The way forward for bars in the Northern Quarter is perhaps most apparent in the aptly named Northern, which perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the area.

The Venue
The Northern used to be The King, a place renowned in Manchester for all the wrong reasons ie violence, dodgy goings on and generally, trouble. The change couldn't be more complete (although the bouncer on the door ensures that trouble doesn't return).

Located down an alleyway next to a flower shop on Tib Street, to the right of the bar is a semi-enclosed outdoor area for smokers and summer drinkers called The Pit. Inside The Northern its contemporary finish includes walls adorned with pictures of local heroes - from Tony Wilson and George Best to Ian Brown and John Cooper Clarke - which create a nice focal point although the customised John Cooper Clarke print wallpaper is definitely the most outstanding design feature.

The seating is a mix of armchairs and sofas, all velvet covered, perfect for kicking back to the Motown and northern soul that floats over from the DJ booth at the back. The Northern represents all the best things about the Northern Quarter in terms of style and ethos so if you really want to immerse yourself you're best off heading down there on a weekend when it's open till 3am.

The People
The bar attracts a very busy, bustling, up-for-it crowd, plus a mix of local office workers especially at lunchtime. There are a few skinny jeans, but it's not so achingly cool that you have to backcomb your hair and spray it silver before you can set foot through the door. If you did that someone would call you a nobhead in a second, that’s the Manchester way.

The Food
As for the food, pizzas are the most popular choice. The thin and crispy pear, gorgonzola and Parma ham pizza is particularly recommended with the fruit nicely complementing the saltiness of the cheese and ham and the delicate textures of the toppings contrasting perfectly with the crispy pizza base.

The Drink
The Black Sheep ale on draught is particularly smooth and creamy and highly recommended. Otherwise, there's John Smiths, Fosters, Grolsch, Kronenbourg and Strongbow. As for the bottles there's Peroni, Corona, San Miguel, Red Stripe and Magners. However, to really look the part arch your eyebrows and sip a caramel-heavy Sailor Jerry rum and coke (the rum should only be diluted with three-quarters of an inch of coke and a slice of either lime or orange).

The Last Word
The food is good, the drink and the music are great and the service by the good looking staff is always with a smile. As for the surroundings, this is the new Northern Quarter in a nutshell. Highly recommended.

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