Night & Day Cafe

You'll find yourself wedged between sweaty punters clutching warm cans, wondering if that's actually someone famous from Arctic Monkeys era slouched at the bar. The upstairs room has launched more Manchester bands than you can shake a Rickenbacker at, while downstairs serves as refuge for those who've had enough of being elbowed by overzealous fans. The food won't change your life, but the burgers hit differently when you're three pints deep and debating whether that support band was actually brilliant or terrible. Staff have seen it all and serve with the kind of weary efficiency that comes from years of dealing with indie kids and their fragile egos. It's not pretty, it's not polished, but it's absolutely essential.