Manchester Musts

There’s A Frog On The Porch

August 2024

Manchester is my home city and although I’m an immigrant to it some 20+ years ago this city is the place I call home. I am going to big it up here. I class Manchester as one of the top cities in the world to visit and compare the city’s vibe to that of Melbourne, Australia and San Francisco, USA, and, is often overlooked by visitors who are succumbed to the bright lights and power of London.

The city is probably best known for its music legacy, having gifted the world the likes of the Stone Roses, The Smiths, Oasis and Take That. Manchester is evolving at a staggering pace, with a list of things to see, eat, drink and do that is growing quicker than you can tick them off. Renowned for being a good night out, no matter what you’re into. The Northern Quarter is favoured by a more left-field crowd, the city’s students tend to hang out in the Oxford Road corridor and anyone seeking a luxurious evening heads to Spinningfields.

ALBERT’S SCHLOSS


Head to Albert’s Schloss for a relaxed breakfast. Choose from croissants, muffins and donuts from the in-house bakery. For a healthier start to the day there’s a super grain bowl of poached eggs, mixed grains, avocado, pickled carrot, Crayfish Benedict – a twist on the classic egg dish with fresh crayfish, spinach and tarragon hollandaise on a toasted muffin; or roast peaches with Quark yoghurt, sour cherry, pistachio granola, honey and lime.

Breakfast cocktails including mimosas and bloody mary’s are available from 8am along with the usual coffee, tea’s and smoothies. Prices range from £3 for pastries to £8-10 for a full breakfast.

THE NORTHERN QUARTER


Located between Piccadilly and the Ancoats, the Northern Quarter (The NQ) retains a unique character and charm. The Northern Quarter is Manchester’s creative, urban heart home to countless independent fashion stores, record shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and the world famous Afflecks Palace, providing affordable outlets for independent designers and traders across four floors. The NQ also boasts some of the city’s best artistic talents on display covering many of the buildings walls and street signs.

Try Trof for a relaxed yet quirky atmosphere and one of my favourites Lost In Tokyo for Japanese style cocktails.

MACKIE MAYOR


There’s so much incredible food on offer here like tender cow’s steak benedict and Wolfhouse Kitchen’s incredible cakes. You can eat anything from here from brunches, lunches and well into dinner. The seating arrangement is not for the shy. Its communal style eating. There is a mezzanine level were seating is a little more private.

Food dishes cost from around £8 upwards. I had a bacon and sausage sandwich that cost £6. Coffee is served by the in-house coffee provider Atkinsons. The are additional bars that serve craft beers, wines and cocktails.

MOOSE CAFE

Think pancake stack drizzled with chocolate and Pecan nuts. Think waffles doused in Maple syrup. Think burgers and fries. This little gem is located on the corner of York Street. A small piece of Canada opens at 8am with breakfast and continues until the evening. This small venue becomes busy very quickly often leading to large queues waiting outside to be seated. Book in advance if you can.

CHINA TOWN


Chinatown in Manchester is Europe’s largest, with its collection of restaurants, bakeries, businesses and supermarkets concentrated within a number of blocks in the city centre. There is a beautiful three tiered pagoda welcomes you into the area. China Town is a great place to visit at any time, but the last few years have seen Chinese New Year celebrations become a much bigger part of the city’s cultural calendar. I frequently visit China Town for some of the best Chinese food in the area and to purchase traditional supplies to cook my own Chinese cuisine at home. I find that Manchester’s China Town promotes the best experience in Far Eastern culture anywhere outside of SE Asia.

  • 46 Faulkner Street, Manchester.

MANCHESTER MUSEUM


If you like Natural History then the Manchester Museum is for you. In the extensive collection of the museum lies everything from a fossilised Tyrannosaurus Rex to an exhibition of over 16,000 ancient Egyptian artefacts, including human mummies originating from Egypt.

But this museum becomes even better after hours. Once the last of the visitors have left the museum is transformed with bewitching ‘Night at the Museum’ style after hours events. There are talks and performances throughout the evening. Search the website for listings.

MANAHATTA RESTAURANT AND BAR

This New York style bar is located in the lively area of Deansgate near the Science and Industry museum Manahatta offers a relaxed atmosphere with a menu savouring different cuisines from across the globe.. From 11am until 4pm you can book bottomless brunches with a selection of finger foods and Aperol, Prosecco or wines.

MANCHESTER TOWN HALL


Like many all major cities, Manchester has been used as a film and TV location for decades. From ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Queer as Folk’  in the ’90s and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’.  The city has served as the set for numerous productions and much fun can be had spotting some of the famous locations. Surrounding the Town Hall are various eating establishments. From the end of November until Christmas Week a lively Christmas market is erected offering handy crafts, trinkets, food and drink.


NOTE: Unfortunately, the Town Hall is closed for major renovation works and access inside is prohibited to the general public.

THE WASHHOUSE


Located at Shudehill (Nearest tram stop is Shudehill). The Washhouse is a pokey launderette with a mystery. From the entrance it looks like any launderette with coin operated washing machines, faded flooring and despondent people (Actors).

However, Behind one of the washing machines is a secret door that gains you access to a secret cocktail bar! Of course, you cannot just simply walk in. Heck No! You can only frequent this bar with a phone reservation in advance that can only be found on its website. On the website there will be lists of different washes that can be purchased – these actually are NOT on offer. The only true piece of information needed by you is the phone number,

Once inside the Washroom pay no attention to the people inside or the machines. Head for the 1970’s looking telephone and tell the operator “I have some dirty clothes to wash”. With that said, you will be free to head through the secret door that opens.

Time restrictions are two hours.

FREIGHT ISLAND

Try this venue for food and drinks either indoors or out in a relaxed atmosphere. Occasionally there is a live band playing on stage too. Order food from your table via a QR code linking to numerous food stalls and when it’s ready you can go and collect it.

www.escapetofreightisland.com

11 Baring Street, Manchester.

For more information on Manchester visit my Blog page HERE

Other Links: Europe Homepage |Destinations Homepage | Main Homepage