Five Alternative Culture Haunts in Manchester

Posted 26 April 2017 in Location Guides

Written by Britannia Web Team

As the birthplace of many a musical movement and culturally relevant artist over the years, Manchester continues to assert itself as one of the main alternative culture hubs in Britain to this very day. Alongside similarly culture-heavy towns such as Edinburgh and London, the Northern capital has traditionally been one of the most welcoming British cities for alternative movements and cultures, not only encouraging them but providing them with dedicated spaces in which to flourish and thrive.

As a result, the city is rife with places where those with an interest in alternative culture, media and lifestyles can indulge in a spot of shopping. Here is a list of a few of many such examples scattered around town, so as to make fans of alternative culture aware of places to visit when staying in one of our hotels in Manchester.

Afflecks Palace

When it comes to alternative haunts in Manchester City Centre, perhaps the best known one is Affleck's Palace. Located just off the famous Northern Quarter, this shopping arcade treats you to three whole floors of independent shops and stalls, each chock-full of vintage, custom and alternative items to suit all tastes! From retro videogames to vinyl records, from hand-produced artwork to music merchandise or vintage clothing, this one-of-a-kind shopping centre easily justifies its reputation as one of the main alternative culture hubs in the British Northwest!

What's best, Affleck's Palace is easily accessible from either of Britannia's hotels in Manchester City Centre. The building is located, quite literally, next to Sachas Hotel, and it is less than a five minute walk from there to the Britannia Hotel Manchester in Piccadilly Gardens. With such close proximity to both our city centre hotels, and so much to see, do and discover for fans of fringe culture, there is absolutely no excuse why this unique shopping arcade should not be a pilgrimage spot for alternative souls staying in one of our hotels in Manchester!

The Ruby Lounge

What Affleck's Palace is to fashion and culture, the Ruby Lounge is to music and entertainment. Nestled away inconspicuously in the middle of a row of shops just off Market Street, this space is nevertheless well-known by local music enthusiasts as one of the best places to go to see up-and-coming, alternative and independent musical acts. A historic part of Manchester's alternative music and clubbing scene, the Lounge is almost certain to have something going on, regardless of day of the week or time of the year.

The Ruby Lounge sits within walking distance of both our hotels in Manchester City Centre. Guests staying at Sachas Hotel will need do no more than walk down the road to get to this personable venue, while those staying at the Britannia Hotel Manchester in Piccadilly Gardens will find the space to be a short, five to ten minute walk away.

Gorilla

The Ruby Lounge is far from the only venue for alternative live music in Manchester; located a little further afield, close to the O2 Ritz, Gorilla is just as well-known and revered within the Manchester gig scene as its town-centre counterpart, and just as sure to provide a great evening's entertainment for fans of fringe and independent music.

Doubling as a restaurant and eatery during the day, at night Gorilla truly comes into its own, with some alternative band usually ready to take to the stage and treat attendees to some quality tunes.

While not as accessible from either of our city centre hotels as other venues on this list, Gorilla is nevertheless well worth the short bus ride to visit, especially if there happens to be a band on!

Rebellion

Located only a few yards from Gorilla, opposite Castlefield Shopping Centre, Rebellion specialising in rock, punk and metal music. Rebellion Bar is, along with the nearby Grand Central pub, the main meeting hub for Manchester-based headbangers, and regularly boasts live performances by underground bands and themed nights dedicated to a single sub-genre within the vast heavy rock landscape.

Much like with Gorilla, getting to Rebellion would require a roughly 20 minute walk from our Britannia Manchester Hotel, or a short bus ride from Piccadilly Gardens for those staying in Sachas Hotel; however, as with the former, it is well worth the trip for fans of heavy music passing by or staying in Manchester!

Empire Exchange

Vintage items and collectibles tend to be among the most unique and appealing – and alternative fans will find Central Manchester's Empire Exchange to be the perfect place to find their next piece of memorabilia! Filled literally wall to wall with collectibles and vintage articles relating to music, sci-fi, literature and pop culture in general, this basement shop off Piccadilly Gardens is a mandatory place for enthusiasts of all things fringe and alternative!

Empire Exchange is within walking distance of both our main hotels in Manchester. This time, it is those staying at the Britannia Manchester Hotel who are the most benefited, as this shop is just down the road from the hotel; those who prefer Sachas Hotel, however, will find Empire Exchange is located no more than a five-minute walk away.