The Portico Library’s bookshelves and archives are home to more than 25,000 historical volumes across a world of different subjects, containing countless beautiful illustrations and illuminations. Its latest exhibition, Hidden Treasures, presents the collection’s highlights, reproduced exclusively for The Portico and available to buy as limited-edition prints.
Elegant cocktail bar in the centre of Manchester, with a relaxed atmosphere and wonderfully friendly staff.
Moose Coffee celebrates ‘the best meal of the day’ (brunch) in American style, with stack pancakes, potato hash, Huevos Rancheros and eggs any way. There’s always a queue.
Six By Nico is the brainchild of renowned Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone. This Manchester arm of his acclaimed restaurant offers a completely new six course menu every six weeks.
Home-X is the online spin-off of renowned Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone’s Six By Nico restaurant. This is geared around kit meals to cook at home.
Pho does a fine line in pho, the noodle soup that’s a staple of Vietnamese street cuisine.
Now based at the Great Northern, Siam Smiles is a food stop that’s hot on everyone’s lips.
Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.
Hunan, a Chinese restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown, may be a bit off the beaten track – but it’s all the better for that.
Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.
Jamie’s Italian is located in Edwin Lutyens’ soaringly elegant Midland Bank, one of the city’s treasures. The menu’s full of crowd-pleasing choices, with a huge selection of pastas, mains and bruschettas, and an appealing kids menu.The drinks range is broad and deep, with wine, beer and cocktails for all tastes and budgets.
Hotel Gotham is a luxurious hotel in Manchester’s city centre.
Gordon Ramsey brings his fine-dining Asian-style restaurant Lucky Cat to Manchester in April 2023.
The Pankhurst Centre’s new permanent exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of the people behind the iconic Pankhurst name.
free entry
‘Erwin Wurm: Trap of the Truth’ at YSP celebrates the work of the internationally renowned artist with the first major museum show in the UK.
free entry
The ‘Hybrid Futures’ art project prioritises collective working and sustainability, entering its last phase at Salford Museum and Art Gallery.
free entry
Michael Rakowitz considers the impact of conflict and displacement in his show ‘The Waiting Gardens of the North’ at Baltic.
free entry
Step inside a world of food and poo in this fascinating new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
from £9.00
Whether you’re a high-fashion fanatic or just couture curious, Unpicking Couture gets up close and personal with pivotal moments in fashion history.
free entry
From the famous tickling sticks to his side-kick Dicky Mint, Happiness! brings the story of Ken Dodd and his magical world to life
from £2.50
‘City of Rivers’ at Weston Park Museum celebrates Sheffield as a water city shaped by its rivers through the medium of art.
free entry
Take a look at our top recommendations for restaurants and bars to check out this spring.
From spotlights on indie presses to big hitters brought to you by the bookshops, festivals and libraries, you'll find plenty to whet your wordy whistle this month.
From creative adventures, museum experiences and spectacular theatre, check out what's on for the family in Manchester and the north.
Eclectic as ever. You'll find Bollywood musicals, scratch nights and anarchic Shakespeare in our pick of the performative crop.
Traditional painting takes a step back this month to make way for some excellent photography, sculpture and multimedia exhibitions around the North.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Ealing Studios and the best of Ryan Gosling are amongst our film highlights this month.
Gazing longingly towards the good times that will accompany the surely imminent sun, we take a look at the best music festivals coming up in Manchester and Salford.
Try something new, explore somewhere different, learn a new skill with our tours and activities guide.