We could name an endless list of bars and restaurants, from Michelin-starred to cheap & cheerful which are dotted in and around Manchester but for the foodies amongst you autumn is one of the best times to visit the city.
Yes, you are in for a special treat with the return of the Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2009 www.foodanddrinkfestival.com from 1 – 12 October. Now in its 12th year, the event has gained a superb reputation for showcasing the region’s rich diversity and talent in restaurants, bars and producers. The festival’s beating heart will be the Fine Food Village in St Ann’s Square and the Pavilion in Albert Square. This year will also see demonstrations by Michael Caines and a real ale and whiskey festival.
Other hotspots are the Northern Quarter, Manchester’s bohemian quarter with a range of good old-school pubs, quirky bars and sweet little cafes, Deansgate with its mix of European restaurants and bars or Chinatown which is home to – you guessed it – fabulous and authentic Asian cuisine.
There are lots of different ways to enjoy Manchester’s nightlife, especially as the nights start to draw in. Autumn offers some very good excuses to stay out, here are a few:
The Warehouse Project
25 September 2009 – 1 January 2010
The Warehouse Project presents 15(!) very special weeks with the likes of Aphex Twin, Simian Mobile Disco, Groove Armada, Hot Chip, Friendly Fires, La Roux, Fat Boy Slim, Scratch Perverts and David Guetta. Demand is high and some nights are already selling out, so book now.
The Deaf Institute
A bar, café and music hall – which comes complete with a huge disco ball, velvet curtains, domed ceiling and tiered seating – The Deaf Institute always guarantees to be a fun night out. Regular nights include Guilty Pleasures - an unabashed celebration of the glory of pop, Club Yeah, an Electro Rave Acid Fidgit B’More Cosmic Disco or There's no Point in Not Being Friends with Somebody if you Want to be Friends with Them, the absurdly long-winded name of a new monthly reading night for prose, poetry etc.
Cornerhouse
Cornerhouse is also one of the liveliest places to hang out: its cafés and bars seemingly never close and the cinema lists an impressive selection of independent films and documentaries. The weekends see a rosta of DJs and every other Sunday features its Breakfast Club (a classic film screening with a full English for under a tenner).
Gay Village
Manchester’s gay scene is famously one of Britain’s friendliest, busiest and most welcoming. There’s a huge range of stylish bars, clubs and eateries in the Gay Village. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes!
A city break wouldn’t be complete with a bit of retail therapy. If you’re not quite sure where to head here are some suggestions to help you choose the right area.
There’s the Northern Quarter for those who are after quirky, one-off pieces: from vintage to tailor-made dresses and shirts and from skate shops to record stores, you’re sure to find it here. Rags to Bitches - a vintage clothing boutique – offers gorgeous and unique vintage and hand-tailored clothes and accessories, while the Craft & Design Centre is home to an array of artist-run studios offering the best in local design, jewellery, bags and accessories.
Exclusive King Street has been a place for prestigious retail therapy since the 19th-century and is now home to an array of designer shops. Just a short walk from here you’ll find Harvey Nichols and Selfridges on Exchange Square.
Arndale Centre in the heart of the city centre is a double layer of renovated loveliness stuffed to the rafters with big names including Topshop, Levis, Apple, Next and Adidas.
A great way to take in the city’s rich cultural heritage is to walk. Simply download one of the four trails: Radical Manchester, Creativity and the City, The Sound of Manchester or A City Performs and hit the city streets, exploring at your own pace.
www.visitmanchester.com/trails
