Whether you’re on a date, fancy an arthouse outing or are on a quest for the quirky, we’ve picked the best Manchester cinemas for your trip out.
After all, you're in one of the UK’s most outstanding city for the arts: from stunning art galleries to eclectically (and traditionally) brilliant museums and world-renowned theatres, Manchester’s culture gravitates towards the artistic.
Best for inspiring programming
Film, art and theatre mingle in this inventive arts venue currently showing awards favourites and classics, some with expert introductions. Whilst HOME's screens concentrate on the arthouse side of things, programmers there know a good mainstream film when they see one too so you get the best of both worlds. If you fancy it you can nip into the galleries and there's an excellent restaurant on-site, too.
Best for luxurious comfort
This 3 screen cinema with art deco-inspired furnishings is like watching a film from the comfort of your own home, albeit with a bigger screen. Soft, plush sofa-style seating with little side tables for your drinks and food (don't worry they stop serving you once the film starts), a friendly reminder not to use your phone or chat during the movie, and excellent vision and found. Plus there's a lovely bar area that's nice to visit whether you're seeing a film or not.
Best for a proper independent experience
This wonderfully intimate (small) cinema is an offshoot of Manchester's GRUB, a street food experience now with a permanent Green Quarter home. The venue hosts games nights, comedy and other cool stuff too but their film programme is eclectic and a dream, ranging from ‘Tenet’ one night to ‘Midnight Run’ the next via the 1954 ‘Godzilla’. House rules mean no hot food and no phones. Ideal!
Best for Art Deco charm
This refurbished suburban gem offers luxury seating and a programme of mainstream hits mixed with acclaimed indies. Mondays are niche nights, with a focus on foreign language and lower budget films, while they also screen live ballet and theatre. Regulars rave about the service and the reasonable prices.
Best for old-school touches
Fancy an ice cream in the interval? Yes, you read that correctly – so retro is this cinema that they have an actual break in the middle of movies. Locals love this old-fashioned theatre with comfortable seats showing carefully curated releases alongside the occasional live screening.
Over the past few years this city’s food scene has flourished: trailblazing indie restaurants have opened across the city, under-the-radar local favourites have been celebrated by national restaurant critics and world-famous chefs are setting up flashy new ventures.
Discover Time Out original video
