Five of our favourite weekly club nights in Manchester

There's more to Manchester's nightlife than big-name DJ sets with brooding promo pictures and sky-high ticket prices. The city's lifeblood comes from weekly club nights and the resident DJs that bring people into the city night after night. As you'd expect from a city with such a reputation for partying there's something out there for everyone. Here are five of the best.

Funkademia at Mint Lounge, Oldham Street
Every Saturday
£5 before 1130pm / £6 after
A clubnight doesn't sell out week after week without doing something right and Funkademia has been doing something right since 1995. It's largely down to their sterling roster of resident DJs, which includes radio DJs David Dunne (Kiss FM, Galaxy) and Gareth Brooks (XFM). As the name suggests, Funkademia is a funk and soul night at heart but each DJ brings their own slant on it, which can be anything from modern R&B, reggae or classic disco.

Gold Teeth at Deaf Institute, Grosvenor Street
Every Tuesday throughout termtime
£5
Fast-becoming one of the most notorious midweek nights out there, Gold Teeth brings the noise every Tuesday night. In time-honoured style, it began as a Manchester house party, and just three years later hosts regular sold-out events across the country. Musically, anything goes, with the main room geared heavily around hip hop classics and UK garage, but elsewhere you'll hear everything from funk to techno, by DJs such as the memorably-named Tingley Terror. Over 600 fresh-faced students turn up every week to get rowdy, so arrive early.

Poptastic at Alter Ego, Princess Street
Every Saturday
£2 before midnight / £6 after
Does exactly what it says on the tin, and a little bit more. Based on the edge of the Gay Village, long-standing clubnight Poptastic plays some of the best and trashiest pop music from the 80s onwards, courtesy of the never-knowingly dressed-down DJ Danny Beard. And if you fancy something different head to the side-room for a playlist of indie anthems and alternative rock hits. It's a mixed-up policy that has worked for nearly two decades, regularly attracting a crowd of the most upbeat party people this side of a Ke$ha song. Queer clubbing at its best.

Dirty Dancefloor at 42nd Street, Great Ancoats Street
Every Friday
£3 before 12 / £6 after
Manchester has a proud history of world-conquering indie bands, with a club scene to match. And you won't find much better than the aptly-titled Dirty Dancefloor on Friday nights at 42nd Street. The drinks are cheap and the dancefloor always packed, if a little sticky. Expect to hear nothing but no-nonsense indie and rock hits from the 60s to modern day. If a guitar has been anywhere near it, it'll get a spin. Plus it's a Mancunian rite of passage to dance drunkenly to 'This Charming Man' by The Smiths.

Tick that box. Friday and Saturday nights at Bierkeller, Printworks, Withy Grove
Every weekend
Various price packages
If you're in the mood for an boisterous night out look no further. Featuring Oompah bands and huge beer steins, this new kid on the clubbing block has entertained thousands of partygoers every weekend since opening last year. The main room goes for the Oktoberfest vibe, with singalongs and dancing on benches encouraged, while the second room offers up classic dance hits and party music from some of the best local DJs. Leave your inhibitions at the door - this isn't one for the beardstrokers.

Words: Ian Jones