I'm off up to Manchester on Monday for a three-day conference. What should I do in the evenings? Top, sorted, mad for it, etc.
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
An eloquent silence.
(Says the Londoner.) -
Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Go to Barburitto.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
We've been here since Monday W.o.E. I can't tell you where to go at night, but I can recommend you bring every ounce of Gore-Tex clothing you possess.
We are driving down to that London tomorrow for the ODI at Lord's on Sunday, we are hoping for 24 hours of reasonable weather, to dry our posessions out.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Do you still stay in Wistaston when you're back in the old country TPC?Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Get the train over to Liverpool, WoE.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
I enjoyed sitting outside in Canal Street. Don't worry, no-one fancied me, so us straight looking straight acting guys are safe enough.
Might be a bit cold for that now.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
WE - You'd like the Knott Bar under Deansgate station. We had a 'thon there once, and it was excellent.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
The Purple Cow wrote:
the concept of 'indoors' was introduced to manchester during the rebuilding after the 1996 bombing.to dry our posessions out.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
I hate to mention this on the off-chance you'd set your heart on it but don't bother with the big wheel thing that's parked near M&S. It's shit (unless your interest in aircon units borders on extreme).
If you fancy a train ride one evening Blackpool's illuminations have just been - oh, never mind.
Me and Master H are headed to the Urbis tomorrow to see an exhibition covering the history of computer game development. I'll report back.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Your old-school boozer needs may at least partially be met by The Old Monkey and The Circus Tavern in Portland Street (the latter in particular being worth a visit - no bigger than a living room and run by a woman who's the spit of Betty out of Coronation Street). Velvet's yer best bet in Canal Street, which is indeed a nice place to hang out, particularly early evening before it gets too clubby.
There's a good Spanish place called, I think, El Rincon near Deansgate.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
The Old Monkey and The Circus Tavern:
Gorilla and clown raid pub CCTV
'A PUB landlord was tied up by robbers disguised as a gorilla and a clown. He had shut up the Shakespeare pub on Fountain Street in Manchester when the two men banged on the door.
When he answered he was confronted by the pair, wearing masks and paper suits, who ordered him to hand over his money and gave him a carrier bag to fill with cash.
They fled after binding his hands and then tying his feet to the kitchen sink. The landlord was unhurt but was left badly shaken by his ordeal.
It happened at about 11.15pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
Det Con Brian Morley, based at Grey Mare Lane CID, said: "The victim was extremely frightened by these robbers and was left in a horrible situation by them."
The landlord shouted for help after the robbers had left. Someone upstairs heard his cries and called police.
Detectives want to speak to a taxi driver who dropped off the robbers nearby before the raid. They are urging anyone else who may have seen the men to step forward.
Det Con Morley said: "It is fortunate that somebody heard his cries, otherwise he could have been left in that predicament for hours.
"Their disguises were very distinctive and I would urge anyone whose memory is jogged by that to speak to us. In particular, we are keen that the cab driver who dropped the men off comes forward."
Police said the man wearing a gorilla mask and a black paper suit was about 5ft10ins. The other man was about 6ft. He was wearing a clown mask with red hair attached and a white paper suit. They both had Irish accents.
It is understood the two robbers escaped with a substantial amount of cash.
The pub's landlord, who asked not to be named, has spoken of his shock at being confronted by the two masked men when he opened the door.
He said: "To be confronted by a gorilla and a clown like that, it's just not something you expect to see. It was frightening.
"One was wearing a gorilla mask and a black suit the other was all in white with a clown's face. The suits were like paper boiler suits.
"The people who did this were very calm. There was no shouting or anything like that. They tied me up before they left. It's not something I want to go through again."
Anyone with information should call Grey Mare Lane CID on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111'
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1135235_gorilla_and_clown_raid_pub_cctvComment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
1. http://www.manchestergalleries.org
Free to get in. Head straight for the 20th century section. Loads of fantastic Vorticist and Futurist works.
2. http://www.afflecks.com
For all your goth tat and retro kitsch needs. Actually properly brilliant. (And the surrounding Oldham St area in general, especially http://www.pop-boutique.com and http://www.piccadillyrecords.com )
3. Go drinking with Super Sharp Shooter.
4. http://www.fabcafe.co.uk
(Sci-fi themed bar, usually with very good DJs, contains an actual Dalek.)
5. Empire Exchange on Newton St, opposite Piccadilly Gardens. Massive bric-a-brac emporium with everything from vintage football shirts to soul vinyl to plastic Darth Vaders to old porn.
Actually, I've just given you a list of stuff that fulfils my interests there, haven't I? I have no idea where you'd go for... um... humanely slaughtered meat, or books about maths, or real ale or what have you. Sorry.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Oh, I dunno, there's a certain overlap. Thanks.
Is SSS about, anyone know?Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
The twentieth century stuff at the gallery is indeed very good. I'd say the highlights are the Victorian stuff though, pre-Raph and painters like Leighton and Watts who are interesting because they were previously more highly regarded than now.
Leighton's massive picture of Captive Andromache is a classic of Greek Victoriana. It's funny how we sometimes think of Victorians as being on the Gothic side in the Battle of The Styles. There's far more Greek there than one might first think.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Actually, Willaston - in or near Nantwich.Do you still stay in Wistaston when you're back in the old country TPC?
We were house hunting, currently Alderly Edge and Wilmslow are favorites. Paula wasn't taken by Macclesfield.
Surprisingly good fish and chips in Alderly Edge, though it is a bit 'footballer's wives' - lot's of women on the high street who have spent way too much time on the electric beach suntan beds.
Good cricket club for the kids though in both towns.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
OK, well, I'm not here long enough to enrol my kids in any cricket clubs or "owt" (as they say here), but I think I'll go to the Roadhouse in Piccadilly tonight and see if the unsigned bands are any good.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
EIM wrote:
"It's not as good as it used to be…"WE - You'd like the Knott Bar under Deansgate station. We had a 'thon there once, and it was excellent.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
If you're at a loss tomorrow night WE, I'll be in Bury watching FC United probably lose to Whitby Town. It's but a tram journey away.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Go to the eat at The Angel (google, good website) then carry on drinking a few hundred yards away at the Marble Arch pub. You'll enjoy it. If you fancy grabbing a quick pint tommorrow evening, drop me a note.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
EIM wrote:
We'd half-planned a curry in Rusholme, and it might be tricky to stand up my colleague, but in principle I'm very up for this indeed. And he might be keen, you never know.If you're at a loss tomorrow night WE, I'll be in Bury watching FC United probably lose to Whitby Town. It's but a tram journey away.
What time's kick-off? Can't promise "owt".Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Nice night at the Roadhouse, by the way. It was a kind of Electro Night. A two-girl outfit called Loebeat were my faves, pervy old middle-aged bastard that I am.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Quarter to eight kick off.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
EIM wrote:
Is that the same place as Atlas?WE - You'd like the Knott Bar under Deansgate station. We had a 'thon there once, and it was excellent.
Anyway, I recommend The Peveril of The Peak, good beers and on a Friday after 7pm, Tabletop Football to a very high level (My proudest moment beating the legend that is Tony Tabletop 5-1 in singles about 2004)
Lots of great times in my 12 years in Manchester. Far, far better place than London.Comment
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Manchester, so much to answer for, then
Eric Cantona used to play table football at the Pev.
Oh, and the Knott is next door to Atlas, I think. More or less.Comment
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