Northern Quarter, Manchester

Creative Tourist

Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens – once home to busy textiles warehouses and even the occasional umbrella factory. Now, the red brick buildings with their New York-style fire escapes are regularly used in film sets, and the streets are bursting with independent cafés, shops, bars, and cultural hotspots.

The Northern Quarter has become a destination in its own right, with the laid-back, bohemian vibe during the day transforming at night into teeming pavements of people in search of good food, craft beer, pop-up events and live music.

Ben Williams, Creative Tourist
Image by Ben Williams, Creative Tourist

 

When walking around, keep your eyes peeled for public art. The regularly updated artwork at Stevenson Square (currently featuring a mural of David Bowie) and the Tib Street substation are particular must sees, both curated by Out House MCR and funded by Fred Aldous. But look up and you’ll find other little surprises, from the sculptures of exotic birds high on a wall on John Street (a nod, apparently, to the area being known for its pet shops in Victorian times) to a colourful ceramic pineapple on top of the Binks Buildings.

Our top picks

Band on the Wall

Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JZ - Visit now

On the very tip of the Northern Quarter is one of Manchester’s most cherished venues, which, with its 200 year history, underwent a major renovation and expansion recently. Band on the Wall now has a slicker bar (which doubles us a second gig space), extended capacity in the main room (without losing any of its soul), and a whole floor dedicated to the venue’s innovative World of Music learning programme.

Manchester music venue, Band on the Wall

Mackie Mayor

Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester, M4 5BU

The Grade II listed Mackie Mayor used to be one of Manchester’s most beautiful but neglected buildings. But a few years back this grand space reopened after a huge refurbishment and is now one of the key fixtures in the ever-growing Northern Quarter food and drink scene.

Manchester Craft & Design Centre

Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak St, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 5JD - Visit now

One of our favourite places in Manchester, Manchester Craft & Design Centre is hands down the most reliable one-stop-shop for unique, but not over-priced, gifts in the city. Welcome to the mecca of all things beautiful, handmade and one-of-a-kind.

Manchester Craft and Design Centre by Joel C Fildes.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre by Joel C Fildes.

Fred Aldous

Fred Aldous, 37 Lever Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1LW - Visit now

The worker bee has long been synonymous with Manchester’s industrious ethos, and for good reason: the textiles industry was born in this former “Cottonopolis.” Established in 1886, arts and crafts store Fred Aldous is very much a slice of that history, proving that our worker bee nature and penchant for crafting is still thriving.

Night & Day Cafe

Night & Day Cafe, 26 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JN - Visit now

Forever on the precipice of closure due to mystifying noise complaints from locals who have knowingly moved into a flat metres away from a music venue, Night & Day Cafe must be protected at all costs. This characterful and timelessly cool Oldham Street venue is a vital one for emerging bands and music lovers alike.

Image of Night and Day Cafe in Manchester
Ben Williams

Castle Hotel

Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LE - Visit now

Is there a more well-liked Manchester boozer than this? The 200 year-old Castle has, like so many of the city’s drinking dens, a musical past. It was here, for example, that John Peel interviewed Ian Curtis for the Northern Lights ‘zine, and where for over 30 years local bands have played live gigs to 80-cap crowds.

Castle Hotel pub in Manchester

Soup

Soup, 31-33 Spear Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Manchester, M1 1DF - Visit now

Formerly Soup Kitchen. Now just Soup. Nestled in the corner of Stevenson Square, this place finds the right balance in everything. It’s cool but unpretentious, the food and drink menu is great but also pretty cheap, and the industrial-style basement earnestly nurtures Mancunian talent while also attracting international names.

Image of Soup Kitchen in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Ben Williams

Queer Lit

Queer Lit, 27 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M45AJ - Visit now

Finding shops that have dedicated areas for Queer literature or knowing the places to look for excellent new Queer Authors can be hard. With a lack of shops stocking specifically Queer writing and websites not bothering to create areas for it, Queer Lit have stepped up to fill that gap.

Queer Lit

The Smithfield Social

The Smithfield Social, 53-55 Thomas St, Manchester , M4 1NA - Visit now

Right at the heart of the Northern Quarter lies Smithfield social, not far from the historic Smithfield market. The Smithfield Social is a friendly, relaxing place to enjoy a wealth of well-executed dishes on a thoughtful, exciting menu. Catering to carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike, it’s a must-try brunch stop -especially if you plan on bringing a furry friend.

The Smithfield Social

UNITOM

UNITOM, 1A Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN - Visit now

From household names like Taschen and Phaidon to locally made publications and small press titles, UNITOM is home to an extensive range of titles on contemporary art, design, fashion, photography and counterculture, alongside a vast number of independent magazines.

UNITOM bookshop
UNITOM bookshop

Matt and Phred’s

Matt and Phred’s, 64 Tib Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LW - Visit now

Tucked discreetly into the brickwork of Tib Street, next to a handful of excellent bars like Common, Matt and Phred’s hosts live jazz music every day of the week. It also wins happy hour: you literally get a free pizza when you buy two pints. Good God…

matt and phreds sign manchester music

Common Bar

Common Bar, 39-47 Edge Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1HW - Visit now

Tucked away on the aptly named Edge Street, Common does innovation well, with a rotating art exhibition and an array of cultural happenings. The craft beer selection is excellent and if you head in at the right time an incredibly moreish 14″ Nell’s Pizza can be yours for just £7.77.

Common Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter
By Ben Williams

Yoga Soul

Yoga Soul, Yoga Soul, 49a Newton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1FT - Visit now

Yoga Soul is a people-driven hub of good vibes, which you can find on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter, providing a platform and a home for you to take part in Manchester’s yogi community, to help you grow your yoga practice in a way that is significant to you.

More Northern Quarter events

MusicManchester
Manchester Psych Fest 2025

Manchester Psych Fest, the UK’s trailblazing psychedelic music and arts festival has announced a massive bill for its 2025 edition.

from £44.80
Until
ComedyManchester
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
Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

from £3
Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Until
ActivityManchester
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
Rock and Goal
Until
ActivityManchester
Rock and Goal Tour

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

from £9.99
Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30

Where to go in Manchester

Symmetry Room
City Centre
Museum
Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions Manchester is part of the global Museum of Illusions Group, the largest and fastest-growing chain of private museums in the world.

Manchester
Restaurant
Soap Street Pizza

Based at Nordie in Levenshulme, Soap Street Pizza put out the perfect pie: crispy base and inspired toppings.

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Winsome
Manchester
Restaurant
Winsome

Winsome delivers modern British food, cooked beautifully by chef-owner Shaun Moffat and his team.

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Manchester
Event venue
Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Manchester
Restaurant
Renae

A music-led bar and creative hub in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Manchester Visitor Guides

20 Stories eat outside in Manchester
Places To Eat Outside in Manchester

Looking for somewhere to eat outside in Manchester in these hot summer months? Here's our guide to the restaurants in Manchester with the best areas for al fresco dining.

The Spa at Carden Garden
Spas in the North West

If you find yourself in the North West of England looking for a spa day, look no further, check out our guide featuring our favourite spots.

Cocktails in Manchester
Cocktails in Manchester

Looking for the best cocktails in Manchester? We have the lot, to cover all tastes and budgets, to guarantee a good time.

UNITOM bookshop
Bookshops in Manchester

Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Sextile
Music in the North

Electronic music features heavily in our latest round-up of gig highlights across Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.