The best weird and wonderful things to do in Manchester - including a bar with a hidden slide, a haunted mansion & Gnome Island

Manchester is known for its eclectic mix of activities, and it is jam-packed full of hidden gems, bespoke restaurants, intriguing museums and a huge selection of bars to suit every taste. The city centre is home to the Northern Quarter, a trendy neighbourhood with some of the area’s busiest music venues and quirky shops.

Our vibrant city is the perfect spot to find something unique to do, so we visited some of the most interesting places in Manchester to give you a run-down of the top weird and wonderful things to do in our city-region:

Empire Exchange

First on the list is Empire Exchange, a unique store on the edge of Piccadilly as you head into the Northern Quarter. The weird and wonderful store houses anything and everything you could imagine - from trinkets, to records and DVDs, to bizarre items such as a real traffic light.

Entering Empire Exchange in Manchester is like stepping back in time, and in every nook and cranny lies something totally unique. The store often cuts deals with customers and exchanges goods rather than cash, so it’s a great place to give your old items a new lease of life.

Antwerp Mansion

Next up is Antwerp Mansion, the building most famously known as a nightclub from 1922 until 2018 when it was shut down by the council. The house in Rusholme is said to be haunted by several ghosts, but there are still residents who live on the property despite these spooky claims.

The haunted Victorian property now hosts ghost tours and music and arts events, so if you’re interested in checking it out, you can grab tickets online.

Gnome Island

If you’re taking a trip to Old Trafford, you might want to catch a glimpse of this next weird and wonderful attraction in Manchester. Gnome Island sits on the Salford side of Manchester Ship Canal, but is best viewed from the Trafford banks as this is the direction its unique visitors face.

In 2017 the island welcomed its first guest - a single gnome called Gnorman - and since then an army of gnomes has arrived, but who places them there remains a bit of a mystery.

The Washhouse

There’s no shortage of bars in Manchester, but if you’re looking for a drinking venue with a twist, why not check out the weird and wonderful Washhouse in Shudehill?

This cocktail bar can only be accessed by those who book in advance and may look like a laundrette from the outside, but inside lies a hidden bar where you can discover secret rooms, disco toilets and even an extra-large laundry chute slide! The drinks menu itself is full of interesting flavour combinations - and if you’re feeling brave you can try one which tastes like a chicken dinner.

Castlefield Viaduct

Since we are experiencing a heatwave and summer is well and truly here, Castlefield ViaductNational Trust site is a unique way to enjoy a beautiful view of Manchester at this park in the sky. Built onto the viaduct next to Deansgate tram stop, this green space is full of plants and trees and gives an excellent insight into urban gardening.

Portico Library

Finally, if history and culture are more your thing, check out the Portico Library hidden away on Moseley Street and Charlotte Street. The independent subscription library is one of the city’s oldest buildings still being used for its original function, and has been operating since the early 1800s.

This hidden gem now only occupies the top floor of the building and to get there you must make your way up a winding staircase hidden behind a side entrance.

For more ideas on weird and wonderful things to do in Manchester, check out our other video reports and stay tuned for more insights into the unique things our city-region has to offer.