Manchester City stars painted the town blue last Sunday after their triumph in the Premier League. Winning the title - for the sixth time in eleven seasons - with a remarkable 3-2 final day win against Aston Villa was cause for serious celebration, kicking off in Spinningfield's The Ivy.
The team had plenty of Premier League footballer haunts to choose from, which is no surprise as the region is home to two of the biggest clubs in the world. Players can often be spotted enjoying their downtime off the pitch in luxury restaurants and bars, and sometimes let social media followers in on the antics by sharing where they are on Instagram.
While a few establishments have long been associated with the rich and famous, some local gems have also become popular with famous faces from the footballing world - improving your chances of spotting a celeb. Here are just some of the restaurants, takeaways and bars where you're most likely to bump into a Manchester City footballer in Greater Manchester.
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The Ivy
The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG
Get your footy shirts at the ready to be signed if you're headed to The Ivy in Spinningfields. The flamboyantly decorated multi-storey restaurant has catered to many footballers since its opening in 2018.
It was the destination of choice to celebrate Man City's win in the Premier League last Sunday, with the jubilant teammates partying there until 3am the next morning. England stars Jack Grealish and Phil Foden were papped at the venue, alongside Riyad Mahrez.
Others in attendance included defender John Stones, goalkeeper Ederson, midfielder İlkay Gündoğan and club manager Guardiola - who posed for selfies before making his way inside. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was joined by his wife Michèle Lacroix while winger Bernardo Silva and his girlfriend Ines Tomaz were also pictured at the bash.
Alberts Schloss
27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR
Alberts Schloss is a popular live-entertainment venue with the likes of Manchester's TV and reality stars, along with high-profile footballers. After the big game on Sunday, Jack Grealish was interviewed in high spirits by Optus Sport, whose video has since gone viral.
According to the clip, he could be a regular at the German bar. Jack jokingly said: "I want to see everyone at Alberts Schloss tonight. And I'll buy you a Jaegerbomb each." Was anyone lucky enough to see him there?
Menagerie
New Bailey, Ground One, New Bailey St, Salford M3 5JL
Menagerie in Salford fast became a hotspot for the rich and famous after it opened in 2016. It's co-owned by Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Seema Malhotra and Stacey Forsey, alongside bar entrepreneur Karina Jadhav.
A year after opening its doors, Karina told the MEN: "Footballers are some of our best customers, they’re just really nice people to have in - they’re polite and keep themselves to themselves." Manchester City players were seen attending the restaurant in 2017 for a 500-person Christmas do.
City manager Guardiola was captured posing for a picture with owner Karina Jadhav. She captioned the snap: "We have hosted some amazing events and parties but last night was very special.
"Hosting 500 of the most talented football professionals, players and management in the world for their Christmas party was a 'pinch me' moment!"
Liv and Yours
11A Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BQ
Club Liv is the brainchild of hospitality mogul Mo Mohamud and has hosted footballers since day one. When it first arrived on Peter Street in 2014, Manchester United players attended the opening night. It's since moved to Deansgate, and it's still likely you'll bump into a star there, with Raheem Sterling among the City players to pop in.
Last year, Mo also opened his first restaurant - Yours - the ideal backdrop for picture-perfect celebrations, with its unique decor and its very own selfie corridor adorned with cool graffiti. A succession of footballers have already dined at the pan Asian eatery and it's proven to be the ideal place for date night among celeb couples.
Australasia
1 The Avenue, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AP
The swanky subterranean restaurant, hidden in stylish Spinningfields, has long been a favourite with footballers and WAGs since it opened in 2011. It pairs a laid-back luxe decor with an extravagant Australian menu, with Indonesian and Japanese influences.
City's Kevin De Bruyne has been spotted there, among others, and it's become a go-to date night venue with the stars.
Peter Street Kitchen
Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Winner of 'Best Luxury Restaurant’ in the UK at the British Restaurant Awards 2019, it's no wonder that footballers frequent Peter Street Kitchen. It offers contemporary Japanese and Mexican small plates, with signature cocktails and fine wines in the heart of Manchester.
Manchester City's Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez were papped there recently.
Mama Flo's
314 Buxton Rd, Stockport SK2 7DD
The renowned Mama Flo’s on Buxton Road, just by Stepping Hill Hospital, has frequently welcomed the likes of City's Kyle Walker, among other footballers. Last month, Walker popped in for a takeaway picking up two orders of Flo’s curry goat, with rice and peas, and a cornflake cake for pudding, according to owner Florence Coke.
