THE NORTHERN QUARTER?
As a teenager, me and my friends would lose weekends exploring the Northern Quarter. Only fifteen years ago it was a very different place - back then, ‘vintage clothes’ were just ‘second hand’, and the bars didn’t ask for ID.
It’s amazing how over the last fifteen years, the Northern Quarter has transformed into being the most exciting and alive area of Manchester’s city centre. The Northern Quarter is where all of Manchester meets. There’s something in the Northern Quarter for everyone.
With the highest density of alcohol license venues in the city, you can find everything from old-school boozers, to ‘secret’ cocktails bars, and places offering beer and ale from independent brewers.
But there’s so much more to the area than drinking… from street art to Chinese art, fine dining and cheap dining, shops selling vintage and vinyl - as well as the highest density of grade listed buildings in the city…
In this post, I’m going to recommend my personal Northern Quarter highlights. This was written during the pandemic, and so some places I mention might be unable to reopen. Also, I’m not paid to suggest any of these places - they really are just my favourites!
If you’re familiar with the Northern Quarter, let me know your thoughts on this list, and if you think I’ve missed anything essential off the list.
DRINK:
What makes it exciting to drink in the Northern Quarter is that it’s actually hard to keep up with the comings and goings of new and old watering holes.
If it’s a nice day, then Terrace provides one of the Northern Quarter’s few sun-traps. If you’re into your beer, then Port Street Beer House is a good shout - and it’s where our tour of the Northern Quarter begins. Or, if you prefer Whiskey, then there’s the Whiskey Jar. For cocktails, Dusk Til Pawn is my personal favourite, whilst Mackie Mayor’s has something for everyone (and is situated in the stunningly refurbished meat market).
If you could only go to one though…
Actually, instead - if you could only go to two…
I’d say the Castle Hotel and the Peer Hat. Why? Because these two pubs feel very Northern Quarter. The Peer Hat has lots of board games, art and vinyls for sale, gigs taking place in the basement and attracts a fun and quirky crowd. The Castle Hotel on the other hand prides itself on the best jukebox in town, a great selection of beers and ale - and like the Peer Hat has gigs and events in their back rooms.
SHOPPING:
Whilst sitting in the shadow of the monolith that is the Arndale shopping centre, the Northern Quarter easily boasts the most interesting shops in town.
If you like art, head over to Fred Aldous for your supplies. Fun gifts? Oklahoma or the Makers Market (second Sunday of every month). If you like music, head over to Piccadilly Records and Eastern Bloc. If you like clothes, there’s Oi Polloi and Pop Boutique. And if you like modernism… that’s right, if you like modernism - the intellectual movement that arose to prominence in the early 20th Century - then head to the Modernist Shop.
Honestly, there are so many weird and wonderful shops to get stuck into in the Northern Quarter.
Of course, there’s one place that no trip to the Northern Quarter would be complete without: Affleck’s Palace. Since 1982 this multi-story maze of all sorts of independent shops (and sometimes gallery spaces, theatres and eateries) has been home to all walks of Mancunian misfits. Afflecks quite rightly brands itself as ‘an emporium of eclecticism, a totem of indie commerce in Manchester’s Northern Quarter’.
ART:
Firstly, I always recommend Manchester’s Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art. It’s a small gallery space, with a great gift shop, and is free to get in. The people on the reception are always really friendly and helpful, and the exhibitions are invariably surprising.
However it should be no surprise that my top-tip for art in the Northern Quarter is its street art.
The great thing about the street art in the area, is how many different forms it comes in. As well as work hanging along backstreets by both local as well as international artists, there are the distinctive works that were publicly commissioned (look at the street signs, or the pavement on Tib Street). Local businesses fund new works that talk about the world right now, and you’ll also find huge political murals as part of the cities of hope (as well as huge - though still impressive - pieces for the likes of Netflix).
If you don’t have the time to explore the area for yourself, you can join me on one of our alternative walking tours of Manchester. These are currently running on a private basis, and can be tailored and timed to suit you - please do get in touch if this is something that might interest you!
EAT:
When people ask me where to eat in the Northern Quarter, I’ll often send them to Edge Street. Not just because my favourite (Yard and Coop) is there, but because there’s something for everyone - Pizza, French and V-Rev’s for vegan food that really hits the spot.
But if you can only go to one place, then head to ‘This and That’. If you come along on the Northern Quarter walking tour, you’ll understand what makes this curry house so particularly Mancunian.
You’ll find it hidden down a backstreet, where This and That serves three curries and rice for around a fiver, in a canteen type environment. It’s not the only ‘three-and-rice’ in the area, but for my money it’s certainly the best. You’ll often find me in there, after doing one of the free Manchester walking tours!
COFFEE:
Being self-employed, I’m the kind of person who has a favourite barista.
This barista has worked in nearly all the great Northern Quarter coffee shops - and there are lots of them. Just Between Friends is one of the newest on the scene, and does delicious coffee (as well as being very instagram worthy, if that’s your thing). Ducie Street Warehouse (also a restaurant, cinema, hotel and… gym) offers great spaces to work as well as catch up with friends. And Foundation has quite rightly become very successful, with numerous shops now around the city.
When I asked my favourite barista what there favourite coffee shop in town was, they answered Idle Hands - and I couldn’t help but agree.
Small and inviting, with great coffee and art for sale, as well as killer pies (savoury as well as sweet) with a great view over some of Manchester’s finest warehouses - I can’t think of anywhere in the Northern Quarter that better fills the brief of independent coffee shop.
MUSIC:
When people think of Manchester, they often think of football, industry… and music.
There are a lot of great music venues in the Northern Quarter that you’ll want to check out. For newer and emerging acts, head to Night and Day Cafe. For more experimental and global genres, take a look at Band on the Wall’s listings. And for electronic and dance music, hosting some of the world’s biggest DJs, you’ll want to go to the Northern Quarter’s Soup Kitchen.
I might be playing it safe here, but my top-tip would be Matt and Phreds jazz bar. I think I’ve gone with Matt and Phreds, because even if you’re not a big jazz fan, you’re guaranteed a good night. There’s always just such a great atmosphere - every night feels like a celebration of the soul. Plus, midweek they do a great happy hour deal (a free pizza with every drink).
DISCOVER:
This list really has only just touched the surface - I’ve not even mentioned the amazing places for breakfast or brunch!
Or the free comedy nights at the Frog and Bucket on a Monday evening! Or the great vegetarian food at the Buddhist Centre! Or the Police museum! Or the good fun you can have trying to crack the escape room on Church Street!
I know I’ve mentioned it already, but if you’re interested in learning more about the Northern Quarter, then do get in touch regarding the alternative Northern Quarter tour. We’re only providing these at the moment on a private basis.
On the tour, we’ll show you the street art, tell you some of the area’s stories and secrets, including sites of recent film and tv sets, and give you a more modern and alternative version of Manchester’s story.
Plus, on the tour we’ll share with you recommendations I’ve not been able to squeeze onto this post.