Manchester is packed with lots of interesting and unique things to do; with so much choice, it can sometimes be daunting to find and discover new places to try – especially if you’re a student new to the city and in need of a guide.
Luckily for you, that’s where we come in.
From deals, discounts and discovering new things, to the uni hotspots, cultural cornerstones and much more, we hope to break down everything you need to do while being a student in Manchester in this helpful round-up.
Without further ado, here is your ultimate student guide to Manchester.
A guide to student life in Manchester – everything you need to know
Manchester’s many districts
A small deli in Ancoats.One of many Spinningfields spots.Manchester Pride Festival in 2023.Where else to begin a student guide than with each distinct Manchester neighbourhood? (Credit: The Manc Group/Supplied)
Let’s start this Manchester student guide with areas. Venturing out into a city can be a challenge in itself, but doing it on your own can be even more scary. For starters, this quick breakdown of the Manchester districts should hopefully help you familiarise yourself with this bustling and busy North-West city.
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Spinningfields is first on our list and is called home by many businesses and restaurants, making it the ideal entertainment destination for Mancs and everyone alike. In between both Castlefield and Deansgate, this leisure-based area is packed with fancy cocktail bars, designer brands and fine dining.
Packed with culture, Northern Quarteris one of Manchester’s cultural havens. From vintage clothing shops to record shops, it’s no surprise this trendy neighbourhood has made a name for itself with students. There’s a shop for everything here and you’re never bored with endless shops, activities and plenty of food vendors to fuel your curiosity, it’s hard to leave.
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Right next to the Northern Quarter is Ancoats, an area packed with great food, small businesses and cute little cafes. This is a nice little retreat of creativity, with lots of personality, it really feels like a home away from home. The area even features its very own tourist attraction, two rows of Victorian terraces that have been preserved, also known as Anita Street.
Manchester has a reputation for pioneering change, this is reflected in our next district,Gay Village, an area in the city which runs alongside the Rochdale Canal, hence the name Canal Street. This place is packed with many bars and clubs to dance the night away in and often becomes the start or ending of a great night out.
Manchester music venues
Sounds of the City at Castlefield BowlOutside The Deaf Institute.Views from inside Albert Hall.Credit: Sam Neill/Supplied
Gorilla is an intimate live music venue situated right next to Manchester Oxford Road train station. With a capacity of around 600, this is a great music spot to discover upcoming artists or maybe even get tickets to exclusive performances by some of the bigger names in the industry.
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Over the years, this independent vendor has been attracting the likes of Dua Lipa, Sam Fender and The 1975, who even hosted their very private listening sessions within these four walls in 2023.
Coming in with less than half the capacity of Gorilla, The Deaf Institute – also on Oxford Road (where you’ll be spending lots of your time) – can hold 250 music lovers and has done since 2008. This is the perfect spot for discovering that hidden gem that will more than certainly go on to make it big.
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Johnny Marr and Florence Welch (yes, of ‘The Machine’) are just a few of the many acts to have graced the stage of this historic venue. As well as brilliant music, make sure to appreciate the decorum of the performance space – it’s quirky and loveable.
The next music venue you can’t miss… no, really you can’t. New Century Hallhas over 1000 LEDs spanning across the ceiling of the performance space and these lights are the ideal atmosphere-setter for any artist or audience member.
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Reopened in 2022, the lineup for this place has always been a treat too, even back in the day when they hosted the likes of The Hollies, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix and more. More recent acts include Snow Patrol, Kelela, The Japanese House and even hip-hop pensioner duo, Pete and Bas.
Ever fancied watching a gig in a chapel? Albert Hall has you sorted. There’s two floors to this historical venue and a fantastic draping lightbulb set-up hanging from the ceiling which artists use to create an atmosphere that can’t be beaten. Sam Smith, Kelis and Tame Impala are just a handful of names that have rocked this stage and the big names don’t stop coming!
The first and only outdoor concert spot on this rundown, Castlefield Bowl. Big names include Jungle, Avril Lavigne, Loyle Carner and everyone’s favourite Geordie Sam Fender, who left the crowd chanting a chorus of ‘woah-oh-ohs’ to ‘Seventeen Going Under’ for what felt like an eternity.
