For anyone spending a week or a weekend in Manchester, this is a city with a bustling, diverse cultural scene.
The phrase “there’s something for everyone” tends to get bandied around by tourist guides, but in Manchester’s case, it’s actually a fitting description.
So, what can you expect from your time in the city? Well, if you consider yourself to be something of a culture vulture, here’s just a flavour of Manchester has to offer.
Into the night
If you’re heading to Manchester for a single night of frivolity and excitement, you couldn’t be in a better place.
Maybe you want to head out for a meal? Manchester is home to cuisines from across the globe, whether your tastes are Michelin-starred restaurants or more low-key, laidback and affordable eateries. From Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, Turkish and Brazilian steakhouses to British pub grub, the city has it all.
How about a tipple or two? Different parts of the city cater for different needs, from the lively Deansgate and Fallowfield to the more bohemian Chorlton and Northern Quarter. There are classic pubs, chic cocktail bars and trendy nightclubs that will have you dancing until the small hours.
For an alternative way to spend your evening, many of the biggest names in casino gaming can be found in Manchester, including Genting, Grosvenor and Admiral. And because online gambling is legal in the UK, you can also access the best online casinos on the go. Many of these offer welcome bonuses such as deposit matches and free spins, so if you don’t have room in your schedule for a trip to the casino, you can enjoy a few games during your hotel downtime instead.
Hitting all the right notes
From Oasis and the Smiths to the Stone Roses, New Order, the Chemical Brothers, Blossoms, the 1975 and Take That, Manchester has given the world some of the best and most enduring bands of all time, as well as a generous handful of chart-topping pop acts.
One of the main reasons for such prolific success is the city’s vibrant live music scene, which gives bands and artists of all sizes a platform to connect with new and existing fans.
The Albert Hall and the AO Arena welcome some of the most famous musical acts on the planet, while smaller, more intimate gigs can be enjoyed at the O2 Ritz, the Manchester Apollo and The Deaf Institute.
Good sports
Football fans will need little introduction to Manchester’s most famous football clubs, United and City, both of which reside in the city itself.
Then there’s a stack of professional clubs playing outside of the Premier League that are all within a stone’s throw of Manchester. The likes of Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic have incredible histories, while Stockport County are on their way back up the footballing pyramid. And what does the future hold for Salford City, who are owned by a consortium of former Manchester United players?
Lancashire Cricket Club is one of the most prestigious in England, while there’s rich heritage in both codes of rugby – Wigan Warriors are one of the most decorated teams in rugby league, while Sale Sharks continue to represent the city in rugby union.
Manchester has previously hosted the Commonwealth Games, has an Olympic-sized swimming pool at Manchester Aquatics Centre, and is a hotbed of competitive cycling, principally at the city’s National Cycling Centre.
So, if your tastes are a little more energetic, you’ll not be short of sporting endeavours to enjoy in Manchester.
Easy on the eye
Although it would be fair to say that not all of Manchester is beautiful to look at – this is a mammoth city, after all – there’s still some stunning, Insta-worthy architecture to explore.
The 15th-century Manchester Cathedral is a monument to Gothic design, with beautiful stonework, jagged spires and sky-scraping towers. The Town Hall, meanwhile, may be ‘younger’, but it also revels in its Gothic architecture.
The Manchester City Library often beguiles newcomers to the city. Its Roman-inspired design, which almost resembles the Colosseum in Rome to the naked eye, is a striking counterpoint to the pallid office blocks that surround it.
The Imperial War Museum, Bridgewater Hall, The Printworks – we could go on. Needless to say, there are plenty of things to see and do in Manchester next time you head to the city!
