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Northwest England

Entertainment in Northwest England

  1. A

    Royal Exchange

    Interesting contemporary plays are standard at this magnificent, modern theatre-in-the-round.

    reviewed

  2. B

    AXM Club

    You won’t go far wrong in AXM, which is more of a cocktail lounge for the city’s flash crowd.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Manchester Roadhouse

    Local bands are put through their paces in front of what is usually an enthusiastic crowd.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Mr Thomas' Chop House

    An old-style boozer that is very popular for a pint as well as for food. Mains around £10

    reviewed

  5. E

    Ruby Lounge

    Terrific live-music venue in the Northern Quarter that features mostly rock bands.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Manchester Cathedral

    Hosts a summer season of concerts by the Cantata Choir and ensemble groups.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Odeon Cinema

    A 20-screen complex in the middle of the Printworks centre.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Library Theatre

    Old plays and new work in a small theatre beneath the Central Library.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Peveril of the Peak

    An unpretentious pub with wonderful Victorian glazed tilework outside.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Opera House Manchester

    West End shows and lavish musicals make up the bulk of the program.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Boat House

    The Boat House is a good pub with great views overlooking the river.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Alexander's Jazz Theatre

    Alexander's is a combination wine bar, coffee bar and tapas bar.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Club Alter Ego

    For your clubbing needs, look no further than Club Alter Ego.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Boot Inn

    The Boot Inn, where 14 Roundheads were killed, is a good pub.

    reviewed

  16. O
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  18. Q

    Green Room

    The premiere fringe venue in town.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Rigby's

    A traditional boozer that serves 'real ale' (ie a traditional brew with no extraneous carbon dioxide), Rigby's looks, feels and smells like an old-school pub. The perfect antidote to the high-octane noise of the city's newer bars.

    reviewed

  20. S

    New Union Hotel

    Affordable fun in the heart of the Gay Village, a smart hotel that isn't exclusively pink but deliberately for the party: not recommended for a quiet layover.

    reviewed

  21. T
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  23. Ye Olde Boot Inn

    Dating from 1643, it is where 14 Roundheads were killed during the Civil War; these days its known for serving decent ale at rock-bottom prices.

    reviewed

  24. U

    Roodee

    Chester's ancient and very beautiful racetrack is on the western side of the walls, which has been hosting races since the 16th century. Highlights of the summer flat season include the two-day July Festival and the August equivalent.

    reviewed

  25. V

    Philharmonic

    This extraordin­ary bar, designed by the shipwrights who built the Lusitania, is one of the most beautiful bars in all of England. The interior is resplendent with etched and stained glass, wrought iron, mosaics and ceramic tiling – and if you think that's good, just wait until you see inside the marble men's toilets, the only heritage-listed lav in the country.

    reviewed