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Time Out’s coolest neighbourhoods: Manchester’s Northern Quarter reclaims title off Ancoats in 2022 list

Two Manchester rivals have competed for Coolest Neighbourhood status in the annual Time Out list - with only one winner.

Jenny Simpson
By Jenny Simpson
Published 11th Oct 2022, 11:21 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2022, 11:27 BST
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The Northern Quarter has been named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out magazine.

The influential city guide’s 2022 list placed the Northern Quarter at number 30 in its top 51 global hitlist, which was published today.

The magazine ranks NQ among trendy parts of other world cities such as the colourful Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, Ridgewood in New York and Walthamstow in London.

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And it was a turnaround from last year when Ancoats was named in Time Out’s top 20 cool neighbourhoods - but the area fails to make an appearance this time alongside its Mancunian ‘rival’ in this year’s poll.

Afflecks hosts some great independent businesses in the Northern Quarter, which has been named on Time Out’s 2022 cool list Credit: Marketing ManchesterAfflecks hosts some great independent businesses in the Northern Quarter, which has been named on Time Out’s 2022 cool list Credit: Marketing Manchester
Afflecks hosts some great independent businesses in the Northern Quarter, which has been named on Time Out’s 2022 cool list Credit: Marketing Manchester

What did Time Out say about the Northern Quarter?

Time Out’s panel said: “Despite ongoing competition from Ancoats next door, as far as we’re concerned the Northern Quarter has reclaimed the title of Manchester’s coolest neighbourhood for 2022.

“Stevenson Square and some surrounding streets have been permanently pedestrianised, making for a fresher stroll around the centre of the city’s café and bar culture, with its stunning mix of Georgian houses, Victorian pubs and modern hangouts.

Afflecks is a Northern Quarter institution Afflecks is a Northern Quarter institution
Afflecks is a Northern Quarter institution

“No matter what the trend, the Northern Quarter always seems to be one step ahead – whether it’s vegan dining, pop-up bars or even the street art adorning its walls and shop shutters.

“In fact these murals, part of the Outhouse Project supported by local art shop Fred Aldous, exemplify the neighbourhood: always changing and moving forward whilst remaining respectful of the past.”

They also namechecked some of their favurite places to eat and drink, including Ezra and Gill and Mackie Mayer and also recommended spending a day browsing NQ’s independent shops and record stores, before taking in a gig at Band on the Wall.