House of Books & Friends

Sadie Pearson
House of Books & Friends

“A bookshop with purpose” and playing a powerful role in the community, House of Books & Friends is also a café and a place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals. There’s also an atmospheric wood-panelled events space at the back, where regular readings and creative activities take place – you can sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date with all the goings-on and check out our Literature Guide for previews.

With all the latest titles for sale, there are also specialist sections, including a good amount of shelf space dedicated to books and authors from or related to Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.

Born during the pandemic, as reports began to show how 45 per cent of people in the UK experienced loneliness, the House of Books & Friends made it their mission to help reduce this issue. In their own words, they’re “tackling loneliness, one book at a time”.

81 King StreetManchesterM2 4AH View map
Telephone: 07597 365380 Visit Now

What's on near House of Books & Friends

St Peter's Square
TourManchester
The Peterloo Massacre Tour

Visit key locations associated with a moment that helped shape the future of the nation, tracing the footsteps of those who stood for change.

from £20.00
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

Where to go near House of Books & Friends

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Habas Bar & Restaurant

Habas is a modern Middle Eastern-influenced restaurant in the very centre of Manchester and the latest venture from El Gato Negro’s Simon Shaw.

City Centre
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Jamie’s Italian Manchester

Jamie’s Italian is located in Edwin Lutyens’ soaringly elegant Midland Bank, one of the city’s treasures. The menu’s full of crowd-pleasing choices, with a huge selection of pastas, mains and bruschettas, and an appealing kids menu.The drinks range is broad and deep, with wine, beer and cocktails for all tastes and budgets.

Manchester
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Lucky Cat

Gordon Ramsey brings his fine-dining Asian-style restaurant Lucky Cat to Manchester in April 2023.

Deansgate
Restaurant
Burger & Lobster Manchester

Burger & Lobster is a King Street restaurant in the old Ship Canal offices. With an enormous bar and food that’s high on quality but low on choice, it’s a popular choice with Manchester’s young and stylish.

Home-X
Manchester
Restaurant
Home-X

Home-X is the online spin-off of renowned Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone’s Six By Nico restaurant. This is geared around kit meals to cook at home.

Manchester
Mash Tun

Mash Tun is a craft beer and live music venue at the former Grafene site on Manchester’s King Street.

Kala Bistro
Manchester
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Kala Bistro

Kala is the latest restaurant from acclaimed chef-restaurateur Gary Usher, who also owns Sticky Walnut and Hispi. It’s a welcome addition to the ever-growing and improving King Street food scene.

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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.

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The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

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