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Welcome to Confidential Guides. Here you’ll find the best food, drink and things to do in the North.

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Review: Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic

Aleksandar Timotic, Marina Abramovic, and Kath Fitzgibbon-in Marina Abramovics Balkan Erotic Epic. Photo by Marco Anelli © INSTAGRAM-@marco_anelli_studio

7 Manchester coworking spaces that will re-energise your workday

The Hot 20 Restaurants in Liverpool

The Hot 50 Restaurants in Manchester

10 cool restaurants and bars for Christmas parties in Liverpool

Frederiks is one of Liverpool's best places to book a Christmas party, See where else is on the list.

Sweet spots: the best places for hot chocolate in Manchester

Scared witless: Halloween things to do near Manchester and Liverpool

Klaus, the Master of Journey to Hell at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Top of the copse: woodland walks near Manchester

Woodland walks near Manchester

Halloween 2025: What's on in (and around) Manchester and Liverpool

Luxury hotel deals from Confidential Guides

The best restaurants in Liverpool for afternoon tea

30 places for Christmas parties in Manchester you might not have considered

The ultimate guide to Christmas parties in Manchester - Manchester Central and many more

Top picks for dim sum in Manchester and Liverpool

Manchester Tattoo Convention by UKTTA

Manchester City Centre Festivals

The Reach at Piccadilly

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Wagamama St Peter’s Square

Manchester City Centre Restaurant

A bedroom at Dakota Manchester, a hotel in the Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Dakota Manchester

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Lock 84

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Modern British

exterior of on the hush manchester church street northern quarter

On the Hush

Manchester City Centre Cafes

A selection of the small plates at Voyagers, one of Liverpool's most exciting new restaurants for 2024.

Voyagers

Ropewalks Restaurant - Global

Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Rain Bar

Manchester City Centre Bars

The Alan Hotel

Manchester City Centre Hotel

7 Manchester coworking spaces that will re-energise your workday

Loom & Ladle Bistro

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - British

Artwork by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor at Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool – temporarily closed for refurbishment

Albert Dock Art Galleries

A bedroom at Yotel Manchester Deansgate.

Yotel Manchester Deansgate

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Mother's Day bouquet from Northern Flower - a florist in the Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Northern Flower

Northern Quarter Florists

20 alternative Christmas nights out in Manchester

The Halyard at Ropewalks, a hotel in Liverpool

The Halyard

Ropewalks Hotel

The exterior of The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool

The Beatles Story

Albert Dock Museums

Haunt

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - European

One of the holes at Golf Fang Liverpool, a crazy golf bar in the city centre.

Golf Fang Liverpool

Baltic Triangle Activities

The famous arches and stage of the Cavern Club in Liverpool

The Cavern Club

Cavern Quarter Historic Buildings & Sites

The Bridge, a hotel and restaurant in Prestbury, Cheshire

The Bridge

Loft apartment at Roomzzz Manchester City

Roomzzz Manchester City

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Stunning views from the living room at Hyatt House aparthotel in Manchester

Hyatt House

Oxford Road Hotel

The Hot 20: the most popular Liverpool restaurants

Exhibition

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Global

Pattersons at Escape to Freight Island

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - American

Black pudding with marinated peppers at Erst, one of the best restaurants in Manchester

Erst

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - British

Motel One Royal Exchange

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Ground floor lounge and bar area at Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central

Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Church Street by Supercity Aparthotels

Manchester City Centre Hotel

The Hot 50: the most popular Manchester restaurants

Two pints of craft beer at Seven Bro7hers Manchester, also known as the Ancoats Beerhouse.

Seven Bro7hers Ancoats

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - American

Wing’s

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Chinese

Pattersons

Ropewalks Restaurant - American

Premier Suites in Liverpool is dog-friendly for those staying for 29 nights or more.

Premier Suites Liverpool

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

A pasta dish at La Famiglia Bar and Restaurant in Liverpool.

La Famiglia Bar & Restaurant

Cavern Quarter Restaurant - Italian

One of the rooms at Leven Hotel in Manchester city centre

Leven Hotel Manchester

Gay Village Hotel

Bar Hütte Great Northern

Roomzzz Manchester Victoria Sovereign Suite Spiral Staircase

Roomzzz Manchester Victoria

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Christmas parties in Liverpool: 10 cool restaurants and bars

Afternoon tea at The Art School Cellars in Liverpool is always a treat

The Art School Cellars

Georgian Quarter Bars

Malmaison Manchester Spa

Manchester City Centre Spas

30 places for Christmas parties in Manchester you might not have considered

Roast masala butternut squash soup at The Black Friar.

The Black Friar

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Modern British

The Pen & Pencil

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Global

The Ropewalks Hotel is a dog-friendly hotel in Liverpool.

Ropewalks Hotel

Ropewalks Hotel

Staycity Aparthotel Waterfront

Albert Dock Hotel

The best restaurants in Liverpool for afternoon tea

Founder’s Hall

Manchester City Centre Pubs

Vetch

Georgian Quarter Restaurant - Global

One of the suites at Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Piccadilly

Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Boutique 56

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

Atlas Bar

Inside The Palm House at Sefton Park in Liverpool

Sefton Park

Sefton Park Parks & Gardens

The rooms at The Maldron Hotel, Manchester City Centre

Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre

Manchester City Centre Hotel

BAB NQ

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Middle Eastern

Hakkapo is a Japanese restaurant in Manchester's First Street district.

