Isn’t it Ro-Manc-tic? 5 Romantic Things to Do in Manchester.

Incurable romantic Matthew Hull gives us his top 5 romantic weekend ideas for a first date in Manchester

1. The Modern

The Modern, the restaurant and bar situated in the apex of the Urbis building, does double duty for the daters of Mancunia. By day it’s a safe bet for a casual lunchtime meet-up over a couple of bottles of pilsner and gourmet sausage rolls. By night, it becomes the ideal place for an all-stops-pulled-out evening of serious wooing with champagne cocktails and selections from the seasonal Taste of Manchester menu. With stylish decor and views unparalleled on this parallel, who says there ain’t no love in the heart of the city? The Modern, Floor 5 &6, Urbis, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester,  M4 3BG

2. A World Observed – Dorothy Bohm at Manchester Art Gallery

This fascinating retrospective opens with Bohm’s early work in portraiture before moving on to later work including her dreamlike Polaroid pictures and a series of studies on advertising and graffiti. The largest and most captivating section consists of black-and-white photographs of regular people captured at moments of real intimacy. Perusing these with your date could provide an excellent opportunity for some stealth background work. The picture of Sicilian boys walking past a row Fiat 500s might spark a conversation about first cars or best friends; guessing what the young woman on the Cordoba pavement is smiling about might lead you to discover you both spent unhappy childhood holidays on the Costa Blanca. A World Observed 1940-2010: Photographs by Dorothy Bohm, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M3 3JL. To 30 August. Free.

3. Frog & Bucket

A good joke always breaks the ice, so why not let a professional do all the work for you? Set on the edge of the Northern Quarter, the Frog and Bucket was the site of some of Peter Kay’s first shows and has also played host to great alternative comics including Tim Key, Stewart Lee and Flight of the Conchords.  Monday’s popular ‘Beat the Frog’ night offers a chance to see up-and-coming acts for free, but be sure to come early. You don’t want to end up sitting at the front and having to spend your first date being picked on because of your droopy ears. Frog and Bucket, 96-102 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LJ

4. Lyme Park

Just a short drive from Manchester, this Elizabethan stately home is probably best recognised as Pemberley from the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice; home to the lake where Colin Firth re-enacted the first wet t-shirt competition of the Regency era. The lush grounds and walled gardens are ideal for getting-to-know-you walks, while a trek up to the hillside hunting tower rewards you with spectacular views of the estate. The house itself is equally impressive with a historic library, huge stone fireplaces and almost six hundred years’ worth of accumulated aristocratic knickknacks. There are some interactive exhibitions, too, including a box of period hats to try on – just make sure you don’t elbow any children out of the way to get to them. Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR

5. Ho’s Bakery

If you feel that flashing your cash is unseemly, or you just don’t have any to flash, then a trip to Ho’s could be the perfect low-key but memorable date. This authentic Chinese bakery stocks an array of delicious sweet and savoury pastries that launch a three-pronged assault on the nose, the tastebuds and the waistline. Pick out some miniature hot dog rolls and honey buns and wash them down with a bubble tea – choose the number of straws at your own discretion. Take your treats to the outdoor seating that overlooks the spectacular Chinatown arch. You’ll have taken your date to the other side of the world without breaking a tenner. Ho’s Bakery, 46 Faulkner Street, Manchester, M1 4FH

Matthew Hull is a student of creative writing at The University of Manchester and the co-editor of the Manchester based prose and poetry magazine, Bewilderbliss. Image: Susie Stubbs.

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