Located down Oxford Road towards the universities, this pub is a reliable go to place any time of the year. There are lots of seating areas both inside and out. The beer selection is excellent with changing brews on tap. The price is decent too - good news for the students who live in the area. It isn't,... read more

A solid bar that's just off the Oxford road corrider but is not just for students I'm glad to say. They've got a few areas to sit and drink including a small (sometimes) sunny courtyard to the back. There's lots of large wooden tables and cobbled floors, which can be tricky if you've had a couple of pints. They have had tables outside over the summer but these seem to have been brought in for the winter. The food is good with pizzas, burgers, stews and the like on offer. Also posh tasty crisps. They also do lattes for £2 including a Tunnock's caramel wafer, a nice touch! There's always been a nice relaxed feel about the place when I've been in. In fact they do a scrabble Sunday once a month which I may well come along to as its so difficult to convince anyone to play! Oh and the barman was really kind too. read more

For some reason my group of friends decided to celebrate Jamhuri - Kenyan independence day. Despite the fact that my Kenyan friend didn't really celebrate it and didn't even drink, we'd always head down to sandbar for a bottle of Kenyan Tusker beer or two. Apart from Kenyan beer (which isn't really anything special) sandbar serves a fantastic range of foreign beers including Krombacher Pilsner and Paulaner Weizen on tap. Sandbar is full of character unlike The Pub next door. Its exposed brickwork, fireplaces, multiple rooms and posters and magazine covered walls (which make it difficult to find the toilet door!) all add to the charm of the place. The bar attracts a range of people - not just students and can get very busy at the weekends. Be prepared to stand, or go elsewhere. Unlike many of the other bars on the Oxford Road corridor, sandbar is a bar which I could quite happily spend a whole evening in without the desire to move on to the next one. read more

Sandbar - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

TL;DR - Pretty cool and unpretentious bar. I always knew Sandbar was popular because I walk past it most days and it always seems to be busy. Located between the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University it attracts a mixed University crowd of staff and students. The interior is a bit hard to get your head around at first, split into different "rooms" and across different levels, so I found it a bit tough to find the bar at first - use the entrance closest to Sugden Sports Centre on Grosvenor Street though and you'll come in by the bar. The range of beers on tap is pretty impressive and I *think* they're all vegan - if not all, then most of them are. Staff were very friendly and helpful and also knowledgeable about the drinks and able to make recommendations. There's also food served here in the form of pizza. I didn't eat, but was pretty hungry as I watched some delicious plates go past. One big thing to note - cash is *not* accepted here. They accepts cards and bitcoin only. Personally I prefer it that way, but cash lovers may get caught out! read more

You may not think much of Sandbar if you're one of those people who judge a book by its cover. In fact, you may have walked passed it many times on your way to a pub next door without even noticing it! I know I have, for years. When you walk through the door, you might also think that it's just another English pub. However this quickly changes when you see their lovely Italian menu and the wide range of delicious beers! Their pizzas are made from fresh local ingredients and are just as good as those in fancy Italian restaurants. The walls of Sandbar are decorated with modern art, there's also a jukebox in the corner and it's much more spacious that might seem from the outside, including a little courtyard. Sandbar is perfect for large groups of people, there are quite a few large tables inside, the service is speedy and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. In a short time it has become one of those regularly visited places. Very well done, Sandbar! read more

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It's about time I reviewed Sandbar! My first visit here was when spending the weekend in Manchester with a friend, before I moved here. I remember liking it very much and trying a lot of different beers. I also remember being horrified that they serve 'flat' beer (with the sparkler off) but apparently that isn't something I notice or care about anymore. I've visited here numerous other times, but it wasn't until recently that I had the food, so now seems a good time to review it. It's a bit shabby, and the toilets are nasty, but I guess that's part of the studenty charm? They have an ace beer selection and I believe many other good drinks, though I've never got past the beer myself. They're very happy to chat to you about beer and let you try different ones, which I always appreciate. Oonagh C and I popped in to get food before seeing a comedy gig next door. We chose two pizzas which I can't remember the names of but one had ham, mushrooms and gorgonzola, and the other had chorizo and chillies. Both were delicious and most importantly, huge! There did seem to be quite a lot of oil on top of them, though this doesn't bother me and if it did I could easily soak it up with a napkin. I would 100% order the ham/mushroom/gorgonzola one again. The rest of the menu is interesting and varied and offers veggie and vegan options. Basically I always have a good time here and the food and drinks are great. read more

