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United Kingdom : Manchester - March 2009

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As summer approaches, Manchester whacks the volume up a few notches with Futuresonic 2009. Running from 13-16 May, the digital culture and music festival features live music, art premieres, exhibitions and club nights in various venues across the city. Hazel Davis gets down there

Getting around

Manchester Airport is 15km from the city centre.

Train: During the day there are seven direct trains an hour to Manchester Piccadilly, which take 20 minutes. The service operates less frequently at night. Many trains also stop at Deansgate and Oxford Road. Tickets cost about €4/£3.
Taxi: A taxi from to the city centre costs about €25/£20. The journey generally takes between 20 and 30 minutes.
Tourist information: The main office is in the Town Hall Extension Building, Lloyd Street (tel. , visit manchester.com).

DEANSGATE

Buzzing away under the glacial Beetham Tower, Deansgate runs from the eponymous train station right into the heart of the city.

Sleep soundly – Hilton Manchester Deansgate (303 Deansgate, tel. , hilton.co.uk, rooms from €146/£136) has rooms with bold, modern décor and floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also a fantastic spa with a huge swimming pool, which does some gorgeous treatments – go for the green coffee wrap.

Must eat – Ithaca (36 John Dalton Street, tel. ) does pan-Asian treats such as black cod marinated in miso and seafood dumplings with wasabi mayonnaise.

Must drink – Avoid Deansgate Locks if at all possible. Instead, head upstairs to the hotel’s bar, Cloud 23 (Beetham Tower, 303 Deansgate), which serves a range of Manchester-themed cocktails alongside stunning views. Try a Shakermaker (vodka, apple, lemon thyme and honey) or a Sally Cinnamon – Spanish Solera brandy with cinnamon, apple and tarragon, topped with cider.

SALFORD QUAYS

Salford Quays, to the north of Manchester, is a hub of regeneration.

Sleep soundly – Overlooking the water, Copthorne Hotel Manchester (Clippers Quay, tel. , millenniumhotels.co.uk, rooms from €120/£111) offers a slice of elegance away from the busy city centre.

Must eat – On the terrace opposite the famous Lowry Theatre, Lime (Pier 8, tel. ) is a stylish restaurant/bar that serves modern British grub, such as asparagus and Stilton soup and Bury black pudding with a poached egg.

Must drink – Among the regenerated quays, take a sip of tradition with a real-ale classic. The Kings Arms (11 Bloom Street) serves classic pub grub and has a laid-back local clientele.

CANAL STREET

The city’s gay district is a honeypot for revellers. With a selection of bijou restaurants and no-holds-barred clubs, it’s the place to live it up on a weekend, weeknight or day off.

Must eat – Via (28-30 Canal Street, tel. ) is a legendary maze-like bar with secluded nooks. The restaurant serves good British nosh such as pork and leek sausages with mashed potato and red onion gravy, steak and ale pie in shortcrust pastry, and bread and butter pudding with dairy ice cream.

Must drink – The three-floored Manto Bar (46 Canal Street) has a dancefloor, lounge bar, food and free Wi-Fi.

NORTHERN QUARTER

This is where the cool cats run free. Come here for small, independent shops and quirky boutiques.

Culture vultures – Sample the best of creative Manchester at Manchester Craft & Design Centre (17 Oak Street), meet some of the city’s finest artists and get the chance to pick up some unique mementoes.

Must eat – For quirky surroundings, nightly music and hearty food, Northern Quarter regulars congregate at Trof (8 Thomas Street, tel. ), one of two Manchester institutions of the same name (the other one is in Fallowfield). Serving quick cheap snacks and indulgent main courses, it’s a great place to spend a lazy weekend morning or a chatty lunch with friends. Go for the saltimbocca sarnie – buffalo mozzarella, chicken, Parma ham and sage – followed by an indulgent dessert of dark chocolate fondue with strawberries, bananas, marshmallow and Turkish delight.

Must drink – Mosey down to Odd (30-32 Thomas Street), which has a bohemian feel and an artfully cluttered aesthetic. Evenings during the week see the creative crowd kicking back on low stools and cosy sofas. On weekends, crowds descend after a taste of the legendary Manchester sound. Either way, a good night out.

Compiled by Hazel Davis