Manchester has always been on my UK bucket list—and now that I’ve been, I can honestly say: it completely delivered. Whether you’re into artsy afternoons, canal-side drinks, or dancing the night away to pop classics, this walkable and buzzing city is full of surprises. Here’s how we spent a weekend soaking up its culture, food and fun. 🐝
Friday: Art, Terraces & Canals 🍹🖼️
We arrived on a Friday afternoon and kicked things off at HOME Manchester, a creative arts space with galleries, independent cinemas, and stages for live performances. 🎭 It’s a brilliant place to check out what’s on in the world of film, theatre and contemporary art.
Right outside HOME, there’s a lively square with bars, a big screen (where you might catch a movie!) 🎬, and the occasional food truck. The vibe was already great—and we hadn’t even had a drink yet.
We wandered towards the Rochdale Canal Lake, which winds through the city, offering peaceful views and lots of atmospheric pubs along the way. 🌊 We stopped at Rain Bar, a pub with a large terrace overlooking the canal, and later discovered The Lass O’Gowrie, another charming pub with outdoor seating just a short walk away. 🍻
For dinner, we visited Bundobust Brewery, which serves incredible vegetarian Indian street food 🌱 and their own craft beer—highly recommended. And for a fancier experience, The Refuge is a gorgeous venue with a glass-roofed dining room and a menu perfect for cocktails, brunch or a lush dinner. ✨
We stayed nearby at the Maldron Hotel Manchester City. 🛏️ It was clean, central and within walking distance of almost everything (max 20 minutes on foot!), though a quick heads up: it can get noisy if you’re on the lower floors. 🔊
Saturday: A Walking Tour, History & Dancing 🕺📚🎉
We started our Saturday with a free walking tour booked via GuruWalk, led by Gareth—an amazing guide who brought the city’s industrial past, music scene, and political history to life. 🏙️ The tour lasted a little over two hours but flew by. Absolutely worth it!
Afterwards, we popped into the Royal Exchange Theatre, formerly the boardroom of the historic Cotton Exchange. The space still features the original cotton exchange board, which once displayed global market figures, and its preserved floor gives you a real sense of Manchester’s industrial past. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric spot that’s well worth a visit. 🧵✨
On Gareth’s recommendation, we visited the stunning John Rylands Library, a gothic masterpiece open Wednesday to Saturday. 🏰 It’s free to enter and genuinely breathtaking inside.
Lunch was at The Allotment Vegan Eatery, where we tried five delicious tapas for £30. 🥗 After refuelling, we headed to the People’s History Museum—another free attraction, packed with interactive exhibits covering Britain’s working-class history, the suffragette movement, and more. 💪 You can dress up, play games, and learn through hands-on displays. One of the best museums I’ve been to in a while! 🎓
Later, we grabbed a pint at The Old Wellington and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar—two of Manchester’s oldest pubs nestled side by side in a buzzing square filled with music and atmosphere. 🍺🎶
For dinner, we had to try Rudy’s Pizza, famed for its Neapolitan-style pies. 🍕 And of course, no night out in Manchester would be complete without visiting Canal Street. 🌈 We ended up at Via, a lively LGBTQ+ club with drag shows, free entry, affordable drinks, and an epic playlist (yes, we danced to Madonna, Britney, and Gaga). 💃👑🎤
Sunday: Brunch, Vintage Finds & Farewell Tunes ☕🛍️🎧
Sunday started with coffee and brunch at Foundation Coffee House, before we walked over to the Alan Turing Memorial, a touching tribute in the city’s Sackville Gardens. 🧠💙
We spent the late morning second-hand shopping around the Northern Quarter, including a stop at Afflecks—a multi-level indoor market in a former department store. 🏢 It’s an eclectic mix of vintage shops, independent stalls, and the UK’s last cassette tape store. 🕹️ You’ll also find loads of Manchester bee-themed souvenirs here. 🐝
Lunch was at Mala, a beautiful and modern food court just around the corner. 🍱 The ordering system is all digital—you scan a QR code, choose your meal from any of the stalls, and your food gets brought straight to your table. Easy and perfect for groups with different cravings. 📱🍴
To wrap up the trip, we chilled out at Freight Island, an open-air venue with live music, food and drinks—an ideal final stop before heading home. 🎵🍻
Places We Missed (But Are Already Planning to Visit Next Time!) 🗺️💡
Manchester’s compact size means you can cover a lot in a weekend—but we’re already planning a return. Here are a few spots still on our list:
- Mackie Mayor – a food hall set in a stunning Victorian market. 🥘
- Maray Manchester & Firehouse Manchester – highly rated restaurants. 🍽️
- YES – a bar with a rooftop terrace and great vibes. 🌇
- Sandinista – lively bar for drinks and music. 🎸
- Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre & Piccadilly Street Food Market – for shopping and snacks. 🛍️
- Ezra & Gil and Feel Good Club – perfect brunch spots. 🥑☕
- Aviva Studios & The Lowry – for more art, performances, and exhibitions. 🎨
👉 If you’re in town over the weekend, catching a musical is also a fantastic option! Manchester has an incredible theatre scene, with shows often debuting here before they even make it to London’s West End. Check listings at the Palace Theatre or Opera House Manchester—you might catch something spectacular. 🎶🎟️
And don’t miss the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in St. Peter’s Square—a powerful reminder of Manchester’s legacy as a city of revolution and progress. 👩⚖️🗽
Final Thoughts:
Manchester surprised me in all the best ways. It’s creative, historic, inclusive and buzzing with life. 🧡 Whether you’re an art lover, foodie, history buff or music fan, this city will win you over in no time.
Let me know if you’ve been—or if you have more tips for my next visit! ✈️👇
The Secret Street 
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