Wheres the best shopping in Manchester?

[kittya]

Im off there for the weekend with my girlfriends, we are staying near the station. I havent been for years, I darent tell you how long. I remember the Arndale Centre and Afflecks Palace. The Trafford centre wasnt even built! We dont want to spend all our time shopping so, where would you head for? for an outfit for the Saturday night?

Depends on what your style is and budget. Arndale Centre is still there (as is Afflecks Palace). Lots of decent shops in and around the Arndale, H & M, Urban Outfitters, River Island, Zara etc. If you like vintage - head towards Afflecks and the Oldham Street area. If you have a bit more cash, head down to Deansgate end where there is a Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Don't bother with the Trafford Centre - horrible place!

I love the Trafford centre

Stay in the city centre, much nicer than the Trafford centre, can't stand that place :)

The Arndale has been revamped in the last few years and has loads of nice shops, then just outside you've got Market St (H&S, Miss Selfridge, Primark at the Piccadilly Gardens) in the other direction like jazzchickens says, Harvey Nics, Selfridges and a smaller arcade just opposite Selfridges called the Triangle.

Do you know where you're going out or do you need some pointers on bars/restaurants? :)

Yes please!! I haven't been since the Hacienda was open!

I love the Tradford centre too, but also love Manchester in fact I just love shopping.

Aflecks isn't what it was, unfortunately. Market Street and the Arndale are the best bet.

Just to echo what everybody else says and stick to the city centre, you can´t go wrong really.
Head to St. Anne´s Square for Gap and then you have King St. just a stone´s throw away with Monsoon and Oasis amongst others.
Enjoy

Okey-dokes, barwise theres a few different areas you could head to :)

I like the Northern Quarter lately, up past Oldham St/Afflecks Palace. I like Bluu, Walrus, Troff, there's loads of bars all close to each other. Quite trendy & chilled out :) theres a lovely Chinese restaurant there called Sweet Mandarin

www.manchesterbars.com/location-northernquarter.htm

Or you've got Deansgate Locks, a line of bars under the railway bridges, the Comedy Store is there too which is a good night out, you might need to book on a Sat night (theres an early and a late show)

www.manchesterbars.com/location-deansgatelocks.htm

A couple of minutes walk down a cobbled road from the locks is Castlefield, there's a nice bar there called Dukes and a lovely restaurant called Alberts Shed, gorgeous food!

Or you could head to Canal Street, the gay village is a fantastic night out, masses of bars and clubs, too many to even mention but you won't be stuck for somewhere to go!

www.manchesterbars.com/location-gayvillage.htm

Enjoy!! Manchester is so much fun!! :o

Oh handy! I'm off to Manchester for the day tomorrow, trying to squeeze in some shops!

whats that bar called Lamarrs like? will we have to get taxis anywhere?

I remember there used to be a lovely little shopping area next to theatre. Im really looking forward to this!!

The Triangle has good shops including Jigsaw, and it's near Zara and Harvey Nichols.

If you're planning on going between the bar areas I posted before I'd jump in a taxi, it'll only be a couple of quid and I wouldn't bother walking across town

I've never been in Lamarrs, sorry!

Shopping area near a Theatre, I think you mean St Annes Square, yep, lovely shops near there, along from Harvey Nics towards King St

Is there anywhere you would recommend for a quick blow dry? not far from the station?

We have two nights so wont be doing all three areas in one night. I was thinking Northern Quarter first night? then the second, I think they want something smart. I might leave them and go to Canal Street