For G-Mex you have some classic Mancunian hostilleries within a few minutes walk of the venue
The Temple of Convenience (or just The Temple I think now). Corner of Oxford Street and Great Bridgewater Street.
A former underground public toilet no less! If 20 people are in there it is packed!
One minute walk from there is The Peveril of the Peak on Chepstow Street.
This lime green tiled pub is well worth a visit.
Across the road from there further down on Great Bridgewater Street is Rain Bar. A modern built pub but a good one nevertheless. Serves great food.
Finally, again further down on Great Bridgewater Street is the fantastic Britons Protection pub. This is at the back end of G-Mex, opposite the Bridgewater Hall. Enter there and it is like the Tardis in Doctor Who, it looks so much bigger on the inside with lots of nooks and crannies for quiet drinks and chats.
All four of these pubs serve quality beers not this awful John Smiths / Tetleys shite that appears to be taking over Manchester's pubs.
The 'Campaign For Real Ale' Goat