Manchester's Northern Quarter is a magical place with its own vibrant community to explore and fall in love with - and as it's home to some of the city’s most exciting bars, restaurants, shops and other attractions, it's not hard to see why.
You know you live in the Northern Quarter when…
You have a strong opinion on the new, redesigned Common.
Edge Street's Common has long been a firm favourite with Northern Quarter residents, with many going as far as to class it as an institution. Whether you want to pop in for a quick bite to eat from their impressive menu, hang around catching up with friends over a cup of coffee, or are looking for a spot to spend your Friday night, it’s hard to imagine the Northern Quarter without Common.
Earlier this year, however, the venue went under a major refurbishment, leading it to be closed for a short period and leaving residents lost without it. Luckily, the closure was only temporary, and soon the doors were flung open and the new Common was born.
What residents weren’t quite prepared for was just how different the new Common would appear. Gone were the dark corners, multi-coloured walls and rag-tag feel, and in its place we were presented with crisp, clean designs, floor to ceiling windows and a redesigned menu. While some people instantly fell in love with the new Common, others were less impressed, saying that it had lost the vibe they had come to know and love. It’s safe to say that one way or the other, Northern Quarter residents all have pretty strong feelings about the change.
You can go out for dinner and have a bowl of cereal.
It’s pretty rare to find someone who doesn’t enjoy tucking into a bowl of cereal every now and then. For most of us, however, we save our cereal for either breakfast, or when we’re running short on money at the end of the month.
Black Milk Cereal Dive are changing all that though, after opening in Afflecks Palace earlier this year. The café offers an impressive menu to hungry punters, with around 50 different varieties of cereal available, as well as a selection of different types of milk. You can treat yourself to a single, double, or triple sized bowl of your favourite breakfast treat, or order a slider, which features three different options served in smaller bowls.
You can see amazing artwork on your doorstep.
In some towns or cities, graffiti is seen as a menace and something to be ashamed of and to hide away - but not here. Northern Quarter residents are proud of the artwork that can be seen around the area, from Stevenson Square to Tib Street and everywhere in between. You barely have to walk ten steps without spotting a new piece to appreciate.
You can go to a café where the only thing you pay for is your time.
Ziferblat is one of the newest additions to Edge Street, and is quite an unusual concept. Once you’re inside, everything is free – coffee, cakes, Wi-Fi, board games – the only thing you pay for is your time. Charged at just 5p per minute, this hangout has become an instant favourite with students, freelancers and young professionals alike. With freshly brewed coffee, tasty treats, comfy seats and fast Wi-Fi, you’ll soon find yourself racking up the minutes and coming back for more.
See Time Out's guide to the Northern Quarter.