Manchester Student Life Guide

New in Manchester? Here are some tips for the best places to go to for food, drink, movies, shopping and more, from the members of the Greek Society!
CINEMA

-AMC cinemas (www.amccinemas.co.uk, north of Oxford Rd): the most sudent-friendly cinemas in town! All the major releases, little queuing and CHEAP: with a student card and a free membership card you only pay 3.75 for a movie and get a lot of offers like free popcorn and drink, and 2-for-1 vouchers! The big popcorn and drink are refillable!

-Cornerhouse: for the true film buffs! No mainstream releases here. Mostly foreign films and independent or cult cinema. Very often the premieres are followed by Q&A sessions with the director of the movie or other people involved!

THEATRE

-Royal Exchange Theatre (st Annes Square): the RET has a very unique setup wher ethe stage is in the centre of the room and the audience sits around in a circle on 3 levels! It’s also very affordable: every monday they have the HAPPY MONDAYS offer where you can get any seat for 4 pounds if you are under 25 y.o.!

-Library Theatre (st Peter’s Square): A small theatre hall, with some great plays throughout the year and student and under25 offers. Check the theatre for details but should be able to see monday and tuesday plays for under 3 quid if you’re under 25!

DVDs

-Blockbuster (Wilmslow rd): the new releases are always expensive (go to places like amazon for that), but you can’t beat the offers on Used DVDs which are usually as good as new.

MANGA COMICS CARTOONS & COOL STUFF

-Travelling Man (Dale Street): Everything for the demanding geek! Big selection of japanese manga and american comics and graphic novels. Also cool t-shirts and cartoon toys from South Park, Family Guy, Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride!

-Urban Outfitters (Market Street): extra pricey but has the coolest gadgets and gift ideas!

CLOTHES

-Afflecks’ Palace (oldham road): for more alternative types! You can find all form of dress there, from goth to geek and indie, and even a halloween costume shop!

-Kendalls and House of Fraser (King Street): HoF is at the basement of the great Kendals store and has a great variety of brands with cool designs if you’re looking for something outside mainstream! during Sales period everything is slashed down under 50%

-Tommy Hillfiger (King Street): only approachable during Sales period with their standard 50% off.

-T K Maxx (Market Street): because nothing beats cheap! the basement of Primark has last season’s clothes and brands at ridiculous prices! You just need to dig away hard for the good deals!

PUBS BARS & CLUBS

-Club Academy (behind Oxford Str Student Union): the GreekSociety parties every month are a great chance to let go and dance till you drop! People from all countries are welcome, and the party goes on until 4am at low prices.

-Bouzouki-by-night (Princess Street): more traditional Greek night out, with live bouzouki music every Wednesday night. Music starts after midnight and goes on until about 3am

-The Rampant Lion: the most prominent pub in the Victoria Park area, on Anson Road, great music and a beer garden in the summer (next to Opal Gardens)

-Copa Cabana (Dale Street): the Salsa capital of Manchester! Great mood, a party every day and Salsa lessons Tuesday to Saturday after 8pm!

-Gaia (Sackville Street): two levels, great music on weekends, relaxed bar atmosphere

-Jilly’s/Rockworld (Oxford Rd): a rocker’s paradise, with three different stages of rock, metal and alternative music. If you’re going with a big group, book your tickets the day before and get free entrance for 10 of your friends before 10pm!

FOOD

-Abdul’s (everywhere): kebabs are the traditional Manchester student meal (and dinner)! Just be careful to add some mango sauce if you can’t handle spicey food (like me)

-Tai Wu (Oxford Rd) and Tai Pan (Upper Brook Str): nothing more tempting than a good selection of Dim Sum for lunch! Delicious chinese appetizers and desserts make a great meal. Be sure to go with a chinese or taiwanese friend for the first time so you can get good recommendations and order the hidden delicacies that are only listed on the chinese catalog (sneaky!).

-Tai Wu buffet (basement) and Oriental Buffet (Whitworth Str): all-you-can-eat oriental cuisine! Both places have a good variety, and the benefit of unlimited ice-cream refills for dessert

-Business School Refectory (Booth Street): the quality refectory in town. Great variety of food, very clean and good portions!Just in case you’re sick of the main refectory’s fish n’ chips!

-Nando’s (opposite the BBC): The best chicken recipes come from Portugal! Be careful not to order anything above ‘Lemon and Spice’ if you can’t handle spicy, as even medium spicy can send most people packing! Corn is always a guilty pleasure as a side dish!

-Gregg’s (everywhere): for those of us addicted to cheap chocolate donuts!