Northern Quarter

Manchester

Northern Quarter
Northern Quarter
Northern Quarter
Northern Quarter
Photo by Jenn Shelton

Taste craft beers and stroll down the lively streets of this alternative district, noticing the vinyl record stores, street art and indie fashion boutiques. 

Bohemian boutiques and trendy restaurants go some way towards characterizing the lively and eclectic Northern Quarter of Manchester. Following a major re-development in the 1990s, the zone became a hub for music and fashion.

Browse the array of trinkets and unconventional clothing in Afflecks, which was formerly a department store. Today, independent stores thrive in this multi-level redbrick building. Purchase decades-old comic books and board games in this hipster haven, where wacky works of art line the walls. You’ll also find a varied selection of alternative art at the Richard Goodall Gallery.

Stay in the area into the night and sip on intriguingly named cocktails in the quirky bars and retro taverns. International brands and homemade casks make up the beer selections.

Hit the night clubs with your friends or go to one of the many live music venues. Among the most iconic is Band on the Wall, which has a bar and a shop. End your day on a lighter note by watching a few comedy routines at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, or try your luck at the Admiral Casino: Manchester.

In addition to its eccentricities, the Northern Quarter also has museums providing a window into its past. Inspect the displays at the Greater Manchester Police Museum, where you can see old patrol cars and learn about the city’s policing during wartime.

In the southeastern corner of the district lies Piccadilly Basin, where the Rochdale Canal meanders between department stores, bars and apartment blocks.

The Northern Quarter can be found a little northeast of the city center of Manchester. Ride the tram to Shudehill or Piccadilly Gardens, which bookend this lively quarter. Manchester Piccadilly railway station is a short walk south. Visit some of the sights in the surrounding area, such as the Royal Exchange Theatre, the National Football Museum and Manchester Art Gallery.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Northern Quarter Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre Arena by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre Arena by IHG

3 out of 5
Goadsby St Off Swan St, Manchester, England
Fully refundable
$73 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
$90 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Manchester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
Great for an overnight stay
"A fine place to stay for an overnight visit for a concert, added bonus of breakfast being included."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre Arena by IHG
easyHotel Manchester

easyHotel Manchester

2 out of 5
33 Dale Street, Manchester, England
$45 nightly
The price is $56 total per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
$56 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Manchester. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Convenient"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

easyHotel Manchester
Malacuna Manchester

Malacuna Manchester

3 out of 5
15 Hilton Street, Manchester, England
$46 nightly
The price is $56 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$56 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hostel in Manchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (186 reviews)
An unexpected good experience
"First time booking a 'hostel'. Pleasantly surprised with accommodation. Great vibrant area of Manchester to be in, with loads of restaurants, pubs, cafes etc. Expected more internal late night noise, but didn't happen. Only negative was loud music immediately underneath us until 230am on Friday & ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Malacuna Manchester
Britannia Sachas Hotel

Britannia Sachas Hotel

3 out of 5
Tib Street, Back Piccadilly, Manchester, England
$41 nightly
The price is $51 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$51 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Manchester. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
6.4/10 (1,315 reviews)
"hotel was alright for the price and location, nothing fancy but fulfilled it’s purpose"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Britannia Sachas Hotel
Crowne Plaza Hotel Manchester City Centre by IHG

Crowne Plaza Hotel Manchester City Centre by IHG

4 out of 5
70 Shudehill, Manchester, England
$89 nightly
The price is $108 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$108 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Manchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Great Hotel
"I paid for the Junior Suite, because it was only about £5 more than a standard double. I got access to the Club Lounge (with free drinks & canapes). The suite was spacious, with good views of Manchester and a really comfy bed. Breakfast was pretty good too."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Crowne Plaza Hotel Manchester City Centre by IHG
Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport

Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport

4 out of 5
Outwood Lane, Manchester Airport, Manchester, England
$96 nightly
The price is $116 total per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
$116 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Manchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,992 reviews)
"Excellent staff. Close to the airport and great shuttle service."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Northern Quarter

Great bar!

Ancoats

Though Ancoats might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Manchester Arndale and Printworks.

Ancoats
Piccadilly Basin is an exciting and historic contribution to Manchester's open spaces. It anchors the southern margin of the Northern Quarter and links through to Ancoats, it is also the counter balance to Castlefield. Get there along the Rochdale Canal, past the only canal lock in the country that sits beneath a building! #LifeAtExpedia #Manchester
#NQ 
#Reflections

Piccadilly

When in Piccadilly and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Canal Street or Manchester Conference Centre and hop on the metro to see more the city at Picadilly Gardens Station or Mosley Street Station.

Piccadilly
Albert Square which includes a city, street scenes and a square or plaza

Manchester City Centre

4.5/5(348 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Manchester City Centre. Check out top attractions like Manchester Art Gallery and St. Peter's Square, and jump on the metro at St Peters Square Station or Mosley Street Station to see more of the city.

Manchester City Centre
Chinatown showing night scenes, a city and street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(40 area reviews)

Travelers come to Chinatown for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Manchester Art Gallery and Imperial Chinese Archway while you're in town.

Chinatown
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Gay Village

If you're spending some time in Gay Village, Canal Street and Alan Turing Memorial are top sights worth seeing.

Gay Village
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Central Retail District

While you're in Central Retail District, take in top sights like Royal Exchange Theatre and jump on the metro at Market Street Station to see more of the city.

Central Retail District


Northern Quarter

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