Matthew's Guidebook
Food scene
30 minute walk from my house in Chorlton
Fresh bread and cakes. The sizzling ciabattas are amazing and if you go on a Saturday you can get sausages, roast potatoes and chorizo rice from the huge pan outside. Yum!
31 recommandé par les habitants
Barbakan Delicatessen Ltd
67-71 Manchester Rd30 minute walk from my house in Chorlton
Fresh bread and cakes. The sizzling ciabattas are amazing and if you go on a Saturday you can get sausages, roast potatoes and chorizo rice from the huge pan outside. Yum!
Located near Piccadilly Station. Chill open-air food hall with a range of vendors offering local & global bites, plus craft drinks.
Great fun! Loads of interesting musicians, DJs and events held regularly.
16 recommandé par les habitants
Escape to Freight Island
11 Baring StLocated near Piccadilly Station. Chill open-air food hall with a range of vendors offering local & global bites, plus craft drinks.
Great fun! Loads of interesting musicians, DJs and events held regularly.
Beautiful, small green tiled classic Manchester drinking establishment dating back to 1867. Worth going for a real ale and if you're hungry i'd definitely recommend the famous corned beef hash!
6 recommandé par les habitants
Mr Thomas's Chop House
52 Cross StBeautiful, small green tiled classic Manchester drinking establishment dating back to 1867. Worth going for a real ale and if you're hungry i'd definitely recommend the famous corned beef hash!
Beautiful 1858 Grade II listed market building in the Northern Quarter - full of independent traders doing coffee, ramen, pizzas, burgers and more.
58 recommandé par les habitants
Mackie Mayor
1 Eagle StBeautiful 1858 Grade II listed market building in the Northern Quarter - full of independent traders doing coffee, ramen, pizzas, burgers and more.
A fun place to shop, eat and drink in lots of shipping containers. Open 7 days a week with over 30 independent traders. Mainly outside (including under cover) so it's better in nice weather!
19 recommandé par les habitants
Hatch
103 Oxford RdA fun place to shop, eat and drink in lots of shipping containers. Open 7 days a week with over 30 independent traders. Mainly outside (including under cover) so it's better in nice weather!
Yuzu
39 Faulkner StThe best Katsu chicken i've ever had. Great sushi
Kampus, which is right next to the gay village is a great spot for food and drinks by the canal; including Nells pizza (you can buy by the slice) and Great North Pie Company for proper tasty northern British cuisine. You've also got Pollen bakery here which is amazing for coffees and cakes.
Red Light is a cute little LGBTQ+ cocktail bar and Yum Cha does great Dimsum.
Kampus
Kampus, which is right next to the gay village is a great spot for food and drinks by the canal; including Nells pizza (you can buy by the slice) and Great North Pie Company for proper tasty northern British cuisine. You've also got Pollen bakery here which is amazing for coffees and cakes.
Red Light is a cute little LGBTQ+ cocktail bar and Yum Cha does great Dimsum.
Best pizza in Manchester. They have places in Chorlton, city centre and Ancoats
Rudy's Pizza Napoletana - Chorlton
Best pizza in Manchester. They have places in Chorlton, city centre and Ancoats
Walkable from my house (just over 10 minutes).
Nice place for drinks and they have just started doing really good roast dinners on a Sunday
Very LGBT friendly 🏳️🌈
18 recommandé par les habitants
The Nip & Tipple
197 Upper Chorlton RdWalkable from my house (just over 10 minutes).
Nice place for drinks and they have just started doing really good roast dinners on a Sunday
Very LGBT friendly 🏳️🌈
Manchester's longest running street food event GRUB is located in the vibrant Green Quarter just 5 minutes’ walk from Manchester Victoria rail station. The converted textile warehouse is home to a 22 line craft beer bar, 100 seater cinema space Chapeltown Picture House, kids play room, dining hall & most importantly one the area's biggest beer gardens.
During the week the venue is full of special events with great food & drink but when the weekend comes you can expect to find the garden full of Manchester's best street traders such as Oh Mei Dumpling, What's Your Beef?, Wallace & Sons, Yes! Doughnuts, Seitan's Kebab & many, many more.
