Insider's Guide: Ben Hiard (Manchester)

We asked for some insider's advice from the man behind two of Deaf Institute and Joshua Brooks' most popular club nights.

Becca Frankland

Last updated: 30th Sep 2015

Manchester's nightlife is bursting at the seams with eclectic club nights, from underground paradises like mute! to indie rock get togethers like Remake Remodel. If you're in the mood for a good old sing along and just a whole load of fun - then look no further than Crash The Wedding and Pop Bubble Rock!

Crash The Wedding is exactly how you'd imagine; cakes, disco, a bouquet toss and a pretty loved-up crowd at Deaf Institute. Pop Bubble Rock! focuses on all things pop-punk and hip-hop, resulting in a night full of absolute classics and a rowdy crowd that fill out the confines of Joshua Brook's week in week out.

Ben Hiard is behind these two events, making him the ideal candidate for our Insider's Guide. He knows the ins and outs of Manchester's nightlife, and has been a resident in the city for over ten years. Take it away Ben...

Where do you live and why do you live there?

I've lived in Manchester for the past eleven years. I moved here from the south for uni and I'd be lying if I said it was just for the degree. The music scene was a massive draw then and it's just as incredible now. I honestly wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

What makes the city so special?

It has everything that London does, but it's more intimate, it's better value and everyone just seems to have more time for one another. Manchester has a very unique and special vibe. One of the things I love is that that it's a very liberal and forward thinking city.

We seem to get trials and initiatives rolled out here before any other city and that's down to everyone being pretty open to new stuff. I think that's reflected by just how much the city has grown in the time I've been here.

Where’s your favourite places to eat there?

Artisan is probably my favourite restaurant in town. It's got this very cool industrial, NYC loft feel to it but it's not pretentious and is really great value for great food.

However, Home Sweet Home (below) in the Northern Quarter ticks all the boxes for more day to day stuff and is so much more than a coffee shop. It's a solid first date venue... or so I'm told!

Oreos and peanut buttercups. A thing of beauty! #cake #cakeporn #peanutbuttercup #oreo #chocolate

A photo posted by Home Sweet Home (@homesweethomemcr) on Dec 4, 2014 at 1:34am PST

And the best places to go out?

Joshua Brooks and The Deaf Institute are my two favourite venues in the city. Both are relatively new to the scene but the teams behind the spaces have established the venues as some of the most exciting in Manchester.

The Font is one of my favourite bars. Funnily enough none of those three places are that central which just goes to show how much choice there is in Manchester. Places like Chorlton and Didsbury in the suburbs are spoilt for choice when it comes to great pubs and bars and even somewhere like Prestwich in North Manchester is really up and coming.

For someone about to come to the city for the first time, what are the three things they must do before the year is out in the city?

1) Go to MOSI and geek out. It's the Museum Of Science & Industry, and considering Manchester is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution - you kinda have to go.

2) Go drink every cocktail possibly in the Northern Quarter. The Alchemist in Spinningfields serves the most bonkers drinks (below) and if you like tiki bars... well you'll love the NQ.

3) Check out Pop Bubble Rock! at Joshua Brooks. It's nine years old this year and basically the most super fun house party you've ever been to.