The Captain’s guide to… Finding incredible hidden bars in Manchester

Even the name screams ‘There’s a party going on’, and true enough, this basement bar under Afflecks indoor market is a no-frills, no-pretension, no-problem place for all your festivity needs. Helping you board the shindig ship is a selection of massive tunes on rotation, easygoing cocktails and those famous part-time pizzas. If Pedro really is this crazy, we want to meet him.

1 Short St, M4 1AA

Accessed through the back of the already-underground Dogs n Dough restaurant, this even-more underground bar comes with a cool 1980s arcade look, which means once you’ve got stuck into the classic cocktail list you and the team can get competitive on the Pacman or Double Dragon machines. Whole evenings can be lost down there, be warned.

17 Bow Lane, M2 4FW

Descend into the deep at this nautical-themed bar in the Northern Quarter, which makes the season to be jolly even jollier thanks to a daily happy hour from 4pm till 7pm: the best time to explore the cocktail menu. It’s packed with maritime references and drinks to keep even the most mutinous crew merry. Ideal to get the party started.

Hatters Hostel, Newton St, M1 2EA

How do they do it? When you track down the Liars Club, you’ll swear they’ve managed to make the sun shine in a basement. With it’s totally tropical vibe, this Polynesian paradise majors on rum, good times and hedonistic island life. Despite its under-the-radar identity it’s always packed with Mancunian party-seekers – so head down early, although take tomorrow off, the revelry continues till 4am nightly.

Back Bridge St, M3 2PB

If you turn up to this laundrette at the edge of the Northern Quarter with a pile of dirty clothes, you’ll be going home with a pile of dirty clothes. But also, most probably, with a pile of fabulous memories too, because this laundrette actually houses Manchester’s hardest-to-find bar: it’s hidden behind a secret door and you really need to be in the know to track it down. Once you do, though, you’ll be treated with tropical cocktails and a lock-in party atmosphere. And not an odd sock in sight.

19 Shudehill, M4 2AF