The lineup changes every week so there's no shortage of options plus every Sunday is GRUB's Plant Powered Sundays, Europe's first ever 100% vegan street food event where you can find wall to wall plant powered, independent food & drink.
7 recommandé par les habitants
GRUB at Mayfield
50 Red BankManchester's longest running street food event GRUB is located in the vibrant Green Quarter just 5 minutes’ walk from Manchester Victoria rail station. The converted textile warehouse is home to a 22 line craft beer bar, 100 seater cinema space Chapeltown Picture House, kids play room, dining hall & most importantly one the area's biggest beer gardens.
During the week the venue is full of special events with great food & drink but when the weekend comes you can expect to find the garden full of Manchester's best street traders such as Oh Mei Dumpling, What's Your Beef?, Wallace & Sons, Yes! Doughnuts, Seitan's Kebab & many, many more.
The lineup changes every week so there's no shortage of options plus every Sunday is GRUB's Plant Powered Sundays, Europe's first ever 100% vegan street food event where you can find wall to wall plant powered, independent food & drink.
My favourite place for pasta in the city.
Address: 46 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BA
RIGATONI'S Ancoats
My favourite place for pasta in the city.
Address: 46 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BA
Drinks
Central city centre location. Nice drinks with epic views on the 20th floor. Its expensive and you can't wear sports wear. Worth a visit for a least a drink!
60 recommandé par les habitants
20 Stories
1 Hardman SquareCentral city centre location. Nice drinks with epic views on the 20th floor. Its expensive and you can't wear sports wear. Worth a visit for a least a drink!
Traditional ale and whisky.
The Briton’s Protection is one of the oldest pubs in the city centre. Dating back to 1806, it is said to have been ‘used as a refuge by folk escaping from the Peterloo Massacre of 1819
11 recommandé par les habitants
The Briton's Protection
50 Great Bridgewater StreetTraditional ale and whisky.
The Briton’s Protection is one of the oldest pubs in the city centre. Dating back to 1806, it is said to have been ‘used as a refuge by folk escaping from the Peterloo Massacre of 1819
The website says: expect roaring fires, raucous performances, tankards of Europe’s finest bier, and endless naughtiness. Its great fun and gets rowdy in the evening!
56 recommandé par les habitants
Albert's Schloss
27 Peter StThe website says: expect roaring fires, raucous performances, tankards of Europe’s finest bier, and endless naughtiness. Its great fun and gets rowdy in the evening!
Underground bar with retro arcade games and craft beers. Good fun to spend an hour reliving your youth playing Goldeneye, Sonic, Street Fighter etc!
6 recommandé par les habitants
NQ64
12 Short StUnderground bar with retro arcade games and craft beers. Good fun to spend an hour reliving your youth playing Goldeneye, Sonic, Street Fighter etc!
My favourite bar in Manchester due to the gorgeous tiled decor. It's a massive bar within the Kimpton Hotel - great DJs and generally good chilled vibes. Also does a great Sunday roast.
24 recommandé par les habitants
The Refuge
Oxford StreetMy favourite bar in Manchester due to the gorgeous tiled decor. It's a massive bar within the Kimpton Hotel - great DJs and generally good chilled vibes. Also does a great Sunday roast.
A massive pub in Castlefield, which is great to wander round on a sunny day. Great beer garden by the canals. One of my summer drinking spots!
43 recommandé par les habitants
The Wharf
107 Brook StA massive pub in Castlefield, which is great to wander round on a sunny day. Great beer garden by the canals. One of my summer drinking spots!
Cosy, unpretentious pub with a classic, green-tiled exterior offering beer, pool, darts & a jukebox.
Peveril Of The Peak
127 Great Bridgewater StCosy, unpretentious pub with a classic, green-tiled exterior offering beer, pool, darts & a jukebox.
SCHOFIELD'S BAR
The best cocktails in the UK. As Stated by Time Out in February 2024.
