Manchester’s best vintage boutiques and thrift stores that you need to visit
Shopping second-hand is often thought of as buying old, unwanted clothes in an extremely limited selection of styles and sizes. But Manchester's vintage and thrift boutiques are completely reversing that stereotype.
The Northern Quarter may be a hub for vintage aficionados, but there’s actually much more to Manchester City Centre’s charity shop and second-hand scene than meets the eye.
Shopping second-hand is often thought of as buying old, unwanted clothes in an extremely limited selection of styles and sizes. But Manchester City Centre’s charity shops, vintage and thrift boutiques are completely reversing that stereotype, offering a wide range of preloved and upcycled garments to fit with the latest trends.
Unsure where to start? Here’s our list of the best vintage boutiques, thrift stores and charity shops in Manchester City Centre to check out.
Blue Rinse
Blue Rinse
Blue Rinse has quickly gained a reputation as one of the UK’s best vintage chains, and their Manchester store definitely lives up to this hype.
Specialising in 80s and 90s style, they offer a variety of classic pieces and reworked items for a reasonable price tag.
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Perfect for: retro football jerseys, denim and flannel shirts
Don’t let the name trick you, as this Manchester City Centre store is anything but your local charity shop.
They offer a curated collection of the finest vintage clothing that you won’t be able to find anywhere else, and their knowledgeable staff are on-hand to assist you in hunting down that one signature piece you need.
Perfect for: any retro and vintage designer labels
Whilst the brand is now something of a national treasure, it all began in their Oldham Street boutique.
Culture and fashion come together in this crazy, eclectic selection of items, as well as their own branded collection. They’re definitely at the forefront of the latest vintage trends.
Perfect for: retro furniture, clothing and accessories
Where to find them: 34-36 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN www.pop-boutique.com
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Bags of Flavor
Bags of Flavor
This retro boutique boasts a classic feel with its 70s and 80s vintage men’s clothing.
From their upcycled Burberry bags to vintage Berghaus jackets, they’re our go-to for an old-school sportswear and vibes.
Perfect for: waterproof jackets, bags and anything Adidas
This 90s inspired boutique has stores across the country, but their Manchester location is particularly influenced by the city’s musical history and bands like the Stone Roses.
From ditsy floral dresses to Hawaiian shirts, there’s a bit of everything on offer here.
Perfect for: flannel shirts, bomber jackets and pinafores
Where to find them: 61 Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PD www.wearecow.com
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Manchester gig among just a handful of UK dates on European tour
Danny Jones
One of our favourite live acts we’ve ever seen is coming back to Manchester as Unknown Mortal Orchestra are set for a stunning return to the city – and at one of our most beloved venues, no less.
The New Zealand psychedelia-infused rock and indie outfit may not be on everyone’s radar just yet, but the genre-bending outfit is comfortably up there with some of the best we’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in the flesh.
Currently based in Portland, Oregon, in the States, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is fronted by multi-instrumentalist and visionary experimentalist producer, Ruban Nielson, who first began the project on his own over a decade and a half ago.
Closer to a three-piece these days, you won’t find many bands that boast a collection of such varied and talented musicians, and they’re heading to Albert Hall.
As detailed by Albert Hall themselves, this show is also just one among a very small handful of dates here in the UK as part of their run of shows across Europe.
Other shows include one on the night following their Manchester gig over in Yorkshire, which our friends at The Sheff will no doubt be buzzing about, as well as on opening night at Barrowland in Glasgow ahead of a four-show residency in London.
Dubbing their work as nothing short of “psychedelic mastery” (we couldn’t agree more), the iconic live music space will be welcoming them early next year after landing on the mainland continent.
Other stops on the 2026 Unknown Mortal Orchestra European tour include Lithuania, Latvia and Poland; Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Paris.
Now consisting of Nielsen, bassist Jacob Portait, and often Ruban’s brother as well as fellow singer-songwriter, musician and engineer, Kody Neilson – also known for his work with The Mint Chicks, Opossom, Silicone and more – all of whom are as talented in the studio as they are on stage.
They also happen to have one of our favourite Tiny Desks of all time.
Sorry, but this HAS to be up in there in the top 10.
The London residency already looks to be in high demand, so you can bet their only date here in Manchester and at a venue like Albert Hall will sell out extremely fast.
As well as an entirely instrumental outing earlier this year, UMO also dropped their latest EP entitled CURSE back in June, and it’s fair to say it’s some of the most ‘out-there’ material to date.
If you haven’t listened to it yet and are just expecting more art-poppy indie bops like ‘Hunnybee’, you couldn’t be more wrong…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the Albert Hall in Manchester on Friday, 27 March, and you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Kore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new reformer pilates studio has opened in Manchester, with its own on-site acai bowl and smoothie bar.
Kore Studios is a new wellness destination for the city, just off the busy drag of Deansgate.
It’s a design-led, calming space, all neutral natural textures and soft lighting, with 12 premium reformer beds in the studio and a full health bar in the front.
On the menu here you’ll find a menu of nutritious smoothies, juices, acai bowls and matchas, including beautiful dupes of the viral Erewhon smoothies.
Highlights from the Kore Studios acai menu include the Amazon Classic with banana, strawberries, granola and coconut, and the Power Bowl with peanut butter, banana, chia seeds and almond butter.
There are also tropical acai bowls, and some piled with a dollop of Nutella for more of a treat.
As for the smoothies, expect drinks like the Avocado Matcha Magic, a Tropical Sunshine, and a Green Glow Detox, plus a selection of flavoured matchas.
Erewhon dupe smoothies at Kore StudiosKore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in ManchesterA selection of acai bowlsInside the Kore Studios smoothie and acai barThere are 12 reformer pilates bedsThe beautiful changing rooms at Kore Studios
The fitness studio itself at Kore Studios brings another reformer pilates spot to Manchester, with top-quality equipment stashed within reaching distance of every bed (no awkward queueing to grab a set of hand weights).
The team have gathered some of the city’s top instructors together for a best-in-class schedule of reformer pilates sessions, as well as mat pilates and barre classes, with something to suit all abilities.
Kore Studios is open now at 31-33 King Street West in Manchester city centre.
Memberships start at £80 per month with a special £10 introductory offer class aimed at first-timers.
Daisy Bradbury -
28th September 2020 
