Days out in Manchester

Thursday 05-09-2024 - 13:30

Manchester is a place of many wonders; with some of the best food, music, culture, entertainment and shops in the country, there’s truly something for everyone.

With so much to explore, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our fave spots and activities to help you plan your perfect day out.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, pop to the pub, find a new hobby, go on a coffee date, enjoy an alcohol-free day or find some new staple pieces for your wardrobe - we’ve got you covered.

🍔Best grub

Diecast - Found in Northern Quarter, Diecast is home to the delicious ‘NeoPan pizza’ - a unique combination of NYC and Neapolitan goodness.Plus, every Wednesday you can get 40% off your food bill, just by booking a table in advance!

This & That Cafe - Looking for a family-run, traditional and authentic Indian curry? You’ll find just that on Soap Street at the ‘Home of Rice Three curries’.

Wolf at the door - Mouth-watering bao buns starting from just £2.00 - it’s every student's dream. You’ll find these and more amazing Korean dishes in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Bunny Jacksons - the best chicken wings in town! Buy wings from just 25p each, plus loads of delicious sides. And if you’re feeling really brave, check out their hot wings challenge to win a free t-shirt 🔥

Northern soul grilled cheese - there’s no better comfort food than a classic grilled cheese 🧀 Visit the store in Northern Quarter, or get it delivered and enjoy the cheesy goodness from bed.

🎢Have some fun

Looking for a fun day out? We’ve got you.

Chaos karts - Everyone loves playing Mario Kart, but have you ever played it in real life? 🚗

Flight club - Interactive dart boards and other games make this place not only unique but super fun.

Media city - A place that does it all. From amazing food to cool events, art, shopping and more! You can easily spend a whole day exploring here.

Pottery corner - Name a more wholesome activity than painting cute mugs and plates with your favourite people 🎨

Theatre trips - Manchester has so many amazing theatres that it would be rude not to attend a show at least once.

Great Northern Square - You’ll find everything here, including a cinema, boutique bowling and lots of delicious food options.

NQ64 - Cocktails and arcade games, what more could you want?

☕Coffee dates

Whether you need an energy-boost after spending the day exploring, or you deserve a little sweet treat after a day working hard, Manchester is full of some of the best coffee spots you could wish for. Here’s some of our faves:

Asa p Coffee - Oxford Road.

200 degrees - Next to the Manchester Art Gallery.

Ezra & Gill - You’ll find one on Peter Street and one in Northern Quarter.

Unit One - Just a few minutes from campus, between The Union and the Brookes building.

Foundation coffee house - Multiple locations, from Northern Quarter to Portland Street.

Federal - There’re a few spots dotted around the city, and you’ll find one right next to campus on Oxford Road.

🧣Shop ‘til you drop

Afflecks - Full of independent and unique stores, you’ll find everything you didn’t know you needed.

Northern quarter vintage shops - Some of the best vintage finds live right in the heart of the city, some of our faves are Cow, Pop Boutique, and Blue Rinse.

The Union’s vintage sale - We often host kilo vintage sales right here on campus, keep an eye on our website for the dates.

Market street - Here you’ll find some of the best, budget-friendly, staple pieces from shops like Primark, H&M and Uniqlo.

🍺Fancy a pint?

With so many cool places to choose from, you’re truly spoilt for choice. Whether you fancy a pint or just want to enjoy the company of some friends, there’s a place for everyone. Some of our top picks are:

Yes Bar - Join them for happy hour and enjoy a delicious pizza slice whilst you’re there 🍕

Rain Bar - Not only do they have one of the best beer gardens in the city, but there’s great deals on every day, from Wine Wednesday to Fizz Friday.

The Sal - An amazing range of craft beer, music and even a weekly quiz.

Haus - The perfect spot in Fallowfield for students to relax and socialise (plus it’s budget-friendly).

🧠Explore & Learn

Science and Industry museum - With loads to see, science shows, games and interactive activities, you won’t even realise how much you’re learning as you go! Plus, entry is free 💸

Walking tours - There’s loads of amazing things to see in our city, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. Check out our website for some walking tours taking place straight from The Union.

Manchester Art Gallery - A must-visit for all art lovers, the gallery always has new and exciting events and exhibitions so you can make this a regular day out.

🌳Get outside

Sometimes being in a big city can make you feel disconnected from nature, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There’re loads of great parks and walking trails in and around Manchester, so grab a mate or pop on a podcast and get yourself outside.

The Canal Walk - Manchester is covered in canals that make for a perfect afternoon stroll.

Heaton Park - Enjoy a homemade picnic, hire a boat/pedalo for a trip on the water, or simply walk through the greenery and clear your mind.

Hebden Bridge - Only a train ride away, this beautiful market town is a great day out. Learn about its rich history of art and culture whilst exploring the quaint villages and stunning canals.

All Saints Park - Located right in the centre of campus, All Saints Park has just reopened its gates after some improvements. The park is a great chill spot for students, and is a vibrant, biodiverse space supporting over 200 species of animals and plants. Keep an eye out for some adorable squirrels 🐿️

Whitworth park - A great green space to relax and unwind after a long day.

🎶Music & Live Entertainment

Manchester is known for its music and culture, and so many places in the city fully embrace this. It’s not hard to find amazing entertainment alongside your food and drink, from live music to drag shows.

Blues Kitchen - Enjoy live music whilst you dine or nip next door to their concert venue for the best tributes and performances.

Firehouse/Romona/Diecast - All owned by the same people, these sister spots will keep you entertained all night long with a unique combination of food, drink, drag, dance and DJ’s.

Night & Day Cafe - The clue is in the name for this one, delicious food with weekly Saturday night events and DJ sets (and not to mention it’s free entry).

Band On The Wall - A former cinema turned live music venue. Whether you’re into rock, folk or reggae music, there’s something for everyone.

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