Compared to most parts of the city, The Village – as it’s fondly shortened to – is pretty much open all hours pumping out kitsch cheesy bangers. Head to the area’s beating heart – Bar Pop – for one of its drag nights or crawl between The Molly House, VIA or The Goose for pints and pop in a safe space. There's also private members venue The Eagle and basement musical theatre themed bar Oscars if you fancy something with a little more pizazz. If you’re heading there in the light of day make sure to check out the poignant Alan Turing memorial in Sackville Gardens.
The Village
Compared to most parts of the city, The Village – as it’s fondly shortened to – is pretty much open all hours pumping out kitsch cheesy bangers. Head to the area’s beating heart – Bar Pop – for one of its drag nights or crawl between The Molly House, VIA or The Goose for pints and pop in a safe space. There's also private members venue The Eagle and basement musical theatre themed bar Oscars if you fancy something with a little more pizazz. If you’re heading there in the light of day make sure to check out the poignant Alan Turing memorial in Sackville Gardens.
Brunch
Great, small brunch venue! 2 locations in Manchester. One of my favourites - and possibly the best eggs and coffee in Manchester.
At weekends there might be a queue as it gets busy
41 recommandé par les habitants
Federal Cafe Bar
9 Nicholas CroftGreat, small brunch venue! 2 locations in Manchester. One of my favourites - and possibly the best eggs and coffee in Manchester.
At weekends there might be a queue as it gets busy
Brilliant brunch set inside the beautiful Barton Arcade in Manchester City Centre
7 recommandé par les habitants
Pot Kettle Black Coffee Manchester
Brilliant brunch set inside the beautiful Barton Arcade in Manchester City Centre
Sightseeing
One of my favourite buildings in Manchester - it dates back to 1900 and i'd totally recommend popping in for an hour to have a walk around - it feels like you're in Hogwarts!!
88 recommandé par les habitants
John Rylands Library
One of my favourite buildings in Manchester - it dates back to 1900 and i'd totally recommend popping in for an hour to have a walk around - it feels like you're in Hogwarts!!
Amazing architecture! Pop in for a quick look around. They sometimes have events, and music gigs on here also.
86 recommandé par les habitants
Cathédrale de Manchester
Victoria StreetAmazing architecture! Pop in for a quick look around. They sometimes have events, and music gigs on here also.
The Science and Industry Museum sits in the heart of Manchester, the world’s first industrial city. It is a place full of amazing objects and revolutionary ideas that changed the world forever.
Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of innovations and discoveries in the Revolution Manchester Gallery, find out how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to life in Experiment, our family friendly interactive gallery.
284 recommandé par les habitants
Musée des Sciences et de l'Industrie
Liverpool RoadThe Science and Industry Museum sits in the heart of Manchester, the world’s first industrial city. It is a place full of amazing objects and revolutionary ideas that changed the world forever.
Explore Manchester’s rich legacy of innovations and discoveries in the Revolution Manchester Gallery, find out how the city's heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery and see science brought to life in Experiment, our family friendly interactive gallery.
A great independent arts theatre, exhibition space and cinema
95 recommandé par les habitants
HOME Manchester
2 Tony Wilson PlA great independent arts theatre, exhibition space and cinema
Manchester Museum, one of the largest university museums in the UK, is over one hundred and thirty years old.
A great rainy day activity!
143 recommandé par les habitants
The Manchester Museum
Oxford RoadManchester Museum, one of the largest university museums in the UK, is over one hundred and thirty years old.
A great rainy day activity!
Opening in June 2023, Factory International is a global destination for arts music and culture opening in the heart of Manchester in 2023. Check out their website to see what's on.
Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Opening in June 2023, Factory International is a global destination for arts music and culture opening in the heart of Manchester in 2023. Check out their website to see what's on.
The Lowry theatre (named after the famous Salford Artist) is home to many famous Lowry paintings and has a great theatre showing music, musicals, plays and stand up comedy! It’s located in Salford Quays, near to Media City
122 recommandé par les habitants
The Lowry
8 The QuaysThe Lowry theatre (named after the famous Salford Artist) is home to many famous Lowry paintings and has a great theatre showing music, musicals, plays and stand up comedy! It’s located in Salford Quays, near to Media City
Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Regarded as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom, it is one of the most important Grade One listed buildings in England.
