Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
Food:
Il Paradiso del Cibo – Walmgate.
Cheerful, chaotic and lively, this little gem of an Italian restaurant is full of noise and people for every meal, especially at weekends so booking is advisable. Food is stunning and cheap.
Ambiente Tapas – Goodramgate.
Good tapas at affordable prices: eat as little or as much as you like. Or share among the whole table for a perfect fresher bonding experience.
Drink:
The Last Drop Inn– Colliergate.
A snug, comfy pub operated by the local York Brewery. It boasts a huge selection of real (often local) ales. Nice rustic charm.
The Punch Bowl – Stonegate.
For larger groups; if the Last Drop Inn is full, the Punch Bowl is usually ready to welcome. A pretty pub with lots of well set out seating for big group bonding.
Evil Eye – Stonegate.
Everybody’s favourite quirky cocktail cavern.
Action:
City Screen Picturehouse Cinema – Coney Street.
A cosy cinema which offers an incredible year’s free membership for freshers (snap that offer up, it’s definitely worth it). Its downstairs venue,The Basement, offers regular open mic nights, alongside comedy gigs and live music events. Sign up for its newsletter and you’ll never be at a loss for something to do.
The Duchess – Stonebow.
Often a freshers week venue (super classy ‘school discos’ abound), but also host to the enjoyable ‘Itchy Feet’ and ‘Motown’ retro-feel dance-hall type events, and an array of live music and comedy acts throughout the year.
Museum Gardens – Museum Street.
Right outside the city centre’s main public library which is also worth a look – pick up a ‘York Card’ for just £2 and get discounted entry to many of York’s attractions. The gardens offer a pretty sloping park which is perfect for picnics. Though perhaps a little too soggy in the nippy October of Freshers’ Week.
Shopping
The web of boutique-type shops by the minster are good for gifts and cards and browsing of trinkets. Goodramgate is charity shop central, and boasts loads of delicious restaurants too. Lastly, Fossgate, my favourite street of the city. Be sure to have a look at The Hairy Fig delicatessen, and pop into the second-hand trove that is Fossgate Books.
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