Things to Do in Manchester

At Peaky Blinders Manchester, we live and breathe this city. From our home on Peter Street, we see the heart of the North beating every single night. People often ask us what else they should see while they’re in town—so, we’ve put together the definitive guide. This isn’t just a list of attractions; it’s a look at the city through our eyes: the grit, the glamour, and the places that make Manchester the only place to be.

From the towering cathedrals of football to the hidden cocktail dens of Peter Street, there is always something moving in the Rainy City. You just need to know where to look. To truly understand Manchester, you have to look past the rain and into the spirit of the people—the “Worker Bees” who have turned this former industrial powerhouse into a global destination for culture, food, and unmissable nightlife.

What to Do in Manchester (A First-Time Visitor Overview)

If you’re stepping off the train at Piccadilly for the first time, prepare for a city that moves fast. Manchester is a patchwork of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own soul. It’s a city best explored on foot, where a ten-minute walk can take you from the glass-fronted luxury of Spinningfields to the red-brick, bohemian spirit of the Northern Quarter.

To understand the vibe here, you have to embrace the social culture. We don’t just “go out” in Manchester; we make an event of it. The city’s identity is woven through its food, its terrace culture, and a restless desire to be at the heart of the action. Whether you’re chasing history in the libraries or chasing the night in the bars, the city is yours for the taking. The orientation is simple: the city centre is the hub, and from there, the neighbourhoods branch out like chapters in a story, each offering a different version of the Mancunian experience.

Explore Manchester’s Most Iconic Neighbourhoods

To find the best things to do in Manchester, you have to understand the map. Start in the Northern Quarter, the city’s creative heart. It’s a maze of independent boutiques, record stores, and street art that feels rugged and authentic. This is the home of the city’s creative class, where you’ll find the best vintage threads and the kind of back-alley bars that hold the city’s best-kept secrets.

Just across town, Spinningfields offers a sharper edge—this is the city’s luxury hub, home to high-end dining and sleek glass architecture. It’s the place for power lunches and sun-drenched terrace drinks. For those who prefer a bit of history with their pints, Castlefield provides a tranquil escape with its Roman ruins and canal-side basins. It’s an urban heritage park where the industrial past is beautifully preserved.

Meanwhile, Ancoats—once the cradle of the industrial revolution and home to the city’s historic Italian community—is now a culinary powerhouse. It’s been named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, boasting some of the best independent eateries in the country. Everything is connected, walkable, and pulsing with a different energy at every turn.

Experience Manchester Through Food and Drink

In this city, the table is where the best stories start. Manchester’s food scene has exploded in recent years, moving far beyond its industrial roots to become a destination for gourmands. It’s about more than just a meal; it’s about the atmosphere. You’ll find brunch culture is a religion here, where mid-morning eggs are often traded for a bottomless brunch that keeps the spirits high long into the afternoon. At Peaky Blinders Manchester, for example, the brunch isn’t just about the food—it’s about the live music and the high-energy start to the weekend that only Peter Street can provide.

As evening falls, the city’s cocktail bar scene takes over. From the theatrical to the traditional, Manchester’s mixologists are among the best in the business, shaking up bespoke libations in every corner of the city. And for those seeking the ultimate comfort after a long Mancunian weekend, the Sunday roast remains a sacred tradition. Whether you are dining in a traditional pub or sitting down for a premium roast at Peaky Blinders Manchester, you can expect massive Yorkshire puddings, slow-roasted meats, and enough gravy to satisfy the most demanding of appetites. It’s the perfect way to regroup before the new week begins.

Things to Do in Manchester City Centre

The city centre is the engine room. It’s compact, loud, and incredibly easy to navigate if you have a shrewd eye for a shortcut. From the high-street hustle of Market Street to the refined Victorian corridors of the central hubs, the city centre is where the most iconic “things to do in Manchester” are concentrated.

