Manchester Dry

Dry is kind of hit or miss and for this reason it seems to come in and out of fashion. Founded by New Order and Factory Records as a pre-clubbing venue back in the Hacienda heyday, it was featured in the film 24 Hour Party People and is notorious for having barred Liam Gallagher twice back in the 1990's. They put on club nights, often very dance-oriented, but they also have on local bands in a small downstairs venue, and occasionally bigger-type bands in an even smaller upstairs back room. We saw Camera Obscura play recently. We've been in to see The Nightjars, Nephew and Being 747 as well. The place is rather shabby but when it's full it certainly has an atmosphere. It hasn't been full when I've been in in a while, except during a gig, but I'm not really into my full-on dance music so possibly the club nights go down a treat. I know for a while nobody was going in, but the hipsters seem to be making their way back in again so hopefully it'll return to its former glories as somewhere with this much local music history deserves to be around.

The drinks are a little pricey and the wine is usually pretty gross and they never seem to have ice (so stick to beer, is my advice). They do food during the day, but as I've never eaten here I couldn't vouch for the quality. The menu sounds pretty typical for a bar.

Overall, I quite like Dry. I like taking visitors new to Manchester to Dry because of the history and they seem to like it too. If you see something on you fancy, then give it a go.