With the cost of living only ever seeming to rise, it’s becoming increasingly hard to enjoy dining out as much as we might like. Unfortunately, energy bills (and the rest) are having to come first.
However, what many don’t know is that a number of Manchester’s top restaurants offer fixed-price menus at certain times – meaning that you can dine for a fraction of the usual price, just by booking in at a certain time.
Although these menus have been designed for a pre-theatre crowd, there’s no stipulation that you need to have a ticket to get the deal. As long as you dine within the allotted period, you can get the saving regardless of whether you’re going to see a show or not.
Of course, we don’t want to put you off going out out. There are some great theatre shows coming to Manchester this season, with The Palace welcoming the likes of Dreamgirls and The Lion King coming to town this autumn.
On the other side of town, meanwhile, The Opera House will host performances of Jersey Boys and Mrs Doubtfire as part of its winter, and in between, there will be innumerable small shows popping up at the likes of 53Two, Hope Mill and The Edge.
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So whether you’re looking to grab a bite before a show, or simply enjoy your favourites restaurants for a fraction of the price, these are the set menus you want to be checking out. Thank us later.
Don Giovanni
Image: Don Giovanni
Image: Don Giovanni
Offer: 2 courses £22.99, 3 courses £27.95
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When: 4-6pm every day
An Oxford Road staple, Italian restaurant Don Giovanni has been happily feeding theatre-goers since it opened its doors here in the eighties.
Ideally located between HOME, the Bridgewater Hall, The Palace Theatre and Opera House, tuck into house favourites like pizza, lasagne, gorgonzola gnocchi and tiramisu for a fraction of the usual price.
When: Available for reservations made Monday-Saturday until 6.30pm and all day Sunday.
Whilst a meal at steakhouse Hawksmoor can often set you back well over £100, the restaurant’s quick pre-theatre or late post-theatre menu offers theatre goers an express alternative for under £30. A no-brainer, in our book.
With main choices like 35-day aged rump or fillet tail (+5.50), seam bream and charcoal-roasted cauliflower, plus pudding favourites like strawberry cheesecake, sticky toffee sundae and peanut butter shortbread, we’re not sure how you could resist.
Pistachio crusted hake fillet, Panzanella salad, chili and red pepper relish. / Image: Kala
Bone marrow, shallot, garlic, parsley, sourdough toast. / Image: Kala
Offer: 2 courses £22, 3 courses £25
When: Dinner (before 7pm)
At Gary Usher’s King Street Bistro Kala you’re guaranteed to find a selection of well-presented, elegantly styled dishes that celebrate seasonal produce throughout the year.
Every dish on Kala’s set menu comes with a recommended pairing, be that fino sherry with your boquerones or a light and fruity glass of Beaujolais with your roasted betroot salad.
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Think sticky belly of bacon with sour cream, dill and pickled green beans to start, followed by pan-roasted pork ribeye with caper butter, wild mushroom ketchup, chicory, with a stack of truffle and parmesan chips on the side and a sticky toffee sundae to finish. (Pesce and vegetarian options are available too).
Whilst the views from this sky-high Spinningfields restaurant are an undeniable draw, the food is equally deserving of praise. With ex-Mana chef Daniel Scott now at the helm, diners can expect to find a range of refined dishes influenced by his experience and travels.
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Pre-theatre menu choices include roasted chicken supreme with truffled potato purée, chicken and thyme sauce, ras el hanout cauliflower steak with romseco, and pan-fried salad, with sides spanning four different potato styles, salads and buttered veg.
Offer: Three tapas and a glass of wine or beer for £15
When: Sunday to Friday, 12-6pm (excluding bank holidays)
Savvy theatre-goers can dig into tapas favourites like pinxtos, Spanish tortilla and goats cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers at La Bandera for just £15 as part of the long-standing restaurant’s express deal.
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With a glass of wine or beer included in the price, if you want to go all out you can also opt for a dessert for just £4 extra. Terms and conditions apply.
One for the steak lovers. Yes, we know we’ve already put Hawksmoor on this list but Gaucho offers something a little bit different with exclusively wet aged steaks from the Las Pampas region of Argentina.
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The restaurant also has its own winery, with a selection of beautiful bottles on offer designed to complement your chargrilled cut of choice.
