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Manchester city centre

Monstrous Manchester: Halloween in the city

Get gothy at Manchester Metropolitan

Hosted by the university, the seventh annual Gothic Manchester Festival will follow the theme of Gothic Times. Spanning the whole of October, there’s a brilliant programme of eerie events across the city, like games, literature, performances, club nights and more.

Get tricked and treated across the city

If you’re brave enough, throw on your favourite Halloween costume and join Manchester’s Trick or Treat Trail. Pick up a map from the information point in Exchange Square and make sure you hit all the trick or treat houses scattered across the city centre. There’s a different character at each one, just waiting to greet (or maybe eat) you.

Get creeped out on New Cathedral Street

Enjoy a family-friendly freak show on at Grimm Rita’s Creepy Carnival. Full of street performers, sideshow stalls and a proper old fashioned helter-skelter, there’s also the Strolling Bones parade, led by Grimm Rita herself, taking you between the Carnival and Dr Mancenstein’s Castle.

Get the heebie-jeebies at Manchester Arndale

For something a little less scary, head to Manchester Arndale with the family, where Z Arts, the kids’ arts centre, will be hosting a taster of their exhibition A World Inside a Book – Gruffalos, Dragons and Other Creatures. Dedicated to the universally adored children’s author, Julia Donaldson, the show gives you the chance to meet some of her best-loved characters and enjoy a spellbinding storytelling session of classic favourite, Room on the Broom.

Want to see more of Manchester’s macabre side? There’s loads more going on over the Halloween season, and you can find all the details in the city’s full Halloween itinerary.

Book a spooky sojourn in Manchester.

Top 10 Manchester bars

Cocktails and gins with Japanese flair

Inspired by Manchester’s proud history in the cotton trade, Cottonopolis offers such a stunning menu of Japanese cocktails, beers, sakes and teas that you’ll simply have to come back to sample them all.

Must try: Drunken Life, Dreamy Death – an intoxicating mix of gin, bergamot and lemon verbena.

Ale, ale and more ale

Whether you’re a total novice or a proud Real Ale champion, you’re bound to find something in the Oast House’s Ale Inventory that’ll surprise you. There’s everything from IPA and lager to Trappist and dark varieties, and their Ale Masterclasses are legendary.

Must try: Brodie’s Prime Porter – a rich, dark brew with notes of dark chocolate and treacle.

Big Bavarian biers

If you’re looking for a place that takes its beer seriously, you’ve found it. At Albert’s Schloss, the team makes a weekly 1,500 mile round trip to the Urquell brewery in Prague to fill their tanks with the good stuff before serving it in Manchester’s very own Bier Palace.

Must try: The Manchester Rein – brewed right here in the city to Bavarian standards, using Munich malts.

Whimsical cocktails and bold beers

Fresh, young and quirky, The Font is fast becoming a Mancunian favourite. If you like your cocktails tooth-teasingly sweet, with rainbow ice and a unicorn horn, you’ve found your tribe. If you don’t, you’ll still find plenty to love on the beer menu.

Must try: The Unicorn Juice – a fruity frolic of bubble gum, rainbows and glitter.

Beer where it’s brewed

Most people find themselves at Seven Brothers for the first time while they’re waiting for a table at Rudy’s Pizza, but it’s well worth a visit in its own right. A family brewery through and through, here’s where you’ll find some of the best beers in town.

Must try: The Honeycomb Pale Ale, with its subtle hints of honey and proud Manchester heritage.

Experimental mixology

Whether it’s served in a hip flask, copper kettle or tea cup, the cocktails at The Alchemist are something to behold. With innovative mixes, ingredients you’ve never heard of (yet) and spectacular presentation, you’ll be Instagramming every round.

Must try: The Caviar One, simply for the joy of making your own rhubarb caviar to add to rhubarb gin and prosecco.

Beer and wine with Mancunian soul

Under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station is Fairfield Social Club, home to the city’s newest food market, cider festivals, vegan delicacies and a fine list of wines, beers and cocktails to sample.

Must try: Anything from the new line of boozy sodas from local pop producer Steep Soda – we love the Tropical Crush, which is exclusive to Fairfield Social Club.

Booze with a side of live music

One of the Northern Quarter’s top gig spots is also one of its best bars. Matt & Phred’s has the feel of a real neighbourhood joint – albeit one that Jamie Cullum and Adele have played at. The bar is well stocked with classic cocktails, fine wines, beers and spirits – don’t miss the carefully selected bourbons that go brilliantly with the bar’s own wood-fired pizzas.

Must try: The happy hour deal – buy two alcoholic drinks and get a free pizza. A whole pizza. For free. Seriously.

Top-notch tequila

Take a detour from the Northern Quarter via Mexico City. At El Capo you’ll find terrific tapas, as well as South American-inspired cocktails, cervezas, wines and spirits, as well as one of the largest collections of tequila in the whole city.

Must try: Lady Marmalade, with its moreish mix of gin, peach liqueur and marmalade.

Bold Mexican blends

Mexico meets Vegas at Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, where you’ll find a huge range of bottled and canned craft beers and a cocktail menu packed with bold fresh fruit flavours. There’s also a killer happy hour, with £5 margaritas and £2 tequila shots – it’s not to be missed.

Must try: The paletas – Mexican ice lollies made with fresh fruit, doused in sparkling prosecco.

