Spectrum Studio
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Spectrum are a photography studios based in Ancoats hosting workshops and with multiple studios for hire.
What's on near Spectrum Studio
Until
Craft Beer Tour Manchester
Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse range of pints.
from £35
Until
School of Comedy at the Frog and Bucket
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
Until
Beat The Frog at The Frog and Bucket
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
The Weather Station at Band on the Wall
In support of The Weather Station’s new album, Humanhood, Tamara Lindeman and her band perform at Band on the Wall.
from £19
Until
Folk and World Choir at Band on the Wall
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.
Chalk at Band on the Wall
Twisting the sounds of techno and post punk, the much-hyped three-piece Chalk are bringing their high octane live show to Band on the Wall.
from £15.59
Until
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
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Her Productions’ Blithe Spirit at Hope Mill Theatre
Noel Coward’s classic farce meets fierce, funny, feminism in Her Production’s first new show for 2025.
from £10.00Where to go near Spectrum Studio
Ancoats
Companio Bakery
Started by artisan baker Russell Goodwin, Companio Bakery sells freshly-baked bread from a small unit in Manchester’s Ancoats.
Ancoats
Café Cotton
This café in Ancoats is locally famed for its lunchtime deals and sandwiches
Manchester
Blossom Street Social
Blossom Street Social is a wonderful Ancoats bar, with a vast selection of wine.
Manchester
The Hip Hop Chip Shop
A hip hop-inspired, non-traditional chip shop, now based in Ancoats.
Manchester
Mana
Manchester’s only Michelin-starred restaurant.
Manchester
Cocoa Cabana Ancoats
Cocoa Cabana is a highly-rated chocolatiers based in Ancoats, serving up decadent artisan chocolates, cakes, sweet treats and cocktails.
Manchester
Erst
An offshoot of the popular Trove bakery in Ancoats, this new restaurant specialises in perfectly-formed and eye-catching small plates with a focus on environmentally-friendly practices.
Manchester
Pollen Bakery
Popular bakery in the Ancoats and New Islington area, specialising in sourdough bread and viennoiserie baked goods.
Manchester
Cask Ancoats
Cask in Ancoats opened in November 2018, it is the flashy sister bar to Cask on Liverpool Road.
Manchester
Elnecot
Ancoats-based bar and restaurant, specialising in cocktails, British small plates, weekend brunch and Sunday roasts.
Manchester
Flawd
Flawd is a neighbourhood wine bar based in Ancoats, from the team behind the wonderful Higher Ground dining experience.
Leeds
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Furniture Fair, Leeds
Judy’s Affordable Vintage Furniture Fair, Leeds is the famed fair’s take on a more niche line of product.
Manchester District Guides
Culture Guides
Food and Drink in the North
New year, new you. Let us tell you exactly what food and drink you should consume over the coming weeks.
Cinema in the North
Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.
Theatre in the North
Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.
Literature Events in the North
Readings are springing up everywhere as the live literature and spoken word scene starts to defrost.
Music in the North
Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.
Family things to do in the North
We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families
Exhibitions in the North
Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.
Tours and Activities in the North
We're enjoying an arty start to the new year in 2025 in Tours and Activities with plenty of arts based events, games and workshops.