Think watermelon panzanella, sea bream ceviche or beef carpaccio to start, followed by a spiral cut rump steak, sirloin or burger, with a citrus brulee to finish. Veggies and vegans are provided for too.
A place to go if you want to be seen (and spot a few celebs), The Ivy in Spinningfields is split into several parts including its ground-floor Brasserie. Here, diners can enjoy a set menu throughout the week with two courses starting at £27.95.
Think mains like steak, egg and chips, baked salmon fillet and chargrilled halloumi, with sides starting from an additional £3.95. As for pudding, choices include camembert with rye crackers, chocolate brownie and a tropical sorbet with lime, coconut and white chocolate sauce.
If you’re looking for a bang-up curry to go with your night out at the theatre, look no further than Zouk. This popular family-run eatery is a long-standing fixture in the city and for good reason.
From classic curries like jalfrezi, butter chicken and lamb laziz, to a Rajasthan-inspired fiery ‘railway’ dish, schwarma and Zouk burger, there’s something to please everyone no matter their spice comfort level.
When: Matinee and evening shows, menu only available when there is a show on at The Lowry.
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With mains like chalk stream trout with lentils and pancetta, summer vegetable risotto, roast chicken and celeriac steak, Pier Eight at The Lowry is well worth a visit if you’re catching a show in this part of town.
Elsewhere, its refined summer set menu features the likes of lemon cake with tahini custard and dark chocolate tarte, alongside Belgian waffles topped with locally-made Grandpa Greene’s Ice cream.
When: Monday to Thursday 12pm-close, Friday 12-7pm
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Dining from Cote Brasserie’s Prix Fixe menu you can enjoy three courses for under £20 ahead of your show, provided it doesn’t fall on a Bank Holiday.
To start, opt for mushrooms on toast or cripy whitebait before digginig into haddock or steak frites, aubergine and red pepper cassoulet or lamb Parmentier, then finish off with a burnt orange tart, chocolate mousse of plum clafoutis.
Whitemoor Trail – a little wander off the beaten track in one of Cheshire’s best walking spots
Danny Jones
We’re trying to do more walking and outdoorsy stuff in 2026, and whether it’s here in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, or somewhere else nearby in the North West, we intend to lap up as much natural splendour as we can.
It goes without saying that we’re unbelievably lucky to have both the Peak and the Lake District not too far from us, but we’ll admit that sometimes we want something close by, super easy and family-friendly.
Now, that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of that in both the Peaks and the Lakes, but when our mates asked us to come along on a slightly hungover but frosty and super picturesque morning, a key condition we expressed was that it needed to be very low difficulty.
All that being said, we’d argue you might not get a better balance of accessible and enjoyable than the Whitemoor Trail up in Delamere Forest.
Credit: The Manc Group
For starters, that level of ease begins with how you get there; put simply, not only is it less than an hour’s drive away in the car, but it’s just over a 40-minute train ride to Delamere Station, which drops you not too far from the Forest itself – especially if you’re already gearing up for a day of walking.
You can even get the bus there, if you so wish.
Ran by Forestry England, it’s a fairly popular local attraction, as you’ll see upon arrival at the car park, but the art is in figuring out which route you want to take through the stunning hills, nature reserve and expansive treeline.
Trust us, it’s in finding these lesser-tread trails and preferred paths that you end up finding some of the most beautiful vistas, glimpses of the native wildlife, and the most serene, sometimes impossibly quiet spots at times.
Of course, there are still plenty of people about on the site, in particular on the weekends, but it doesn’t take long to find your own slice of solace and let the outside world slowly fall away and disappear into the periphery. Go and seek your own quiet moment – you won’t regret it.
Soon, all you’ll see is the incredible landscape around you, the forest continuing to unfold in front of you
It goes without saying that wandering through the woods is obviously some of the cleanest oxygen you might ever suck into your lungs, but it felt like the biggest breath of fresh air for our brains, too.
We can all be guilty of spending far too long sat it front of screens, staying inside – especially when it’s cold and wet out (as it often is in this region) – but we were definitely very pleased with ourselves for getting out of bed to soak in this simple morning splendour.
Of course, it doesn’t matter how early you get there, so long as you do, as the various parts of Delamere Forest each have their own special little bit of magic.
