Bar Lina brings Italian glamour to Quay Street. It’s a low-lit aperitivo bar with mirrored walls, a soundtrack of Italo Disco and expert cocktails.

A secret entrance, plant-based cocktails and a near-zero waste policy? Could Speak In Code be any more modish? It might hit all the latest bar touchstones but this is the kind of place that sets trends. This Jackson’s Row speakeasy is widely regarded as one of Manchester’s best bars, and we’d go to the wall for it.

As impressive as its architecture are its collections: the rare printed texts that include preserved papyrus fragments, the letters of local author Elizabeth Gaskell and an original Gutenberg Bible. John Rylands Research Institute and Library boasts a well- stocked shop and café an ideal spot for a cup of tea – with regular exhibitions and events also running throughout the year, it’s a destination venue for locals as well as visitors to the city.

The Blues Kitchen serves up flawless America-inspired food in great surroundings, while the upstairs live music room is one of the best new gig and club spaces to hit Manchester in long time. Oh and the cocktails…

Right on the cusp of Deansgate, this innovative performance space squats inside the Victorian Great Hall, a little like an alien interloper, making the Royal Exchange one of the most unique and celebrated theatres in the country, highly regarded for both new writing and its take on the classics.

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s Barton Arcade. Serving a wildly diverse combination of Mediterranean ingredients, that focuses heavily on porks, cheeses, seafood and fresh vegetables.

The National Football Museum is one of Manchester and the UK’s top attractions. Visitors can explore the whole world of football across several floors of changing exhibitions, vast collections of memorabilia and impressive interactive installations.

With two theatres, five cinema screens, a large gallery, bar, café and bookshop, HOME is one of the city’s leading destination venues, and a vibrant hub of creativity.

Situated in the railway arches of Deansgate, Atlas has been around for over two decades, and has matured into an elegant, quality bar specialising in nearly 600 gins from around the world.

If fine dining’s your thing, it’s hard to fault the intriguigingly subterranean Australasia. It’s modern, sleek and spacious without being snooty, and the staff know the moreish and memorable menu inside and out.

It doesn’t matter if you are  a budding Heston or can’t even slice a sprout, at Food Sorcery there’s something here for all skill levels with their wide range of cooking classes. Whether that’s making bao buns from scratch, or understanding the intricacies of Vietnamese food, there’s always something new to learn here.

Another must-visit for gin lovers and the yet-to-be-converted, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery is the perfect place to while away a few hours in Deansgate. Their tasting sessions are the best we’ve tried in the city.

Polish restaurant Platzki is one of Manchester’s most inspiring dining destinations. Based in the ever-growing Great Northern Warehouse, it dances on that thin line between fine dining and home-cooking – and does both brilliantly. But even before we get to the food, there’s plenty to praise about this unique restaurant.

Connected to the ever-growing Great Northern Warehouse, Suki Suki is a smart-looking space, inspired by Japan’s drop-in bars and casual restaurants. Step inside and you’re met with a serious amount of attention to detail, from the decor to the wide-ranging, surprisingly affordable menu.

From the team behind the original (and excellent) Northern Quarter bar, NQ64 is offering up video games, high-quality drinks and a great, friendly atmosphere.