Father’s Day in Manchester and the North

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor

This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 16 June, one of the longest days of the year. That means more hours of daylight with your dear old dad so why not make it something to remember?

It doesn’t have to be expensive – we have plenty of pocket-friendly options below, depending on what pops is a fan of. The great outdoors? We’ve got you covered. Football? Tick. Cinephile? Check out our expert list of films, taking in everything from chin-stroking arthouse fare to blockbuster smashes (no, not that Blockbuster).

Food and drink treats are always a winner, so we’ve picked out some of the best father-friendly restaurants, pubs and events to explore this late-June weekend. The weather has been… unimpressive lately, but we’re sure the heavens are just holding back the good stuff as a treat for our good old dads.

Our top picks

Food Sorcery Cookery School Didsbury

Food Sorcery Cookery School Didsbury, Visit now

Tap into your dad’s inner Gordon Ramsay with a class at top-class cookery school Food Sorcery. Choose a cooking together experience for sociable foodie fun, a home barista class for coffee-loving dads, or if you’re gift-hunting for a dad with children, check out the Father & Child class on Sunday 16th June. Can’t decide? Let dad choose with a Cookery Gift Voucher.

Food Sorcery space prepped

Fenix

Fenix, The Goods Yard Building Goods Yard Street, Manchester , M3 3BG - Visit now

Greek-Mediterranean restaurant Fenix is celebrating Father’s Day with two specials, alongside a specially curated Father’s Day menu, designed to be shared between two.

Fenix

Nova Scotia Liverpool

Nova Scotia Liverpool, 25a Mann Island , Liverpool , L3 1BP - Visit now

Over in Liverpool, this Father’s Day, everyone can tuck into chicken supreme, crispy pork belly, slow-roasted beef brisket or Nova’s delicious vegan nut roast. All roasts are served with deliciously fresh vegetables, a huge Yorkshire pudding, crisp roast potatoes and a side of Nova Scotia’s signature Scouse.

Nova Scotia Liverpool
Ian Jones

LEAF on Bold Street

LEAF on Bold Street, 65-67 Bold Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4EZ - Visit now

Still in Liverpool, over at LEAF Bold Street, there’s a Father’s Day Brunch service on offer for dads who can’t get enough of this great, laid-back, superbly-soundtracked Bold Street venue.

LEAF on Bold Street

The Municipal Hotel MGallery

The Municipal Hotel MGallery, Municipal Building, Dale St , Liverpool , L2 2DH - Visit now

This luxury hotel and spa in Liverpool is an ideal one-stop destination for a special Father’s Day. Whether it’s enjoying a curated men’s spa experience, indulging in exquisite dishes at the Seaforth Restaurant or selecting from a variety of gift vouchers for luxurious spa treatments and Afternoon Teas, The Municipal Hotel & Spa is your oyster.

Ian Jones

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford , M3 5LH - Visit now

Want to pamper your dad closer to Manchester? Say hello to RE:TREAT, the luxury spa at The Lowry Hotel in Salford. This great space is all about relaxation – even the location. You’ll find it by an attractive stretch of the River Irwell in a quiet part of an otherwise bustling city, in one of the North’s finest five-star hotels.

Does your dad see himself as a bit of a Bear Grylls type? Stick him in the (safe, but very, very cold) Icebox to give him a glimpse of Wim Hof’s cold therapy and rib him mercilessly if he can’t handle the maximum setting. That’s what dads are for.

Ian Jones

Black Friar

Black Friar, Blackfriars Rd, Salford, M3 7DH - Visit now

Arguably Salford’s fanciest dining destination, the Black Friar has hearty grub in a stunning (and recently revamped) restaurant. Show dad how much you care by treating him to one of their stunning Sunday Roasts in this high-quality venue.

Ian Jones

National Football Museum

National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now

Red or blue or some obscure shade of colour that the mainstream press don’t much care for, there’s something for all footy-loving dads at the world’s biggest football museum.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Image courtesy of National Football Museum

Zouk

Zouk, Unit 5 Chester Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5QS - Visit now

Zouk has an all-day dining experience lined up, especially for Father’s Day. From indulgent brunch options to delicious roast platters and tempting desserts, Zouk has everything you need for a memorable Father’s Day meal.

Sunday Roasts in Manchester

Treat your dad to one of the greatest Sunday roasts in Manchester. Hell, treat him to the lot over the next few months but just watch out for gout.

Outdoor Art in the North

More art, but art you can enjoy in the great outdoors. The North is home to more than its fair share of iconic outdoor artworks – discover the best of them in our comprehensive guide.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the North

World Heritage Sites tell the story of this country’s unique contribution to the world. More than playing its part in that story, the North is home to many natural, cultural, historical and scientific Sites of international interest, and they’re right on your doorstep! Pick one or two from our guide and take your dad on a trip to remember.

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle

The Sparrows Continental Pasta & Spätzle, 16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

If your dad loves food then he’ll love Sparrows. They have a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest modern European restaurants in Manchester and beyond.

The Sparrows

Pubs in Manchester

It’s a good bet that the majority of dads like a pint, or just like kicking back in a pub reading the paper. Do your duty and join him at one of these top-tier establishments.

Britons Protection entrance.
Image courtesy of Briton's Protection

Gilpin Lake House

Gilpin Lake House, Knipe Tarn, Kendal , Lake District, LA8 8LN - Visit now

If you really want to do something special with your Dad… The word ‘idyllic’ was created for places like Kendal’s Gilpin Lake House. This stunning Lake District getaway is one of the most prized destinations in the North, consisting of 100 acres of private grounds, with just six bedrooms sharing every possible luxury you can think of (spa treatments, hot tubs, saunas, swimming pool, nature trails, and so on).

Ian Jones

Cinema in the North

Take your dear old dad out to one of the many excellent cinemas dotted around the North and take in a big-screen experience that he’ll waffle on about for years.

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes

Breakfast in Manchester

Top tip: if you see your dad early in the morning, you get the rest of the day to do something fun – fill up on high-energy grub then get out and get active.

Federal Cafe Bar
Image courtesy of Alabama's All American Eatery.

Record Shops in Manchester

Whether it will actually ever touch a needle or not is irrelevant, let your dad relive the youthful joy of unwrapping a fresh slab of vinyl.

Record Store Day
Image courtesy of Piccadilly Records.

Bookshops in Manchester

Give it a heartfelt, handwritten inscription and you can’t go wrong with a book. It’s also a great excuse to spend an afternoon sifting through some of Manchester’s best independent bookshops, if ever you needed one.

UNITOM bookshop
UNITOM bookshop

Stately Homes in the North

Ah yes, another Dad favourite, a good old stately home. And the North is blessed with an incredible number of them. Take a look at our guide and pick one you know your Dad’s never been to.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we head into the new year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.