Manchester never stands still. The city in the Bermuda Triangle between Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham is changing faster than a teenager’s appearance. The industrial revolution has left its mark – in warehouses and factory buildings where hipsters have taken up residence. The English city is like a cool uncle who tells dirty jokes and lets you sip a flask: casual, down-to-earth and so full of humor that everyone here holds their stomach at some point. Jo Davis has lived in Manchester for 24 years and would only leave her home – if at all – for a houseboat in Provence. Speaks for itself, doesn’t it?
Living
The large roof terrace is not the only argument of the Gt John Street Hotels, but the most resounding. The former Victorian schoolhouse has been transformed into a cute little boutique hotel located right in the city center. Manchester meets Manhattan at the Hotel Gotham. When it comes to opulence, neither the furnishings nor the service are spared here. How fitting: the King Street Townhouse is a bank converted into a hotel in the heart of the financial district. There is not only a lot going on inside the walls, but also all around them. Comfortable accommodation from Visionapartments with stylish interiors can be found at 36 Princess Street.
Gt John Street Hotels, Great John St, Manchester M3 4FD, www.eclectichotels.co.uk
Hotel Gotham, 100 King St, Manchester M2 4WU, www.hotelgotham.co.uk
King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth St, Manchester M2 4AW, www.mrandmrssmith.com
Manchester – VISIONAPARTMENTS, 36 Princess Street, Manchester, visionapartments.com
Food
You can’t get a better pizza than this in Italy at Rudi’s Pizza right on the Ancoats Mile. Just a stroll away: Sugo Pasta Kitchen, where the angels almost begin to sing as you enjoy the homemade orecchiette. In the north of Manchester is Mackie Mayor is a good address: At this market there are numerous opportunities to stock up on home-made goods at various stalls. Breakfast, lunch or dinner – there’s something here for every time of day or night and every appetite.
Rudi’s Pizza, 9 Cotton Street, Ancoats, M4 5BF, www.rudyspizza.co.uk
Sugo Pasta Kitchen, 46 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF, www.sugopastakitchen.co.uk
Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle St, Manchester M4 5JY, www.mackiemayor.co.uk
Shopping
Hats, vests, denim jackets. These are just about the trend pieces for men on Manchester’s streets. Oi Polloi has the coolest collections; all men should definitely stop by here, hipster or not. Flannels in Spinningfields stocks what footballers and their wives would wear off the pitch – more class, more cost. Vintage fans will be happy at Cow Vintage, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the numerous independent stores at Afflecks Palace, you won’t find it anywhere. The Richard Goodall Gallery sells illustrations, prints and posters, while the coolest books and magazines as well as small souvenirs and gifts can be found at Magma.
Oi Polloi, 63 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1LQ, www.oipolloi.com
Flannels, Spinningfields, The Avenue, Manchester M3 3FL, www.flannels.com
Cow Vintage, 61 Church St, Manchester M4 1PD, www.wearecow.com
Afflecks Palace, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, www.afflecks.com
Richard Goodall Gallery, 59 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA, www.richardgoodallgallery.com
Magma, 24 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN, magma-shop.com
Party
The city’s youngsters meet at 20 Stories, where they not only eat and drink, but also turn night into day with the coolest view of the city. In the There’s always something going on at Albert’s Castle on Peter Street. Live bands perform here every evening, and the freshly tapped beer goes without saying. If all this is a little too casual for you, book a table at the Menagerie in New Bailey; the place for entertaining cabaret.
20 Stories, No 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB, 20stories.co.uk
Albert’s Castle, 27 Peter St, Manchester M2 5QR, albertsschloss.co.uk
Menagerie, One New Bailey, New Bailey St, Salford M3 5JL, menagerierestaurant.co.uk
Quarters
Manchester’s northern quarter is home to numerous boutiques, bars, cafés, galleries and coffee shops, where hipsters cram together at small tables . Ancoats has just risen from a small village to a trendy urban district, which is home to many restaurants and stores as well as particularly beautiful streets and the canal. In Spinningfields is all about business. Many public workplaces, restaurants that are only open during office working hours and boutiques that mainly sell deux-pieces, ties and suits are located here.
Must do
If you like music, Manchester is the place to be. The scene is the most colorful and bubbly in the UK. Be sure to stop by Academy 1,2,3, The Warehouse Project or Sankey’s and listen to the stars of tomorrow.
Academy 1,2,3, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PR, www.manchesteracademy.net
The Warehouse Project, Store St, Manchester M1 2WA, www.thewarehouseproject.com
Sankeys, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester M4 6JG, sankeys.info
Events
Filmed Up
10.12.
Manchester Short Film Festival, which only shows films made in the city.
Jo Davis
is a fashion boutique owner.
loves home-cooked veggie food, red wine, candles from Bella Freud, laughing until you cry , Instagram, friends and family.
hates dishonesty, lies, cheating, freezing, beans, the toilet ring left upstairs and the thought of her 12-year-old son moving out one day.
www.blackwhitedenim.com