4 reviewed party hostels · from €22.95/night · verified ratings
Manchester’s nightlife runs on two fuels: music and football. If you walk into any bar on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter after 9 PM, you’ll hear the same argument: Oasis or Stone Roses. The hostel scene here is smaller than you’d expect for a city this size, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in location. Most places sit within a ten-minute walk of Piccadilly Gardens, putting you right in the middle of the action without needing a taxi.
The real draw is the Northern Quarter itself. Graffiti-covered alleys lead to basement bars where bands play impromptu sets, and craft-beer pubs spill onto pavements. Stay at a hostel here, and you’re five minutes from Afflecks, the city’s answer to alternative shopping, and the same distance from Club Academy, where student nights pack the dance floor every Wednesday.
Ranked by verified guest rating · Prices per dorm bed per night
Manchester’s nightlife runs on two fuels: music and football. YHA Manchester is in Oxford Road, which puts it at the start of that circuit. Night & Day Café on 26 Oldham St, Northern Quarter. A grungy, two-floor venue on Oldham Street where Oasis played their first gig. The Liars Club on 49 Thomas St, Northern Quarter is the fallback option if the first place is packed. The on-site bar handles pre-drinks before the city takes over. At €23 a night and rated 8.7. The 8.7 score is solid: a hostel that does the basics well without promising too much.
Manchester’s nightlife runs on two fuels: music and football. Selina NQ1 Manchester is in Oxford Road, which puts it at the start of that circuit. Night & Day Café on 26 Oldham St, Northern Quarter. A grungy, two-floor venue on Oldham Street where Oasis played their first gig. The Liars Club on 49 Thomas St, Northern Quarter is the fallback option if the first place is packed. The on-site bar handles pre-drinks before the city takes over. At €31 a night and rated 8.1. Rated 8.1, which is adequate. Not the city's best, but not the worst either.
The Arena Black Lion is one of the most popular places in Manchester. The hostel is close to great sites and popular locations like bars and clubs. The rooms will include a continental breakfast in the mornings to rest after spending an entire day and night on Manchester's center attractions.
The Westlynne Hotel and Apartments is located close to Manchester center, and also offers free onsite parking. This is a great place to rest after a party night, the room comes with tv and breakfast with an additional cost. From this hostel you can reach the Manchester Arena, the Lowry Centre, City Of Manchester Stadium, and Manchester Cycling Veledrome as well as The Museums of Science, Art and Transport.
How Manchester's nightlife zones break down
The heart of Manchester’s alternative scene, packed with vintage shops, street art, and basement bars. Oldham Street is the main drag, but the real gems are tucked away on Thomas Street and Spear Street. It’s loud, colourful, and always busy: perfect if you want to be where the action is.
A student-heavy strip with cheap bars, late-night kebab shops, and the city’s biggest university buildings. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Northern Quarter, so you get the nightlife without the tourist crowds. Pints are cheaper here, and the vibe is more laid-back.
A mix of high-end bars and chain restaurants, with Deansgate Locks at one end: a canal-side strip of clubs and cocktail bars. It’s pricier than the Northern Quarter, but the area is sleek and central. Good for groups who want a more polished night out.
Bars, clubs and live music in Manchester
A grungy, two-floor venue on Oldham Street where Oasis played their first gig. Downstairs is a bar with cheap pints (£4.50 during happy hour) and upstairs hosts live bands: expect indie, punk, and the occasional poetry slam. Gets packed by 10 PM on weekends, so arrive early if you want a seat near the stage.
A tiki bar hidden behind an unmarked door on Thomas Street. Cocktails cost £9, but the happy hour (5 PM–7 PM) knocks them down to £6. The crowd is a mix of students and professionals, and the music leans toward funk and disco. No dance floor, but people end up swaying by the bar anyway.
The go-to spot for student nights, especially ‘Indie Wednesdays’. Entry is £5 if you show a student ID, otherwise £7. The music is a mix of Britpop, indie, and 2000s throwbacks. The dance floor gets rammed by 11 PM, and the drinks are cheap: pints start at £4.
A proper Irish pub on Oldham Street with live folk music every Thursday. Pints of Guinness cost £5.50, and the whisky menu has over 100 options. It’s a cosy spot, so it fills up fast: get there by 8 PM if you want a table. The crowd is mostly locals in their 30s, but backpackers are always welcome.
A strip of bars and clubs along a canal, popular with hen parties and groups. Entry is free before 11 PM, but drinks are pricey: cocktails start at £10. The music varies by venue, but expect chart hits and R&B. Gets loud and crowded, so it’s not the place for a quiet drink.
A bar and kitchen on Spear Street with a punk-rock vibe. Pints are £5, and the food is cheap: think veggie burgers for £7. Live bands play most nights, and the crowd is a mix of students and music fans. The basement gigs are the real draw: check their website for line-ups.
What's on in Manchester
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