Sara's guide to Manchester
Neighbourhoods
The Northern Quarter is a trendy neighborhood, with vibrant street art, bohemian bars and independent record shops. It’s home to buzzy restaurants and some of the city’s liveliest music venues, which host up-and-coming indie bands and established acts. Cultural attractions include the artists’ studios at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and rotating exhibits at the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.
223 locals recommend
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter is a trendy neighborhood, with vibrant street art, bohemian bars and independent record shops. It’s home to buzzy restaurants and some of the city’s liveliest music venues, which host up-and-coming indie bands and established acts. Cultural attractions include the artists’ studios at Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and rotating exhibits at the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art.
Elegant Spinningfields is the city’s financial centre and a popular destination for entertainment and shopping. Office workers pour into cocktail bars and chain restaurants in the evening, while locals seeking culture head to the imposing Manchester Opera House for musicals and concerts. Also in the area is the People's History Museum, focusing on Manchester’s working-class history.
85 locals recommend
Spinningfields
Elegant Spinningfields is the city’s financial centre and a popular destination for entertainment and shopping. Office workers pour into cocktail bars and chain restaurants in the evening, while locals seeking culture head to the imposing Manchester Opera House for musicals and concerts. Also in the area is the People's History Museum, focusing on Manchester’s working-class history.
Ancoats is a happening neighbourhood known for its eclectic food and drink scene. Scandinavian eateries, Japanese teahouses and Mexican restaurants, to name a few, sit alongside craft breweries and speakeasy-style bars. The 'peeps'—brass peepholes on various buildings—give a glimpse of the machinery and spaces of old Ancoats, once a gritty textile district. Former church Hallé St Peter’s now hosts classical concerts
34 locals recommend
Ancoats
Ancoats is a happening neighbourhood known for its eclectic food and drink scene. Scandinavian eateries, Japanese teahouses and Mexican restaurants, to name a few, sit alongside craft breweries and speakeasy-style bars. The 'peeps'—brass peepholes on various buildings—give a glimpse of the machinery and spaces of old Ancoats, once a gritty textile district. Former church Hallé St Peter’s now hosts classical concerts
Food scene
A place to blur day with night over cocktails and the country’s finest meat.
34 locals recommend
Hawksmoor Manchester
186 DeansgateA place to blur day with night over cocktails and the country’s finest meat.
With a progressive approach to Thai food, District will bring wood fired, modern barbecue cookery to Manchester, encouraging innovation but maintaining accessibility.
DISTRICT
60 Oldham StreetWith a progressive approach to Thai food, District will bring wood fired, modern barbecue cookery to Manchester, encouraging innovation but maintaining accessibility.
Experience a brand new six course tasting menu every 6 weeks - each one themed upon a different place, memory. From Chef Nico Simeone.
6 locals recommend
Six by Nico Manchester
60 Spring GardensExperience a brand new six course tasting menu every 6 weeks - each one themed upon a different place, memory. From Chef Nico Simeone.
Music
The only true dedicated Jazz venue in the North-West of England Matt and Phred's has a live act 6 nights of the week. Free pizza with drinks orders.
53 locals recommend
Matt & Phreds Jazz Club
64 Tib StThe only true dedicated Jazz venue in the North-West of England Matt and Phred's has a live act 6 nights of the week. Free pizza with drinks orders.
Bavarian-style beer cellar for traditional German food and pilsner beers on tap and in bottles. Take a trip across the Alpine region while drinking in their Bier Palace and revel in the wonder of Albert’s Schloss with their carefully curated live entertainment nearly every night of the week.
56 locals recommend
Albert's Schloss
27 Peter StBavarian-style beer cellar for traditional German food and pilsner beers on tap and in bottles. Take a trip across the Alpine region while drinking in their Bier Palace and revel in the wonder of Albert’s Schloss with their carefully curated live entertainment nearly every night of the week.
Four floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
11 locals recommend
YES
38 Charles StFour floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
Cocktails
Brick walled cocktail bar offering a trendy environment for serious drinks. Speakeasy style and no walk ins. Online bookings only.
12 locals recommend
The Washhouse
19 ShudehillBrick walled cocktail bar offering a trendy environment for serious drinks. Speakeasy style and no walk ins. Online bookings only.
With over 25 years of experience collectively, bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield opened this bar in one of Manchesters most iconic buildings.The art deco masterpiece of architect Joseph Sunlight was the tallest building in Manchester upon completion during the 1930s, a decade of great importance for cocktail culture. An era of grand and luxurious bars, known for their hospitality and classic cocktails.
SCHOFIELD'S BAR
With over 25 years of experience collectively, bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield opened this bar in one of Manchesters most iconic buildings.The art deco masterpiece of architect Joseph Sunlight was the tallest building in Manchester upon completion during the 1930s, a decade of great importance for cocktail culture. An era of grand and luxurious bars, known for their hospitality and classic cocktails.
Asian Cuisine
Japanese & Indochinese.Lively destination for Asian-inspired menus in a warehouse-style venue with a full bar.
40 locals recommend
Cottonopolis Food & Liquor
16 Newton StJapanese & Indochinese.Lively destination for Asian-inspired menus in a warehouse-style venue with a full bar.
Try Thai is a vibrant Thai restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. It’s one of the top spots for truly authentic Thai cuisine.
22 locals recommend
Try Thai Restaurant and Bar
52-54 Faulkner StTry Thai is a vibrant Thai restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. It’s one of the top spots for truly authentic Thai cuisine.
Late night ramen joint specialising in Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen and steamed Bao buns. Their menu is simple and delicious. Despite their love for food, they are bartenders at heart and offer a great seasonally changing cocktail menu.
Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun
101-103 Oldham StreetLate night ramen joint specialising in Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen and steamed Bao buns. Their menu is simple and delicious. Despite their love for food, they are bartenders at heart and offer a great seasonally changing cocktail menu.
Beer Gardens / Roof Terraces
Detroit Pizza, Campfire, Margarita Bar, Beer Garden & Coffee Counter based in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
11 locals recommend
Ramona
40 Swan StreetDetroit Pizza, Campfire, Margarita Bar, Beer Garden & Coffee Counter based in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
Four floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
11 locals recommend
YES
38 Charles StFour floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
Veggie / Vegan friendly
Four floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
11 locals recommend
YES
38 Charles StFour floors of yes. Live music venue with Vegan street food trader Doner Summer & Pizza's by Peperoni playboy. Indoor & outdoor roof terrace too.
Bundobust
61 PiccadillyMeat-free Indian street food and craft beer in laid-back surroundings