With Manchester's drinkers and diners constantly looking at ways to cut back the costs on nights out, more and more restaurant have expanded their offering to allow 'BYOB' - that's bring your own bottle/booze for those not familiar with the term. Going out in Manchester isn't going to be getting any cheaper, so an excuse to bring a few bottles of wine and beers along to sit aside your meal is always welcome.
BYOB isn't a new thing, but it's much more popular and common in places like Australia and the Far East. Allowing diners to take advantage of a thrifty drinking experience alongside their chosen meal, restaurants usually charge a reasonable corkage fee and then you can pour your own to your heart's content. It's an ideal option for Christmas parties and festive get togethers in particular, so here's five BYOB places in Manchester to check out.
Phetpailin
A Thai restaurant nestled in the heart of Manchester's Chinatown, Phetpailin has team of passionate and dedicated Thai chefs and waiters serving up affordable food. A great place for large parties as they offer a set menu which caters for everyone; platters of typical Thai starters such as spring rolls, crispy vegetables, prawns and fishcakes are followed by green and red chicken curries, sweet and sour dishes, noodle and stir fry offerings and meat and vegetarian favourites. There's a fairly no frills decor, but a lovely Thai ambiance. As a bonus, there's no corkage fee.
Lotus Vegetarian Kitchen
A dedicated vegetarian Chinese restaurant situated in Withington, this eatery aims to provide a healthier Chinese food offering and allow vegetarians and vegans a much wider range of the country's traditional cuisine than they might find at other restaurants. The menu features tofu options alongside mock meats - including aromatic crispy 'duck' and 'chicken' satay skewers. As they don't serve alcohol, visitors to this family-run restaurant are more than welcome to bring their own beer and wine for a small corkage fee - and there's also an off-license close by.
Hawksmoor
For more of a fine dining experience - and especially for those who love their steak - Hawksmoor on Deansgate runs a Monday Wine Club which is worth checking out. Arrive at this lavish restaurant to tuck into the finest steak, armed with a bottle of red wine or two. Corkage costs £5. There are worst ways to spend the start of the week!
Lal Qila
With two outlets situated on Manchester's Deansgate and Curry Mile on Wilmslow Road, Lal Qila offers an extensive Indian menu with authentic curries, kebabs and starters. Lal Qila welcome a BYOB policy, meaning you can tuck into your favourite Indian curry dish and poppadoms whilst sipping your wine and beer of choice.
Aladdin
Another delight from Withington's Wilmslow Road is Aladdin - an Arabic and Middle Eastern restaurant which looks fairly old and shabby from the outside, yet has a warm, homely atmosphere inside. A constantly busy place offering dishes from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Israel, this really is a place with a difference and for those who like to try out new foods. It's an affordable little place which could be an excellent choice for wanting to explore a new palette - and all washed down with the wine or beer of your choosing.
See Time Out's guide to Manchester's best restaurants.