Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and if you like to celebrate with your loved ones then you’re probably scrambling around for ideas in Manchester.
You might be getting ready for a night out with friends, to shower your other half with affection, or even marking the occasion with family.
Whatever your situation, and whoever you’re spending 14 February with, we’ve got a perfect day out in mind for you – whatever you’re in to.
And even if you’re really not arsed about Valentine’s Day, you can bookmark this for future date inspiration.
Keep reading for five perfect date days around Greater Manchester, from where to go for food to where to hotel inspiration if you want to make a night of it.
For those who love an activity
Cocktails at Roxy Ball Room. Credit: The Manc GroupCalcio. Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: Native Places
It’s not all about being wined and dined – some of us would rather get stuck in, get a bit competitive, and have a laugh.
There are competitive gaming experiences popping up all over Manchester (you can see a full list here) that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
What to do: Head to Roxy Ball Room (there’s one on Deansgate, but the site at the Arndale is our favourite) for an afternoon of bowling, ping-pong, shuffleboard, arcade games and even Crazy Pool. It’s rock and roll vibes with a healthy dose of competitive spirit.
Where to drink: Open through until the early hours, NQ64 is a graffiti-splattered, late-night Northern Quarter bar with retro arcade games, old-school consoles, and gaming-inspired cocktails.
Where to eat: There’s a newcomer in town that should fit the bill – Calcio has opened (also in the Northern Quarter, so minimal walking), bringing retro games and live sport to town. The kitchen is run by What’s Your Beef, so expect glorious burgers, hot dogs, wings and loaded fries.
Where to sleep: Seeing as your entire date has been based in and around the Northern Quarter, you might as well kip there too – head over to Native, the stunning aparthotel in Ducie Street Warehouse. The bonus is that you have your own little apartment for the night, so you can whip out the playing cards and keep fuelling your activity obsession.
For those who love to get dressed up
The San Valentino at San Carlo in Selfridges. Credit: SuppliedRosso’s Valentine’s Day decorations. Credit: SuppliedCredit: King Street Townhouse
Valentine’s Day is a special occasion, so it’s a lovely excuse to whip out the glad rags, slap on a face of make-up and play princess for the day.
Despite its sometimes-rough and ready appearance, Manchester has got plenty of glamour going on.
What to do: We’d love to suggest a day spent at Soho House, but it’s not open yet – so you can while away a few hours in the shopping hotspots around town. There are the lovely boutiques around King Street, or you can hibernate inside Harvey Nichols and Selfridges in the heart of Manchester – which both helpfully have champagne bars inside, serving a special San Valentino cocktail for Valentine’s Day.
Where to drink: For the best views in town, it’s got to be the beautiful 20 Stories. Have a cocktail or a glass of fizz on the roof terrace (it’s heated) and take in the Manchester skyline.
Where to eat: You don’t want to waste all the effort you spent getting ready, and one of the places to be seen is The Ivy, which has one of the most decadent interiors in town – though you’ll be spoilt for choice in Spinningfields. Other front-runners include Australasia, Rosso, and Tattu.
Where to sleep: King Street Townhouse, obviously – it has a rooftop pool that is always all over Instagram, a pretty special place to visit even with its view of Manchester Town Hall currently slightly marred by scaffolding.
For those who love live music
Band on the Wall. Credit: Jody HartleyCredit: RamonaCredit: BrewDogCredit: Mackie Mayor
This is really what Manchester does best, and a lot of us would find a night of live music the perfect Valentine’s Day – or date at any time of year.
This is how to nail a day out if you’re with a music lover.
What to do: There are loads of grassroots music venues around town – look for gig tickets for Band on the Wall, which recently underwent a huge upgrade. Nearby, you’ll also find Night & Day Cafe, Gullivers, and Matt & Phreds Jazz Cafe.
Where to drink: Ramona and The Firehouse is famous for its margaritas, and for its free late-night entertainment. Grab a drink and prepare to watch their talented artists dance it out on the runway.
Where to eat: Assuming you opt for Band on the Wall, Mackie Mayor is an ideal pre-gig dinner spot – it’s right next door. There are dozens of brilliant food and drink operators crammed under one roof, and it’s a properly stunning location to dine in too.
