The Faraday Pub (previously 7Sins)

You'll find this properly sound two-floor operation on Lever Street doing exactly what a modern Manchester pub should: decent drinks without the pretension, plus enough entertainment to keep you here past your intended one pint. The ground floor handles the standard pub business competently – they know how to pour a beer and mix a cocktail that doesn't taste like it came from a bottle. Upstairs is where things get interesting. The dedicated gaming floor isn't some half-hearted afterthought with a dusty PlayStation in the corner; they've actually invested in proper kit. Five nights of live music means you're likely to catch something decent whether you planned to or not. It's the kind of place that works equally well for a quick drink after work or a proper session that somehow extends into the early hours.