First, you’ll arrive at your hotel. We recommend the Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central for great access into the city centre and surrounding areas.
The first stop is Afflecks, an indoor market filled with independent stalls catering to the creative. Check out eclectic clothing and indie crafts as you explore the maze of shops and stalls as you climb the various floors.
Just across the street is Arndale Market with a range of boutique fashion outlets and award-winning street food and local produce vendors. Despite this we recommend dinner at Mackie Mayor Food Court. Their pizzas, steaks and burgers are top of the chart!
Next up is a drink or two at NQ64, a nostalgic arcade and bar with the top retro arcade machines and gaming consoles. Hilarious electronic-retro fun fueled by cocktails, and better still, it stays open late if you can't get enough of the action.
(Tib Street, M4 1SH)
Once you’ve had your fill of Pac-Man and Space Invaders, get ready to laugh your socks off at Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. Friday night hosts the ‘Barrel of Laughs’ event, featuring three international comedians at the top of their games for a brilliant end to your Friday evening.
Frog and Bucket Comedy Club
Locals say this is the best comedy club in the entire city
(Oldham St, M4 1LJ)
Schofield’s Bar
A chilled out and relaxing cocktail bar, perfect for an afternoon drink
(Little Quay Street, M3 3JZ)
Breakfast is served at Moose Coffee, bringing the best of North American breakfast dishes to life. Think Canadian maple syrup, pancakes, bacon and more with amazing coffee or even more amazing milkshakes!
Moose Coffee
Warm and inviting ambiance, say locals
(York Street, M2 2BB)
19 Cafe Bar
Generous portions and the perfect breakfast menu
(Lever Street, M1 1BY)
After your delicious breakfast, you’ll be heading over to iFly, for an experience like no other. Don a bright blue fly suit and take a turn in the wind tunnel for an awesome indoor skydiving experience.
Flying is hungry work! So next up is some lunch at The Shack. Great potions of loaded fries, deliciously stacked burgers with interesting fillings and a brunch menu that runs until 4pm!
The Shack
Locals love The Shack for its good quality food and great deals on drinks
(High Street, M4 1FS)
Fuel Cafe & Bar
Live music, brunch style menu, and cocktails? What’s not to love
(Wilmslow Road, M20 3BW)
Next up is a tour of Manchester City Centre, calling at various statues, galleries, gardens, and canals. This 2.5-hour tour will give you a crash course in Manchester’s rich history and culture.
Following this tour, some refreshments are required! Make your way to the Printworks, an old newspaper factory turned entertainment venue for a relaxing drink (alcoholic or otherwise) and a range of top-notch bar food and small bites.
Time to get the party started with a trip to Alcotraz, an immersive cocktail experience where you’ll sneak alcohol past the guards and have bespoke cocktails made with liquor of your choice. Don the infamous orange prison jumpsuit and pose for photos against the line-up background.
All of this is hungry work. Try Oxnoble, a locals favourite gastro pub with a classic pub menu and great drinks. After your meal, stay for a while to enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy a few more bevs!
Oxnoble
Top tier pub grub! Locals' favourite city centre boozer and restaurant
(Liverpool Road, M3 4NQ)
Head over to Canal Street for the heart of the action in Manchester’s Gay Village. We recommend On Bar, which serves epic DJ nights spanning three floors and a terrace looking over Canal Street. You can party here until the sun comes up!
(Canal Street, M1 3WD)
The morning after the night before, and no doubt breakfast is calling! Try a fantastic brunch at Ezra and Gil with pancake stacks, breakfast bowls, and sourdough toast. The perfect leveller to kick-start any day.
(Peter Street, M2 3NG)
Make your way out of the city centre to Media City, a waterside tech hub with a huge shopping centre and restaurant scene. Jump onto a river cruise to really appreciate the scenery of Media City and Salford Quays from a new perspective. If feeling spritely, swing over to Old Trafford to glimpse the world-famous stadium.
(MediaCity UK, M50 2NT)
After heading back into the city centre, grab a bite at Bay Horse Tavern, a modern take on a Victorian pub, known for a top tier Sunday roast. Choose from chicken, beef, cauliflower or the weekly special, served with all the trimmings!
Three Little Words
Brilliant prices and all the trimmings! This cocktail bar goes above and beyond for Sunday roasts
(Watson Street, M3 4LP)
After your fab roast, a wander around the Manchester Art Gallery is in order. Take in the fine art collections, clothing from times gone by, and modern art well deserving of its place here.
(Mosley Street, M2 3JL)
The final stop on your trip is The Old Wellington. Built in 1552, it is one old the oldest timbered buildings in Manchester and the best place for a couple of pints before heading home after a fab weekend.
(Cathedral Gates, M3 1SW)
