Chapter 1 Books

Louise Bolotin
Photo of a new releases bookshelf

Chapter 1 is an oasis of literary calm.

For such a big city, Manchester is woefully short of independent bookshops. Located in the Northern Quarter, Chapter 1 occupies a tantalisingly large space that includes a tea room (with working fountain), rows of comfy armchairs, typewriter booths at the back and a gallery-cum-event space. It has a pleasant sense of the unfinished about it. Chapter 1 are filling up their shelves slowly; the team is choosey about their selection.

Chapter 1 Books is to be welcomed – and not just by book-lovers

Most of the bookcases are dotted around the space are full, however, with more titles artfully displayed on brightly painted wooden picnic tables. There’s a strong emphasis on fiction, including – hidden away in an appropriately gloomy corner at the rear – a decent selection of crime novels. We discovered a shelf of used titles, always a delight for a rummage, although the range of cookbooks was frustratingly small.

The winged armchairs and squishy chesterfield sofas, with little tables alongside, are perfect for browsing while enjoying a cuppa and a slice of cake; the café’s baked offerings include an irresistibly moist chocolate orange Jaffa gateau and a rainbow sponge. A tiny carved wood upper gallery has more seating to hang out on and the vintage typewriters at the back encourage you to write words and leave them to be displayed later. We were charmed by the gorgeous stationery on sale too, including cards, pretty notebooks and memo pads.

A must-do stop-off for when your reading stack, and your rumbling tummy, need replenishing. Round the corner from UNITOM and Queer Lit, so you can do a bookshop tour.

19 Lever StreetManchesterM1 1BY View map
Telephone: 0161 298 2015 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Tuesday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Wednesday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Thursday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Friday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Saturday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Sunday10:00am - 12:00am

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Chapter 1 Books

Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Rock and Goal
Until
ActivityManchester
Rock and Goal Tour

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

from £9.99
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry

Where to go near Chapter 1 Books

York Festival of Ideas
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Twenty Twenty Two in Manchester's Northern Quarter
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TwentyTwentyTwo

TwentyTwentyTwo (formerly 2022NQ) is a bar, art gallery and performance space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter that’s underground – literally & metaphorically.

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Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

Calcio
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Calcio

Welcoming Northern Quarter venue, held above wonderful Brazilian food concept, Sampa.

Foundation Coffee House Manchester
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An echoey, spacious coffee house in the northern quarter, filled with designer furniture, a meeting room on wheels and carefully-crafted brews.

Bundobust Manchester
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Bundobust Manchester

Head to Bundobust Manchester for fantastic and endlessly original Indian street food, all vegetarian (and often vegan).

Image of signage outside PLY in Manchester's Northern Quarter
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PLY

Ply is a stylish pizza restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

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