Hakkapo

Manchester City Centre Restaurant

Concert night at the Manchester Arena, or AO Arena as it is currently known.

AO Arena

Manchester City Centre Music Venues

20 fun things to do in Manchester

Cibus

Levenshulme Restaurant - Italian

Namaste Nepal

Didsbury Restaurant - Indian subcontinent

The infinity pool at King Street Townhouse - one of the coolest hotels near Manchester Arena

King Street Townhouse

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Infinity Apartments in Liverpool are great for large groups

Infinity Apartments

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

Next level horror: Halloween things to do near Manchester and Liverpool

Quest Apartments are a dog-friendly place to stay in Liverpool.

Quest Apartment Hotel Liverpool

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

Suki Suki Street Food & Bar

Deansgate Restaurant - Pan Asian

Cocktail served at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Manchester

Hyatt Regency Hotel Manchester

Oxford Road Hotel

Downstairs lobby at Clayton Hotel Manchester

Clayton Hotel Manchester

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Manchester Central is a Confidential Guides recommended Christmas party venue.

Manchester Central

Manchester City Centre Events Venues

Tapas dishes at Evuna, a Spanish restaurant in Knutsford, Cheshire

Evuna Knutsford

Knutsford Restaurant

The Art School

Georgian Quarter Restaurant - Modern British

Sicilian NQ

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Italian

Your best shot: 33 independent Manchester coffee shops

Roast dinner and a pint at 11 Central in Mediacity Manchester.

11 Central

Salford Quays Bars

The Spa at Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Manchester City Centre Spas

Malmaison Liverpool Bar & Grill

Princes Dock Restaurant - American

Neon showtime sign at Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats, Manchester

Hope Mill Theatre

Ancoats Theatres

Piccolino Didsbury

Didsbury Restaurant - Italian

The exterior of the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool

The Walker Art Gallery

Liverpool City Centre Art Galleries

Roll with it: the best places for breakfast in Manchester

A selection of dishes available at Piccolino Italian restaurant, Bramhall

Piccolino Bramhall

Bramhall Restaurant - Italian

Evuna

Evuna Manchester NQ

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Spanish

Delta Hotel by Marriott Liverpool City Centre

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

One of the rooms at Aloft Liverpool, a hotel in Liverpool city centre.

Aloft Liverpool

Cavern Quarter Hotel

Trophies and famous football shirts on display at the Liverpool FC stadium tour.

Liverpool Football Club Stadium Tour

Twenty Twenty Two

Northern Quarter Bars

Happy Days Apartments

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

The whimsical Flamingo Room - one of the party suites at The Shankly Hotel in Liverpool

The Shankly Hotel

Liverpool City Centre Hotel

The birthday blitz: 36 places for a kids party in Manchester

Holiday Inn Manchester Airport

Manchester Hotel

The Townhaus serviced apartment from Jackson Boutique in Manchester

The Jacksonheim Boutique

Manchester City Centre Hotel

7 Manchester coworking spaces that will re-energise your workday

Halle St Peter's on Cutting Room Square - a rehearsal space and concert venue in Ancoats, Manchester

Hallé St Peter’s

Ancoats Music Venues

Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Central

Ropewalks Hotel

Zen Sushiya

Withington Restaurant - Japanese

Christmas at Liverpool Gin Distillery

Liverpool Gin Distillery

Liverpool City Centre Bars

20 alternative Christmas nights out in Manchester

Cocktails at Frederiks in Liverpool

Frederiks

Georgian Quarter Restaurant - American

Cocktail served at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Manchester

The Laureate Restaurant

Manchester Restaurant - Global

Cocktails served in King Street Tavern, the restaurant and bar at King Street Townhouse hotel

King Street Tavern

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - British

Seven Bro7hers Media City

Media City Restaurant - American

Evuna Manchester Deansgate

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Spanish

Runyon’s Bar & Restaurant

Manchester City Centre Restaurant

Christmas at Down the Hatch in Liverpool

Down The Hatch

Ropewalks Restaurant - Vegan

Spice Thai

Ropewalks Restaurant - Thai

Bruncho

Deansgate Cafes

Motel One St Peter's Square and the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst outside

Motel One St Peter’s Square

Manchester City Centre Hotel

The Hot 20: the most popular Liverpool restaurants

ibis Budget Manchester Airport

Manchester Hotel

Vegan food at Brewdog Doghouse Hotel

BrewDog Doghouse Manchester Hotel

Manchester City Centre Hotel

Study alcove in John Rylands Library in Manchester city centre

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

Manchester City Centre Historic Buildings & Sites

Junction

Manchester City Centre Restaurant - Global

The Hot 50: the most popular Manchester restaurants

A cocktail at City Wine Bar in Liverpool

City Wine Bar & Kitchen

Business District (Liverpool) Restaurant

A tableful of dishes at Belzan in Liverpool

Belzan

Mossley Hill Restaurant - European

The Restaurant Bar & Grill Liverpool

Liverpool City Centre Restaurant - Global

The front of Liverpool Cathedral, the biggest cathedral in the country.

Liverpool Cathedral

Georgian Quarter Historic Buildings & Sites

Bury Market

Wrights Fish & Chip Shop

Greater Manchester Restaurant - British