Came here to see Hans Zimmer Live and had a great time! Getting in to the Arena went much faster…read morethan other venues I've visited, and it was very easy to find our seats once we got inside. The crowd was as energetic as the orchestra, which is to say MASSIVELY GOOD VIBES! As we were only a few rows from the stage, I was very happy I donned foam earplugs. I was literally *feeling* the music more than I was hearing it, heheh! The bio-break during Intermission flowed pretty fast (not me ... the line!). The food here, considering I got a hot dog & soda, was actually very good! The only thing that was a pain was trying to exit the garage after the show. All traffic seemed to bottleneck into a couple lanes that had to cross the foot traffic leaving the Arena after the show. Otherwise, a great venue and I wouldn't mind seeing more shows there.

It seems even many years later after rebranding including with other sponsors, Manchester Arena…read morewill always be known as the MEN Arena to many locals - it opened in 1995 and is the only indoor purpose-built arena of its' kind in Manchester and although stadiums across the city including the Etihad and Emirates Old Trafford do host concerts now, this is the only Arena of its- type to be fully indoors in a city centre location, it is actually right next to Manchester Victoria Station and the main disabled enterance actually involves going through the station's lift (quite confusing!) - this can also be used as a cut-through to parts of the station when the lifts are out of order, which is the situation right now. Back to the Arena - I can't help but think the only reason this place is so well-known, successful and used is because it lacks competition in one of the UK's best and biggest cities - the customer service is a disgrace such as with booking tickets. The disabled seating tickets team force you to have to phone up with no online booking - they are only open at awkward hours during the day with no option to wait on hold, meaning if you require assistance booking it is going to be difficult to get tickets. It involves creating an account/profile, sending proof of a disability, waiting for that to be confirmed and then placing your tickets on hold for a few days until everything is confirmed - and if it is confirmed you're expected to pay various booking fees: security fee, postage fee (You can only pick up on the day of the event where they advise not to, if you don't pay) and of course a booking fee for telephone orders. Tickets are expensive - I attended Impractical Jokers' recent tour here and I even had to pay a security fee - now I get the venue has to be secure especially after the saddening attack in 2017 but why should they charge a "surcharge" just to be safe as every place like this should be safe and not charging for the fact you're safe, right? The security wasn't even good either - I was told to empty my pockets and go through a scanner, however, they didn't even use the airport-style bag checker on what I emptied (they didn' even look at it and I did have a case which was unexpected) - I also was able to take a drink in despite them being banned - the security is flawed. It does have a capacity of just over 21,000 which is even larger than London's famous O2 Arena, however, I do really prefer the O2, the Manchester Arena has virtually nothing upon entering: no shops, restaurants while the O2 does - all the Arena has is stands selling really expensive food, beverages and merchandise - they even have salesmen who go into the crowd during a show trying to wave things in front of you - like come on I bought my ticket to watch an event, not watch you wave programmes about for goodness sake! The view of the stage wasn't too good either, I had to watch the show from the big screen and after paying for some of the more expensive seated tickets, that isn't what you want either. I really hope the rival to Manchester Arena is built soon by my club, Manchester City as it needs something to rival this hell-hole - the extra star is virtually only for being the only indoor concert/tour arena of its' kind in Greater Manchester, they even hosted amateur hockey games here at one point!

My sis and I were walking around looking for things to do in Manchester and Royal Exchange was on…read morethe list of things to do! So we stopped by and we learned this: High Yield: If you go at 9:30 am you can pick up front row tickets for the featuring performance later in the day for 10 pounds! Details Interior: Beautiful modern modern theater. So when you come into the building, the theater is contained within a cool glass looking structure and there are different tiers for viewing. We went at 9:30 am to pick up the 10 pound tickets and then came back at 2:30 to watch our show. The colors of the modern theater are purples and blues. Inside interior is beautiful Play Watched: We watched Sweet Charity- without giving away details and the ending, it is certainly such a well performed play. The cast put their heart and soul, the dancing numbers were clean, and the vocals were solid. Very solid performance, and because it is a smaller theater than like Broadway, it felt very intimate and cozy watching this from the front row. This is rated PG 13 in my opinion, no dirty or inappropriate stuff but if you want the true nuances and understanding of this play, be prepared for talks of brothels and purity. The front seats are like coahces btw, so if you're a tall person, your legs may feel awkward. But if you're a shorty like me, it's totally nice. Refreshments: You can purchase drinks, snacks and pastries from outside- not the cheap popcorn and like soft drinks but like actually baked goods, wines, and stuff Audience: Generally an older audience, middle to upper class, mostly caucasian population

This venue certainly has the wow factor.. I walked in expecting a typical old & majestic theatre…read morebuilding, which it is BUT it also has a huge modern twist, with a scaffolding type looking auditorium in the middle. It took me a while to like this, being the traditionalist that I am, but once the musical (Little Shop of Horrors) was in full swing I fully appreciated the set up they had going on, with the audience sitting in a round and the stage in the centre. The acoustics were absolutely fantastic and the space created a really intimate feel. My only gripe is that the seats really are packed in, I felt quite claustrophobic and if I had needed to leave for any reason during the show at least three other people would had to leave their seats and move into the aisle so that I could pass. I will just need to bare this in mind next time I book...