Attracting 8,000 spectators per show, it’s a biggie and a favourite of ours but it’s safe to say that these are just the tip of the iceberg. From the Ritz and the Apollo to the legendary AO Arena and the brand-new state-of-the-art Co-op Live, we do live music better than anyone. That’s just straight facts.
Manchester food and drink
The tasty selection at Zouk.Manchester’s legendary entertainment complex, Printworks.Drinks at Yard and Coop.No guide to Manchester is complete with a section on ‘scran’ – that’s food and you’ll need to know where to get it cheap as a student (Credit: The Manc Group)
Manchester is home to a vast landscape of impressive palates from all different kinds of cuisine. This city has always been bustling with rich food culture but it’s only getting bigger and better.
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Take Zouk for instance: they serve up traditional Indian and Pakistani dishes fit for everyone to enjoy. They offer students a 10% discount between 8am-4pm with their restaurant only being a 2-3 minute walk from both University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, it’s irresistible.
Northern Quarter Chicken restaurantYard and Coopprovides students with a Manchester ‘Yard Card’. This scheme entitles them to 20% off their bill Monday to Thursday and free wings on a Wednesday, with veggie options too! All you have to do is download an e-card to the wallet on your phone.
The Courtyardknows the way to a student’s heart – cheap drinks! Cocktails start at £2.70. These drinks are great fun to order with examples like ‘Minion’, ‘Haribo’, ‘Post Water Malone’ and ‘Bubble Trouble’ just to name a few. This bar also offers a beer and burger deal for £8 which runs from Sunday-Friday for all to enjoy even veggies and began.
We have tonnes of these recommendations, by the way – you just need to keep an eye out on The Manc Eats Instagram, where there are plenty more deals to be found.
Another Northern Quarter delight is Korean-influenced food joint Wolf at the Door, which has an array of food choices and its own happy hour. Also available from Sun-Fri from 3-7pm, glasses of wine and house beers are £3.50 with selected cocktails priced at £6. Sign me up!
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Cafe Marhabaoffers up curries for under £10, a perfect way to enjoy a meal out while trying not to break the bank. This authentic Pakistani cuisine fits a cosy 20 diners but also provides a takeaway service too. Located on Back Piccadilly, it’s right in the heart of Manchester city centre.
There’s also a collection of restaurants, activities and bars to take advantage of at Printworks. All the retailers are easily accessible and compiled into their useful and handy app of the same name. Most places within this venue offer some neat student prices and offers that you should definitely check out.
If Manchester’s foodie scene was a meal, consider this barely even a starter. We hope you have big stomachs…
Manc nightlife – a.k.a. the best in the world
The lively 42’s nightclub in Manchester.Viva La DIva, Main Queen and Owner of BarPop.Inside Satan’s Hollow.
Our city is no stranger to bars and clubs – after all, we were home to the infamous Haçienda which hosted artists like Oasis, New Order, Madonna and even The Stone Roses. Manchester has clubs galore, and many fit any music taste, no matter how niche.
Calling all Indie and Alt music lovers, 42’s (42nd Street) is the place for you! There’s poster upon poster draping these walls and an LED tunnel for you to walk through before you enter the dancefloor and bar area. You normally hear some Arctic Monkeys or Catfish and the Bottlemen blasting through the club, but sometimes you’ll even catch a cheeky ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ by Sophie Ellis-Bextor if you’re lucky.
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FAC251– more commonly known as Factory – caters to all. This club is made up of three different floors, the first being Pop/R&B and Rap, then up two flights of stairs for Indie and another flight for the third room which sounds out house, techno, as well as drum and bass. Factory is a student staple and is a happy medium for friends who all have very different musical interests.
This next spot is made for metalheads, moshers and those who proudly proclaim emo was never ‘just a phase’ is aptly named Satan’s Hollow. This club isn’t just all talk: the interior boasts a fully-fleshed horror theme; there are cut-out cages, a figures and frames and a caricature devil lurking in the corner. Don’t forget their £2 tuesdays where entry costs less than a meal deal… before 12am.
The next two night out destinations are situated in Manchester’s Gay Village and are just one of many bars and clubs located on Canal Street. You really are spoilt for choice.
The Brewers Manchester boasts an impressive light-up dancefloor and hosts special drag events such as ‘Filthy Gorgeous’ every Tuesday, which is also their weekly student night. Bar Popusually has a drag queen DJ on hand to provide some dancefloor fillers that you and your friends can let loose to as well.
