Guidebook for Manchester
Arts & Culture
AO Arena
Hunts BankMassive gig arena
Band on the Wall
25 Swan StGreat live world music.
Newly reopened after 4 years of careful refurbishment; the library is fantastic; both the living room and the study space for our city.
105 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Central Library
Saint Peter's SquareNewly reopened after 4 years of careful refurbishment; the library is fantastic; both the living room and the study space for our city.
Cornerhouse
Independent cinema and exhibition space. Good coffee shop.
Palace Theatre
97 Oxford StEasily walkable (20 mins) from the flat.
The Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley StreetHome of Manchester's Halle Orchestra.
Now called Manchester Central Convention Centre, locals frequently refer to this as its old name, GMex (in case you need to ask directions).
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Central Convention Complex
Windmill StreetNow called Manchester Central Convention Centre, locals frequently refer to this as its old name, GMex (in case you need to ask directions).
Fantastic theatre-in-the-round in a glorious historical building. Locals-tip: They release limited amount of £10 banquette tickets 9 am each morning for that evening's performance.
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Royal Exchange Theatre
Old Bank StreetFantastic theatre-in-the-round in a glorious historical building. Locals-tip: They release limited amount of £10 banquette tickets 9 am each morning for that evening's performance.
Food Scene
Luck Lust Liquor and Burn
100-102 High StGood burritos and cocktails
Great pizzas, inc gluten-free bases. Usually buzzing even early on in the week.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Dough Pizza Kitchen
77 High StGreat pizzas, inc gluten-free bases. Usually buzzing even early on in the week.
BYO restaurant ten mins from the flat. Won a few Manchester cheap-eat awards.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Vnam
20-26 Oldham RdBYO restaurant ten mins from the flat. Won a few Manchester cheap-eat awards.
Solita NQ
Turner StreetHonest. A real find. It'll surprise you.
Great traditional, non-traditional and veggie breakfasts. Good brown sauce. Not so-good coffee.
39 abantu bendawo batusa
The Koffee Pot
84-86 Oldham StGreat traditional, non-traditional and veggie breakfasts. Good brown sauce. Not so-good coffee.
Primarily Malaysian with Vietnamese-influenced dishes and a cookery school.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Ning
92-94 Oldham StreetPrimarily Malaysian with Vietnamese-influenced dishes and a cookery school.
Best Vegetarian restaurant in Manchester. Plays it a little safe perhaps. Book.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Greens Restaurant
41-43 Lapwing LnBest Vegetarian restaurant in Manchester. Plays it a little safe perhaps. Book.
Great pub and restaurant (watering-hole/ tavern) showcasing local ingredients. Vegetarian-friendly despite the name. Does not rely on its famed Lowry connections for its reputation.
Sam's Chop House
Back Pool FoldGreat pub and restaurant (watering-hole/ tavern) showcasing local ingredients. Vegetarian-friendly despite the name. Does not rely on its famed Lowry connections for its reputation.
Kingfishernq Fish & Chips
43 Tib StGood traditional and friendly chippy. Only open in the day.
Akbar's
73-83 Liverpool RdGreat Indian restaurant. 25 mins walk away.
Day-time canteen selling Manchester traditional rice-and-three (types of home-made curry) for a fiver. A locals-favourite.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
This & That
3 Soap StDay-time canteen selling Manchester traditional rice-and-three (types of home-made curry) for a fiver. A locals-favourite.
Drinks & Nightlife
Common
39-41 Edge StGood local bar. Good disability access.
Twice-monthly wed eve quiz.
Grade II listed-building, good beers and live music. Second-oldest pub in the NQ. Relaxed.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Castle Hotel
66 Oldham StGrade II listed-building, good beers and live music. Second-oldest pub in the NQ. Relaxed.
Sightseeing
Based in the old Retail Fish Market so worth a visit for the building alone. The independent artists working and retailing here are diverse, skillful and it's easy to open your purse-strings.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
17 Oak StBased in the old Retail Fish Market so worth a visit for the building alone. The independent artists working and retailing here are diverse, skillful and it's easy to open your purse-strings.
Best example of gothic architecture in Manchester. Also, the first building with electricity.
107 abantu bendawo batusa
I-John Rylands Library
150 DeansgateBest example of gothic architecture in Manchester. Also, the first building with electricity.
Free. interesting and Inspiring. Manchester is a radical city.
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Iziko Lomsebenzi Wabantu
Left BankFree. interesting and Inspiring. Manchester is a radical city.
Superb exploration of the history and development of science and technology. And you can ride a steam-train. And see great cars and planes.
284 abantu bendawo batusa
Iziko Lomfundi Nokusebenza
Liverpool RoadSuperb exploration of the history and development of science and technology. And you can ride a steam-train. And see great cars and planes.
Gorgeous stately home used in the Colin Firth TV production of Pride and Prejudice. Gorgeous grounds and easy hike in the beautiful Peak District. Easy to get to on train from Piccadilly to Disley.
114 abantu bendawo batusa
National Trust - Lyme
Gorgeous stately home used in the Colin Firth TV production of Pride and Prejudice. Gorgeous grounds and easy hike in the beautiful Peak District. Easy to get to on train from Piccadilly to Disley.
Great experiential exhibition in 2014 and 2015 taking the stately home back to its wartime existence as an auxiliary hospital.
48 abantu bendawo batusa
Dunham Massey
Great experiential exhibition in 2014 and 2015 taking the stately home back to its wartime existence as an auxiliary hospital.
Founded in 1653, this is the oldest library in the English speaking world.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Chetham's Library
Long MillgateFounded in 1653, this is the oldest library in the English speaking world.
Shopping
Vinyl Resting Place
52 Church StIndependent and quite famous vinyl shop.
Magma
24 Oldham StA graphic designer's dream.
Everything Else
Yoga and meditation courses and drop-in classes, Vegan Earth Cafe.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Buddhist Centre
16-20 Turner StYoga and meditation courses and drop-in classes, Vegan Earth Cafe.
Victoria Station Approach
Victoria Station ApproachStation for more local trips inc Liverpool, York, Wales.
Manchester's main train station, for long-distance trips and the Peak District.
84 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Piccadilly Station
Manchester's main train station, for long-distance trips and the Peak District.
40 minute walk or a bus-ride from Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station.
46 abantu bendawo batusa
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road40 minute walk or a bus-ride from Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station.
'The Met:' about a 30 minute walk from the flat or a bus from Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Manchester Metropolitan University
Lower Ormond Street'The Met:' about a 30 minute walk from the flat or a bus from Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station.
The nearest place to my flat to have a picnic or bbq on a sunny day. Friendly.
St. Michael's Flags & Angel Meadow Park
Old Mount StreetThe nearest place to my flat to have a picnic or bbq on a sunny day. Friendly.