Twenty Twenty Two

You descend into this Little Lever Street basement expecting gimmicky nonsense, but Twenty Twenty Two pulls off something genuinely brilliant. The cocktails are proper – not the sugary afterthoughts most activity bars serve – while the ping pong tables are positioned so you can actually play without someone's elbow in your ribs. The beer pong draws the Friday night crowds, but come earlier in the week when you can claim a table and settle in with their surprisingly good drinks menu. The atmosphere strikes that rare balance between competitive edge and actual relaxation, helped by lighting that doesn't make you look like you're in a police lineup. It's the kind of place that works equally well for a casual Tuesday evening or when you need somewhere different to take visiting mates who think Manchester nightlife peaks at the Printworks.