Retail and shopping
Afflecks Palace in Manchester.The famous Vinyl Exchange.Fashion at Blue Rinse.
Studying and student life can be hard, so what better way to unwind than some retail therapy? Manchester has plenty of shops to fill that clothes-shaped void. Here are just a few favourites.
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Starting strong with Afflecks, if you don’t find anything to buy here, we’ll be impressed. This three-storey building houses many independent retailers stocking everything from clothes to posters, badges, jewellery and even piercings. There’s a whole selection of cafe’s and food hubs to sit back and relax after carrying all your bags around.
For music aficionados, there are record shops aplenty in Manchester’s NQ; one in particular, Vinyl Exchange, has been stocking rare and most-wanted vinyl records since 1988. Make sure you check out both floors as you might just find that album that you’ve been wanting since forever.
Vintage shops are quite common round here too, with Blue Rinse being one of the largest. Alongside offering some incredible knits, jackets and tees, this second-hand clothing shop also has a kilo sale where shoppers fill a bag with whatever they like for a set price per weight. You’ll never be indecisive again!
Pop Boutiquehas a lot of retro inspired clothing and is only a minute away from Blue Rinse. This is another vintage shop which has everything from clothing to furniture and accessories. Another pro to this retailer is you get to walk around with a cute reusable branded bag for the rest of the day – win-win.
Sometimes it’s good to know that you can come home to a nice comforting cuppa. Bird and Blendoffers just that, in a whole array of flavours you never knew existed. Ever had birthday cake tea? How about candy floss? This tea shop has it all. With an instore brewery too, you can walk out of the shop with a tea to go and one all wrapped up for later. Keep it handy for the mooch around the rest of the shops.
Manchester Arndale is the city centre’s leading shopping centre which boasts a collection of fashion retailers, foodie joints and its own independent market.
This retailing giant hosts an annual fun-filled MCR Student Social which is a day packed with events and discounts which benefit students across Manchester. This year sees the event taking place on Thursday 26 September from 12pm through till 7pm, don’t miss it!
Beyond the city centre – there’s a reason they call it Greater Manchester…
Although there’s needless things to do in Manchester, it can also be good to venture out of the city every once in a while – and you’re never short of your next day out!
Trafford Centremay possibly be one of Manchester’s best shopping centre’s to date. With a long list of retailers and food chains this is a shopper’s paradise. Not to mention the phenomenal architecture which takes you back to the Roman and Greek design style with grand staircases, statues and fascinating fountains.
This next destination is all about the brands. From Calvin Klein to Champion, New Balance to Nike, Cheshire Oaks has got you covered. It may be a longer drive than the last location but the shops certainly make up for it. They even have an enticing student discount ranging from 10% to 20% depending on which brand you settle on. Discounts are always welcome around here!
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As you head towards the outskirts of the city and Greater Manchester, it’s a whole new world and you might find you stumble across a favourite spot like the so-called ‘student central’ areas of Fallowfield, Rusholme, Withington and so on. Don’t worry, we cover those two – for instance:
As ever, Manchester city centre and the nine other boroughs have a lot to offer, so we obviously couldn’t list ever single place on this student guide.
However, this is a great starting point for getting around and can help begin your journey in our jam-packed city centre and the surrounding areas. Being a student is a truly special chapter in life and you’ve picked a wonderful place to start it.
Go on now, off you pop! Get enjoying the best city in the world.
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Oh, and if you still need to order any essentials for uni, it’s worth us reminding you of those little tips like this to make things even that tiny bit easier.
The best pancakes in Manchester and where to find them
Danny Jones
Pancakes might traditionally be a relatively simple staple, but here in Manchester our restaurants and cafes go large, with dozens of different styles, flavours and toppings to choose from– and we have some of the best places going in the North West.
There’s a pancake to suit everyone if you know where to look, from sweet to savoury, miniature to fat and thin to fluffy.
We’ve broken down some of our favourites below to help you get your pancake fix all year round. Yes, it may be Shrove Tuesday is looming, but one day is hardly enough to sample them all.
There are some relative newcomers to check out, too. Keep reading to discover the best places for pancakes in and around Manchester.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, La Vie Cafe, just at the end of Deansgate on the corner of St Mary’s Gate and Blackfriars Street, is one of the most sleek and stylish little corners you’ll find flipping perfect pancakes anywhere in Manchester.
