A small craft studio located inside Manchester Craft & Design Centre, &made sells a range of handmade gifts and goodies, including some very distinctive knitted cacti – honestly, you’ll love them (not least when you find out that their maker, Andrea Lord, was a former Chorlton & The Wheelies animator at Cosgrove Hall).
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
A relaxed and friendly choir for over fifties, Golden Voices Choir brings people together from all walks to life to sing, laugh and have fun.
Sing a range of songs in the Folk and World Music Choir, learn how to get the most out of your voice whilst making new friends.
From Hong Kong to Moss Side via Jamaica: be transported through the power of music at esea’s latest, A Phantom’s Vibe
free entry
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
Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival MCR returns with its 10th bumper edition of top-notch comedy.
from £3.00
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
Housed in a former Victorian fish market, Manchester Craft and Design Centre has for 30 years been home to an array of artist-run studios.
Oak Street Café at Manchester Craft & Design Centre does fresh, healthy salads, soups, sandwiches, quiches and, best of all, cakes.
This book shop, tucked in Manchester Craft and Design Centre, is the face of is a small publishing press based in Manchester.
Boutique charity shop in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
Northern Quarter stalwart Common Bar in Manchester serves excellent pub food, fine cocktails and decent coffee. It’s a firm Creative Tourist team favourite.
Home Sweet Home in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a cafe and milk bar that does a mean line in cake, puddings and all things sweet – but its savoury menu isn’t half bad either.
This small shop has a well-curated range of stock that focuses on vintage homeware and gifts. From Japanese hemp socks to botanical paperweights and HAWS plant misters, each object is beautiful, practical and well made.
Ziferblat is a pay as you stay café in the northern quarter, where everything is free – except the time you spend.
Gordon Ramsay-approved Northern Quarter restaurant run by three sisters, featuring some of the city’s finest Chinese cuisine.
V Revolution cafe specialises in Vegan “junk food” – it’s a fun concept with wickedly good results.
Essentially three bars under one roof, Cane & Grain encompasses a rib joint and tap room, hidden speakeasy, and Tiki-themed Liar’s Lounge.
The sister store to NOTE’s original Tib Street branch, here you’ll find footware, clothes and brands inspired by the skateboard scene. If it’s a new board you’re after, head to Tib Street.
With literature festival season starting its engines, we select our top picks, alongside some standout launches and readings.
School's back and we're heading towards autumn! Here are some of the best family friendly events and activities to keep the kids busy.
From post punk legends to the leading lights of modern shoegaze, read about the most exciting artists playing in Manchester and the North this autumn.
We’re crowning October the month of painting prizes! From Birkenhead to Huddersfield, biennials are showcasing the best of contemporary painting.
The best new venues and revamped food and drink menus in Manchester and the North as we head into autumn.
A true crime rock musical, contemporary dance and punchy new writing feature in this month’s eclectic pick of live theatre.
Get inspired to make the most of autumn with day trips, pumpkin carving and ghosts in this month's Tours and Activities guide.
Halloween's on the horizon, but there are some big film festivals to dive into first.
