Manchester is home to a vast population of students, with new ones hitting the city every single year. If you’re one of the freshers getting ready to enjoy Manchester in the near future, it helps to know what there is to see or do. So, we’ve put together a short guide to help you get the most out of your university experience.
Visit The Students’ Union
The University of Manchester has a fantastic Students’ Union that’s a must-visit for everyone. Keep updated with the latest events at the Union as there are often gigs with some very impressive names performing. It’s also home to a lovely cafe with plenty on offer to eat, as well as a whole host of staff members and student volunteers that can give University advice for free. The 532 Bar & Kitchen is open during weekdays, and there’s even a place to get your hair cut!
Go To The Northern Quarter
Anyone that visits Manchester has to go to the Northern Quarter at least once. This is a trendy part of town that’s full of niche bars, restaurants and shops. You can shop vintage clothing, buy old-school records, or enjoy some stunning food and drink. Some great places to dine or drink include Evelyn’s for some gorgeous brunch options, NQ64 for a quirky classic console-style bar experience and Yard & Coop for fried chicken, halloumi and banging fries. A hidden gem out of town is Brewski Bar which has even featured in LAD Bible.
Enjoy Award-Winning Food, Drink and Retail
The main university campus is on Oxford Road, which feels like it goes on forever. If you walk down it from the Student’s Union and past the Aquatics Centre, you’ll eventually find a lovely little place called Hatch. Here, loads of storage containers have been repurposed into street food stores, retail shops, bars and cafes. It’s an amazing place to spend an afternoon or evening, and the atmosphere at night really pops off. There are regular events all the time, so be sure to check the website for any booking information.
Join A Society
Like all universities, Manchester has a range of societies that students can join. These range from baking societies to sports societies, and everything else in between. Joining one of these is a brilliant way to make friends and really throw yourself into university life. All societies have gatherings weekly and will often organise nights out around Manchester as well.
Experience The Nightlife At Deansgate
Deansgate is an area of Manchester just off the end of Oxford Road that’s very much considered the home of student nightlife. There are some classic bars and clubs here – like Revs and Ark – but there are also some local favourites. Lola Lo and The Liquor Store are both pinpointed as popular student hotspots, so they’re great places to go if you want to avoid the non-students that often like to ruin your night!
There you have it; some of the best things to see and do to help you get the most out of your university experience in Manchester. All that’s left is to wish you good luck during your time here, and we hope you have the best few years of your life!
