Time was when a certain Mr John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, sneered along to the cacophony of the Sex Pistols, 'We're so pretty, oh so pretty, we're vacant.' In Bar 38 they've certainly tried hard with the way the place looks, and the drinks and food are fine and dandy, but there's just something missing. It's that thing that Simon Cowell can't put his expensively manicured finger on when he talks about that 'aura', that 'quality' people have to have if they haven't just humiliated themselves in front of the nation with their dying cat brigade act.
One thing you'll never be short of in Bar 38 is places to sit, as it's big and comfy with plenty of tables and chairs. In fact myself and a posse even found ourselves a table when we arrived on a Friday night, which absolutely flabbergasted me. Manchester? A table? FRIDAY? Oh my!
I'll echo exactly what Angela said, it's not to my tastes in terms of music or decor but I know that people like it well enough. And it's certainly not a bad venue by any means, far from it. Although it becomes a club later on, I do think Bar 38's perfect for either that stop-off drink on the way home or for a quick tipple before heading somewhere else. Because while it's comfortable and nice enough, I defy anybody to put up with that much magenta for that amount of time - even Barbie. It's simply a city centre bar in a great location, perfectly convenient and pleasant enough, but if you're looking for a place with heart and soul, head on to the Northern Quarter or Oxford Road.
Alternatively, you could have headed here on the day of the Royal Wedding for special offer beers in the unusual April sunshine and gotten more than a bit squiffy with the future love of your life. For that reason, my friends, I can never hate Bar 38. read more