Idle Hands

Ben Williams, Managing Editor
Idle Hands - Coffee Shops in Manchester - Creative Tourist

Originally a six-month pop-up venture on Piccadilly Station Approach, Idle Hands was a breath of fresh air on a rather dreary stretch that’s only been revamped in recent years. Idle Hands, complete with an awesome dog, then made a temporary move to the corner of Newton and Dale Street.

In fact, it’s literally bigger and better than ever before

Now, finally, Idle Hands has a permanent home a few meters away in one of the Northern Quarter’s grandest buildings on Dale Street. The good news is, it’s still fantastic. In fact, it’s literally bigger and better than ever before.

There’s still a bit of Scandi feel to the place with neatly designed furniture adorned with etched wooden menus and geometrically cast plant pots.

Damn fine (vegan) cherry pie

The staff are lovely and the coffee is as excellent as ever, there’s now a full-blown kitchen knocking out an excellent menu too. Vegans are especially well catered for here with Oatly on-hand for those looking a dairy-free flat-white which actually tastes nice. We also enjoyed some damn fine (vegan) cherry pie and we’ll be back for more.

You’re really spoiled for choice for coffee shops in Manchester, but Idle Hands is making a fist of standing out from the pack with good food and coffee alongside after-hours events and a well-stocked fridge of quality beers.

35 Dale StManchesterM1 2HF View map
Visit Now

Services and Facilities

Cafe, training, consultancy

Opening Hours

  • Monday7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday7:30am - 6:00pm
  • Friday7:30am - 9:00pm
  • Saturday9:30am - 9:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Idle Hands

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
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
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

Where to go near Idle Hands

Chopstix Manchester
Manchester
Restaurant
Chopstix Manchester

Chopstix is a noodle bar based on the approach to Piccadilly Station, with a great range of quick and easy Chinese dishes.

Manchester
Restaurant
Store Street Exchange

Large open plan restaurant on the ground floor of DoubleTree by Hilton, near Manchester Piccadilly. The food is high quality, with a variety of menus, including a la carte and afternoon tea.

Manchester
Restaurant
Bistrotheque

The in-house restaurant at Cultureplex offers up seasonal menus by Blaine Duffy, as well as some unique classic dishes.

Manchester
Event venue
DIECAST

We try out the Sunday roasts at Diecast, Manchester’s new creative neighbourhood, food hub and cultural space.

Cloudwater Beer Hall
Manchester
Cloudwater Beer Hall

The celebrated Cloudwater Brewery is opening a beer hall at the thriving Kampus development in Manchester’s Gay Village, featuring a full kitchen.

Higher Ground
Manchester
Restaurant
Higher Ground

Higher Ground is a restaurant in Manchester city centre, showcasing the skills of former Where The Light Gets In Head Chef Joseph Ottaway.

Culture Guides

The Super Duper Family Festival
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

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
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.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in latest live music round up.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

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 start the New Year.