How To Spend A Weekend In Manchester
STAY
Manchester has accommodation options for every budget. The Alan opened its doors last year and has brought a touch of class to the city’s hotel scene. The six-storey venue champions local makers and uses discarded materials – the striking lobby floor is made from a collage of fragmented marble pieces. While the bedrooms aim to be places of calm, the restaurant and bar spaces inject fun and energy into the property. Non-guests are welcome for breakfast, coffee and dinner. Another luxury option is Leven, housed in an early 20th-century warehouse on the corner of Chorlton and Canal Street – an enviable location from which to explore Manchester’s restaurants and nightlife. The hotel itself has 42 ‘keys’, from standard bedrooms to penthouse suites. Each one has modern furnishings and industrial-chic décor; some have free-standing baths, while others feature fully equipped kitchens for self-catering.
A short walk away is Velvet Hotel, which is set in a former cotton warehouse. Many of its original industrial features are intact but the site has been revamped with moody interiors and plush furniture. There’s a lively restaurant serving brasserie-type dishes, as well as a bar that whips up inventive cocktails until the early hours. Elsewhere, one of our favourite places to stay is Native, a spacious and bright aparthotel. Set in a Grade-II listed building on Ducie Street, there are 162 luxury and serviced apartments to choose from, each with original features like cast-iron columns, as well as kitchenettes, and living areas for entertaining. Guests also have the run of the downstairs restaurant, bar, cinema room and lounge. If you like the idea of serviced apartments, Whitworth Locke near the Gay Village is another option. Like all of Locke’s properties, interiors are fun and chic, with pastel-coloured walls, modern furniture, and everything you need to feel at home. Stop by the communal areas to meet other guests and take part in the roster of activities on offer.
Aside from the city’s newer offerings, Manchester’s more established hotels shouldn't be overlooked. Kimpton Clocktower is another example of industrial chic done well, with smart rooms kitted out with record players, complimentary tuck boxes filled with goodies, and comfy beds. A beautiful domed lobby leads into The Refuge by Volt restaurant. Then there’s King Street Townhouse, a 40-room boutique hotel and one of the only spots in the city with an infinity pool. Interiors are smart and elegant, and rooms are filled with furniture made from local materials and artwork by Manchester alumni.
EAT
Manchester’s food scene is seriously exciting. The city won its first Michelin star in 2019 thanks to Simon Martin’s Mana. The 24-cover restaurant fills up quickly, so book well in advance of your trip. If you nab a seat by the open kitchen, you’ll watch the chefs cook 12 to 15-course tasting menus that champion produce from the north of England, with plenty of British veg and seafood. Earlier this year, The Spärrows won a Bib Gourmand, given to restaurants that serve excellent food at more affordable prices. Specialising in hand-made dumplings and pasta, its dishes include beef ragu pappardelle alongside antipasti and baskets of fluffy focaccia drenched in olive oil. For excellent rooftop views, book a table at Climat, where Luke Richardson’s daily changing menu features dishes like grilled leeks with butterbean, hazelnut and truffle; whole lamb shoulder with chicory and anchovies; and toasted hay panna cotta. It’s also home to a glass cellar with 300 bottles of world wine, and four rooftop beehives that provide honey for the venue’s food and cocktails.
For a fun date night, Tib Lane is a laid-back bar and restaurant serving small plates like steak tartare with beef fat mayo and crisps, whole sea bass with beurre blanc, and custard with strawberry and basil. There’s also an excellent natural wine and cocktail list. Over on Owen Street, Kitten is another good option for date night or dinner with the girls; the Japanese izakaya and cocktail bar serves sushi, nigiri and pan-Asian dishes. The seafood is particularly good, as are the agave and tequila cocktails. Then there’s Onda, a popular Italian restaurant that uses the best of British produce and seafood in dishes like scallop and crab tortellini, and fettuccine with garlic muscles.
Indecisive diners should make a beeline for Ducie Street Warehouse, a social hub with bars, restaurants, a small cinema and a rotating programme of events. Its restaurant has something for everyone – from burgers and grilled plates to generous desserts – and there’s a fun disco brunch every last Saturday of the month. Freight Island at Manchester's Depot Mayfield has a similar vibe with its numerous street food stalls. Diners can choose from pizzas, burgers, pasta, Korean bowls, South American dishes and more.
In terms of new openings, Madre Manchester – from the team behind Breddos in London and Liverpool’s Belzan – is a Mexican-inspired restaurant that serves tacos, grilled seafood, steak and dishes from the raw bar like oysters and ceviche. It even offers bottomless tacos for £25pp on select days throughout the week – ready to be washed down with a margarita or two. Pollen Bakery in Ancoats is a must for any visitor, and now the team have opened a second bakery and café in the Kampus neighbourhood. At both sites, you’ll find loaves of its signature sourdough bread, as well as sweet and savoury pastries like cruffins and rhubarb and pistachio danishes. Lastly, Soho House is set to open an outpost next spring. Set in the St John’s area, it will indeed have the signature outdoor rooftop pool. Keep an ear out for more info in coming months.
DRINK & PARTY
Manchester is home to countless bars, pubs and going-out venues so this list features a few of our favourites. First up is The Refuge on Oxford Street which was recently given a million-pound refurbishment. Enjoy drinks in the courtyard or listen to DJs in the basement. Attic bar Yes is another option for a casual night with friends – there’s live music every night across its four floors – as is Flok with its laid-back atmosphere and vinyl collection. Nearby bar Public is also not to be missed. Count on interesting cocktails alongside a selection of small bites, noodles and sandos inspired by NYC’s Chinatown.
For something a bit different, head to Bohemian Arts Club which opened in the spring. It’s a small, speakeasy-inspired bar with space for just 30. Plush furniture, marble surfaces and dim lighting create the perfect backdrop to try speakeasy-inspired drinks, all delivered via table service. Finally, for an unforgettable night out, book tickets to a gig or rave at The Warehouse Project at Depot Mayfield, which has hosted a string of world-famous acts over the years, including Peggy Gou, Bicep, The Prodigy, Disclosure, Basement Jaxx and Foals.
VISIT & DO
No trip to Manchester is complete without visiting the Gay Village, which hosts numerous events throughout the year at its many venues. Manchester Pride – one of the best in the country – takes place at the end of August, but the area has a unique atmosphere year-round. Walk along Canal Street to take in the vibes and learn about the area’s rich history. You can also learn about the city at Manchester Museum. It has over 4.5m objects and rare artefacts, so you could easily spend a whole day exploring its extensive collection, especially if you have kids in tow.
Pexels/Muhammed Zahid Bulut
Get your culture fix at the award-winning Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats. From musicals to independent productions, there’s a regular programme of shows to choose from. Manchester is also home to Chetham's, the oldest surviving English-speaking library in the world. Founded in 1653, the Hogwarts-esque building is filled with rare and antique books you won’t see elsewhere. Lastly, make time to visit the cool Northern Quarter for some of the best shops, independent boutiques and quirky cafes. Here, you’ll find Manchester’s Craft & Design Centre where 30 independent makers offer creative workshops for adults and kids. We like the sound of the terrazzo tile making class.
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