Hey kittens, today’s blog post is totally inspired by my recent visit to Manchester House with Links of London (read more about it here). For their #LinksHiddenGems campaign, Links of London are currently collaborating with Stylist Magazine to discover the best – yet mostly unknown – hotspots in cities around the UK. After spending the evening with three other bloggers, discussing our top Manchester gems, I’ve been inspired to recommend my top picks here…

 

  



● My Perfect 24 Hours in Manchester 

I’d start by grabbing a cooked breakfast at Odd in the Northern Quarter (best
vegetarian breakfasts in town) before popping down Market Street and the
Arndale for a spot of shopping. For lunch, I’d head over to Spinningfields for a quick snack –
making sure to visit the high-end shops on King Street for a spot of window
shopping along the way – or pop to Proper Tea, a new addition to Manchester Cathedral, to enjoy the best afternoon tea in the city. I’d finish the afternoon with a visit to the Museum of
Science and Industry to look back on Manchester’s history. For the evening, I’d
stop for a curry at Bollywood Masala before sitting by the beautiful moonlit
canal locks with a drink at one of my favourite pubs in Castlefield. If
the night was still young, I’d head over to the Northern Quarter to have a
cocktail or two in a grubby (on purpose, of course!) quirky bar, one of my
favourites is Kosmonaut.

● Why Young People Love Manchester 

I’m probably biased but Manchester is such a fantastic city – it’s diverse, fun
and fashionable! I love writing about Manchester’s cotton history on my blog,
lilykitten.com, but I truly believe that playing such a huge part in the
industrial revolution has helped it to become the inherently stylish city it is
today. There’s so much opportunity – heck, London’s great but Manchester
is better. We’re so much more diverse, friendly and there’s always something
going on locally. Plus, we all know how to have a good time!

● Student Hotspots in Manchester 

Having recently graduated myself I know how hard it can be to find a good, cheap
night out! If you’re looking for something a little different, head to Black
Dog for some bowling and cocktails before heading to a gig at The Ritz – both
are just off Oxford Road so not far from Manchester’s student halls. However,
if you’re ready to venture a little further afield, head to my personal
favourite part of the city – the Northern Quarter. It’s inundated with quirky
bars and burger shops (try Luck Lust Liquor and Burn for the best burritos in
town) and then head to one of the local tiki bars for some flaming rum
cocktails; Lola’s NQ is a little known hawain beach bar just off the beaten
track and definitely worth a visit. But, if you’re looking for something a
little more mainstream, Manchester Arndale shopping centre often does 20%
student discount lock in events – definitely keep an eye out for that!

● For a Special Evening

If you need an excuse to dress up, I’d definitely take advantage of the amazing
views at the Hilton and visit Cloud 23; truly some amazing views of the whole
of the city. For some posh nosh, definitely head to San Carlo on King Street
West – Aldo Zilli made a special appearance at a lunch on Vogue’s Fashion Night
Out sporting a Vogue T-Shirt of his own! Or, if you’re looking to ‘wow’ some guests, definitely check out hot new Spinningfields restaurant, Manchester House. Chef Aidan Bryne has put his signature twist on every unusual dish on the menu (hotly tipped for Manchester’s first Michelin star) and I’ve reviewed my visit here, however, if you don’t fancy trying something different I would highly recommend taking the lift to floor 12 to enjoy some unusual cocktails whilst gazing over the skyline of the city. Finally, I can highly recommend a stay
at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel – the hotel used to be the Free Trade Hall
and having worked with Radisson Blu Edwardian to create a film for Vogue’s
Fashion Night Out, I can vouch for their amazing views. 

● Shopping Hidden Gems 

The Northern Quarter is undoubtedly the greatest hidden gem in Manchester.
Although I was brought up to visit the shops and eateries in this corner of
town – my dad is a huge fan of the NQ and still takes his friends there for
lunch sometimes –  I’m still such a
tourist in my own city. I love to introduce my friends to the bars and thrift shops
in the area, and if I’m looking for a new outfit that’s a little different, I’m
sure to head over and explore the vintage shops down Oldham road. Plus, you’re
never far away from a cute coffee shop to grab a milkshake when your tootsies
start to ache. Oh, and if you’re peckish, Home Sweet Home is just around the corner – check out my Katy Perry video to see just some of the amazing pastries on offer from there.

● What’s On in Manchester

I’m always out and about in town, so if you’re looking to keep up to date with
all the latest Manchester news and events, be sure to follow me on Twitter,
@LilyKitten1 – I keep all of my followers posted with the hottest fashion and
social news.

So kittens, where are your favourite places to visit in Manchester?