Lakota has replaced Loaf, a venue which became a victim of its own success after being one of the first to open on the Deansgate Locks party parade. The changes haven’t just stopped with the name – the venue has been spruced up, given a much needed makeover and has some exceedingly cheap food and drink offers to pull the punters in.

The Venue
Lakota is one of the largest of the bars built into the former railway arches of Deansgate Locks, offering bars upstairs and downstairs, plus a club space that helps give it a capacity of over a thousand people. The two arches dominate the bar, while the interior is intelligently laid out with spacious, white leather booths which are ideal for groups and can be booked in advance. The decor throughout Lakota’s different levels is modern, but softened with some traditional touches such as ornate mirror frames and the ubiquitous stag’s head that features in the bar’s logo. Downstairs an area of puffy, comfortable sofas leads to a large dancefloor. There is also a spacious veranda looking out onto the canal.

The People
A mainstream, party crowd is drawn to Lakota and Deansgate Locks and this will very much determine whether you enjoy a raucous night out down here. If you do find yourself at Lakota during the day or at less busy times, you are well catered for as the venue has plenty of room and comfortable surroundings. The music varies from chart to funky house and dancefloor fillers to cater for the pre-club revellers. Salsa classes are set to be held during the week and discounts for group bookings and parties makes Lakota determined to build up a core of regular followers.

The Food
Bargain pricing is Lakota’s strategy where food is concerned, with an already reasonably priced menu enhanced by 2 for 1 offers and shared platters. Every meal is catered for, from a all-day breakfast (Saturdays and Sundays) for £4 (complete with unlimited coffee refills and a celeb magazine) to the usual bar staples of sandwiches and burgers, to weekend roasts (£5.95/£7.95 for 2) and Lakota’s popular pizzas starting at £4.95, again available on special offer at different times of the week.

The Drink
An already extensive cocktail menu is given a fun twist by the opportunity to pimp your drink, which allows you to create your own custom-built Mojito or Daquiri from a small list of ingredients. Lakota’s signature cocktails include the Porn Star Martini (£4.75), a mixture of Stolichnaya vodka, lime and passionfruit served with a shot of sparkling wine. This has a sharp flavour and the extra shot of wine makes it one for the sweet-toothed. The competitive pricing of cocktails (around the £4 mark), is supplemented by promotions and a good range of draught beers, which includes Peroni and Stella. Champagne starts at £30 but why spend that much when a bottle of the equally enjoyable Primo Prosecco for just £12.95.

The Last Word
Lakota doesn’t do things a great deal differently from the other venues targeting the large and lairy crowds that swarm around the Locks at weekends. Perhaps, most importantly, its credit-crunch friendly prices will certainly help to keep it busy throughout the week. There are certainly a lot worse places to enjoy a drink after work, to have a cheap bite to eat, or start a night out.

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