Peveril Of The Peak
Peveril Of The Peak is Manchester’s most iconic pub adorned with the sorts of bottle green, yellow and brown Victorian tiles that are a reclamation yard’s dream.
Delaine Le Bas’s ‘Damaged Goods’, Part I, 2004. Photograph: Alexander Christie/Courtesy the artist and Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix
Things to do this February
It’s a busy cultural calendar this month with a major opening at the Whitworth alongside classical concerts, gigs and special events.
Top things to do this month
One for the road…
Celebrate the end of dry January
The Temple
Originally called The Temple of Convenience owing to its former life as a public toilet block, this is a tiny bar with some of the finest bathroom graffiti in town.
The Lass O’ Gowrie
Take a seat by the river at The Lass O’ Gowrie and watch the world go by in this refined and ancient watering hole.
Sandbar
Sandbar, just off Oxford Road in Manchester, is a well-loved watering hole, with a great selection of ales and some eccentric seating.
Ducie Arms
Ducie Arms is a traditional pub near Manchester Science Park, with top-class pub food, real ales and a cracking atmosphere.
Big Hands
Big Hands at the South end of Oxford Road may be small, but it comes with added rock n’ roll swagger, a great atmosphere and a lovely roof garden.
More things to do this month
It Requires Getting Lost
Castlefield Gallery Until 22 February 2026LAST CHANCE. It Requires Getting Lost at Castlefield Gallery brings together new works and major pieces exploring nature, humanity and the unknown.
Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat
Manchester Museum Until 22 February 2026Discover Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat at Manchester Museum, a free interactive dinosaur exhibition for visitors of all ages.
Reimagining the Archive
School of Digital Arts (SODA) 11 February 2026SODA screens Hope Strickland’s recent films with North West Film Archive, exploring archives, memory, and reimagined histories.
The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical
HOME Until 21 February 2026Percy Jackson comes to life on stage in an epic adventure of gods, monsters, and heroism, starring Danny Beard as Mr. D.
Poets Who Edit – Luke Thompson
Manchester Poetry Library 12 February 2026A reading series at Manchester Poetry Library featuring award-winning poet-editors from across the UK’s publishing scene.
Longevity x Innovation: Science Driving Societal Change
Renold Building 12 February 2026Venture Café Manchester explore how breakthroughs in longevity science and innovation could shape healthier, longer lives and drive meaningful societal change.
MossWorlds: Re-storying Urban Lives
Samuel Alexander Building 12 February 2026Explore Manchester’s mosses at the MossWorlds exhibition and panel discussion, hosted by Creative Manchester.
House of Comedy
HOME 13 February 2026For one night only, enjoy a lineup of budding stars making waves in the comedy scene alongside nationally celebrated headline acts.
Coach Party
Gorilla 14 February 2026Coach Party hits the road with new album Caramel live at Gorilla. Experience their electrifying indie anthems and brand new material.
Omar Perry & ERM
YES 14 February 2026Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s son Omar Perry teams up with Lee’s former backing band, ERM, to perform a special tribute.
Wavves
YES 17 February 2026Wavves bring their 2025 album Spun to YES, delivering their signature chaotic yet self-aware indie rock on a European tour.
From climate science to climate policy in a world of changing geopolitics
Renold Building 17 February 2026A talk from Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee June 2023 – July 2025
Livi Michael in conversation
Blackwell’s Bookshop 17 February 2026Livi Michael discusses her novel Elizabeth & Ruth, a reimagining of Victorian Manchester, censorship and compassion, at Blackwell’s Manchester.
The Last Picture
HOME Until 21 February 2026The Last Picture follows an emotional support dog guiding students through 1939 Europe, exploring empathy, memory, and imagination.
Will Dean in conversation
Blackwell’s Bookshop 19 February 2026Will Dean discusses his latest thriller Adrift in conversation with Neil McRobert at Blackwell’s Manchester, exploring control and survival.
Doctor Doctor & Fire Blanket
Big Hands 20 February 2026Heart-throb, freakbeat, dark thumping garage rockers Doctor Doctor are joined by Fire Blanket, Levenshulme’s premium noise rock ensemble.
Adult DVD
YES 20 February 2026Leeds six-piece Adult DVD bring their upbeat, synth-led indie sound to The Pink Room at YES this February.
Gabriel Kidd: I found the giant and he was dead
HOME Until 17 May 2026Gabriel Kidd reimagines folktale and landscape in an immersive queer sculptural installation of myth and memory.
Rebecca Perry in conversation
Blackwell’s Bookshop 24 February 2026Rebecca Perry discusses her debut novel May We Feed the King, a lyrical meditation on history, power and storytelling, at Blackwell’s Manchester.
Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies)
HOME Until 28 February 2026Golden Time blends performance, spoken word, and gig-theatre as Kate Ireland explores schooling, productivity, and the value of free time.
Franz Ferdinand
Manchester Academy 27 February 2026Franz Ferdinand stop at The Academy on their electrifying global tour for sixth studio album The Human Fear.
Food and Drink on Oxford Road
The food and drink in Manchester is some of the best in the UK with many of the finest offerings found here on the Oxford Road Corridor.
Circle Square
Circle Square is an exciting multi-million pound, mixed-use neighbourhood, created on the site of the former BBC building on Oxford Road.
First Street
First Street is a vibrant neighbourhood between Oxford Road and Deansgate, it is home to a number of businesses and is a popular spot for food, drink and culture.
Where to stay
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offers an unforgettable stay on Oxford Road Corridor in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
Hyatt Regency Manchester
Hyatt Regency Manchester is an elegant, modern hotel set in the heart of Oxford Road Corridor.
The Midland Hotel
The Midland Hotel is one of the most famous places to stay in Manchester, and one of Oxford Road Corridor’s most lavishly decorated hotels.
Holiday Inn Express
The Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road is a centrally located hotel that offers visitors great value for money.
Hotel ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street
Hotel ibis on Princess Street offers 126 value for money rooms in a central Manchester location near Oxford Road.