Decent bar (Odd Bar (Manchester))

Member Name: blue_jess

Product:	Odd Bar (Manchester)
Date:	19/08/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Drinks, laid back atmosphere

Disadvantages: DJs not always up to Scratch

This is a decent bar located on the corner of Thomas St/High Street in the Northern Quarter of Manchester which is odd by name and a little bit odd by nature. The interior has a unique design where anything goes really. There is a colourful padded bar to your right as you walk in, and above the various spirit bottles are crammed various little souvenirs collected from around the world. There is plenty of artwork on the walls, some of it by up and coming local artists. I'm not sure how to describe the decor really, but it looks like the owners have just had a bit of fun with the design of the place.

There are quite a few tables in the bar on street level and an extra seating area downstairs (which is also where you'll find the toilets) with sofas and little pouffes (think that's the right word!) to sit on. There is a large screen down there too which is where they show films by aspiring film makers on certain nights and I think you get some free popcorn too! The downstairs area, although very small, is a good place to get a seat if you want to chill out for a bit as the upstairs gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights but not as many people seem to bother to venture downstairs.

There are also a few tables outside on the pavement during the day time, which is nice if it is sunny obviously, although like a lot of bars since the ban they are often taken up by smokers.

They have DJs on Thursday - Sunday nights that play a mixture of music really including a bit of soul/funk type stuff. I don't recognise many tracks myself and I'm not personally that into the DJs: I don't dislike the music it just doesn't add much to the atmosphere for me, but doesn't stop me spending a few hours in there! On other nights there is a jukebox in use which has some decent tracks on it. Monday night is quiz night.

The bar is well stocked with plenty of spirits and lagers from around the world including bottles of cusquena, brooklyn and loads of others, and has Staropramen and Frulli on tap in addition to the usual Stella, Guinness and Becks. There is also usually 1 guest real ale on tap which comes from the Marble Brewery just up the road. Drinks prices are fairly average for the Northern Quarter, which means they are a bit expensive, but not prohibitively so. There is a promotion to get a bottle of house wine for £7 from 5pm - 7pm during the week, but I think that is all that is included in the 'happy hour'.

The staff have always seemed friendly enough and I've never had to wait that long to get served. The atmosphere is pretty friendly and laid back in Odd, never exactly that lively but a fun place to have a few drinks and a chat. It's open until about 1.30 on Friday and Saturday nights which is the same as most bars in the area, and at least until midnight on other nights. And there is a handy takeaway next door called Hunters if you feel the need for a burger/kebab/pizza before heading home!

Food is served in Odd during the day time including quite a few sandwiches, a couple of sharing platters and a few mains including fish and chips and roast dinners on sunday. Vegetarians are well catered for with some interesting sandwiches and I think there is some kind of falafel dish too. I've not eaten here for a while because last time I did the food took ages to arrive but I'll probably give it another go soon as I'm sure they've sped it up a bit by now, and the new menu sounds really nice!

The owners of the bar also have a sister bar called Odder, which is located on Oxford Road in the student area which is slightly bigger but fairly similar. There is also another bar Oddest which is soon to open in Chorlton. And then I think they will have run out of names!

I'd recommend a visit to Odd if you are out in Manchester, and there are plenty of other bars nearby if you want a bit of variety.

Summary: Worth a visit