Exploring Manchester at Night: A Safe and Fun Guide

Having fun and staying safe on your night out in Manchester 

Make every night out one to remember for the right reasons by following these simple safety tips: 

1. Think about your travel plans 

Planning your night out is more than just what to wear and who you’re going with, you also need to think about how you are getting there and plan for how you will get home too.  

Tips for making travel plans include: 

• Night bus – try to travel with friends and sit on the lower deck where possible 

• Trains or Trams – try to avoid sitting in empty carriages 

• Taxis – pre-book if possible, using private hire companies or Uber. Never take a ride off a driver who approaches you on the streets as they might not be insured or be a registered taxi driver 

• Walking – if you live close by, stick to the main streets where the lighting is better, and more people will be around. Do not take short cuts down poorly lit streets or alleyways 

2. Stick with your friends 

Going out as a group and staying together not only makes for a better night, but it’s also safer too.  

Always make sure your phone is fully charged before you go out. Or if you can take a portable charger with you. If you get separated from your friends, it’s useful to have a few things in place: 

• Agree on a meeting place in case anyone gets lost 

• Start a group WhatsApp to stay in touch 

• Set up a ‘Find Friends’ or ‘Search Party’ app. You can also use Find my App if you have an apple device. 

3. Keep an eye on your drinks 

Whether you decide to drink alcohol or stick to non-alcoholic drinks, keep these things in mind: 

• Never accept drinks you haven’t seen poured or opened – if someone offers to buy you a drink, politely decline or go to the bar with them 

• Don’t leave your drinks on their own – it can be easy for someone to take them or slip something into your glass if you’re not watching 

• If you are starting to feel a little drunk, switch to water to stay hydrated 

• If something doesn’t feel right or you feel unsafe, make sure you speak to someone – this might be bar staff, bouncers, or the police. 

4. Download the SafeZone App 

Having access to the SafeZone app will give you extra peace of mind while you are on campus and the areas around campus. It’s free to download, easy to use, and allows you to ‘check in’ 24/7 to tell us where you are and to call for assistance quickly and discreetly – whether it’s for first aid or in an emergency.  

If you are in the following areas, you can raise an alert and help will be on its way: 

• Our campus 

• Along the Oxford Road Corridor 

• In and around the University of Salford campus (including MediaCityUK) 

• Victoria Park and Fallowfield 

• Manchester City Centre (call goes through to the emergency services) 

5. Remember that no means no 

Just because someone has had a few drinks or chosen to wear a particular outfit, doesn’t mean that sexual harassment is ok – it is never ok. 

Don’t make anyone feel uncomfortable or pressured into doing anything. If they say no, at any point, even if they have previously said yes, then stop what you are doing straight away. 

Check out our Consent Matters training page or watch the ‘Tea and Consent’ video to understand more about how to keep our community a safe and respectful place. 

If you feel unsafe on a night out, ask bar/shop staff, or the police for help. You can also find out about the support available on our Report + Support page too. 

If you choose to enjoy the incredible nightlife in Manchester, why not take a look at Greater Manchester’s Good Night Out Guide for more tips on information on how to stay safe.