Must-Visit Landmarks in Manchester City Centre

You can’t walk these streets without acknowledging the giants that built them. Albert Square stands as a testament to Victorian ambition, dominated by the Gothic grandeur of the Town Hall. Although often under renovation to preserve its beauty, it remains the historic heart of the city. A short stroll away, the John Rylands Library looks like a cathedral but houses one of the finest collections of books in the world—a quiet, neo-Gothic sanctuary amidst the city noise.

St Peter’s Square offers a more modern, open perspective of the city, framed by the iconic Central Library and the historic Midland Hotel. Then there’s Deansgate, the city’s main artery. It’s a mile-long stretch that cuts through the heart of the action, connecting the historic ruins of the south to the high-energy shopping and social districts of the north. Every turn off Deansgate leads to something new, whether it’s a hidden courtyard or a towering skyscraper.

Where to Eat, Drink, and Socialise in the City Centre

When the sun goes down (or even when it doesn’t), the city centre’s social hubs come alive. Deansgate and Spinningfields are the places to be seen, offering a polished, high-end experience for those who like their drinks with a view. However, for those who want a bit more soul and grit, Peter Street has reclaimed its crown as the city’s premier nightlife destination.

Positioned perfectly between the business district and the historic centre, Peter Street is home to the city’s most immersive experiences. It’s here you’ll find Peaky Blinders Manchester, a venue that captures the 1920s aesthetic perfectly while staying firmly rooted in modern Manchester’s vibrant nightlife. This area is ideal for pre-theatre drinks, celebratory dinners, or a full-scale night on the tiles. If you’re planning something a bit more exclusive for the gang, many of the city’s best spots, including our own, offer private bar hire, ensuring your business stays your own while you enjoy the best the city has to offer.

What to See in Manchester (Culture, History, and Museums)

Manchester is a city of “firsts”—the first passenger railway, the first split atom, and the birthplace of the modern computer. That heritage isn’t just in the history books; it’s built into the very skyline. For those looking for what to do in Manchester that leans toward the cerebral, the city’s cultural institutions are world-class and largely free to enter.

Museums and Galleries Worth Visiting

The Science and Industry Museum is a non-negotiable visit, sitting on the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station. It tracks the city’s rise from a textile giant to a global innovator. For art lovers, the Manchester Art Gallery houses a stunning collection of Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces in a building as beautiful as the work it holds.

Sports fans shouldn’t miss the National Football Museum, which explores the beautiful game’s impact on the world from its home in the iconic Urbis building. Further out, in the lush surroundings of the university district, the Whitworth Art Gallery blends modern art with the natural beauty of the park, providing a perfect spot for quiet reflection and a walk through the trees.

Manchester’s Music, Football, and Industrial Heritage

The “Manchester sound” changed the world, and you can still feel that rhythmic heartbeat in the city’s DNA. From the Hacienda days to the global stadium tours of today, music is the city’s lifeblood. This is matched only by the city’s obsession with football. Whether you lean toward the red or the blue half of the city, the presence of two global sporting giants is woven into the daily conversation of every Mancunian. This industrial heritage—the “worker bee” spirit—is what binds it all together, creating a city that is proud of its past but always looking for the next big thing.

Best Things to Do in Manchester by Interest

Every visitor has a different mission. Some come to feast, some come to dance, and some come to simply take it all in. Here is how to tailor your Manchester experience to your specific tastes.

Best Things to Do in Manchester for Food Lovers

Manchester has become a legitimate culinary destination. If you live for the next meal, start your day exploring the independent coffee shops and bottomless brunch spots in the Northern Quarter or right here on Peter Street. For lunch, look toward the traditional pubs for a Sunday roast that tastes like home. The city’s cocktail culture is equally impressive, with hidden speakeasies and grand halls offering some of the most inventive drinks in the North. Manchester’s dining scene is unapologetic, bold, and always evolving.

