Honestly, and this isn't what you want to hear, but maybe consider Center City. I live downtown and really love it. I'm not familiar with Manayunk, but have the same impression that you picked up from reading about it.

Truthfully, that 30 minutes on a bus is annoying and will keep you from doing things. If money is what is making you think Manayunk over CC, include also the money you're spending on getting back to Manayunk via Lyft/Uber after the bars.

You're going to be spending good money either way, why not live around all of the things you want to live around?

Edit* - Put more plainly, having lived in Center City and having met lots of people around the area and other spots in Philly, I don't think I've ever heard anyone suggest going anywhere in Manayunk for anything.