Sandbar - Pizza! - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

In my new mission of trying to spend less time in the Northern Quarter, the Oxford Road corridor has become one of my new favourite places to hang, chill and meet friends for food and beer. With us heading off to Lebowski at the Dancehouse and probably nailing the Font a bit too much recently (we actually went for one there after Sandbar though...doh!), the 5-10 minute walk from Oxford road to Sandbar seemed like a pretty cool choice. I mean the last time we were here was probably a good 3 years ago so why not try somewhere new. I can probably sum the experience up in 3 easy points: 1. The venue I loved, very random layout, lots of little nooks and crannies and something like kinda out of being in Europe. I also thought the mix of patrons was pretty cool with everything from hipsters to uni professors, students and deadbeats all hanging out together. 2. The bar food menu looked fairly broad and although was full of the usual suspects, gave us a good few options of what to have. We all went for the burgers and these were pretty tasty - homemade I'd say and the chips were excellent. I did think the "Sandbar sauce" on the burgers was just 1000 Island though???? 3. The beer selection while pretty random didn't really knock me over at all. Not many IPA's and the bottle selection was pretty poor but didn't ruin my evening. It's not like I was in Deansgate Locks or anything as bad as that. So I'lll definitely be back soon and enjoyed the setting. They're holding a beer fest at the end of Nov so hopefully the beers will have picked up and I can maybe start thinking of giving Sandbar a 4 next time. read more

Laid back vibe, art on the walls, lots of different sections to sit in. Popular with staff and international students of the University. The ale is reasonably priced, and there's a wide selection of lager. The pizzas hit the spot if you don't want to leave your seats to head over to pizza-alley. Can get pretty damn busy after work on Friday. Certainly one of my favourite pubs in Manchester, and doesn't have much competition in the university area. read more

The epitome of the independant ramshackle bar- I honestly thought I'd wandered into someones student digs house party. Sandbar says "to hell with decor, lets have some atmosphere!". The place is a mess, the seating is recycled and the flooring caused my me to fall down a small flight of stairs and twist my ankle in front of some intimidating cool, bearded people (oh why can't I grow a decent beard?!). But the real measure of the place is the number of drinkers who came to my aid and how ever one else at least waited for me to limp off before laughing amongst themselves. If you like lovely people, and I know plenty of you do, you could do much worse than Sandbar. read more

Sandbar - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

This is a lovely chilled venue for a drink. Take your pick from the four ales or have the cider. Some very interesting options. Food looks worth investigating too (I hadn't time). There a few different relaxing rooms to kick back in. Try not to get lost in the toilet though. The inside of the door is so covered with pictures it is hard to see that it is there on your way out! Unlike the Sandbar that features in Bitchin' Camaro, this sandbar doesn't let underage kids drink. Almost though it is a student hangout. read more

Sandbar - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

This bar has a great atmosphere. I like the recycled bus seats and the shabby chic interior. Sandbar opened in 1996 and quickly established itself as a for students, academics and local people who enjoy friendly conversation in this intimate and independent local. The place will serve you coffee, newspapers and provide free wifi by day , then at night it comes alive with its jukebox, live music, exhibitions of local artists/film makers work . Sandbar really is a place for everybody to come and unwind and be in the presence of like-minded people. Well done sandbar! read more

Sandbar - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Sand bar is a great reason to be at the Uni of Manchester, if you could pin it down to an Oxford Road alcohol house. I like how it's just a mish mash of characters, wood and random pictures. Randomness I think I'd describe it as, good randomness of course. I've only been in a couple of times for some after lecture goodness but it's just perfect for that. Got the chill factor if I dare say. As a member of the campaign for real ale and in the good beer guide, you can guarantee a quality drink and none of that generic watered drown rubbish you might get elsewhere. That's if you're into your beer ranges. They've also got their very own phoenix pilsner beer brewed to German law. Fancy. That's amongst all the speciality bottled stuff. Enough about beer. It's got the traditional pub feel to it, serving food, coffee and newspapers along with the erm beer. Not ever had anything else but that to be honest. But opposite the Deaf Institute, it's a perfect combination for what speaks cool, independent Manchester. read more

