10 Places Where Locals Go at Night in Manchester

The Three Minute Theatre (3MT) is an experimental theatre in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Performances include comedy acts, musicals and film screenings, many lasting more than 3 minutes despite the theatre’s name. Founded in 2011, this hip venue champions originality and innovation. It also runs acting and creative classes. Some shows encourage the audience to get involved.

This intimate venue has a capacity of 50 to 100, and tickets usually cost under £10, making it a suitable quirky evening activity. Nearby, you’ll find other entertainment venues like the Frog & Bucket Comedy Club, Treetop Adventure Golf and The Printworks.

Despite being just 5 minutes from Manchester Cathedral, The Eagle Inn has remained one of the city’s best-kept secret pubs for well over a century. This Grade II listed building has retained many of its original features that date back to the early 1900s, such as its central bar, traditional tiling and wood panelling. Performances ranging from spoken word to live music take place weekly.

The Eagle Inn serves a wide selection of locally brewed, award-winning cask ales as well as international beers and wines. There’s also plenty of traditional British pub grub on the menu. You can play your favourite classics on a vintage jukebox in one of the snug rooms.

Manchester’s bohemian Northern Quarter has plenty of buzzy restaurants, but Café Marhaba is a favourite Indian takeaway with the locals. It’s hidden down a small alley called Back Piccadilly, where you’ll see plenty of street art from local artists. Established in 1992, Café Marhaba has retained its original, faded signage, which only adds to its charm.

There are about 25 curries on the menu at Café Marhaba, and favourites include the chickpea curry, chicken tikka, and classic lamb kebab. Meal portions are more than generous and often cost less than £5. For a spicy kick, try the lamb karahi (chunks of meat with chilli in a creamy tomato-based sauce).

Manchester Arndale is located in the heart of Manchester’s city centre, just a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station and accessible by tram. This giant shopping centre is home to over 200 stores ranging from small boutiques to high-end designer chains. On most days, it remains open until 8 pm, making it excellent for some evening shopping.

Opposite Manchester Arndale, you’ll find fashion stores such as Zara, Harvey Nichols and Burberry on New Cathedral Street. It’s one of Manchester’s classier areas, but you can usually get cheap eats inside Manchester Arndale until 9 pm.

Manchester’s Northern Quarter comes to life at night, when independent bars, fashion stores and record stores attract the city’s creative types. Ongoing redevelopment projects have made the Northern Quarter a quirky shopping and entertainment hub. Afflecks Palace is one of the area’s busiest shopping outlets and a prime location for independent designer goods.

If you fancy spending the evening in the Northern Quarter, try a few continental beers at Beermoth. At The Bay Horse Tavern, you can play pool and sip a traditional pint. For a night of dancing to the latest hits in a hip setting, head to the Mint Lounge.

Mackie Mayor Market occupies a Grade II listed building that was constructed in 1858. While its grand exterior remains largely untouched, its interior is now filled with vendors selling a wide selection of food and drink. It’s one of the best places in the Northern Quarter to enjoy a sense of community with a cocktail and a bite.

Inside the market, you'll find a main hall with 2 floors full of communal dining tables. A dozen or so independent vendors sell favourites such as pizza, sandwiches and steaks, but you can find international delights ranging from pork-belly bao to homemade tortillas. Grab a frozen margarita from Pico’s to kick off your night.

Takeaway food is an integral element of local nightlife in Manchester. And Wilmslow Road, affectionately nicknamed ‘Curry Mile’, is one of the busiest areas for locals looking for a bite after a night out. With over 70 establishments, Curry Mile likely has the highest concentration of Middle Eastern and South Asian restaurants in the UK.

The surrounding area of Rusholme is filled with architecture ranging from Victorian villas and tower blocks to university accommodation, making it a great place to catch a glimpse of local life. You’ll find dishes with influences from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India along the Curry Mile. Mughli Charcoal Pit is a favourite restaurant with the locals.