Northern Quarter
Record shops, street art, coffee and the bars that define a Manchester night out.
The grid of streets north of Piccadilly is the city's independent quarter: Afflecks for vintage and oddities, the Craft and Design Centre, murals on every corner and more bars than you can get round. It works in any weather because you are never more than a few steps from a doorway. Come in the afternoon for the shops and stay for the evening.
When it works
Mostly under cover, so light rain is fine. Best afternoon, evening, night.
Good for groups, a date, locals' favourite and a first visit.
On these lists
- Things to do in Manchester when it rains
- Things to do in Manchester when the sun is out
- Free things to do in Manchester
- Things to do in Manchester tonight
- Date ideas in Manchester
- Things to do in Manchester this weekend
- Plan an afternoon in Manchester around it
Opening hours and prices change; the official site has the current ones. See everything in Manchester ranked for right now.