Sandbar - website photo - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

Sooooo, after Yelp's Pizza Off where I made the discovery that Sandbar was behind my favourite pizza slice of the night, I couldn't wait to eat the other 9 or so slices that I felt was missing to make me whole again. I got some friends to join me and we were able to find a table and ordered at the bar. Not too late after that we were told that for the pizza I wanted to eat again, they had ran out of the smoked cured ham Speck. I had the option to change pizza or substitute with cooked ham. I opted for more mushrooms instead. There was a bit of wait for our pizzas. My friends who got the burgers were served quickly and one of the two Capricciosa pizzas came out. The nice boy from the kitchen came back and apologised and offered the table a round of drinks! We were in no rush and didn't mind but their gesture made the night all the better. When the two remaining pizzas came, they looked cooked to perfection! As my friend remarked, "It's all about the base!" As she tapped the crispy dough and took a large bite. Because I had been expecting the same pizza I tried on Monday night's Pizza Off, I had failed to read the menu properly and didn't realise the restaurant version did not have rocket on the Tirolese but again, the nice boy from the kitchen was happy to oblige! The Jerk Chicken burger, and the regular burgers were also well received - there were groans through full moths about how juicy they were. The only complaint was that the ketchup from Good Earth, which boasts no added sugar, was not as good as good ol'Ketchup. All in all, this second review of Sandbar, after sampled some of the menu, still gets 5 stars! For their relaxed atmosphere, indie music, fantastic friendly service and amazing pizzas. There were also some other Italian-inspired items such as lasagne which I'm looking forward to try some of those next time! read more

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Why all the bad (read: 3 star) reviews? No, seriously. I don't get it. Sandbar needs a bit of context, I suppose. Firstly, it's largely about German beer, less so ales and ciders, though there're always a few knocking about. And Sandbar has been around for much longer than most of its trendier NQ 'counterparts' (read: hipster impostors). What's more, Sandbar's work has been genuinely groundbreaking in terms of craft beer. They import beer from Germany, secretly, so that certain brewers won't find out and try to block further sales. They're genuinely innovative in terms of their draught selections, too. The bottled selection of German beers is excellent - it's one of a very select bunch of places in Manchester to stock the excellent Maisel's Weisse, for example. It's also really, really cheap if you stick to the (excellent) Outstanding 'house' beers - £2.90 for a pint of OS4.1 is outstanding (sorry). Indeed I'd be happy to drink it all night. The OS White, at £3.50, is also probably the best value white beer in Manchester. And all brewed with "teutonic efficiency in Bury" - I'm not making this up. The food is not quite as consistent as I'd like it to be - it's always good, but the chips in particular, if done just right, are not just good but incredible. I'd go so far as to say that, done well, they might just be the best chips in Manchester. The pizzas are pretty moreish, too. What really sets Sandbar apart is its conduciveness for actual pub activities - you know, drinking. Some other places in the city haven't got this kind of atmosphere right, but Sandbar most definitely has. Just for this, let alone its excellent work in opening Manchester's collective bleary eyes to fantastic continental imports, Sandbar is always worth a visit - and definitely deserves its 5 stars. read more

I have to say that I always forget that Sandbar exists. Oops. We popped along to celebrate my friends PhD thesis hand in as its her favourite uni resort area drinking den. We reserved a large area to accommodate all of us which we found no problem, the bar staff were also extremely nice sending a bottle of prosecco on the house our way. They have a great selection of beers on tap and a good range of whiskers and find to boot. We also ordered a pile of pizzas which were on the extremely thin side, although they were delicious. From now on I'm going to remember that Sandbar is just around the corner from work and head here a bit more often. read more

Having spent at least one night (often more) per week in Sandbar for over a year now (with a record of 10hours in one day) I felt obliged to make it my first review as a yelper. It has a brilliant, varied and ever changing selection of beer. Ranging from cheaper but solid local ales, great IPAs, to slightly more expensive german and belgium beers. I have also ordered a pizza here one a couple of occasions and have been impressed each time. Although perhaps slightly over priced (£8-£11), the pizza you get a decent size, plenty of toppings and will certainly fill you up. The best thing about Sandbar is easily the people you meet there (and not just because you're likely to meet me). A hot bed for academics, regularly you will chat hugely interesting people with a vast knowledge on one subject or another, with the added bonus that they enjoy a drink. read more