While they’re well known for everything from the hot and cold brews, to luxurious topped waffles, French toast and more, their berry and Kinder combo stack might be one of the best desserts in town, full stop.
Us lot here in The Manc office would happily eat and drink here for hours – and many people do – but our wasitlines woudn’t thank us for it.
Now, if you’re more of a crepe person than a fluffy stack fan, then this increasingly viral and trending spot on Brazennose Street, just between two of the city’s most resurgent squares, might be a good alternative for you.
Putting a somewhat lighter and more delicate Japanese twist on the classic French-style dessert, these thin but flavourful little pancakes feel like a happy medium between treating yourself and pure decadence and potential overindulgence.
Their creme brûlée matcha flavoured crepe is absolutely to die for and an absolute must-try.
3. Hampton and Vouis – Central and Northern Quarter
Credit: The Manc Group
This cute little cafe next to Albert Square used to be very easy to miss, but with a second venue in the Northern Quarter now too, they’re more worth seeking out than ever. Venture inside, and you’ll find great coffee, a counter full of bakes from local suppliers and an excellent year-round pancake menu.
Here, fluffy American-style pancakes are loaded with sauce and sweet treats like Jammy Dodger biscuits, raspberries, caramel sauce and strawberry jam.
There’s also a Lotus Biscoff stack, a special apple crumble and custard stack, Biscoff and Bueno stacks, as well as plenty more – all come with vanilla ice cream on the side.
4. Cafe North – Shudehill
Heading over to Shudehill now, and just on the edge of the Northern Quarter, you’ll find Cafe North, which manages to be one of the cosiest and somehow still rather quiet city centre spots for good pancakes, even despite sitting on a busy main road.
It’s a no bookings kind of place, and it does fill up pretty quickly around breakfast time on weekends, and they do savoury just as well as they do sweet, but when it comes to the pancake game, the level of variety is unreal.
Summer fruits with mascarpone and honey, streaky bacon and maple syrup, fruit and Nutella, pistachio cream, Biscoff and more – the list is massive.
Next up is another NQ spot that often gets forgotten about, perhaps because it’s down the ‘quieter’ stretch of Tib Street that is so typically busy with deliveries and cut-through traffic that people just want it pedestrianised.
However, if you haven’t tried Sugar Junction before, you’re seriously missing out. It also happens to be ‘r Amy’s favourite, and trust us, this girl knows what she’s talking about.
The rest of their menu is also jam-packed with all the sugary goodies you’d expect from a gaff with this name, but it’s well worth a visit if you want your pancakes just about as sweet as they come.
7. Moose Coffee – Piccadilly Approach and Central
Credit: The Manc
Canadians are famous for their pancakes, and the selection at Moose in Manchester is up there with the best. Made fresh to order, think a stack of three dusted with icing sugar and served with Canadian butter.
Whether you opt for savoury or sweet toppings, maple syrup on the side is pretty much a given (yes, even with your eggs and bacon), and we’re absolutely here for it.
The only thing that could make it more authentic is if the staff often split the bill for you unrequested. A nice little touch.
8. Ezra and Gil
In at number eight is arguably one of the original contemporary brunch spots during Greater Manchester’s biggest foodie boom over the past decade, Ezra and Gil, who smash both day and night when given the chance.
They’re another one of those where you’ll always find a queue coming out the door and for good reason, as they’ve been reinventing the pancake game here in the city centre for a long time.
We’ve been Ezra and Gil die-hards since day one. Exhibit A:
Still as good now as it was back then.
9. 19 Cafe Bar
This blink-and-you ‘ll-miss-it spot has become an absolute go-to for naughty pancakes, thanks to its chocolate bar-laden menu.
The Biscoff and Kinder Bueno pancakes are the big draws here at 19 Cafe Bar. Loaded with the likes of Biscoff crumb and spread, banana, ice cream and salted caramel sauce, or homemade Kinder sauce, Bueno, chocolate sauce, roasted hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream.
There are healthier pancake options, too, and a strong list of brunch cocktails available from the bar. Familiar Brett from our ‘On The Street’ series is a big fan:
A greasy spoon cafe, but make it Northern Quarter.
