CURRENT POPULATION: 80,000
% POP GROWTH: 0.5 %
CITY AREA: 588 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 131 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €24,800
DIALLING CODE: +44

WITH FRIENDS
SLUG AND LETTUCE
7-17 WELLINGTON STREET, DOUGLAS
TEL. 01624 615070
A varied menu from baguettes to burgers, fishcakes to fajitas is served at this buzzy bar and restaurant just off the main shopping street in the heart of Douglas. For Latin lounge lizards, Fiesta Havana is downstairs. There are DJs every Friday and Saturday and Sunday is Film Club night with retro movies while you dine.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
AROMA AT THE EMPRESS HOTEL
CENTRAL PROMENADE, DOUGLAS
TEL. 01624 661155
Located on the lower ground floor of one of Douglas’s most stylish hotels, Aroma offers simple but sumptuous buffet-style food from different regions of Asia as well as a Teppanyaki on an eat-as-much-as-you-like basis. Clients should enjoy the experience.

CLOSING THE DEAL
L’EXPERIENCE
SUMMERHILL, DOUGLAS
TEL. 01624 623103
If there wasn’t a smoking ban you could almost smell the Gauloises at Tony Quirk’s perennially popular French restaurant that’s been delighting diners on the Island for more than a quarter of a century. Careful cooking matched to a well-chosen wine list makes for a memorable occasion at this Manx classic.

STYLE
THE GARRISON
5 CASTLE STREET, CASTLETOWN
TEL. 01624 824885
This sleek wine and tapas bar is located in the heart of the Island’s former capital. Exposed stone walls, leather sofas and a roof terrace all add to the sophisticated vibe.

RELAX
BAR LOGO
39 PARLIAMENT STREET, RAMSEY
TEL. 01624 813557
For chilling out and relaxing in deep leather sofas, Bar Logo is the ideal place. This bar, with a warm, friendly atmosphere, is located in the north of the Island and also serves bistro-style food.

MUSIC
CREEK INN
THE QUAY, PEEL
TEL. 01624 842216
The ancient fishing port of Peel is just about the most Manx of all the towns in the Island and this cosy pub is no exception. Located down by the harbour, it regularly hosts local bands and offers hearty pub food.

VALUE
SEFTON EXPRESS
RONALDSWAY, BALLASALLA
TEL. 01624 824321
Opposite the Island’s main Ronaldsway airport and only about 20 minutes by car from the capital, Douglas, this modern budget hotel offers rooms with Wi-fi access, iron and ironing board, trouser press, personal safe and flat-screen TV. For meetings, there is also a 12-person conference room.

BUSINESS
ADMIRAL HOUSE
12 LOCH PROMENADE, DOUGLAS
TEL. 01624 629551
Right in the heart of Douglas, only minutes from the business and retail centres, this beautifully-refurbished and well-equipped hotel has all the usual creature comforts and offers magnificent sea views from some of its rooms, such as in the turret. There’s also one of the Island’s finest restaurants, offering international cuisine (under separate management) on the ground floor plus a health club.

BESPOKE
THE WELBECK HOTEL
MONA DRIVE, OFF CENTRAL PROMENADE, DOUGLAS
TEL. 01624 675663
Just one street away from Douglas Promenade this comfortable hotel has been run by the George family for more than 20 years. It offers a choice between well appointed en-suite bedrooms or seven apartments. There’s also a small gym, conservatory restaurant and cosy bar.

Santa and his helpers are offering Santa Special train rides on the Groudle Glen railway this winter (www.groudleglenrailway.com). The narrow gauge railway was built in the 1890s to transport Victorian tourists around the Island and it is now operated by volunteers. Take a trip to Santa’s grotto on 6, 7, 14, 20 and 21 December.

Pirates of the Irish Sea is an exhibition at the House of Mananan in Peel marking the 40th anniversary of pirate radio station Radio Caroline (also see Secret, below). Masses of memorabilia will be on show until the end of the year, including original records, parts of the transmitter and fan letters to the groundbreaking pirate radio DJs.

For all you need to know about the Island, get a copy of The Isle of Man One Stop Guide, an invaluable directory of attractions, together with travel details of bus services (www.gov.im). It’s available from the Isle of Man Welcome Centre, the National Sports Centre, Curraghs Wildlife Park and the Gaiety Theatre complex.

Anchored off Ramsey Bay was MV Caroline, home to Radio Caroline North between 1964 and 1968. The ship was tended by vessels from Ramsey, bringing the DJs fresh food, water and other supplies. They also brought out special guests, including Jimmy Saville and the Beatles. The station’s address was PO Box 3, Ramsey, the most written to address in the north west at the time.

WORDS BY STEPHEN RITCH