New city, new life, new reviews! The first place I'm going to review after moving to Manchester is Sandbar, a pub I already have emotional ties with, since over the last month I've been coming here at least twice a week with my uni mates. Being new to the British drinking culture, I'm amazed by the huge variety of beers that this pub offers, and admittedly all the (several) ones that I've tried so far definitely meet my taste criteria. The place is pretty spacious, there are tables both in the inside and the outside; yet, it gets very crowded even at early hours, therefore it would be advisable to book a table. The furniture is minimal, but pleasant. Nonetheless, Sandbar's pizzas must be applauded! They're undoubtedly among the best pizzas I've tried here so far, and I have a considerable experience in this field, being Italian. They're quite expensive though, but quality has its price. ;) read more

The Sandbar is one of Manchester's best kept secrets. Tucked away on Grosvenor Street, it's a fab place that doubles as a cafe-bar in the daytime and bustling bar at night. Independently owned and run, it occupies an impressive Georgian terrace comprised of lots of quirky, individual rooms. Originally opened in the mid nineties it looks more shabby chic each year lots of reclaimed wooden benches, recycled seats and old fireplaces. Weekends can get incredibly busy so be prepared to wait for seats or charm your way into sharing a table with strangers. As you'd expect from a bar off Oxford Road, it draws a mix of students and locals who go for the friendly atmosphere, reasonable drinks and cool jukebox. Speaking of drinks, we're talking fine draught and bottled beers, ales and spirits rather than cocktails - with Sandbar's own Phoenix Philsner lager being a popular favourite. Whose round is it? Mine's a Guiness and black. read more

At the weekend Sandbar is so busy you can barely find a seat. However instead of the usual posey hipsters or students, this place boasts a different clientele. The main people I spot in here are young, 20-ish professionals out for a good/cheapish night out. Therefore there's no tumbleweed when you walk through the door, showing that you're "not from round here", and no hoardes of crying girls in the toilets after too many £1 student shots. It's decently sized and has a big beer garden with plenty of benches to suit us naughty smokers, beer's decent and they play pretty good music. I popped down here a few weeks ago on a Wednesday night and was presently surprised to find a night called "film tube" happening in the back. Although we didn't come for that, it was amusing to watch silly YouTube videos as we drank our pints. It was also very relaxed and not elitist- you were welcomed if it was your first time and encouraged to talk/leave when you want. Now I'm a very sad person and tend to pick up on the most ridiculous things; and I haven't let you down this time. My favourite part of Sand Bar is the toilet door as you enter the bar again. What, you ask? She enjoys a toilet door? My reason is that it's so full of adverts/posters/stickers that you can't actually see the door. Therefore every time, without fail, I spend a good half a minute grappling for the door handle. On the plus side, if the people you're out with are dull, at least you get 30 seconds of pure enjoyment. Or is that just me? read more

I've been coming here for 20 years on and off, sometimes with long gaps in-between but it always ends up feeling like home. A relaxed and unpretentious free house with great ales, premium lagers and a very good wine selection. It's spacious (5 distinct spaces) and old school with a twist of 'fringe' making it popular with an urbane mixed progressive crowd. A welcoming 'everymans' local. Good for food and groups too. At the junction on the bus route to city centre, south to Didsbury and Chorlton and Hulme, it's a very accessible watering hole. read more

Sandbar - Gastropubs Near Me - Manchester, XGM

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After a long afternoon co-hosting an event at the Manchester School of Architecture, I was grateful for local advice on the best place to chill out over a good pint of beer, and the Sandbar is great! Don't go to the Sandbar if you want snazzy cocktail bar vibes and a trendy city centre clientele. The sandbar is much more laid-back, friendly staff and a decent selection of beers and other drinks (including to, one of my friends' delight, proper draught scrumpy cider). I made do with a couple of pints of Brass Monkey and it was excellent - as was the slice of cherry flapjack on sale at one end of the bar! (and yes they do crisps, peanuts and food too). OK, it's a bit scruffy in places, and I did almost lose my way coming out of the toilets - not noticing that the 'wall' of posters, was actually the door I had earlier walked through. However, now I know where it is, I will definitely go back to the Sandbar next time I'm in sunny Manchester. read more

