1. Get lit in the ghostly presence of Diedre Barlow: The Stables
Deansgate, Manchester
It’s the eternal debate: Eastenders or Coronation Street (sorry Emmerdale). Whilst we can’t weigh in on the pros and cons of Rovers over the Old Vic, we can introduce a unique event space that was featured on the original Granda set of everyone’s favourite Mancunion soap opera.
The stables are, fittingly, a vast industrial space, sporting the iconic red brick facade of Manchester, alongside a latticework of wooden rafters. You can fit in 120 seated, or 200 standing, and there’s a private bar and professional kitchen for refreshments. An outdoor terrace also adds a whole new layer, if the interminable Lanchasire rain lets up.