Fresh new flavours

Tucked away under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station, GRUB is Manchester’s favourite street food festival. On Fridays and Saturdays there’s an incredible array of cuisine, but don’t miss the bar scene while you’re there. They have great selection of craft beers and ales, wines and cocktails, many of which you won’t have come across before.

Must try: Marble Mango – a local Kölsch-style brew by Marble Beers, packed full of juicy mango pulp.

 

Book a holiday apartment in Manchester and plan your next bar tour of the city.

Manchester’s top 10 restaurants

I’m in the mood for…the avant-garde.

Named in honour of Manchester’s cotton-trading heritage, Cottonopolis serves up Asian-inspired small plates like dim sum and sushi in a Grade II listed building, all alongside a delectable selection of sakes.

I’m in the mood for… civilised dining.

The Restaurant at the CULTUREPLEX’s full service restaurant. Its approach will be to offer uncomplicated good food, drink and service with common sense and good taste. Menus by Chef Director Blaine Duffy.

I’m in the mood for…top notch tapas.

Canto’s celebrated older sister, El Gato Negro, might well serve the best tapas you’ll ever have outside Spain. It’s also worth booking the chef’s table, where you can enjoy the theatre of the open kitchen while you savour every bite.

I’m in the mood for…variety.

Mackie Mayor is a gorgeous Grade II listed indoor food market that boasts ten exceptional eateries under its brand new glass roof, with everything from Taiwanese bao to some of the finest pizza in town.

I’m in the mood for…a big, beefy burger.

Make sure you’re hungry before you venture to Almost Famous for some of Manchester’s biggest and best burgers. Pulled pork, BBQ chicken and deep fried mac ’n’ cheese await, along with beers, cocktails and shakes.

I’m in the mood for…Mexican with a twist.

Visit Mexico via Vegas with big, bold burritos, burgers, tacos and steaks from the team behind Almost Famous. At Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, the ingredients are so fresh that they even make the guacamole at your table.

I’m in the mood for…a hangover cure.

If brunch is your thing, head straight to Moose Coffee and join the queue – trust us, it’s worth the wait. Enjoy classic Benedicts and sure-fire remedies for the morning after the night before, like the Lone Star Moose meat-fest.

I’m in the mood for…understated elegance.

Yuzu is a little haven of Japanese calm that’s tucked away amidst the bustle of Chinatown and has been gaining country-wide accolades since The Guardian’s food critic, Jay Rayner, raved about it. Be sure to book ahead – it fills up fast.

I’m in the mood for…the perfect pizza.

A little taste of Napoli in Ancoats, Rudy’s is a neighbourhood favourite, serving brilliant pizzas (at brilliant prices) alongside a lovingly selected craft beer and wine list. Perfect for an easy-going night out.

And, one more for luck (because we couldn’t pick just ten)…

I’m in the mood for…everything!

Manchester’s legendary street food festival now has a permanent home under the railway arches behind Piccadilly train station: GRUB at Fairfield Social Club. Fridays and Saturdays see the place burst into life with food, drink, events and live music, and they even have a vegan day every Sunday.

Take a trip to Manchester and create your own foodie festival.

Uncover the history of Ducie Street Warehouse

In the vast warehouses of Ducie Street, which tower seven stories high … are stored immense quantities of all kinds of merchandise, lying there in safety awaiting the owners’ instruction. The London Warehouse (as it is commonly called) is a building of equal height … and here the bulk of the general goods to and from London, Southampton and other ports is handled.

— Per Rail: Transportation is the Life Blood of Commerce by Knapp Drewett and Sons, for the Great Central Railway, 1913.

The canals.

With Manchester Piccadilly Station just a few minutes away, moving huge quantities of food, cotton and other products across the country was pretty convenient. Some of the warehouses in the area had direct access to the canal, with barges docking at each building so that goods could be heaved on and off the boats. Some even had hoists powered by enormous waterwheels, so you can imagine the noise, hustle and bustle of the area at the time.

Ducie Street Warehouse today.

Of course, a lot has changed since then and Ducie Street Warehouse is the last of the four MS&LR warehouses left, still standing proudly by the canal.

Ducie Street Warehouse to this day still has a huge amount of its original features including huge vaulted ceilings, riveted wrought-iron girders and exposed brickwork. We’ve taken this gloriously high-ceilinged and light-filled building and made the most of all its features. We’ve added a gorgeous glass atrium roof, so you can see the sky – even from the foyer. We’ve painted the steel beams powder blue and added features in gold to set off the rich colours of the apartment décor, giving it a modern industrial-chic twist.

Native Manchester aparthotel is a fantastic base for exploring the city, so why not make the most of your stay with our tips on how to spend 48 hours in Manchester.

Book your stay at Native Manchester.

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We’re opening the doors to Native Manchester Aparthotel this summer

Native Manchester

At Native Manchester, we bring together all the elements you might want from a traditional hotel stay but in the comfort of our chic apartments. We want you to have the flexibility to cook, entertain and relax in a home away from home. Each apartment features fully equipped kitchens, offering a space to relax and unwind after a day in the city.

This aparthotel is perfectly situated on the edge of the Northern Bohemian Quarter in Manchester city centre where you’ll find eclectic shopping, growing art scene and the buzzing nightlife close by. Let’s not forget football fans here, you’ll be in the thick of the Mancunian culture and their world-class football.

Book your stay in our Manchester aparthotel.