The Koffee Pot has long been a go-to breakfast spot, way before it moved up from Stevenson Square to its newer premises on Oldham Street.
It’s been known for fry-ups and breakfast tacos for nearly half a century now, but you can get a solid pancake stack here, too. Think all-American buttermilk pancake stacks with added sausage patty, smoked streaky bacon, hash brown, fried egg and maple syrup.
It’s basically a full English in a pancake stack, and who doesn’t want that?
Credit: The Manc
11. Bruncho – Deansgate
Our penultimate pick of top-tier present-day pancake houses in central Manchester is the ever-filing out the door, Bruncho, who work magic with their Middle Eastern twists on brunch staples.
This spot also serves as just one stop among Deansgate’s growing brunch triangle. In fact, make that quadrangle – quitangle? Not sure, all we know is there’s a lot to choose from along here, and plenty serving pancakes.
Honestly, does this place even need an introduction at this point? The Northern Quarter staple brunch does some of the best breakfast plates and more in Greater Manchester, let alone just here in the city centre, so it’s no surprise they have some super pancakes, too.
We’re personally partial to their milkshakes, to be completely honest, but know people who still refuse to suggest anywhere else for some naughty stacks that Fress on Oldham Street, even after all these years.
You can see the full menu HERE, but we’d recommend going for the duo delight offer and getting your pick of whatever two flavours you think pair best.
Credit: The Manc
13. Leo and Roobs – Salford
Just over on the edge of Salford, as you leave the glitzy reaches of Spinningfields behind, this beloved breakfast spot has become increasingly popular since it opened back in June 2024.
They’re not for solid coffee, great deals on various brunchy bits, and in case you didn’t know, some very tasty pancakes. Specifically, that tiramisu one you might have heard about, which is nothing short of unreal…
For context, when we asked our resident taste-tester EmJ on the day what she made of it, all she could repeat was “BANGIN'”. Says it all really, doesn’t it?
Florence and the Machine at Co-op Live Manchester – tickets, setlist, and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Florence and the Machine have visited Manchester before… but this UK tour marks their Co-op Live debut.
The ‘Dog Days Are Over’ because London-based band Florence and the Machine are returning to the music capital of the North – Manchester.
The band has played in our city many times over the years, including staple venues like Manchester Academy and AO Arena, but now they’re taking to the stage of the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live for the first time in their career this month.
With this current run of shows titled Everybody Scream Tour, you can expect this arena gig to be a spectacle or… ‘Spectrum’ (there’s more puns coming).
So, grab the ‘Girl With One Eye’, ‘Jenny of Oldstones’, and the ‘Queen of Peace’, and get ready to ‘Howl’ out all of Florence and the Machine’s bangers.
Florence and the Machine are coming to Co-op Live, Manchester on 20 February / Credit: Autumn de Wilde (Supplied)
Florence and the Machine UK tour dates
Fri 13 Feb – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Sat 14 Feb – Sheffield, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon 16 Feb – London, UK – The O2
Tue 17 Feb – London, UK – The O2
Fri 20 Feb – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 24 Aug – Edinburgh, UK – Royal Highland Showgrounds
Fri 28 Aug – Leeds, UK – Bramham Park
Sun 30 Aug – Reading, UK – Richfield Avenue
Tickets
Anyone wanting to see this stellar act in all their glory when they play their latest arena show in Manchester can find some seats left HERE.
There’s even a handful of premium seating options on offer, where you can ‘Shake It Out’ in style feeling like a ‘King’ HERE.
Setlist
Everybody Scream
Witch Dance
Shake It Out
Seven Devils
Big God
Daffodil
Which Witch
Cosmic Love
Spectrum
Never Let Me Go
Music By Men
buckle
King
The Old Religion
Howl
Heaven Is Here
Sympathy Magic
One of the Greats
Dog Days Are Over
Free
And Love
What are the stage times for Florence and the Machine in Manchester?
UK act Florence and the Machine are playing various arena and festival shows this year / Credit: Autumn de Wilde (Supplied)
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning as much as we want to sing until there’s ‘No Light, No Light’, at least we’ll be tucked up in bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm, with a kick-off time expected to be 7:30pm, and support from self-proclaimed alternative-indie ‘Good Girl’ Paris Paloma.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Thomas Melia -
20th September 2024 
