Aqua Review:

Down the stairs you go, as you enter Aqua, barely a kidney-stones throw from Deansgate Locks, yet a world away. Gone are pretention, expensive designer clothes and drinks prices to match. This is a bar that stands true to Manchester heritage.

With a good sized dance floor and some funky tunes to boot, Aqua is one of the friendliest bars we know. The two bored bouncers on the door will agree to this, as they never seem to get any trouble, and the slightly older crowd are there to have a good time. The price of drinks usually varies, as the special offers change, but your round won't break the bank, and although the dance floor is pretty rammed, the rest of Aqua never gets too packed.

Behind the dancefloor lies a patio area where you can sit and drink, or stand by the canal and watch the world (and raw sewage) pass you by. Definitely the Manchester version of romance.

We head here often when we get sick of queuing at Deansgate Locks, and get a bit bored with the same 'ol. We recommend you do the same!

Read user reviews for Aqua here
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Aqua's User Reviews:

14 Jul 2007 Alex Krondiras

Have you seen the film "Wrong Turn"? Well that's what I thought I took when I went in! Talk about a "pick up joint"... Men are drooling over the few BOBFOCs around and there is an air of sexual desperation in the air. If you are not or don't think like a 15 year old on heat I recommend you surface and walk till u find the next bar

1 out of 5

phil

Aqua bar is not a bad place to start the night off but it should have happy hour on all night and could do with making the bar a bit bigger. Some fine girls in their though

3 out of 5

Si

Hmmmm I went to Aqua recently, walked down the stairs, turned round and walked back out again... you could almost cut the atmosphere with a knife! It's a shame they don't spend a bit of time working on the environment and the ambiance here, it could be a great bar... and in a nice location!

1 out of 5

Jack Foley

Not the friendliest of places and when I walked past at midnight, Sat 16 Apr, the 2 police vans outside suggested someone inside had been VERY unfriendly. Glad I'd bailed at 10pm. The rejects that aren't good enough for the Locks go here, and let's face it, the standard at the Locks isn't what it used to be.

2 out of 5

Garry

Aqua has sadly declined in the last three years. I first went in the place back in 2001 and had a great night with very fond memorys of it. But now the place out-dated, dirty, the staff are unfriendly and worst of all the beer is cr*p and over priced. A real shame as with a lick of paint here and there and bit more choice in beer with cheaper prices it could be a great place again.

2 out of 5

Sarah Addyman

This place is awful. The only people who have fun are the ones too drunk to know better. If you don't mind a poor sound system, sticky floors and clubbing with kids, then by all means give it a go... but don't expect good service. The doormen are the only friendly staff in this place - and when I said that to them on my way out, they didn't look surprised!

1 out of 5

A&K

WE went here when we met one of our girls from her wokrs do in RSVP we headed over to 'THE' bar on the locks and after we got bored(it was empty!)we ended up in this place and found that it is so bizzarre! firstly my mate was absolutely leathered so that was quite funny! and the cheesy tunes were good to dance arounf to, the decor needs re doing and the clientelle defo need id but all in all it was pretty good- havent been back yet but plan to!!! x

4 out of 5

terrible twosome

the music is brilliant except more modern music should be played on a friday as well as a saturday night. Happy hour should last all night not just till 10.30. However could use a make over, its a little trampy, but still a great night out.

4 out of 5

?

I went in on fri. I wud advise ppl who dislike 80s music not to go in here

1 out of 5

Kat

Aqua is goin down! Went in on Fri. Tunes were crap, Dr Who 4 gods sake. Dat DJ needs his head screwin on! Used 2 b a top place bring back de lady DJ! N they dont even have the patio open no more! And right bout the decor the place needs completely doin over. Class A sh*t hole. Sort it out Aqua!

2 out of 5

Shaun Fielding

Great venue, great tunes on a Saturday. Give Friday a miss though as it's now yet another 80's night.

4 out of 5

russ

Phat blazing toon's.......Sorry thought I'd never find a place to go and get away from the fake gold earing rockport wearing scally's, but at last I've found a bar that caters for people who look forward to enjoying their friday night into town, good music, friendly clientele what a great place!!....Scally's stick to 21 picadilly!!!!

5 out of 5

sophie

A great place to go if your out for a good dance!! A fun, friendly and relaxed night out.

4 out of 5

Liz

its ok for a place to start off a really good night - you couldn't stay in there all night though!!!

3 out of 5

matt

Has gone downhill over the last couple of years, the decor needs replacing and the clientele consists of schoolies out for their six form parties or edgy townies itching for a fight. One redeeming point is their cocktails!

2 out of 5

Sarah

Aqua is great...great music, great atmosphere, no long queues, outside patio, freindly people. Everyone from my work ends up at aqua at somepoint on a friday night, the best night.

5 out of 5

natasha caplan

came here with my crazy friends from ADT, had a great night and the bar had a brilliant atmosphere

4 out of 5

Joe Gab

Aqua is the BEST but its the DJ on a Friday Night that does it for me he has the best choice of music he is the DOGS!!!!

5 out of 5

John Tilpling

Definitely an Aqua fanatic! Relaxed, friendly atmosphere and the best Friday night DJ anywhere!!

5 out of 5

Chris Sadler

Visited this bar on my first night from Canada. Was rather impressed with it. Gorgeous women, no cover, great music, and not overly congested. Thanks Aqua!!!!

4 out of 5

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