If you’re still wondering how C3PO got that red arm (and I mean, who isn’t?), or know somebody who is, then you’ll probably want to start your shopping here. The Waterstones of the geek world, Forbidden Planet have books, comics and some undeniably cool merch to boot. Hulk Hands anyone?
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
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
Beat the Frog is a legendary amateur comedy night, taking place each and every Monday. Many famous names prove it’s the real deal.
free entry
Try your hand at stand up comedy with an eight week intensive course with Dave Williams in the Frog and Bucket’s School of Comedy.
from £300.00
Band on the Wall bring people together to make, as well as watch, music. Join them to learn folk tunes from all over the world.
Rock-informed, techno-adjacent musical collagists Moin perform at Band on the Wall this spring.
from £16.50
Expect an unforgettable evening of captivating conversation as award-winning poet, memoirist, novelist and literary critic Seán Hewitt reads from his eagerly awaited debut novel.
from £5.00
Dance a Céilí with Altogether Otherwise as part of their singing and dancing months in May and June.
free entry
Affleck & Brown is a bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Housed in the Smithfield building which was once the location of the Victorian department store of the same name. Enjoy cocktails, beers, wines and coffee.
The UK’s first grilled cheese restaurant and already something of a Mancunian icon.
Located on Manchester’s Hilton Street, in the heart of the Northern Quarter, Vinyl Revival is a piece of Mancunian music history.
Primely located on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, Cass Art Manchester offers a vast selection of high-quality art materials at affordable prices.
Barbarella is a barber shop and part of the long-standing Pop Boutique vintage shop.
Independent cafe in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter. Perfect if you’re looking for high-quality homemade produce.
One of the oldest vintage shops in the Northern Quarter (opened here in 1994), Pop is set out across two floors and racks up a cafe, barber’s and basement furniture section, as well as its own label and good-as-new originals – all for very reasonable prices.
Somehow the only tapas bar in the Northern Quarter, Evuna is where it’s at for traditional Spanish grub and damn fine drinks.
Charming diner featuring a range of international dishes, based in the heart of the Northern Quarter. The place to go for brunch on Tib Street.
This small shop has “Northern Quarter” stamped all over it, from its “potting shed”-feel to its bunting for sale and unusual selection of potted-up plants.
Piccadilly Records is the real deal, a record shop so good that it probably deserves some credit for the regeneration of its surrounding neighbourhood.
The Daisy is one of Manchester’s more in-demand basement bars, offering an underground Paris-inspired night out.
Electronic music features heavily in our latest round-up of gig highlights across Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month
Spring is here and the North is buzzing with must-visit new restaurants and bars.
Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.
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.
Crocodile-themed Easter egg hunts, sense-sational museum trips and more this Easter!
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.