With it's easy-going atmosphere (relaxed, almost to the point of a student living room), Sandbar is a regular haunt for beer lovers, students and locals alike. Sure, it's a little bit grotty, but it's acceptable grot. The glasses aren't always the cleanest and, while I was there last, the staff were chewing something and spitting into a bin behind the bar. Not the most pleasant thing to witness but one of them had a Los Campesinos tshirt on, so I figured they were good people. This place can get busy! Even after it's expansion into next door and over spilling onto the street outside, there was still nowhere for us to perch. We rested on a piano and read the stacks of leaflets and magazines scattered on top. There are shelves loaded with board games - so if you're lucky enough to find a table then there's plenty of fun to fill it with. I haven't ever eaten here but we saw a few things leave the kitchen. The burger looked fairly average. There was plenty of people tucking into food without complaint, so perhaps it'd be worth a try on our next visit. One thing I do love about Sandbar is the beer selection and the way they display it. There's a church hymn board style arrangement on the bar that lists all of the beers on tap, their percentage and price. The staff are on hand to answer any questions and usually point me in the direction of a really enjoyable tipple. It's the ideal place to stop off if you're popping to the RNCM or you find yourself up Oxford Road and don't fancy the larger-filled 'lad' pubs. read more

This used to be a regular haunt of mine when I worked at the uni and it's been 5 years or more since I've been. I was expecting to find myself wondering what I ever saw in the place. Well I was wrong about that!!!! In the summer lots of people congregate outside which surprisingly works given the main road location. This also means that it's possible to get a seat inside and hold a conversation. Ok so I'm showing my age now, however I was meeting a mate that I haven't seen for a year so the chance to have a proper chinwag. There's loads of beer choice and it's reasonably priced. The toilets even work - bonus! read more

In need of somewhere close by the Dancehouse Theatre (see review http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/dancehouse-theatre-manchester) for their screening of The Big Lebowski, my friends thought that the Sandbar would be worth a look to grab a couple of beers and get some dinner. Though my first thought on entering was "this kind of looks like a squat", (it's on the shabby side but that could be entirely deliberate) that was quickly replaced with thoughts of "ooo they have some decent sounding beers on tap" and "wow, they have actual bus seats in here for seating". Tip: you will more than likely lose your way from the loos back to where you're sitting, it's a bit of a maze. read more

Sandbar hasn't been on my drinking radar since my university years; location wise alone, I haven't been nearby in a good 4 years. The magic of city living. However, meeting up with a group to talk both work and play, this came out as top choice. When we first arrived, there was nowhere to sit - or even think about sitting. It was heaving (though I'm told if you return on a Saturday night you'll find it at half capacity as it's a favourite with the university professors) so we ended up leaving half of the party at the bar whilst I went off with a colleague to find someone who looked like they might be leaving soon. A couple of girls generously allowed us to perch at the end of their table and, by the time all the drinks had been ordered and served, we found ourselves a table. Service at the bar was friendly if a bit haphazard, so you need to properly get your elbow on there and make it known that you're next in line. Bar snacks are available, including Tunnock's teacakes, which went down very well. The food really caught my eye, especially the large pizzas, which looked like they could take on many of the city's favourite slice spots. The burgers also looked tasty, though it was the side of chips which really caught everyone's eye. We spent a happy few hours - and pints - here before moving on to nearby Kro. It was like reliving my student years; a pleasant reminder of the gems Oxford Road still has to hold. read more

There is always lots of lovely beers, real ales, gins and whiskies be-hide the bar. Also bar staff that know about the drinks they, there is one lady who is very keen on Gins. Its always nice to have a chat to her. The food here is fresh and big, been warned I couldn't eat a whole lunch. Its well worth a try. When you order a coffee you get a Tunnocks teacake or caramel wafer. The space is airy with reclaimed tables and chairs read more

Have been to sandbar numerous times for student events and other creative events such as drink n doodle and it always keeps it's charming quirkiness. With it's rustic decor and teeny tiny squished bar it's a fascinating place! My favourite drink here is the strawberry beer on tap- it's lethal but bloody lovely! Best bit: ladies toilets entrance is covered with comics including the door and the walls so it's sometimes rather confusing (after some beers...) to find the door!! read more

Located down Oxford Road towards the universities, this pub is a reliable go to place any time of the year. There are lots of seating areas both inside and out. The beer selection is excellent with changing brews on tap. The price is decent too - good news for the students who live in the area. It isn't, however, a typical student pub so you don't need to worry about being surrounded by young people doing jäger bombs. I am yet to eat here but I have heard good things about the pizza. One day... read more

Sandbar is a good solid drinking establishment with an incredibly impressive range of delicious gins. It also features one of those hideous old bus seats, which excited me, as did the classic toilet graffiti. All in all, a great little place. read more

