Manchester awards highlight stag night appeal

People planning a big stag weekend away in the UK this year may need to look no further than Manchester to find the perfect party town.

The Manchester Tourism Awards 2009 highlighted a number of top attractions in the city, with categories including Tourism Bar of the Year.

That accolade went to The Modern, which also landed the Taste of Manchester awards, meaning stag parties looking for a top-class drinking den to kick off their celebrations might pay a visit.

While a good night's sleep may not be too high on the agenda of most stag do revellers, those who wish to stay the night in comfort should consider the Lowry Hotel, which won Large Hotel of the Year.

Managing director of Visit Manchester Paul Simpson said the awards were the highlight of a "highly successful" 12 months for tourism in the city.

"Manchester has established itself as a leading tourist destination and was highlighted this week by Lonely Planet as the envy of any urban centre in Europe," he stated.

The city is also home to a number of top clubs, including Sankey's Soap, Paparazzi and the Ritz.