A wonderful addition to Manchester's creative scene. I went to watch Angel of the House and WOW,…read morewhat an amazing, emotive performance. I had to fight back the tears. I've heard nothing but good things about this place and I plan on visiting many times over. I'm already planning on going back to see Hair and Christmas Cracker over the coming months. They've started offering relaxed performances which makes this place a lot more accessible for those with kids or for individuals with autism for example. Big thumbs up. The interior is gorgeous, exposed brick walls with big cosy armchairs. Shabby chic with lots of quirky furniture - have a go on the saddle stools! There's a bar on site and the engine room café offers a pre theatre menu :) What more can you ask for.

OMG what a night. You HAVE to go and watch one of the in house productions at this theatre. I…read moregenuinely cried three times at Parade. What an amazing cast and orchestra. Such powerful performance. Such a cool new venue. I felt like I was actually on stage it's so intimate. I'm so lucky this is so near me. I'm booking to go again! The venue is setting a new standard in staging new musicals. Support it or loose it! Update: 27 Oct 16: Hair (The musical) is the next in house show. Book now!

I love this pub, in fact I've been coming here for years and never tire of it's old world charm…read more Saying that - it's a place that I also never have on my go to list - it can be 6-7 months in between visits which is surprising given the amount of beer quaffed by me in the NQ each week... Saying that I think the beer is maybe the answer. With this being a Robbies pub, I'm just not massively keen on their range - and while not offensive, their style is definitely more old man bitter - even the new beers they say are as hoppy as hell always come back to tasting the same... But for a few beers it isn't a bad choice as the pub is great, the vibe in the back and upstairs welcoming and the jukebox upstairs is one of the best around - really good tunes and 5 picks for a £1.

I get really intimidated walking into pubs and bars alone sometimes. If I know the place then its…read morefine but I just don't do it that often. From being at uni, I was just so used to arriving with a few other people - not so anymore, Sophie. Time to grow up. I'd been to a couple of artsy meetings with a group of basically strangers who'd answered an ad on the internet about starting up a new 'organic', venue focused paper in Manchester. Of course such meetings had to be conducted in suitably independent artsy places. The second such was scheduled to take place at the Castle Hotel on Oldham Street. The Castle does not need a surly bouncer or a velvet rope. This is all implied by the ways heads swivel as you walk in. God, I wished I'd been with someone else. Specifically an old man, or failing that a friend of mine who used to live round here and looks like so much of an outcast that she pretty much fits right into any environment. I am happy, proud even, for the Castle that it has stood the test of time as the area around it has morphed into trend-central. This pub has stuck to its guns. But trust me, there are pubs with just as interesting interiors (mosaics and tiled bar) and history (licensed since 1776) that actually want you to be there. This one probably does not. They have nine real ales, being attached to a Robinsons brewery but again why not try The Crown and Kettle or The Marble Arch instead for something similar? Various musicians like members of Elbow (and man, they're everywhere) and I am Kloot are supposed to drink here but did you ever think that maybe this is just to get more peace and quiet than they would in somewhere remotely cool..

I have a sore head. It's not good but it's the price you pay for a great night out. Ruby Lounge…read moretotally exceeded expectations. Me, planning, making a decision is a rare thing. My suggestion was actually a hit. I did my indecisive alterego very proud. There are many quality club nights organised by the Lost and Found name and this was no exception. Dance off, being £1 entry, sold it for me. Doubles for £3, a range of sambucas £1.50? Messy. Dance off saw a battle between three major DJs, strangerways, good vibrations and juicy DJs playing a mix of Joy Division, The Temptations and Dr Dre. Amazing combination. Ruby Lounge is renown for it's quality club nights and live music. The venue is perfect, with an adequate dance floor, a stage to match and plenty of seating on a slightly raised level for a chill out. Another great Northern Quarter location that needs to become a regular thing for me.

I think this might be a strip club. In fact I'm pretty sure. Well, it wasn't when I was in the Ruby…read moreLounge last night for a Lost and Found gig which is why I felt comfortable to take my boyf in with me. The gig was billed as The Cribs Aftershow but it was basically just a gig- most of the spectators were either in one of the four bands, looked like they should be or were girl groupies who were way too impressed with themselves that they were getting backstage. The sofas and high backed armchairs in the main bar area were nice touches, there were a few mirror balls around too. Plus velvet curtains - hello, strip club? Then you turn to the grimy stage area with the big grill up between the bands and the crowd. That said, no one went past the pillar anyway. Too cool to stand right at the front. Alright drinks prices - get some of their cheap vodka mixers or flavoured sambucas otherwise you'll run out of money quickly. After the bands they had Gareth Brooks from Xfm DJIng but we didn't end up staying.

