Manchester and the North West has a rich, horrible and ghostly history. Think you know it all? Come and pit your knowledge against fellow Mancunians in The Gas Lamp, a quirky Victorian drinking den serving real ales in a subterranean space.
Stow is a new fire-based restaurant on Bridge Street in Manchester, from the team behind Trof.
This burger joint focuses on high-quality burgers and sides, homemade using local produce. After a series of pop-ups they’ve found a permanent home on Bridge Street in the centre of Manchester.
Rocking, rolling, rum bar on Manchester’s Bridge Street
Tokyo meets Manchester in a series of awe-inspiring dishes and drinks at KAJI.
Bustling basement tiki bar with the emphasis on rum cocktails
The John Rylands Library shop offers an eclectic welcome, with a wide range of products on sale, inspired by the library’s own collections.
This red sandstone neo-Gothic building was created on a grand Mancunian scale and houses a collection of rare books that spans five millennia – including an original Gutenberg Bible.
Taking over the space formerly occupied by Neighbourhood, BLVD promises ‘exceptional food and drink’.
Australasia serves up modern Pan-Asian cuisine, underneath the Spinningfields district in one of Manchester’s most stylish venues.
Bustling upbeat restaurant serving high quality Lebanese and Middle Eastern food.
Flanagans is a high-end barber shop based on Manchester’s King Street.
Authentic tapas served up at this high-end Spinningfields eatery.
Whether you’ve half an hour or a full day, you’ll always find something new to discover at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.
To accompany Emma Rice’s reimagined version of North by Northwest, HOME are screening a selection of films from master director Alfred Hitchcock.
from £7.95
CANVAS is a month-long celebration of art and the community with interactive events and a showcase of work from Leeds Art University students
free entry
StrangeForms Festival returns for its 10th edition, bringing two weird and wonderful days of math-rock, post-rock, post-metal to Brudenell Social Club.
from £22.00
With performances from Company Chameleon, Global Grooves, Tea Club and Sole Rebel, Northwich’s free international dance and street arts festival is back for 2025.
free entry
A new festival is born as Outer Waves takes over Invisible Wind Factory and Make Liverpool over two days this May.
from £49.00
Hulme’s Green Island Festival brings a three-part series of events to Hulme Garden Centre and the iconic NIAMOS.
from £25
Liverpool Biennial 2025 is back for its 13th edition, with artists presenting work around the leading theme of ‘bedrock’.
free entry
Spring is here and the North is buzzing with must-visit new restaurants and bars.
Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring.
Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.
Crocodile-themed Easter egg hunts, sense-sational museum trips and more this Easter!
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.
Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.
If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.