Sandbar is the first bar I ever visited in Manchester for uni interviews. I have so many fond memories over the last nine years of visiting here. I also know most of the staff and it's a very friendly place. The beers, gin and whisky on offer are hand picked. I know the staff go through so much training, which is evident when you need a hand picking from the many beers. The food is all made in house using local ingredients and the pizzas are pretty epic. It is a bit grubby round the edges, the toilets aren't amazing but far from the worst. They have beer festivals every so often and have a great quiz on a Sunday. It's often packed after work on Fridays but generally you'll get somewhere to perch. It's also great for a weekend afternoon pint or even a brew. If you get a brew you get a Tunnocks wafer too (yum!) Thank you sandbar for years of wonderful memories and awful hangovers... read more

Sand Bar has got a wicked interior; stone floors, nice dark wood tables and an air of laid back cool that has kept us going for years. There's no where better to have a post lecture catch up. Sand bar is just cool. With a really good list of beers the friendly staff make you feel like you've just popped over to their house for a drink. My faltmate actually comes here only for the cherry beer and it's the stuff of dreams the day after an all nighter of blood, sweat and tears, or so she claims. I'm a big fan of the Polish inspired food. I've eaten here so many times just becasue it's so hearty and that bit different. There's a great stand of big sandwiches on the bar too, where you're spoilt for choice with interesting cheeses and meats. Come here and you'll find students, lecturer's and workers on their lunch break all here for the love of such a great bar. This place really has got unassuming cool down to a 'T'. read more

It's impossible to have a bad night in Sandbar. Take my word for it. You can step in there in the most evil of moods, and after one pint, you'll be purring like a kitten. I've long tried to figure out what it is about Sandbar which makes it so special and the answer is well, nothing much really. Yet it just seems to be suffused with a wonderfully laid back welcoming atmosphere which just soothes you into a state of zen like wellbeing. Something which can't be said for a lot of other bars in Manchester, I have to say. The beer is tasty, relatively inexpensive, and comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and flavours. They also have a pretty good wine list, a stellar jukebox and seats which - despite being wooden - somehow manage not to make your bum turn so numb that it feels as though it's going to fall off. Oh - and their beer garden is a pretty good place to sit outside and shoot the breeze whilst smoking a fag, although if my Mum's reading this, I'd never pollute my body with filthy cigarettes, honest. If there's one fault with Sandbar, it's that finding the toilets can be a bit of a perilous nightmare for the newcomer - the doors are plastered over with so many posters, it can be difficult to see where the wall stops and the door begins - not good if you're bursting for a wee! A cracking little bar - undeniably one of the best situated in the Oxford Road area, if not the whole of Manchester! read more

Situated off Oxford Road, Sandbar offers a wide range of continental lagers and real ales, both bottled and on tap all at a reasonable price. There is only one small bar, so it can take a while to get served, as there never seems to be enough bar staff! The layout is reminiscent of an old house and is very characteristic, with paintings on the walls and pot plants dotted about for decoration. There is a Juke Box that provides a good selection of music. I always find myself tapping a foot along to something I recognise, but will always discover something great I've never heard before. The atmosphere is chilled and friendly, with most of the clientele tending to be students and graduates. It is the perfect place to start a night off to get in the party mood before heading to a club. Highly recommended! read more

For a misanthrope like me, it's hard to accept that I've never had a bad night in Sandbar. As much as I try to summon up a bad memory about the place, I really can't. The beer is great, with pints of Paulaner being a bit of a speciality. It's a decent sized place so feel free to go en masse. There's a table around the corner from the bar which can seat a silly amount of people. As it's close to Oxford Road, you get a few students in, but personally, I've never seen that as much of a problem as I'm not especially prone to writing off an entire section of society based on with faux withering put-downs of a few stand-up comics. Anyway, the beer is reasonably priced (unless you're gunning for more exotic ales) and the jukebox is half decent. The only thing that might throw a newcomer is the toilets. Y'see, the doors are covered in pictures cut from magazines and posters, which can leave you wondering which is the correct one to go in. The gents are on the right, should you make your way there (which you should). It's not a perfect pub by any means, but it's definitely worth visiting. read more

