As one of the biggest student cities in the country, Manchester has endless options when it comes to freshers’ fun, from £2 cocktails in Font through to BYOB curries in Rusholme. There’s also plenty of quirky experiences to sink your teeth into; we’ve asked nightlife experts DesignMyNight for their recommendations on must-try experiences as a newbie to this northern city. So whether you’re looking to impress your new flatmates or meeting up after a lecture, add these cute bars and cracking burger joints to your list for the ultimate Manchester student experience.

The best place for cheap eats: Black Dog Ballroom

If you haven’t checked out the Northern Quarter yet, then Black Dog Ballroom provides the perfect excuse to head to this cool little slice of the city. Find the American-style eatery at the base of Affleck’s Palace - a treasure trove of vintage clothes and old records. Once you’re done rummaging, head to BDB for big plates of comfort food. Prices are reasonable all week but keep an eye out on their daily specials to save yourself even more pennies; think deals such as 50% off food on Mondays and 2-4-1 pizzas on Tuesdays.

The best club for rowdy nights: Albert’s Schloss

If there’s one thing that Manchester students know how to do well, that’s party. From stonking ‘90s club nights to themed disco wonderlands, Manchester is catering for all your late-night needs. One place you have to visit in your clubbing career, however, is Albert’s Schloss, the Bavarian-themed bar in Albert Square. Bringing Oktoberfest vibes all year, the spot encourages table dancing, foot stamping and live music at their communal-style beer hall, as well as having a roaring line-up of events, including cabaret and live music.

The best place for curing a hangover: Almost Famous

A feeling you might become all too familiar with: the hangover. Its cure? Something drool-worthy and dripping in cheese. Step up Almost Famous, the renowned burger joint in the Northern Quarter and Grand Central. The original space in the NQ is a chilled-out and charming upstairs bar, with exposed brick, wall art and simple wooden chairs. Discuss the shenanigans of the night before over whopping burgers, such as Unfairground - a double cheeseburger topped with deep-fried bacon, cheese sauce, and shoestring onions. There’s also a neat choice of vegetarian meals, perfect when washed down with a thick shake.

The best place for sexy cocktails (that won’t break the bank): Dirty Martini

From those light-up angel wings through to the futuristic decor, Dirty Martini in Deansgate is all sorts of slick. And while it might look like a million dollars, this cocktail joint won’t make you blow your entire student loan in one sitting. Taking place daily, the happy hour is more than reasonable, with bottles of house wine at £12.50, beers for £3.50, and most importantly, 2-4-1 cocktails - meaning you can slurp all the chocolate martinis your heart desires.

The best place to impress your mates: Flight Club

Be one of the first to check out this sparkly new Manchester opening as it expands from London. Making darts cool again, the bar has a state-of-the-art scoring system which stops cheating and includes wacky variations of the classic game. Throw in pizza, sharing cocktails, and fairground-themed decor, and this spot is taking group nights out to the next level.

For more info on what’s on in Manchester and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Twitter; @DesignMyNight.

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