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.

When was the last time you stumbled out of a bar and into a takeaway that served up food as fresh as Mama made? If your answer is “never”, we’re guessing you haven’t yet found new Manchester pizza parlour, Slice.

Seek out Hidden nightclub just up the river from Victoria. Reviving Manchester’s grassroots scene, Hidden is a raver honeypot swarming with lovers of techno-driven house and disco-beats.

The Hardmans’ House in Liverpool provides an intimate insight into the life and work of the respectable yet widely-deemed eccentric couple that resided there for over 40 years.

Specialising in moving image, new media and performance, and offering a busy events programme, a visit to Site in Sheffield is not to be missed.

Ever-popular Caribbean food chain, now based in the Northern Quarter.

Your friendly local in Didsbury, full of style and character serving quality food and drink.

Caustic Coastal is a gallery, artist studios and independent art label based in Salford, working as a curatorial platform for artists.

The apple in Now Wave’s eye, YES boasts four floors of live music and DJs, and offers food via two outlets. It also has a huge outdoor roof terrace!

Sadlers Yard is a public square and events space in Manchester from NOMA Mcr. Home of the Pilcrow Pub and PLANT NOMA.

Founded by artists Rebecca Scott and Mark Woods, Cross Lane Projects brings new contemporary art to Cumbria and is situated in a former Kendal Mint Cake factory in central Kendal.

A much-needed addition to the fast-growing Stevenson Square area of the Northern Quarter. Flok offers sophistication, superb tapas-style food and an impressively well-stocked bar.