Manchester has once again been named on of the best UK cities to visit in 2024 by Time Out, thanks to some huge cultural openings last year.
Our city has been praised for being a ‘cultural banquet’ and local favourites like Mackie Mayor, Idle Hands and Queer Lit all referenced.
Manchester snuck into the top 10 on Time Out’s list, but the overall winner this year went to Bristol.
Also on the list for 2024 is Hull (which placed second), the Isles of Scilly, and London (boring).
But for our home city, it was massive openings and reopenings like Aviva Studios, Manchester Museum and The Snug that earned us cool points.
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Time Out also looked ahead to exciting new developments like the Co-op Live Arena and Skof, both due to open in the coming months.
They said: “Manchester never fails to serve up a cultural banquet.
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“After a huge year that saw the launch of Factory International at Aviva Studios, the rescue of grassroots gig venue, The Snug, and the long-awaited reopening of Manchester Museum, 2024 is set to be another big one.
“The star of the show will be the huge, innovative Co-op Live which is opening in April, backed by Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles and already has the likes of Liam Gallagher and Oilvia Rodrigo lined up to perform.
“And in much-anticipated news for its food scene, L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes is opening his first solo restaurant, Skof, in the Noma district in spring.”
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Mackie Mayor was included in the ‘perfect day’ in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupCelebrated chef Tom Barnes will open Skof restaurant in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Describing the perfect day out when visiting Manchester, Time Out suggested: “Swing by Idle Hands to fuel up on carbs and caffeine before perusing around the Northern Quarter’s indie shops (don’t miss Queer Lit or the Craft and Design Centre).
“Pick from a huge range of edible options at Mackie Mayor for lunch (or head to the Michelin-starred Where The Light Gets In, for something special) then use the new Visit Manchester Pass to check out the National Football Museum and take a craft beer tour of the city. End with a tipple and live music at YES.”
Chiara Wilkinson, Features Editor at Time Out UK said: “We’re over the moon to share our Time Out list of the best places to visit in the UK in 2024.
“These destinations have buzzy new openings, excellent food and drink offerings and pinch-me-moment landscapes.
“With its vibrant cultural scene set to get even bigger next year, Bristol was a deserving winner – but it was also great to see underrated destinations like Hull, Wrexham and Falmouth take their spots in the top 15. If you need an excuse to book a staycation, surely this is it.”
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
Travel & Tourism
Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd January 2024 
