Manchester

Pure Space
11 New Wakefield Street
Oxford Road
The lively Pure Space Cafe Bar has existed in it's just-off-Oxford-Road location for a good few years now. The bar-cum-restaurant exists over two floors - the main bar area, complete with comfy booths, whilst an upper floor houses a conservatory with mini-bar and kitchen. To add another string to it's bow, Pure Space also has a club underneath (Sub Space).
Indie and Underground bar

Spirit
Canal Street
Gay Village
Spirit is right in the heart of the Gay Village, located in a prime corner position on Canal Street, and overlooking the canal. Don't let the small front put you off, this venue goes WAY back! In the summer this place gets really busy, and cramped, with people spilling out on to the streets and sweat pouring from the walls (not literally, although it sometimes gets quite warm). The toilets are right at the back, which means that it's a struggle to get through, but the drinks prices are cheap and there's plenty of offers on. Upstairs is a small seating area, then up another flight and there's a smaller bar.
Cheap and Cheerful bar

The Purple Pussycat
19 Back Bridge Street
Deansgate
Opened in November 2007 the Purple Pussycat comes from the team behind the popular One Central Street. That club-cum-bar has a modern design, but the Purple Pussycat is far more sleazy and intimate. Located in a basement space on Bridge Street - formerly as an italian restaurant - the bar holds around fifty punters, and they've clearly made an effort on the decor.
Indie and Underground bar

Paramount
33-35 Oxford Street
Oxford Road
The Paramount sits at the confusing place where Oxford Road turns into Oxford Street. We have no idea why it does this, but if you look on any map you'll see a tiny piece of Oxford Road is actually labelled as Oxford Street. Ignore me, let's talk about the bar. The Paramount is a huge pub run by JD Wetherspoon - which means three things. 1) No Music. 2) Cheap Drinks 3) Cheap Food. The Living room this ain't, but truth be told it's a nice enough little boozer to start off your night and it doesn't hammer your pocket. On an early evening it's also a great place to grab some food. It's central location means you can nip the nearby Music Box for a dance, or if you're looking for somewhere slightly more upmarket to eat then there's a Mcdonalds just across the road.
Modern bar

Simple
20-21 Smithfield Buildings, Tib Street
Northern Quarter
A popular bar located in the Northern Quarter, opposite the NCP and just across the road from club North. During the day it serves decent meals and cocktails, all well priced, whilst at night it has a regular rotation of djs and events that tend to steer away from the mainstream. Whilst it's taken a bit of a bettering with the openings down the road (Bluu/Odd/Et al) as a pre-club or quiet-drink it's still a food visit. Simple also operates a second location in the City Centre just down the road from Grinch
Indie and Underground bar

Matt and Phreds Jazz Club
64 Tibb Street
Northern Quarter
Manchester's famous jazz club, Matt and Phred's provides everything you need to indulge in Jazz related fantasies. A packed diary means that you can head down on almost any night of the week to see great musicians play within a sultry environment, there's a range of fresh food on offer that won't break the bank, and they've got a fun selection of cocktails. Based in Manchester's Northern Quarter Matt and Phreds has been around for over eight years, and in that time a number of key bars have opened around it - the kind of bars that attract people with trendy haircuts and far too much make-up. What warms that heart is that in face of this increased competition and changes in the area, Matt and Phreds is still going strong and providing something that it's neighbours can't! The venue takes part in the annual Manchester Jazz Festival (usually the last week of July) and you can check out the Matt and Phreds website for up-to-date listings.
Cheap and Cheerful bar

Opus
Withy Grove
Printworks
Launching in March 2006, Opus has taken over the huge four level building in the Printworks. Promising to bring "the future of entertainment and dining" to Manchester, the venue houses 4 separate spaces, with five bars and two restaurants.
Cheap and Cheerful bar

Proof
30A Manchester Road
Chorlton
A new bar on the site of the Rizkee Thai Restaurant, opposite Chorlton Precinct. They've assembled a crack team of Mancunian DJs to provide lush grooves and eclectic deepness to the Chorlton Masses.
Indie and Underground bar