Father’s Day in Manchester and the North

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 16 June, one of the longest days of the year. That means more hours of daylight with your dear old dad so why not make it something to remember?

It doesn’t have to be expensive – we have plenty of pocket-friendly options below, depending on what pops is a fan of. The great outdoors? We’ve got you covered. Football? Tick. Cinephile? Check out our expert list of films, taking in everything from chin-stroking arthouse fare to blockbuster smashes (no, not that Blockbuster).

Food and drink treats are always a winner, so we’ve picked out some of the best father-friendly restaurants, pubs and events to explore this late-June weekend. The weather has been… unimpressive lately, but we’re sure the heavens are just holding back the good stuff as a treat for our good old dads.

Our top picks

Food Sorcery Cookery School Didsbury

Food Sorcery Cookery School Didsbury, Visit now

Tap into your dad’s inner Gordon Ramsay with a class at top-class cookery school Food Sorcery. Choose a cooking together experience for sociable foodie fun, a home barista class for coffee-loving dads, or if you’re gift-hunting for a dad with children, check out the Father & Child class on Sunday 16th June. Can’t decide? Let dad choose with a Cookery Gift Voucher.

Food Sorcery space prepped

Fenix

Fenix, The Goods Yard Building Goods Yard Street, Manchester , M3 3BG - Visit now

Greek-Mediterranean restaurant Fenix is celebrating Father’s Day with two specials, alongside a specially curated Father’s Day menu, designed to be shared between two.

Fenix

Nova Scotia Liverpool

Nova Scotia Liverpool, 25a Mann Island , Liverpool , L3 1BP - Visit now

Over in Liverpool, this Father’s Day, everyone can tuck into chicken supreme, crispy pork belly, slow-roasted beef brisket or Nova’s delicious vegan nut roast. All roasts are served with deliciously fresh vegetables, a huge Yorkshire pudding, crisp roast potatoes and a side of Nova Scotia’s signature Scouse.

Nova Scotia Liverpool
Ian Jones

LEAF on Bold Street

LEAF on Bold Street, 65-67 Bold Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4EZ - Visit now

Still in Liverpool, over at LEAF Bold Street, there’s a Father’s Day Brunch service on offer for dads who can’t get enough of this great, laid-back, superbly-soundtracked Bold Street venue.

LEAF on Bold Street

The Municipal Hotel MGallery

The Municipal Hotel MGallery, Municipal Building, Dale St , Liverpool , L2 2DH - Visit now

This luxury hotel and spa in Liverpool is an ideal one-stop destination for a special Father’s Day. Whether it’s enjoying a curated men’s spa experience, indulging in exquisite dishes at the Seaforth Restaurant or selecting from a variety of gift vouchers for luxurious spa treatments and Afternoon Teas, The Municipal Hotel & Spa is your oyster.

Ian Jones

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford , M3 5LH - Visit now

Want to pamper your dad closer to Manchester? Say hello to RE:TREAT, the luxury spa at The Lowry Hotel in Salford. This great space is all about relaxation – even the location. You’ll find it by an attractive stretch of the River Irwell in a quiet part of an otherwise bustling city, in one of the North’s finest five-star hotels.

Does your dad see himself as a bit of a Bear Grylls type? Stick him in the (safe, but very, very cold) Icebox to give him a glimpse of Wim Hof’s cold therapy and rib him mercilessly if he can’t handle the maximum setting. That’s what dads are for.

Ian Jones

Black Friar

Black Friar, Blackfriars Rd, Salford, M3 7DH - Visit now

Arguably Salford’s fanciest dining destination, the Black Friar has hearty grub in a stunning (and recently revamped) restaurant. Show dad how much you care by treating him to one of their stunning Sunday Roasts in this high-quality venue.

Ian Jones

Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre

Green Island Festival at Hulme Community Garden Centre, Manchester, 27 July–7 September 2024, from £20.00 - Book now

It’s a known fact that as soon as a bloke has kids, few words in the English language excite more than ‘garden centre’. One of our favourites is the flora-filled sanctuary of Hulme Community Garden Centre, which is hosting a very laid-back, global sounds-focused music festival on Father’s Day and beyond.

Festival-goers at Green Island
Image supplied by Green Island Festival.

National Football Museum

National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now

Red or blue or some obscure shade of colour that the mainstream press don’t much care for, there’s something for all footy-loving dads at the world’s biggest football museum.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Image courtesy of National Football Museum

John Lyons: Carnivalesque at The Whitworth

John Lyons at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 25 August 2024, free entry - Visit now

If your dad’s of an artistic bent, The Whitworth is currently home to one of its most vibrant exhibitions yet: John Lyons: Carnivalesque. It’s an exuberant and colourful romp through the Trinidad and Tobago-born artists finest work, covering both visual arts and poetry.

oil paining in a expressive style, three standing figues are the main focus with an owl flying above the central figure at the top of the image.
John Lyons, Mama Look a Mas Passin, detail, 1990. (Oil on canvas, 1270 x 1020mm) Courtesy of the artist © John Lyons. Photo: Anne-Katrin Purkiss

Zouk

Zouk, Unit 5 Chester Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5QS - Visit now

Zouk has an all-day dining experience lined up, especially for Father’s Day. From indulgent brunch options to delicious roast platters and tempting desserts, Zouk has everything you need for a memorable Father’s Day meal.

The Importance of Being Earnest at the Royal Exchange Theatre

The Importance of Being Earnest at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, Until 27 July 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Every dad likes to pretend he’s a Wildean wit (as opposed to a middling… something), so take him along to see one of the maestro’s finest works at the wonderful Royal Exchange Theatre.

The Importance of Being Earnest at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Image courtesy of FEAST.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Treat your dad to one of the greatest Sunday roasts in Manchester. Hell, treat him to the lot over the next few months but just watch out for gout.

Outdoor Art in the North

More art, but art you can enjoy in the great outdoors. The North is home to more than its fair share of iconic outdoor artworks – discover the best of them in our comprehensive guide.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the North

World Heritage Sites tell the story of this country’s unique contribution to the world. More than playing its part in that story, the North is home to many natural, cultural, historical and scientific Sites of international interest, and they’re right on your doorstep! Pick one or two from our guide and take your dad on a trip to remember.

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle, 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

If your dad loves food then he’ll love Sparrows. They have a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest modern European restaurants in Manchester and beyond.

The Sparrows
Pillock at Contact
Spotlight on

Fringe Theatre in Manchester and the North

Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Rebecca Watson author photo
Literature Events in Manchester and the North

In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.