Things to do in Manchester

[Deeandwizzy]

I'm heading to Manchester next weekend (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) with 2 girl friends, and we're after some ideas of what to do. We're late thirties and love eating, drinking, music and just having fun really.

We're looking for somewhere cool to eat/drink on the Saturday afternoon and then somewhere for a good (boozy) brunch on the Sunday morning.

We're staying near Piccadilly Station and want places we can walk to ideally, or that are central and easy to get to by public transport.

Also, other than shopping which we are trying to avoid, are there any suggestions of what else we could do? TIA.

I'd go to Alvarium on the Saturday afternoon (if you download the Manchester Confidential app they're doing some great value vouchers). Then somewhere like Yes in the evening.
Dishoom is good for brunch, as is Cottonopolis.

What sort of booze do you like. Manchester if the epicentre of the UK craft beer scene but that won’t be any good if you want cocktails/wine etc

What food do you like and what sort of “vibe”?

The alchemist is always a nice place for cocktails.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'm looking them up now.

@lastqueenofscotland - Yes we're more wine, spirits, cocktails but thanks. Any type of food really - probably not burgers, pizza etc. but anything else, we all eat most types of cuisine. Any kind of vibe but not too young!

@gobbynorthernbird - thanks for the app suggestion!

If you can travel 20 mins out of city centre to Trafford centre you could do ski ing or snowboarding, there is also an indoor skydiving centre if you fancy something a bit different- it’s not shopping!

Forgot about stuff to do! The John Rylands library is amazing, there's the Crystal Maze/escape rooms, and you could always have a Google of The Liquorists and see if they have a cruise on.

Junkyard golf is good for a boozy laugh in the day. Not sure if Moose coffee is licensed, but their brunches are amazing. The Grill on New York Street is bloody lovely for an evening meal. Agree with pp that the Alchemist is great for wine and cocktails and had a great vibe. You could always go for champagne at the Lowry if you're feeling particularly frivolous

The area down by the river, spinningfields has a load of trendy bars and restaurants, can recommend The Oasts House's hanging kebabs for lunch , I'm not a big chip lover but I polished theirs off.

Dirty Martini do a good boozy brunch at weekends.
Afternoon tea at Cloud 23 or The Ivy
Banyan or The Alchemist for cocktails.

Dakota or the ivy for nice food and cocktails.
I like the refuge for drinks a d there are a few cool music bars around their too