Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society

The ‘biggest bookshop in the North’ right here in Manchester.

The Botanist on Deansgate, Manchester, does botanical cocktails and toothsome food with aplomb.

Based in a converted Methodist church, Gaucho is one of the best-looking restaurants in Manchester, with a steak-heavy menu to match.

Healthy Indian street food from this bright, socially-conscious dining space on Deansgate.

Elegantly laid out with simple wooden tables and Burgundy-coloured banquettes, Côte in Manchester does brasserie food, and does it well.

Kai is a Turkish restaurant on Deansgate, set up by the brains behind the well-regarded Zouk restaurant. Expect excellent mezze plates and an open grill that releases wonderful aromas throughout the venue.

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s stunning Barton Arcade. The food is reliably fresh and the staff both charming and incredibly knowledgable.

Great-looking events space beneath the Grade II listed Barton Arcade

San Carlo Cicchetti in Manchester does Italian small plates with aplomb.

The Royal Exchange is one of the most celebrated theatres in the country, highly regarded for both new writing and its take on the classics.

Historic Grade I listed church on St Ann’s Square, Manchester.

Bite-size basement dive alternating techno-house and indie nights, this stalwart of the Manchester music scene can be found just off Deansgate, next door to St Ann’s Square.