The Sandbar has after one visit become one of my favourite bars/pubs in Manchester. First praise has to go to the absolutely fantastic selection of beers/lagers/ales and spirits - possibly the varied selection I have seen and considering I like some of the harder to get stuff and trying new drinks - this is ideal for me, quite cheap too. The atmosphere is wonderful, so relaxed and friendly and very comfortable. Plenty of seating areas and the outside seating areas for us smokers. Staff are friendly and well knowledgeable about the products they sell. Good music, will have to check the jukebox next time I visit to see if I can rave about that as well. Definitely worth a visit. read more

A favourite hang out for most of my friends - for the most part students and layabouts, but don't let that put you off. Of course, being just off the main student drag of Oxford Road The Sandbar does attract a lot of students, but few of them actually seem to be able to drag themselves that bit further past classy student hangouts, The Pub and The Footage, and so the clientele is always a bizarre mixture of musicians, locals, students, and much much more! It has a great atmosphere, a breath of fresh air if you've been trawling the bar and pub chains in the city centre and want to go somewhere a little more relaxed and down to earth. The decor is a quirky mis-match of tables and chairs from all over the place, and there is always exciting art to look at on the walls. It also boasts one of the area's few unisex toilets, for anyone who should require it, or if you're simply feeling a bit undecided about yourself that day. The ladies toilets deserve an honorary mention as they feature some brilliant graffiti in the form of Withnail & I quotes. The bar also seems to be a good locale for star spotting, if you happen to be a Corrie fan or an afficionado of the local music scene. But now for the important matters: food and drink. The bar offers a good range of local ales and has great oddities like cherry beer for those who can't handle the real stuff (yours truly, for example). Everything is a reasonable price; just expensive enough to keep the really scruffy students at bay, but not too pricey to send you running after one round. And as for the food, you will definitely be coming back for more. This is a favourite afternoon hang out for me and my friends, mostly for the fantastic food, and I'd highly recommend the chips, the polish stew, and above all the spicy parsnip soup which a few of us have been fighting over in January's wintry conditions. Aside from being a nice, relaxed place to grab a drink or play a game of scrabble (there are assorted board games which they will loan to you), Sandbar put on loads of events such as a life drawing class on Sunday afternoons, live music, comic book events, the list goes on! If you haven't tried it then drop in for an afternoon or try out a weekend - but get there early, Friday and Saturday nights fill up fast! read more

Sandbar has an excellent atmosphere, with a nice antiquated feel. It is a definite must go to if you are a lover of beer and reasonable prices. The music is always decent and if you get peckish the food has always been of a good standard. On top of all this you can get an extra 10% off with this website completely free of charge for consumers so it makes a very reasonable night out. http://www.ballooncard.co.uk/Deal.aspx?id=658 read more

Sandbar has always been one of those places I go to when I have a spare half hour before going somewhere else or meeting friends. I do like it, I think it has managed to stay relatively unchanged at the same time as offering up to date drinks and other things. I like that they are what I would call a green bar as they used 100% renewable energy, also they shop locally for the produce they use in their food. I have enjoyed pizza here a couple of times, plus I have always been impressed by the sheer quantity of vegetarian dishes on the menu and am sure I will be back. Considering its location it never feels too studenty for me either. read more

I could spend all weekend in Sandbar, it makes me very happy. Beer. Food. Coziness. Perfect. It's all wooden decor and dark cubbyholes. The clientele are chilled and friendly. The staff let you try their marvelous range of ale and it's a great, quiet place to catch up with friends. In the summer, I like to sit out on their benches and watch the world go by. I always seem to get caught up in friendly chit-chat with complete strangers here, with no pretense or cheesiness. It's always a good place to start the night or even end it... read more

Tucked away just off Oxford Road, SandBar is a great stop-off between pub and club or alternative to the Deaf Institute if you're looking for somewhere for a quiet pint and they're packed to the rafters as usual. A bit of a labyrinth, SandBar is spread across several levels and seemingly, several different buildings, but the warm atmosphere and good music blends it all together. If you manage to find your way to the bar you'll find a great selections of lagers, ales and cider on tap, a great mix of foreign beers in the fridge and some carefully chosen wines. There are also board games behind the bar if you're willing to leave your credit card as a deposit. There is an intimate little smoking garden just behind the bar, and some playground-style benches outside if you'd like to soak up the night air. Otherwise, play musical chairs through the different rooms and find yourself at the big benches downstairs where you can sprawl out and have a laugh with some strangers no doubt. Live music nights are held weekly and hot food is served daily, ask at the bar for the day's specials and if in doubt, get the potato wedges. read more