Probably my favourite theatre in Manchester! Easy to get to and just has a really good atmosphere…read more Usually I would see musicals here but last week came to see Neil Warnock and he was absolutely brilliant. Circle and stalls are better seat for me personally and I think its worth paying a bit more to get a better view but overall a lovely venue

Real trip down memory lane I guess to a time when there were no multiplexes or glass modern venues…read more The facilities are a bit too old fashioned but great to visit.

Cam, Ry, and Olly were great & friendly bartenders. Very respectful and made great drinks!!!…read more Sully, Cal, and Greg, on the other hand, were rude and were incapable of manning the bar. Will not be coming back. (due to the fact that I live in America, not Manchester)

Hallelujah! After…read morefour years of redevelopment, not-for-proft charity Inner City Music finally re-opened the doors of Band on The Wall last September. Aside from redecoration and a spacious chill out area, the main difference to the legendary music venue is the stage. There's a spanking new state of the art PA system installed, new lights, new audio-visual equipment and for the jazz fans amongst you, a concert grand piano. What's more, the venue looks set to make local funk, soul, blues, jazz, hip hop and world music fans extremely happy with a packed programme of live shows and deejays most nights of the week. They've already had gigs from Breakestra, Nitin Sawhney and The Mad Professor and Southern soul legend Candi Staton is set to grace the stage in April. The show you have to reserve a ticket for however, is 27 March when 10 piece band Introducing will be attempting to recreate DJ Shadow's seminal Entroducing album live. Yup, that's note for note, loop for loop, for the very first time, live AND in front of an audience! Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmzHRGoKca0&feature=related

Slippery Belle is, without any doubt, one of the best night's out in Manchester…read more It's a burlesque affair, but instead of simply turning up and watching the acts, there's something slightly different about this. For starters, there's a vampish drag act that acts as compere for the evening who is worth your entrance fee alone. Then, girls who have been having burlesque lessons strut their stuff (often for the first time) in front of a very friendly crowd, all dressed to the nines in fascinators and sharp suits. That said, don't let the dressing up element put you off - if you turned up in any old gear no-one would mind. The fact that they have beginners on the bill makes the whole thing feel inclusive and warm, as opposed to lecherous and seedy. It's all good fun and by the time the professionals get up (both ladies and 'boy-lesque'), everyone is whooping and cheering, giving everyone grins so big that you feel like you may never stop smiling ever again. When the acts have finished, a DJ plays you out with saucy swing and hot rock'n'roll. It really is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Manchester. It's perfect in absolutely every way.

Slippery Belle is one of Manchester's few Burlesque nights, arguably, the best. Organised and…read morehosted by the lovely Bella Besame. Bella teaches the art of tease in workshops across the country and has helped a number of starlets along the way, many of whom go on to titillate us at the Slippery Belle. Last Sunday's event was the last monthly show to be held at M2 on Peters Street (previously Royales). The venue added to the atmosphere and the witty transvestite compare - with fabulous legs that turned me green with envy, Lady J would have you crying with laughter. Sadly, Lady J will not be but Slippery Belle returns in September With acts ranging from 50's glamour and pin-up style, Neo-burlesque to hard rock anthems, ballet Kate Bush-esque acts and a Cello playing corseted vixen singing dark humoured self penned ditties you only wish she'd release on CD, Slippery Belle provided a night of good old fashioned caberet entertainment you really would be pushed to find anywhere else. At £8 entrance fee (which you can pay just to get into a bog standard bar) it was truly money well spent. Boy-burlesque by the lovely Miles Away (my personal favourite) - picture the body of an Adonis dressed as a cowboy stripping to reveal boy nipple pasties and shaking his perfect behind in frilly rumba knickers better than Shakira! As an audience you simply provide Hip-hip Hurrahs! and Whoop each item on its way as the acts do their routines. Fantastic costumes, excellent choreography, props and titties and tassels. It's tasteful, attracts a good and appreciative crowd and will fill you with both admiration for the performers and an urge to sign up on the next Burlesque course/workshop if not, go home, put on The Stripper full volume and put on your own private show. Slippery Belle starts again 19th September (with a Friday night slot) at a new venue, with a new compare and a new but just as energetic line up and with Burlesque accessories, jewellery and trinkets on sale from In All Her Finery. You've been warned so book the night off, sort your transport and baby sitters and await a show to remember. I can't wait!