Where to sleep: Music runs through the heart of the new-ish Brewdog Hotel in the city centre. Each room comes with a record player and an acoustic guitar, and they’ll even hand you a pint at the check-in desk. Ideal.
For those who are absolutely skint
This time of year is brutal for our finances at the best of time, but the cost of living crisis is making it even worse.
Thankfully, there’s loads you can do around Manchester without spending a fortune this Valentine’s Day.
What to do: Even if you live here, we can’t recommend taking a walking tour of the city enough – there’ll be so much you don’t know about Manchester. This company – Free Manchester Walking Tours – are some of the best, and you just pay what you can at the end. There are also loads of galleries and museums that are free to visit.
Where to drink: For the cheapest pint in town, it still has to be Sinclairs Oyster Bar in Exchange Square. Phones and swearing are totally barred (don’t even try it) – just grab a pint for a couple of quid and get cosy in this incredibly old-school boozer.
Where to eat: Here’s a right gem for you – the underground wine cavern that is Corbieres does free pizza with any drink purchased, Tuesday-Friday 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Or you can check out our list of restaurant deals rolling into February here.
Where to sleep: Probably at home, in your own bed, if you’re on that much of a budger – but there are usually fairly affordable deals to be found around town, like at the new Wilde Aparthotel. Just avoid The Britannia, whatever you do.
For those who love to escape the city
Credit: The Pack Horse HayfieldThe Peak District near Glossop. Credit: Unsplash
Had enough of Manchester? Weirdo.
But no, on a serious note, one of the best things about living in the north west is all the countryside that surrounds us, from the Saddleworth Moors to the Peak District to the Lake District. So let’s hit the road.
What to do: Put on your hiking gear and get the train out to Glossop. It’s only a quick journey but you’ll find yourself right on the edge of the Peak District, where loads of walks will unfold in front of you.
Where to drink: Pubs, obviously. The highlights in Old Glossop include the lovely pub The Bull’s Head, and brewery taproom Distant Hills. Or you can head into Glossop a bit further and take a trip to Harvey Leonard’s, a wine and ale bar in the old Conservative Club.
Where to eat: There’s modern pub grub at The Oak Wood, but if you can face the trip across to Hayfield, The Pack Horse is easily one of the best gastropubs in the country. Don’t just take our word for it…
Where to sleep: The Pack Horse sadly doesn’t have room, but they have rounded up some brilliant Airbnbs in the area – what could be more romantic than a cosy fireside night in a riverside cottage, or a converted barn? Sold.
Featured image: Unsplash
Travel & Tourism
The best deals and offers in Manchester city centre for the 2025 graduation season
Danny Jones
Forget festival season or even Oasis mania, it’s graduation time – same time every year, and we still feel a warm and fuzzy inside every time we see our round as punch smartpants in their silly hats, so we thought we’d celebrate them with a round-up of the best related deals and offers in Manchester.
You’re welcome, big brains.
Whether you studied at the University of Manchester, MMU, Salford Uni or otherwise, make no mistake: this is YOUR moment in the spotlight and you deserve to soak it all in, every last drop.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best graduation offers and deals Manchester city centre has to offer this year.
2025 Manchester graduation deals and offers | 2025
Starting off on Canal Street, MAYA is offering all graduates a complimentary drink of their choice upon arrival, plus the bonus of a complimentary bottle of fizz for food bookings of three guests or more.
2. Tender at Stock Exchange Hotel – Central
It’s a similar story over the tender Restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating, inside the Stock Exchange, who is handing out free glasses of bubbly when booking a table.
Credit: Press shot (supplied)
3. The Cut and Craft – Central
Cut and Craft are serving a special graduation set menu consisting of three courses and a glass of prosecco for £50 per person (pp), available all day from Monday to Friday throughout July.
4. Hello Oriental – Circle Square and Trafford Centre
Hello Oriental diners and Class of 2025 members can raise a toast to their own success with either a free bubble tea, dessert – ‘Taiyaki’ soft serve or indulgent ‘Crème Brulée Bingsu’ – or a glass of prosecco when showing the graduation certificate or a photo of you in your hat and gown.
Complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon champagne (yep, the real good stuff) as well as an exclusive graduation set menu: two courses for £25 pp, or three for £30.
6. Zouk – Oxford Road Corridor
Free welcome drink with any main, sharing platter, or set menu item. You can choose from their brand-new summer special ‘Zouk Sunrise’ cocktail, an ‘Ocean Love Colada’ mocktail, a glass of Prosecco, or a soft drink. In fact, every guest gets a soft drink when adding ‘graduation‘to the booking notes.
Credit: Supplied
7. Electric Shuffle – Deansgate
Another free glass of prosecco is coming your way when booking a shuffleboard table during the 2025 graduation season.
8. The Lowry – Salford
If you’re someone staying over at The Lowry Hotel for graduation day this month, you will receive a bottle of champagne in your room completely gratis, as well as half-price bookings on a second bed and breakfast room for your loved ones/anyone with you for the big day.
There’ll also be discounted parking, not to mention 15% off all food and drinks, and gift vouchers for graduates to enjoy three small plates and a glass of prosecco.
Sexy Fish’s limited graduation menu is priced at £55pp and is available until 25 July, and comes with a congratulatory glass of bubbles. But that’s not all…
10. The Alan – Central
Joining forces with the stylish seafood restaurant, graduates can now enjoy an exclusive ‘dine and stay’ package starting from £195. Find out more HERE.
11. The Laureate at Hyatt Manchester – Oxford Road Corridor
Speaking of staying over, anyone rooming at the Hyatt Manchester over on Booth Street West can also grab themselves a bespoke celebratory cocktail.
12. Albert’s – Castlefield and Didsbury
Careering over to Castlefield, Albert’s Shed has a three-course set menu for £45pp, which includes a sparkling elderflower fizz cocktail. You can also opt to eat and drink just a tram ride or short drive away at their Didsbury location.
Celebrating a massive milestone in Manchester, Australasia’s ’15 for 15 years’ deal isn’t technically a graduation special, however, at just £15 for a main course and a drink (or £18 with a glass of wine, prosecco or beer), you’d be a fool not to consider this spot for your post-graduation celebrations.
14. The Black Friar – Salford
Not too far from here, you’ll find the beautiful Black Friar bistro and pub, which is offering a free bottle of prosecco to anyone who books a table at the venue this graduation season. Sorted.
Credit: The Manc
15. 20 Stories – Spinningfields
Across the other side of Spinningfields, 20 Stories’ July graduation menu promises two courses and a glass of fizz for £29pp, or three for £34pp. Available every Monday to Friday from 12-3pm, as well as Mon-Thurs between 5:30 and 6:30pm throughout July.
16. Podium – Deansgate
Down the road at Beetham Tower, a.k.a. Hilton Manchester, graduates eat completely free when three paying adults book to dine. You can reserve a table now and also grab a free ‘Gin-ovation’ cocktail from the Cloud23 sky bar (a fair) few floors upstairs.
The Rrefuge restaurant inside the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is keeping things nice and simple: a free glass of prosecco to the star of a table when mentioning graduation during booking.
18. Tattu – Spinningfields
Two-course graduation lunch menu for £32.50pp, or dinner from £44.90, as well as a complimentary cocktail for the graduate, and a special scroll that may or may not contain a special golden ticket inside, which could contain one of several prizes.
Credit: The Manc
19. Fenix – St John’s
At the back end of Spinningfields, Fenix is also offering a two-course graduation lunch menu for £32.50pp, which comes with a complimentary glass of prosecco; if you want to dine in the evening, it’s the same number of courses, only with proper champagne instead and for £44.90.
As part of the Permanently Unique hospitality group, they are also offering the scroll and a potential golden ticket opportunity.
20. The Ivy – Spinningfields
The Ivy is serving up a stunning three-course graduation menu, which ends with their signature seasonal special ‘Graduation Chocolate Bombe’ dessert, for £35.95pp. You also get a memorable keepsake to take home, and that’s all we can tell you.
