Broadening minds since 1781, ideas are the currency of Manchester Lit & Phil, whose creatively curated programme of talks and lectures will challenge your opinions and encourage you to see the world through a different lens.
From arts and culture, to politics and philosophy, to science and technology, you’ll hear about today’s most pressing issues and stimulating subject matter, explored by charismatic speakers.
You can get the behind the bar and mix with the best of them in a cocktail making masterclass from The Botanist on Deansgate.
from £39.95
Happening as part of MIF25, Liberation is a bold new play inspired by real events in Black British history, bringing politics, power, and personal struggles to life on stage.
from £20.00
Eat your way through the dairy based delights of Manchester, with the Manchester Cheese Crawl walking tour.
from £25
Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.
free entry
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s spectacular production of the multi award-winning musical flies into Manchester.
from £15.00
A high-octane and vibrant new musical comedy dances into Manchester for its UK premiere later this year.
from £15.00
Salford’s Sacred Trinity Church becomes a gothic dreamland as Penelope Trappes brings A Requiem to the fitting Chapel Street venue.
from £14
The ‘biggest bookshop in the North’ right here in Manchester.
High-grade Argentinian steak in this wonderful looking restaurant, with some pocket-friendly deals.
Healthy Indian street food from this bright, socially-conscious dining space on Deansgate.
Elegantly laid out with simple wooden tables and Burgundy-coloured banquettes, Côte in Manchester does brasserie food, and does it well.
Kai is a Turkish restaurant on Deansgate, set up by the brains behind the well-regarded Zouk restaurant. Expect excellent mezze plates and an open grill that releases wonderful aromas throughout the venue.
Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s stunning Barton Arcade. The food is reliably fresh and the staff both charming and incredibly knowledgable.
Great-looking events space beneath the Grade II listed Barton Arcade
San Carlo Cicchetti in Manchester does Italian small plates with aplomb.
The Royal Exchange is one of the most celebrated theatres in the country, highly regarded for both new writing and its take on the classics.
Historic Grade I listed church on St Ann’s Square, Manchester.
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.
Bloom Cafe is a stunning cafe based on Deansgate in Manchester, serving up an array of hot and cold drinks, including a range of CBD options.
Make the most of the springtime sun with some of the North's best bars and restaurants.
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.
David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.
DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.
From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.
It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Dragon quests, coconut pyramids and topsy-turvy Wonderland adventures... curious?