For instance, for those looking to keep the little ones engaged, there’s an official Gruffalo Trail: a beginner’s level walk with minimal elevation but plenty of hand-carved statues of the classic children’s characters.
Credit: The Manc
You’ll pass everything from almost perfectly still lakes and ponds, connecting up with Black Lake and Blakemere, as well as all types of trunks and foliage stretching far into the main Delamere Circular and well beyond that.
Whether you want to walk it, trail run, cycle, or even go off-road and sample the different kinds of terrain, this place offers great versatility, so while it’s a perfect entry-level ramble, you can spice things up if you want to make it more of a challenge.
Finally, once you’ve checked off everything you want to see, you can take a well-earned rest at the Forest cafe and stop to get a pretty picture of any and all precious pups who’ve definitely earned a nap on the way home.
As for you lot, reward yourselves however you see fit, but please make sure to try out Whitemoor Trail and Delamere Forest: the experience won’t let you down, no matter the season.
And if you fancy getting out in the hills with even more of a spring in your step, why not try dipping your toes into trail running this year?
10 of the biggest and best gigs coming to Manchester | 2026
Thomas Melia
Manchester has some fantastic live music lined up for next year, and we’ve rounded up 10 of the biggest live gigs and concerts coming in 2026.
This city is synonymous with having some of the best gigs around, so it will come as no surprise that 2026 is shaping up to be another jam-packed year of live music and unforgettable performances.
Whether your dream gig has to contain some jazz scatting, acoustic guitars or heavy EDM hits, this list has got most music bases covered.
So allow us to present to you 10 of the biggest live gigs and some of the concerts we’re most excited for in the New Year at Audio North, with acts and artists across a variety of genres.
10 of the biggest Manchester gigs in 2026
Mariah the Scientist – Manchester Academy (Wed 14 January)
When Mariah the Scientist last visited the musical capital of the North in 2024, she opted for Gorilla; this time, the US R&B singer-songwriter has chosen Manchester Academy.
She’s added another LP to her discography since, titled Hearts Sold Separately, it features the standout track ‘Burning Blue’, which has become her most successful single to date.
Ms Scientist is playing this venue’s biggest stage, playing out to over 2,000 fans will be ready to sing along to all her impressive hits, like ‘Is It a Crime’: her collaboration with Kali Uchis, and many others that have made her one of our artists to watch in 2026.
Off the back of their Co-op Live gig earlier in December, English folk-rockers Mumford & Sons are the gift that keeps on giving as they’re heading back to the city in February for a more intimate show.
Playing at Albert Hall in Manchester city centre, these London lads will be celebrating the release of their newest musical addition, Prizefighter, popping up in smaller venues across the UK for a one-of-a-kind album launch gig.
The celebrations don’t stop there as the trio will soon surpass a huge milestone with their hit ‘Little Lion Man’ close to one billion streams, a feat most artists dream of achieving – Tickets HERE.
Raye – Co-op Live (Tues 17 and Wed 18 February)
One of our leading vocalists, Raye, is stopping off at Co-op Live twice / Credit: Press shot (supplied)
Tooting talent Rachel Keen, widely recognised by her artist moniker Raye, is taking over Co-op Live for two nights of magical music, but as the title of the shows preface, This Tour May Contain New Music.
Her songs are addictive and distinctive, like the EDM/rap-fusion of ‘Escapism.’, or the big band-inspired ‘Where Is My Husband?’ – this South London star knows how to craft a pop hit.
Her career started in the Dance/EDM genre, where she contributed vocals and writing skills to a number of records. In previous shows, she usually merges these songs into a stripped-back showcase.
Unfortunately, general on-sale tickets have sold out, but you can still try and find premium seats for both dates HERE.
Lily Allen – AO Arena + Aviva Studios (10 and 11 March + 19 and 20 June)
This storytelling vocalist is returning to 0161 as part of the biggest headline tour of her career and getting ready to sing her latest tracks like ‘Tennis’, ‘Ruminating’ and more.
Allen is getting ready to turn both Aviva Studios and AO Arena into her pop-up ‘P*ssy Palace’ for four nights of ‘Lily Allen Performs West End Girl‘.
The London star announced her arena tour after selling out a string of theatre dates one week prior. We expect these extra dates to be just as exceptional; the only thing we don’t know is “Who’s Madeline?”
