Top 5: Cool things to do in the Northern Quarter

Think you know everything the Northern Quarter has to offer? Think again. We’ve rounded up five delights that you might not know about – or might not have tried for a while. They include new denim store, Rivet & Hide, La Boca for Spanish delicacies, Matt & Fred’s jazz bar’s amazing happy hours and more… Read on and remember why the area is such a lure for tourists and residents alike.

1. New shop: Rivet & Hide rare denim store opens in former Richard Goodall Gallery site on Thomas Street (pictured)
The first branch of Rivet & Hide launched in London in 2014 and, according to company blurb, is a “destination for those who require raw selvedge denim and casual wear of unsurpassed quality”. The niche retailer seeks out the best denim mills in Japan to supply extremely high quality denim and the new store is set to open in April. What with iconic menswear store, Oi Polloi, and Deadstock General Store‘s awesome accessories (water bottles, wallets, shaving paraphernalia and much more) all within a few metres of the new store, the NQ has all your fashion needs covered and then some.
From late March: Rivet & Hide, 59 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA www.rivetandhide.com

2. Happiest hour in town? Free pizza & 2-4-1- cocktails at Matt and Phred’s
The Northern Quarter’s famous jazz bar, Matt and Phred’s, have two happy hour deals from 6pm onwards- Mon to Sat (end time varies) – to accompany their live (and mostly free) jazz, funk and soul gigs. Offer 1 – a free pizza with the purchase of two alcoholic drinks. Favourites to try in this deal include the Dave Walsh special – chorizo, anchovies, spring onions and chilli oil (usually £8.50) or the Fiorentina – spinach, egg, garlic and olives (usually £7.90). Offer 2 – a two for one on cocktails. All cocktails are made using quality ingredients, such as the Raspberry & Apple Collins, a zingy mix of Gordon’s gin, manzana verde and fresh raspberries (£7.90).
Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, 64 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LW, Tel: 0161 831 7002, www.mattandphreds.com

3. Walking tours: Learn things you didn’t know about the NQ with The Skyliner
Take an alternative trip round the NQ and Ancoats, and learn about the origins of the Northern Quarter through the medium of public art. The tour is led by The Skyliner (Hayley) who will take you on a tour through history and time, as she points out the unusual and often hidden nooks and crannies of this part of town. Tours run on Saturdays and Sunday from 11am, with the starting point at Shudehill Metrolink station.
For more info visit and to book a tour, visit the website, www.theskyliner.org

4. Mediation, yoga & vegan food in the beautiful Buddhist Centre
Unwind and relax in the grand surroundings of Manchester Buddhist Centre, which offer a range of meditation and yoga classes. Taster meditation classes are held throughout the week and offer respite from the busy pace of the city. All taster sessions are donation led, with a recommended £3-5 donation price per session. For some after-work downtime, evening sessions start from 5.45pm and run for an hour. There’s a great cafe on site too called The Earth Cafe serving old fashioned veggie favourites (think creamy mushroom lattice, fresh daals and black eyed pea and sweet potato pie) – read the menu here.
Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner Street, Manchester M4 1DZ, Tel: 0161 834 9232, www.manchesterbuddhistcentre.org.uk

5. Spanish eats: new deli and charcuteria bar La Boca
Newly opened La Boca specialises in serving the best Iberian cured meats, such as the sweet and savoury Salchichon Iberico de Bellota (£6). Alongside premium cured meats is a morning to evening menu, that includes breakfast, lunch and tapas – recommendations include the slow-cooked chickpeas morcilla and spinach (£4.50) or the white smoked sardines pintxos with tomato and lemon (£4). An authentic and well-priced Spanish deli well worth trying.
La Boca, 14 Turner Street, Manchester M4 1DZ, Tel: 07772 024485, www.labocaham.co.uk