A place to make plans...
Manchester is a city that buzzes with northern charm, history and music, perfectly captured in the above poem 'This Is the Place'. From legendary bands like Joy Division to live samba reggae and Brazilian rhythms, the city pulses with creative energy and multicultural flair, here can experience a place where heritage, culture, and rhythm collide — a city that’s unmistakably alive.
Here we have put together our hand curated top picks and recommendations for you to help you plan your trip to perfection and get the most out of your stay with us here in the city...

Hot tips for Sleeps, swigs, scoffs & sights by itinerary!
In the city centre (for the Friday!):
Sleeps
😴 Closer & Convenient - Motel One Manchester‑Piccadilly
😴 Budget‑Friendly & Central - Premier Inn Manchester City (Piccadilly)
😴 Upscale or Stylish - Malmaison Manchester
• Malmaison Manchester – Stylish choice closer to Piccadilly and nightlife.
Swigs
🍺 The Wharf - Classic canal-side pub with character, quick stop for a traditional British pub feel
🍺 The Whiskey Jar - A quirky, adventurous drink—try a small sample of a rare whiskey
🍺 Port Street Beer House - 7 hand‑pumps, 18 draught lines, & 100 bottles/cans from breweries worldwide
🍺 Diecast - A caravan beer garden, hidden karaoke room & more inside a former industrial factory
🍺 Mulligans - The best Guinness in Manchester (Fact!)
Scoffs
BUDGET FRIENDLY (£5-15) & NEAR TO MEET AND GREET
📍Freight Island – Our Friday night meet and greet venue - wide range of quick bites available
📍Pieminster - Award-winning pies with mash and sides, a classic British comfort meal
📍Asmara Bella - Ethiopian food with generous portions and affordable mains
MID RANGE UPWARD (FOR SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL)
📍20 stories – A special rooftop restaurant and bar, offering 360° panoramic views of the city skyline.
📍Waku Waku - Generous Japanese dishes feels like dining inside a cartoon
📍Tattu - A pricey but distinctive and memorable dining experience, a full on sensory experience
Near to Maxwell Hall in Salford (Saturday rehearsal space):
Sleeps
😴 Closer & Convenient - Holiday Inn - West by IHG
😴 Budget‑Friendly & Central - Imperial Salford Hotel
😴 Upscale or Stylish - The Lowry Hotel (Batala Manchester's first ever gig venue!)
Scoffs
BUDGET FRIENDLY (£5-15)
📍Maida Grill House – Popular Pakistani restaurant with tasty curries
📍Burger Guys Salford – Highly rated takeout spot for juicy burgers and fries
📍Antep Restaurant and Cafe – Middle Eastern café with wraps, kebabs and mezze
MID RANGE UPWARD (£15+)
📍Turtle Bay Salford Quays – Vibrant Caribbean spot with flavoursome dishes and great cocktails
📍Banana Tree Salford Quays – Pan-Asian restaurant with a broad menu of South Asian dishes
📍Vero Moderno – Stylish Italian restaurant with well-reviewed Mediterranean-inspired mains
Near to Revolution (Saturday night party venue):
Sleeps
😴 Closer & Convenient - Holiday Inn - Express Manchester CC - Oxford Road by IHG
😴 Budget‑Friendly & Central - Premier Inn Manchester City
😴 Upscale or Stylish - Kimpton Clocktower
Swigs
🍺 Mother Marys - Overspill venue right next door to our party spot, Live Irish folk music and Guiness!
🍺 Sandbar - A casual and independent fringe culture bar hosting relaxed vibe with beers and food
🍺 Taphouse - Choose and pour your own beer from a digitised self service bar
🍺 Temple of Convenience - Once an underground public toilet - a quirky and cool hidden gem
🍺 Peveril of the Peak - A classic British pub dating back to the 19th Century
Scoffs
BUDGET FRIENDLY (£5-15)
📍Bundobust – Vegetarian/vegan Indian street-food style dishes fun, flavourful and well-liked
📍Zouk – Mixes authentic South Asian flavours, modern flair, vibrant ambience and beautiful interiors
📍Listo burrito – Vibrant fast-food spot with a few seats, serving classic Mexican plus ice cream
MID RANGE UPWARD (£15+)
📍Turtle Bay Oxford Road – Vibrant Caribbean spot with flavoursome dishes and great cocktails
📍Wagamama St Peters Square – Vibrant Caribbean spot with flavoursome dishes and great cocktails
📍The Refuge – British and European-inspired dishes, a classy-but-welcoming vibe.
For those NOT performing Sunday
Our top tourist tips:
Culture
Art & performance
History
Manchester Cathedral
Museums
Manchester Chinatown
Manchester Museum
Museum of Illusions
Leisure
Shopping
Food/Drink
Sport
Urgent enquiries: projects@batalamanchester.com