Its currently going through renovations and may be closed until as long as 2026 😭
15 recommandé par les habitants
Conseil municipal de Manchester
Albert SquareManchester Town Hall in Albert Square is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Regarded as one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United Kingdom, it is one of the most important Grade One listed buildings in England.
Its currently going through renovations and may be closed until as long as 2026 😭
Both United and City’s grounds offer tours and behind-the-scenes opportunities, and you could easily spend your entire month’s wages in their shops. For those with a more general interest in the sport, the National Football Museum provides a great opportunity to geek out on your team’s league history, test out your football skills and learn the history of the beautiful game.
Here you can see you can see the 1966 World Cup ball, the Sleeping Beckham work of art by Sam Taylor-Wood, Maradona’s 1986 ‘hand of God’ match shirt, and postcards from 1906 of women football players.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Musée national du Football
Todd StreetBoth United and City’s grounds offer tours and behind-the-scenes opportunities, and you could easily spend your entire month’s wages in their shops. For those with a more general interest in the sport, the National Football Museum provides a great opportunity to geek out on your team’s league history, test out your football skills and learn the history of the beautiful game.
Here you can see you can see the 1966 World Cup ball, the Sleeping Beckham work of art by Sam Taylor-Wood, Maradona’s 1986 ‘hand of God’ match shirt, and postcards from 1906 of women football players.
Head to The Whitworth for a whole host of exhibitions: its permanent collection spans 60,000 works of art, textiles and wallpapers. Plus it’s got a delightful park to stretch out in after. There's also Manchester Art Gallery slap bang in the city centre for more major exhibitions and an illustrious collection of fine art, ceramics and costumes.
97 recommandé par les habitants
Galerie d'art de Whitworth
Oxford RoadHead to The Whitworth for a whole host of exhibitions: its permanent collection spans 60,000 works of art, textiles and wallpapers. Plus it’s got a delightful park to stretch out in after. There's also Manchester Art Gallery slap bang in the city centre for more major exhibitions and an illustrious collection of fine art, ceramics and costumes.
Music Scene
This is one of my favourite gig venues in Manchester. I'd advise seeing if anyone is playing and grabbing yourself a cheap ticket. Its a great venue over 3 floors, the top floor being a really intimate gig venue with giant disco ball.
21 recommandé par les habitants
The Deaf Institute
135 Grosvenor StThis is one of my favourite gig venues in Manchester. I'd advise seeing if anyone is playing and grabbing yourself a cheap ticket. Its a great venue over 3 floors, the top floor being a really intimate gig venue with giant disco ball.
Another favourite gig venue of mine. Definitely one of the more beautiful settings to watch live music with big stained glass windows in a huge converted chapel
22 recommandé par les habitants
Albert Hall
27 Peter StAnother favourite gig venue of mine. Definitely one of the more beautiful settings to watch live music with big stained glass windows in a huge converted chapel
A decent place for food, drinks and often has up and coming bands playing so it's worth checking out who's on and getting a cheap ticket.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Gorilla
54-56 Whitworth StA decent place for food, drinks and often has up and coming bands playing so it's worth checking out who's on and getting a cheap ticket.
Taken from their website:
Based in the heart of Manchester, stepping into The Stoller Hall is like nowhere you have ever been before. Built in 2017, the Hall has been specially engineered to provide a totally immersive experience. Designed as a box within a box, the performance space has very low noise levels and a variable acoustic system, which means audiences can truly hear, feel and almost see the music.
Connect with the music and come as you are to the Stoller Hall. There’s no dress code, you don’t need to know your Beethoven from your Bach, and you certainly won’t be shushed by an usher.
Our adventurous programme ranges from classical and chamber, folk, jazz and contemporary music to spoken word, comedy and family events.
