At the end of Oak Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter are the remains of Smithfield Market, its neo-Romanesque arches a reminder of the wholesale fish, vegetable and fruit markets that once thrived here – now they enclose a fairly mundane apartment complex (the Chinese Arts Centre is in the same block).
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
esea contemporary presents the first UK institutional solo show by Slavs and Tatars with ‘The Contest of the Fruits’.
Free entry
Join in the celebration of creative communities in the heart of Manchester with MCDC’s new exhibition ‘Connecting Spaces’.
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
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.
With sardonic wit, towering hooks and distortion dialled high, Blondshell lands at New Century this September, armed with album number two.
From £24.00
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
Award-winning writer and broadcaster Damian Barr will be chatting with former Makar Jackie Kay about his much-anticipated new novel The Two Roberts.
From £5.00
With booths, long bench tables and wooden tables with British school-like chairs. Being able to flow seamlessly from day to night, makes it one of the top bars for any occasion.
A music-led bar and creative hub in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
The Smithfield Social is a charming Northern Quarter destination owned by local lad Liam Fray of Courteeners fame, offering brunch, lunch and a wide selection of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks.
The Bay Horse Tavern is a laid-back pub based in the dead centre of the Northern Quarter, with a wide range of drinks and food options.
Essentially three bars under one roof, Cane & Grain encompasses a rib joint and tap room, hidden speakeasy, and Tiki-themed Liar’s Lounge.
Three storey bar and restaurant on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, from the team behind the Wilderness record store and bar in Withington.
Saan1 is an independent art space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, hosting an impressively busy programme of exhibitions and workshops.
57 Thomas Street is the third outlet belonging to Manchester’s best-known microbrewery, Marble Beers. Unlike the lavish decoration of the Grade II-listed Marble Arch (which also doubles up as a brewery) or the traditional pub layout of the Marble Beer House in Chorlton, this tiny Thomas Street digs has room for just two things: beer and food.
Highly-rated bar based in Manchester’s bustling Northern Quarter, seconds away from Common.
Manchester’s newest destination for denimheads, Rivet and Hide stocks a collection of quality, Americana-inspired men’s casual wear and raw selvedge denim – including prized Japanese brands like Momotaro, The Flat Head, and Pure Blue Japan.
There’s no better place in the country to find and buy examples of music-oriented illustration and photography than the Richard Goodall Gallery
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.
From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.
Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...
August and beyond brings all sorts of family joy - with a huge amount of science, creativity and more.
August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.
Get stuck into some talking, baking and walking in this months top picks of Tours and Activities in the North.
From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.
Here’s our summertime guide to great food and drinks across the North.
