hangover cure the next day!
42’s
We couldn’t talk about the best student bars without including 42’s. Despite the sticky floors, this place is a staple amongst students; and we think a sticky floor tends to be a sign of a well-loved club! If you’re one for indie or alternative music, this place has the music for you; but even if you tend to love charts, you’ll still find yourself having fun and knowing all the words to these rock and indie anthems. Who doesn’t love a bit of Arctic Monkeys or Oasis after a few drinks? The venue also has a relaxed dress code and the drinks come cheap.
