With lockdown partially lifting, meaning bars, restaurants and pubs can now serve customers outdoors, I’ve written a list of the five places I most want to revisit in the coming months. In my first year, we spent a lot of our time in Fallowfield itself, so I’ve focused on the other areas I’ve explored during my time as a student as Manchester really does have so much to offer.
1. Dinner at Elnecot (Ancoats)
Described as ‘a neighbourhood bar and kitchen’, Elnecot serves incredible Modern British food all day long. We were lucky enough to visit for dinner as a house before the second lockdown in November and were so impressed. With its industrial yet sleek interior and amazing food (plenty of good veggie and vegan options too) I can’t wait to visit again! Our favourite dishes were the Arancini and the Crispy Sproutcakes.
2. Drinks at Wilderness (Withington)
Wilderness is a Record Store in the student suburb of Withington, right by the Post Office and just along from Fallowfield. Alongside selling vinyls and merchandise, Wilderness serves coffee and tea in the day, and beer and cocktails into the night. It’s one of our favourite local spots, always playing great music and with a great selection of locally made craft ales.
3. Brunch at Tea Hive (Chorlton)
Chorlton is one of my favourite places in Manchester. It’s full of great charity shops but even greater food and drink – the perfect way to spend a weekend morning. Tea Hive is one of my favourite spots for brunch – it’s just down the road from Unicorn and has amazing tea, coffee and hot chocolate varieties to go with pastries and hot food – my favourite is the Charlie Brown Hot Chocolate which is made with peanut butter and is perfect for Manchester’s predictably cold weather!
4. Live Jazz at Matt & Phred’s (Northern Quarter)
Matt & Phred’s is a laid-back basement club which hosts live jazz, funk and soul most days of the week. It’s an intimate venue right in the centre of the Northern Quarter, which is perfect for enjoying the live music. We loved going here in my second year, both on weekends but also enjoying the £5 entry on Wednesdays. It also does amazing cocktails – be sure to try the French Vanilla Martini!
5. A beer and a movie at HOME (Deansgate)
HOME is one of my favourite places in Manchester. It’s a whole centre for contemporary art and film, hosting intimate film screenings of both independent and mainstream cinema and is just a short walk from the university campus. HOME does a great student discount with most cinema screenings costing around £5 - leaving money to spend in the bar! Although cinemas don’t open until May, I’m hopeful we can get a takeaway pint and sit by the nearby canals in the meantime.
