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
Director Sarah Frankcom returns to the Exchange with two short plays by Caryl Churchill, brought together in one evening of theatre.
from £10.00
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
Whether you’re a high-fashion fanatic or just couture curious, Unpicking Couture gets up close and personal with pivotal moments in fashion history.
free entry
The ‘biggest bookshop in the North’ right here in Manchester.
Based in a converted Methodist church, Gaucho is one of the best-looking restaurants in Manchester, with a steak-heavy menu to match.
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.
We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.
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.
Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.
Not long now, spring is on its way but wave goodbye to winter with some of the North's best food and drink.
Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.
Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.
As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.
Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.
