pipsqueak's Qype reviews
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Stockport Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester M12 6AP
pipsqueak
wrote on 21 November 2008
I much prefer the Apollo to the MEN arena. I saw Arcade Fire at both venues last year and the gig at the Apollo had so much more atmosphere. It’s close to the city centre and within easy walking distance of Piccadilly train station. The standing area of the venue is sloped, which means that you can get a decent view from most of it. There always seems to be a bit of a sticky floor, but at least that means you are less likely to slip and fall over! I have never been in the seating are upstairs but I have heard from friends that the view from there is also good.
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Manchester University Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester M13 9PR
Manchester Academy 2, 3 & Club Academy
pipsqueak
wrote on 21 November 2008
Manchester Academy 2, 3 and the Club Academy are in the University of Manchester Student Union on Oxford Rd. It’s close to Oxford Rd train station and there are lots of buses running past the venue into and out of the city centre. The Academy 2 is the biggest venue of the 3 and doesn’t have a bar within the venue itself (you have to go out and across the hall, which isn’t really any hassle and mean you can’t here people standing at the bar talking). Academy 3 is smaller and on the top floor of the union. It has a bar at the back and I really like seeing bands here as it has a more intimate feel. I haven’t been to the Club Academy in the basement yet (I think I’m going next week).
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bridgewater street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M3 4NA
pipsqueak
wrote on 21 November 2008
The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester is a lovely venue. It’s situated close to the city centre and within easy walking distance of St Peter’s Square metrolink station and Deansgate and Oxford Road train stations. The building itself is beautiful and has received awards for it’s architecture. There are bars on all levels that are open before concerts and during intervals. There is also a cafe bar that is open during the day and on concert nights, and a restaurant for pre-concert dinners. It mainly holds classical performances, but also some rock/pop concerts. I saw PJ Harvey play here last summer and it was amazing. The accoustics in the hall are stunning, the seating is comfortable and the views are good even from the back of the balcony.
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Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester M2 5PE
pipsqueak
wrote on 21 November 2008
The Christmas market in Manchester is the best one I’ve been to in the UK. The main market is in Albert Square, where there are food and drinks stands and stalls selling all the usual gifts and decorations you can get at Christmas markets. There are all the typical bratwurst and Glühwein (and the slightly more special Feuerzangenbowle) stands, but my favourite one last year was the poffertjes stand. Poffertjes are Dutch mini sweet pancakes that can be eaten on their own or with syrup, cream or strawberries etc. The Christmas market in Manchester is the only place I have ever seen them in the UK and they were a highlight of my visit to the market last year. There are also other more arts and gifts based parts of the Christmas market in New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street and Brazennose Street. In St Ann’s Square there is the German Christmas market.
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8 Newton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M1 1HL
pipsqueak
wrote on 21 November 2008
This is a small basement venue that always seems to have a good atmosphere. The layout is a bit strange, but the advantage of this is that it sort of isolates the stage from the bar slightly. The pillars can get in your way of watching the band, though. It’s a dark and grimey looking place, but I feel that this adds to the atmosphere. I’ve never been to any of the club nights at the Roadhouse, but the gigs I’ve been to have been good. However, I haven’t been there for a while as they haven’t had many bands I’m interested in seeing playing there recently.