Best Things to Do in Manchester at Night

Nightlife is where Manchester truly earns its reputation. The city doesn’t sleep; it just changes clothes. You can start your evening with a sophisticated cocktail bar experience on Peter Street before moving on to a live brass band or a jazz session in a converted warehouse. Whether you want a quiet corner for a shrewd conversation at Peaky Blinders Manchester or a dance floor that keeps moving until the early hours, the city’s nightlife districts—from the Gay Village to the locks of Deansgate—have something for every mood.

Best Things to Do in Manchester for Groups and Celebrations

Manchester loves a crowd. It’s the go-to destination for birthdays, stag and hen parties, and corporate events because the city is built for hosting. There are plenty of large-scale social venues where the energy is high and the drinks flow freely. For those looking for something a bit more tailored, private bar hire options—like the dedicated spaces we offer at Peaky Blinders Manchester—allow you to take over a slice of the city for yourself, ensuring your celebration has the backdrop it deserves without the intrusion of the general public.

Stuff to Do in Manchester Beyond the Obvious

If you’ve seen the libraries and done the big museums, it’s time to look a little deeper. The “stuff to do in Manchester” that the locals love is often found in the gaps between the tourist maps.

Hidden Gems and Local Favourites

Take a walk to Islington Marina in Ancoats for a waterside coffee, or hunt down Chetham’s Library, the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world, which feels like stepping into a film set. For a taste of the 1920s brought into the modern day, the Peter Street area houses spots like Peaky Blinders Manchester, where the atmosphere of the past meets the vibrant energy of today’s social scene. It’s these tucked-away spots—the basement bars and the rooftop terraces—that give the city its true character.

Things to Do in Manchester When It Rains

Let’s be honest: it’s going to rain. But a bit of Mancunian weather shouldn’t stop the play. The city is perfectly designed for indoor exploration. When the clouds break, duck into the Trafford Centre for a world-class shopping experience, or head to one of the many indoor food halls like Mackie Mayor, where you can spend an entire afternoon sampling local beers and artisan food under a stunning glass roof. Or, simply find a comfortable, leather-clad booth in an atmospheric bar on Peter Street and wait for the storm to pass with a premium spirit in hand.

Where to Go in Manchester for Special Occasions

When the calendar marks a big day, Manchester steps up. The city has a knack for making things feel grand, whether it’s a milestone birthday or a long-awaited reunion.

Where to Go for Celebrations and Events

The city is packed with venues that specialise in the art of the party. From high-end private dining rooms to atmospheric basements perfect for a blowout, the options for private bar hire are extensive. It’s about finding a space that matches your ambition—somewhere with a bit of character, a bit of history, and a lot of style. At Peaky Blinders Manchester, we pride ourselves on being the host for the city’s boldest celebrations, offering tailored spaces that make every event feel like an occasion of its own.

Seasonal Things to Do in Manchester

Manchester wears the seasons well. In the summer, the city’s terraces and rooftops are the only place to be. As the leaves turn, the focus shifts to the cosy snugs of traditional pubs and hearty autumnal menus. Come December, the city transforms into a festive powerhouse. The Manchester Christmas Markets are world-famous, but for those who want to escape the crowds, booking a christmas party in one of the city’s themed venues or atmospheric bars provides a much more refined way to see out the year.

Things to Do in Manchester That Make a Visit Memorable

At the end of the day, Manchester isn’t a checklist of attractions; it’s an experience you wear. It’s the sound of a live band echoing off the warehouse walls, the first sip of a cold drink after a long day of exploring, and the feeling of being in a city that actually knows how to live.

Whether you spend your time in the high-end haunts of Spinningfields or the storied streets around Peter Street—where venues like Peaky Blinders Manchester keep the spirit of a bygone era alive with live music, signature cocktails, and proper food—you’ll leave with a better understanding of what makes this city the capital of the North. Plan your route, dress for the occasion, and step out into the city. Manchester is waiting.

FAQs about Things to Do in Manchester