We adore Manchester in the north of England and part of the United Kingdom´s third largest metro area (pop. 569,000). Reinventing itself after a gritty industrial past, the city these days blends club vibes with industrial roots and some of the UK's finest dining spots, and it´s a top choice for both living and studying. And given its rich cultural heritage and diverse offerings, it´s catnip for our favoruite social media platform Instagram - a perfect canvas for you to showcase your creativity, impress your Instagram followers, and perhaps even induce a little FOMO among your friends. So here are its must-visit spots - a mix of historic spots and trendy restaurants and bars - to get your creative juices flowing:
The Ivy
This uber-cool "modern British" restaurant is arguably the most Instagrammable spot in Spinningfields, the district of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, with three floors of edgy, ever-changing décor. Snap a shot from the terrace overlooking Hardman Square.
John Rylands Library
Neo-gothic grandeur awaits here at this late-Victorian institution built in 1900 and free to visit today. The ceiling of the majestic main reading room (below) soars 30 feet, and the stained glass alone could fill your feed for days. And if you´re a bibliophile, check out treasures such as an early Gutenberg bible, a 15th-century edition of Chaucer´s Canterbury Tales, a first edition of James Joyce´s Ulysses, and a fragment of the earliest known edition of the biblical New Testament, more than 1,300 years old.
Mamacium Roman Fort
Also known as Mancunium, this 175 by 140 yd fortification was erected in 79 CE and was essentially the core of what grew into Manchester. It now stands in the revitalized Castlefied neighborhood surrounding the onetime industrial canal, now home to a number of lively restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Largely reconstructed, its full of fascinating exhibits, and its craggy, doughty silhouette and details provide some appealing shots for the ´gram.
Menagerie
If you´re willing to venture 20 minutes away from downtown, another chic, upmarket restaurant and bar - this time with an American twist - is located in Salford in Greater Manchester. The payoff is a lush, stylish design, extravagant atmosphere, and innovative food and cocktails presented with highly Instagrammable flair. Plenty to blow your followers away with here - and that´s not even mentioning the live weekend performances on its catwalk!
Jackson Lees
Northern Quarter
A poster child for Manchester´s post-industrial reinvention, this neighborhood´s once gritty buildings and streets are now the city´s artistic, bohemian heart (as well as a hub of the LGBTQ community). Have a wander through, cool bars, restaurants, boutiques, galleries, shops, and funky street art (for example, don´t mis the mural tributes to legends like David Bowie and Amy Winehouse on Stevenson Square, a hub of the Quarter). And don´t forget to stop by the Manchester Craft & Design Centre as well as esea contemporary, the UK´s only nonprofit art center specializing in Asian culture.
Richmond Tea Rooms
Fall through the looking glass at this adorable Alice in Wonderland-themed establishment (below) which in addition to a wide variety of both familiar and exotic teas from around the world also serves sandwiches, cakes, and a handful of comfort-food main courses. Your followers will especially love the "Mad Hatter´s Tea Party" and burlesque events here, too. Curiouser and curiouser!
Sunset
Another influencer hotspot offera cool cocktails, sushi, and Asian-influenced afternoon tea in a photogenic setting including plenty of flowers and neon.
Yard and Coop
Besides mouthwatering buttermilk-fried chicken (as well as plenty of other down-home fare, and even some veg options), this spot serves up chicken-coop-themed décor that´ll add fun to your feed.
For more, see Tripatini posts here and here, and of course also check out VisitManchester.com. And to get even more help in growing your Instagram likes and followers, click here!
Comments
Interesting piece, thanks. I like "Rainy City" very much as a weekend city break for example. Its post-industrial vibrancy is very appealing, and its gay scene is widely considered the best in the U.K. after London´s.