O2 Ritz Manchester

You'll feel the weight of Manchester's musical history the moment you step into this stunning Edwardian ballroom. The ornate ceiling and original features create an atmosphere that's equal parts regal and rebellious – exactly what you want when you're dancing until 3am to everything from garage to house. The sound system here is properly engineered, not some afterthought, which explains why it's remained a favourite for both punters and promoters for decades. Whether you're catching established DJs or discovering your new favourite producer, the acoustics do justice to every track. The crowd skews younger but there's none of that pretentious bottle service nonsense – just good music and people who actually know how to move.