The Stoller Hall
Hunts BankTaken from their website:
Based in the heart of Manchester, stepping into The Stoller Hall is like nowhere you have ever been before. Built in 2017, the Hall has been specially engineered to provide a totally immersive experience. Designed as a box within a box, the performance space has very low noise levels and a variable acoustic system, which means audiences can truly hear, feel and almost see the music.
Connect with the music and come as you are to the Stoller Hall. There’s no dress code, you don’t need to know your Beethoven from your Bach, and you certainly won’t be shushed by an usher.
Our adventurous programme ranges from classical and chamber, folk, jazz and contemporary music to spoken word, comedy and family events.
Food, drink and music venue.
After being abandoned for years, New Century Hall is now a live music venue showing loads of the latest and up and coming artists. Bouncy dance floor is fun!
New Century
Food, drink and music venue.
After being abandoned for years, New Century Hall is now a live music venue showing loads of the latest and up and coming artists. Bouncy dance floor is fun!
Neighbourhoods
Chorlton is the closest neighbourhood with things going on. It's very arty, very liberal and lots of good boozers and places to eat. You can reach it in 15 minutes walk from mine. Check out Barbakan or Marie and Archies for quick bites, San Juan for Tapas, The Oyster Catcher for seafood, and The Horse and Jockey for a decent beer garden next to Chorlton Green. Head down Beech Road for independent shops and galleries. If you're vegan, definitely check out Unicorn Supermarket.
41 recommandé par les habitants
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Chorlton is the closest neighbourhood with things going on. It's very arty, very liberal and lots of good boozers and places to eat. You can reach it in 15 minutes walk from mine. Check out Barbakan or Marie and Archies for quick bites, San Juan for Tapas, The Oyster Catcher for seafood, and The Horse and Jockey for a decent beer garden next to Chorlton Green. Head down Beech Road for independent shops and galleries. If you're vegan, definitely check out Unicorn Supermarket.
This place is slowly getting more interesting! It’s home to the BBC and ITV. In the summer they have deck chairs outside with a bar. There’s the Lowry Cinema here, the Alchemist bar (for fancy cocktails), a couple of decent places for food. The imperial War museum is free and is really interesting! The Lowry theatre is a really cool design and the comfiest theatre seats - it’s worth checking out what’s on. You can hire kayaks/paddle boards in the summer. On the last weekend of each month they have a makers market. On a sunny day, it’s a nice place to go to avoid the crowds of the city centre. Old trafford football ground is nearby if that’s of interest also!
46 recommandé par les habitants
MediaCityUK
101-110 BroadwayThis place is slowly getting more interesting! It’s home to the BBC and ITV. In the summer they have deck chairs outside with a bar. There’s the Lowry Cinema here, the Alchemist bar (for fancy cocktails), a couple of decent places for food. The imperial War museum is free and is really interesting! The Lowry theatre is a really cool design and the comfiest theatre seats - it’s worth checking out what’s on. You can hire kayaks/paddle boards in the summer. On the last weekend of each month they have a makers market. On a sunny day, it’s a nice place to go to avoid the crowds of the city centre. Old trafford football ground is nearby if that’s of interest also!
Shopping
You have to visit Afflecks if you’re visiting Manchester! I spent many of my grungey teenage years here. A maze of shops over different floors, selling weird and wonderful things!
78 recommandé par les habitants
Affleck's, Manchester
52 Church StYou have to visit Afflecks if you’re visiting Manchester! I spent many of my grungey teenage years here. A maze of shops over different floors, selling weird and wonderful things!
Lots of independent traders - worth a wander. On 2nd Sunday of each month
Northern Quarter Makers market
Stevenson SquareLots of independent traders - worth a wander. On 2nd Sunday of each month
Vinyl Exchange, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records, all in the Northern Quarter will satisfy your new and second hand record buying needs
Vinyl Exchange
Vinyl Exchange, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records, all in the Northern Quarter will satisfy your new and second hand record buying needs
Every day is a vintage one on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter. It’s lined with possibly the most second hand stores on a single road in the whole of the UK.
223 recommandé par les habitants
Northern Quarter
Every day is a vintage one on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter. It’s lined with possibly the most second hand stores on a single road in the whole of the UK.