Info re Manchester

[shivvy]

I am going to Manchester this weekend and would like to know a bit of info as follows:
1) Are there any shows on this weekend ie plays, comedy nights etc (we're going to see Kylie on Sat so it is Fri and Sunday night that I am interested in.

2) I quite like modern art and wondered if there was a modern art museum in manchester? I have read about Urbis and am interested in that type of thing.

3) Is there a city bus tour as there is in lots of other cities? I usually find these useful to get my bearings and to catch a glimpse of a number of things that couldn't be crammed in on a weekend break. If there is one, where do I get tickets for it?

4) In terms of eating out, is there somewhere that is recommended as being "somewhere you just have to go darling!!" I wouldn't mind spending an evening spoiling ourselves at a really good restaurant. Preference would probably be for a european type menu eg french, italian etc as opposed to indian or chinese.

Thanks in advance for any answers/suggestions that you might have.

(Thanks spudqueen and Jenna for your detailed answers yesterday - really useful and very much appreciated)

[Eve]

Yay, more info :)

Ok...

1) The Comedy Store is a great night out. Friday is a stand up night but book early as sometimes tickets go quick. Site should be back up later.

http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/ http://www.frogandbucket.com/website2006/br />
Ps i'm going to Kylie on Tuesday and can't wait!

As regards theatre, Mamma Mia is on at the Palace Theatre but not sure if you'll get tickets at such a late stage. Starlight Express is also on at the Opera House, went last year and it was fab!

The Halle are on at the Bridgewater Hall if you like classical.

Try here...http://www.manchestertheatres.com/calendar.htm


2. Try here for Urbis...http://www.urbis.org.uk/

Galleries - http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/arts/art-gall eries1.html. For modern art try the Cornerhouse (i recommend the hot chocolate) and The Art Lounge in the Triangle - http://www.artlounge.co.uk/index.php?browse=ga lleries.

3. Yes there is a city bus tour...http://www.city-sightseeing.com/...but it's not currently in season.

I checked the itinerary and you can see most of Manchester City Centre on foot and can grab a tram out to Salford Quays to explore there, the Lowry, Old Trafford and the Imperial War Museum. If you wanted to see the City of Light Stadium etc... it's only 10 mins on a bus from town (216 etc...).

As for the Trafford Centre the buses 250 (Stagecoach) and 100 (First) run there frequently.

Can let you know which buses to catch from where if you want to know.

The gorgeo

[Buenchico]

There's comedy at the Comedy Store at 8.00pm, Sunday:
Arches 3 and 4
Deansgate Locks
Whitworth Street
08705-932 932

Mamma Mia! is at the Palace Theatre. (Oxford Street, 0870 060 1826. 7.30p.m., Friday & Sunday):
http://www.livenation.co.uk/venues/venue.aspx? vrid=1112

Cyrano de Bergerac is at the Royal Exchange Theatre, on Friday at 7.30p.m.:
http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/new/play.asp?** ****=194

Starlight Express is at the Opera House on Friday. (7.30pm, Quay Street, 0870 060 1826):
http://www.livenation.co.uk/venues/venue.aspx? vrid=1145

If you enjoy L S Lowry, there are over 300 of his works at The Lowry:
http://www.thelowry.com/

The Whitworth Art Gallery includes modern art:
http://www.whitworth.man.ac.uk/

There's also Manchester Art Gallery:
http://www.manchestergalleries.org/

I can't find any details of bus tours which operate at this time of the year. (City Sightseeing operate in the summer months only). Manchester is easy to find your way around, anyway.

For me, the real jewel in Manchester's crown is the Museum of Science & Industry:
http://www.msim.org.uk/

To splash out on a meal, you could try the much praised French cuisine at the Le Mont restaurant (which is part of Urbis):
http://www.urbis.o

[Buenchico]

Aagh! AB has cut the lat part of my post off! Here it is:

http://www.urbis.org.uk/lemont.asp

The Manchester tourism website, which has much more information for your stay, is here:
http://visitmanchester.com/index.aspx

Chris

[shivvy]

Thanks jenna and buenchico. If you guys are representative of how nice the people in Manchester are, I am now looking forward to going even more!
:o)

[Eve]

Argh it cut part of mine off too!!!

The gorgeous town hall...
http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/buildings/tow n%20Hall.html

4) Food wise San Carlo is gorgeous for italian (for me a have to go!). Run by italians and a lovely atmosphere and great service and beautiful setting (and waiters :)). Very busy on the weekend though, Friday and Saturday. I'd definitely book in advance, in fact any good place on a weekend here.

I'd say Sunday night might be better as not to busy, ring and have a chat with them and ask them for a good table not right in the middle of things if poss. Make time beforehand for a drink in the lovely bar where you can nibble on lovely fresh italian cheese and breadsticks :)

Urbis has a very posh and expensive french place but not tried that. Has cracking views so I'm told.

http://www.urbis.org.uk/lemont.asp

Gaucho Grill is very different, I was sceptical when I went on a date, menu didn't appeal, but had a fantastic night and nice to stay for drinks afterwards. Amazing steaks. Would recommend it highly. In fact we were meant to go to Le Mont in Urbis but told to go to Gaucho Grill instead.

Links on the other thread.

Hope you have a fab weekend :) If you need any kind of advice before you go or while you're here my msn/email is [email protected] :) x

[Eve]

Hey, I've just seen the news about the concert, I do hope you had a lovely weekend in Manchester in spite of the concert being cancelled part way through x

[shivvy]

Hi Jenna,

Yes - I'm pretty annoyed about the Kylie gig. I have no problem with the fact that she wasn't well but I am annoyed that the promoters still haven't made a decision about how (or whether) the people who went on Saturday are going to be offered another date or recompense for their tickets. Seems pretty slack to me.
However despite that, we had a lovely weekend in Manchester. As I suspected, everyone we met was really freindly and helpful. Gaucho was good but we really really enjoyed Piccolino beside the Town Hall - very nice italian meal.
Thanks for all your help.

Shivvy

[Eve]

Oooh Piccolino is lovely, used to live with some of the waiters who worked there so used to be in there loads :)

Glad you had a good time though, shame about the concert but hopefully they'll reschedule or sort refunds.