Six great things to do in Manchester

August 4, 2013 eweekendbreaks 0 tourism,

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Enjoy a Mad Scientist at The Alchemist, 3 Hardman Street and 1 New York Street

Top cocktail hangout The Alchemist boasts a drinks menu that could keep you going all weekend long. The champagne cocktail list is fancy enough for the Royal Family – but the sweet, summery Mad Scientist, made from Giancia Bianco, St Germain and white grape juice is the jewel in their crown. If you’re looking for something in a dessert cocktail, the Choc Chip Coffeetini ticks all the boxes, and is as decadent and indulgent as the name suggests.

See http://www.thealchemist.uk.com for details

Spend a night at the museum, Manchester Art Gallery

If you like great art almost as much as you like staying up late, Manchester Art Gallery is the place to be on a Thursday night. Visitors could experience anything from lectures about love to a “chalkboard disco” soundtracked by Big Beat Boutique DJs, in which dancers spontaneously create a pattern with their chalk covered shoes. The cafe offers locally sourced food including sausages from the legendary Mancunian butchers, Styal Meats.

See http://www.manchestergalleries.org for details

Stalk some legendary musical ghosts – Manchester music tours

Many visitors to Manchester come to the city in order to follow in the footsteps of their musical heroes – in fact, so many people do it, there’s an official Music Walk. See the flat where Noel Gallager wrote Definitely Maybe, visit Dry 201, the pre Hacienda warm up bar which banned Shaun Ryder for life and visit the Free Trade Hall where Bob Dylan was denounced as a “Judas” for switching from an acoustic to an electric guitar.

See http://www.manchestermusictours.com for details

Get lost in retail Space – Afflecks, 52 Church Street

If you like your wardrobe to feel as indie as your record collection, Afflecks is the store for you. Part shop, part indoor market, it offers customers five floors of vintage style boutiques, homeware stalls, tattoo parlours and even tarot readers. Describing itself as “the thorn in the side of the high street” it’s the place to go if you’re looking for something a little bit different.

See www.afflecks.com for details

Have a tea party with Mr Scruff -Teacup, 53-55 Thomas Street

Legendary Lancashire DJ Mr Scruff is a man of many talents – and his Northern Quarter cafe demonstrates there’s more to the man than music. Teacup is loved locally for its delicious range of loose leaf teas and home made cakes. If you’re after something more substantial, try some comfort food on ‘Supper and a Cuppa’ night, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday every week.

For more information, go to http://www.teacupandcakes.com/

Hit the real ale trail – The CAMRA pub stagger

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has produced a series of “pub staggers” -mini trails, each starting from a different central Manchester rail station, so that visitors can enjoy some of the best locally produced ales in the North. Make sure you visit the Castle Hotel and try the “Manchester Egg” – chef Ben Holden’s take on the pickled egg.

For more information, go to http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/nightlife/camra-manchester-pub-staggers/

Lucy writes for FHR, who provide Manchester Airport Parking – http://www.fhr-net.co.uk/airport-parking/manchester-airport-parking/