Both Aviva Studios dates are sold out, but don’t start ‘Ruminating’ just yet, as there’s plenty for her AO Arena shows HERE.
Basement Jaxx – Aviva Studios (Sat 28 March)
EDM icons Basement Jaxx are also coming to Aviva in 2026 / Credit: Jean-Luc Brouard (via Press Shot)
Felix and Simon – more commonly recognised as electronic act Basement Jaxx – are heading to Aviva Studios, and they’re bringing banger after banger.
Whether you’re ready to groove to ‘Romeo’, dance the night away to ‘Red Alert’ or lose control when ‘Do Your Thing’ blasts out the speakers, this night will be stacked with some huge tunes.
This EDM duo know how to command a crowd, so don’t wait for your friends to ask you, ‘Where’s Your Head At’ – get those tickets booked HERE.
The Scottish star is touring up and down the country, including Wigan, Preston and Blackpool, just to name a few, and has kindly decided to bless Manchester with her bouncy and upbeat tracks.
Get ready to be ‘Dancing At The Edge Of The World’ when soul singer-songwriter Brooke Combe plays out her cathartic tunes at this packed-out Manchester gig hotspot HERE.
Lusaint – Band on the Wall (Tue 14 April)
Local artist Lusaint is coming to Band on the Wall / Credit: The Manc Group
This time, Stretford soul singer Lusaint has chosen to bless Northern Quarter institution Band on the Wall with her next hometown performance.
She’s been slowly adding to her music catalogue since her last Manchester gig, and with the newly-released single ‘Blind’ as well as her latest EP, Apothecary Pt.1, Lusaint is ready to wow crowds with her incredible vocals – Tickets HERE.
Olivia Dean – Co-op Live (Sat 25 and Sun 26 April)
Superstar Olivia Dean is ready for Manchester – are you? / Credit: Jack Davison (via supplied)
2025 was Olivia Dean’s year; four singles charting in the UK Top 10 simultaneously and a number one album in the form of The Art of Loving, she’s unstoppable.
Playing two nights at Co-op Live in Manchester and a SIX-night residency (yep) at The O2 in London, Dean has captured audiences across the country with hits like ‘Nice To Each Other’ and ‘Man I Need’.
Her success is no surprise, being a Brit School graduate and her middle name inspired by R&B royalty Lauryn Hill, now she’s playing out to a combined 47,000 over two nights.
As you can expect, tickets for this one were snapped up pretty quickly, but there are a number of premium tickets for both dates HERE.
If you missed out on your chance to catch Neo-soul hitmaker Olivia Dean, why not check out this class local act at O2 Ritz Manchester instead?
Titled after one of Manchester’s busiest motorways, M60, this indie rock band aren’t just one of our favourite artists right now, they’re Gary Neville’s too.
Their biggest song, ‘I Don’t Mind,’ has amassed over five million streams, and ‘Honey’ is not far off with over one million streams. Give them a listen and catch them live HERE.
Doja Cat – Co-op Live (23 May)
Multi-talented musician Doja Cat knows how to put on a performance, and she’ll be doing just that when she arrives in Manchester with her ‘Tour Ma Vie‘.
Her music pays homage to her pop predecessors like ‘Jealous Type’, an ode to the aesthetics and sounds of 80s music, or her smash hit ‘Say So’, which is heavily inspired by 70s funk and disco.
This indoor Co-op Live date will be a lot drier than her last visit to Manchester took place at Parklife Festival, where the star found herself performing during one of this city’s infamous downpours.
‘Get Into It’ with Doja Cat as there’s an array of tickets available HERE.
The Weeknd – Etihad Stadium (11 June)
The Weeknd is returning to the Etihad / Credit: Sebastian Nagy (supplied)
Initially, The Weeknd had Manc fans contemplating the four-hour journey down to the Big Smoke with his tour dates originally listed for Wembley Stadium in London.
Since the first announcement, the Canadian R&B record-holder surprised Northern fans with a large-scale gig right here in Manchester city centre at the Etihad Stadium next June.
This latest live appearance is labelled as ‘The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour’, but it now incorporates his most recent album Hurry Up Tomorrow and features support from Rap act and collaborator Playboi Carti, and you can still get your hands on tickets HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
12th September 2022 