From Spinningfields to the edge of Salford, Manchester bottomless brunch favourite Menagerie is offering a celebratory lunch and drink for £15.95pp, between 12 and 5pm, with a complimentary drink for you and your party when adding ‘Graduation‘ in the booking notes.
22. Browns Bar and Brasserie – Central
Browns are also pulling out the stops with a very reasonably priced three-course graduation menu for £39.00pp, which also comes with a complimentary glass of champagne for the graduate.
This one only applies to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) graduates, but the value couldn’t be overlooked; get 20% off the bill when you book a table for 6 or more people and pre-book using code ‘graduation‘ and bring proof of your graduation from Man Met.
24. CitySuites – Central
Second to last is CitySuites, who also quietly boast arguably the best overall graduation celebration package of all: a bottle of prosecco, a £10 Selfridges voucher, £30 credit per night to spend in their on-site bar and restaurant, as well as full access to the spa pool, breakfast, robes, parking – the lot.
Available until 3 August, this one is perfect for those based out of town. You can book HERE.
And the last of our Manchester university graduation offers and deals is up there with the cream of the crop: The Midland. You can get 15% off their ‘Excellence’ afternoon tea package (£55.00pp).
Whatever you opt for, you deserve it – congratulations to all of you!
What it’s like to fly from Manchester Airport’s ultra-luxury new private terminal
Will Kendrick
I’ve always accepted that commercial air travel comes with a certain level of chaos: the lines, the noise, the stress of checking your pocket for your passport every five minutes or checking the screens for that inevitable delay. It’s not glamorous, but it’s just part of the deal. It’s the price to pay prior to a holiday of good food and weather. Or so I thought.
Last week, aether turned that belief entirely on its head.
Upon arrival at the private terminal – located away from the main airport, near Runway Visitors Park – we were greeted outside by the most lovely host and welcomed inside. It was surreal; there were no crowds, no lines, no barking announcements – only calm, quiet luxury. Granted it was 6am, but let’s admit it, even Manchester Airport can be chaotic at that time.
The lounge area was super relaxed. Ambient music echoed quietly throughout the room and large panoramic windows meant you could watch the spectacle of every take off and landing right from your armchair.
But the real highlight? Breakfast by Adam Reid. Yes, that Adam Reid – the mastermind chef behind The French restaurant at The Midland Hotel. aether serves a three-course breakfast experience that wouldn’t feel out of place in a five-star hotel.
We enjoyed the fresh fruit in elderflower cordial, the buttery jammy croissant pudding and a bowl each of overnight oats. Already this was more than I’d have for breakfast any other day, nevermind the day you go on holiday where you’re usually too stressed to eat.
Then we opted for the smoked salmon and scrambled crumpet and the breakfast bun. The breakfast bun was huge, and kept me full all the way to Seville.
Finally, we finished off with a small smoothie and a cake each, before sitting back down to await details about our flight. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the beer and prosecco, because we were on our holidays after all.
If that wasn’t reason enough to fly with aether, the level of luxury had only just begun. When our flight was almost ready to board, we were asked to head on through to security. It was identical to that seen in any other terminal, except once again, we were the only people there. In fact, we were through security in less than two minutes. I think it was at that point I said to my partner: “I can never go back to normal.” These are the things worth paying for.
What it’s like to fly from aether, Manchester Airport’s ultra-luxury new private terminal
Obviously, we still had to get to the plane. You’d assume they have a bus? You’d be wrong. We were chauffeured to the gate in a luxury BMW quite literally driving alongside the runway with a couple of stops whilst we had to wait for planes to reverse. We felt important.
If I let my imagination get the best of me I’d have thought we were heading to a private hangar to board Air Force One. But lo and behold, we had to enter the airport for all of 30 seconds before we boarded the plane. God forbid! Our chauffeur even made sure we boarded through the priority queue, and that concluded the coolest and smoothest way I had ever boarded a Ryanair flight.
It’s easy to scoff at the idea of a ‘private terminal’ until you experience it for yourself. But aether isn’t just offering luxury for luxury’s sake – it’s redefining what the start of a journey can feel like. No queues, no noise, no stress – just calm, care, and an exceptional breakfast to send you on your way.
Daisy Jackson -
1st February 2023 
