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A Travel Guide to Piccadilly East – Manchester’s Next Hot Neighbourhood!
Piccadilly East once had a chequered past, as gangs ruled the streets and communities had dodgy bits here and there. But that’s all in the past, because now, it’s an emerging neighbourhood in Manchester with a bright future ahead.
As an emerging neighbourhood in the city, it still needs a couple of years to completely reveal itself. But it’s never a bad idea to get ahead in the game before it turns into a busy hub.
Here’s our quick travel guide for Piccadilly East, including things to do, places to stay, bars to get a pint, and stores to pop into. If you fancy a visit to Manchester’s newest “it neighbourhood,” jump right in!
Time Zone
Standard Time: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) UTC +0
Daylight Savings Time: British Summer Time (BST) UTC +1
Best Time to Go
You can visit Piccadilly East any time of the year. From June to August, the summer temperature reaches an average of 20°C. This is best for exploring the neighbourhood freely since more events are happening around this time.
If you don’t mind chilly weather, the winter months, from December to February, are also ideal. The temperature can dip to 2°C, so expect icy road conditions and frosty mornings.
Things to Know
Language: English
Currency: British Pound Sterling (£)
Fun Facts: Piccadilly East is a new neighbourhood in Manchester. This up-and-coming spot is home to trendy breweries, luxury hotels, and local eateries.
How to Get Around
Trams: The Metrolink is a light rail system that operates in Greater Manchester. As the largest light rail network in the UK, it’s connected to major stations and popular spots, allowing you to visit major destinations in the city.
Trams arrive quickly at the stations, so they’ll get you from point A to point B in an instant. Check out the Metrolink Map to see all the stations and plan your trips.
Bus: Bus services operate all over Manchester. Look for the Bee Bus tickets, which you can use on all buses in the city.
You can also purchase single journey, multi-day, and annual tickets. Click here if you’re wondering which option will work best for you.
Manchester also operates a free bus service that goes around the city centre. Check out the routes and schedule here.
Taxi: A pricier option to get to and from Piccadilly East is the Manchester Taxi, which is ideal for long distances and airport transfers. You can also book your journey online and receive a quote instantly.
Where to Eat and Drink in Piccadilly East
Cotton Cafe Bar
Media credit: cottoncafebar
Address: Neptune Mill, 64 Chapeltown St
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am – 3:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 9 am – 4 pm
Pricing: £
Absolutely scrummy sarnies will blow your minds at Cotton, an Ancoats-favourite indie cafe that opened up shop in Piccadilly East’s Neptune Mill, a workspace in a Grade II-listed building. It’s perfect for pre- or post-work quick meals or catch-ups.
The sandwiches are not to be missed, which are packed with ingredients. Our favourite is the Greek Melt for its fresh taste. Make it posh by upgrading to the sarnie and wine deal.
If you’re up for exploring the surrounding areas, they have an Ancoats location on Halle St. Peter’s.
Diecast
Media credit: diecastmcr
Address: 51 Ducie St
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday: 4 pm – late
- Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – late
Pricing: ££
Diecast is your typical restaurant where you raise a glass and take a bite out of their NYC-style pizza. But once 7 pm rolls around and the events start pouring in, it turns into an adults-only place where having a good time is required!
Sunday Roast is always a good idea, but their Margherita pizza won’t disappoint your taste buds, with its delicious combination of tomato, parmesan, fior di latte, and basil.
Every Saturday, their Club Ex Machina event will make every guest dance, while Club Leno on weekends is when the dancers hop onto the tables and move their bodies along with the DJ’s music.
Freight Island
Address: 11 Baring St
Contact: Bookings page
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 4 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 4 pm – 12 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: £ – ££
Everything’s all under one roof at Freight Island, a food and entertainment hub behind Piccadilly Station. Instead of just one eatery, there are different kinds of vendors that dish up a menu full of mouthwatering choices.
You’ll find vendors like Burgerism, Gooey, Fuku, and Mega Gyros. Meanwhile, the bars serve up creative cocktails that’ll fuel your body until closing time! It’s for locals and tourists who want to experience high-energy dining!
When it comes to entertainment, there’s no shortage from Thursday to Sunday. Sports viewings, live bingo, dancing events, and immersive experiences turn up at this deliciously creative hub in Piccadilly East!
Cloudwater Brewery Taproom
Media credit: cloudwatertaproom
Address: Piccadilly Trading Estate, Unit 9, Gidding Rd
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: ££
Up-and-coming neighbourhoods in Manchester always need a taproom, where Mancunians who fancy a cold pint can sit back, relax, and enjoy the delicious beers. That’s what you’ll receive at Cloudwater Brewery Taproom, but elevated.
The place is simple but buzzing with energy. It’s THE place to be for after-work bevvies with your mates, especially on weekends when street food vendors get an invite to cook up delicious snacks!
It offers barrel-aged beers and fresh drops, which will come from the 3ºC room to serve every glass fresh and cold. Pair your beer with some snacks for a balanced texture.
Where to Stay in Piccadilly East
Leonardo Hotel
Media credit: visitmanchester
Address: 260 Great Ancoats St
Contact: +44 84 53000165
Check-in & Checkout Times: 3 pm & 11 am
Pricing: ££
This new hotel in Piccadilly East is tough to miss, as its white, Jenga-like exterior demands attention. It’s an accessible place to stay for tourists and locals, given it’s located near the city centre.
The rooms are stylish, modern, and clean. Even with a slight minimalist vibe, it’s packed full of amenities, like the custom-made DREAM beds and the complimentary bath products in the en-suite bathrooms.
There’s something to do, even without leaving the grounds. There’s an on-site restaurant, a bar, and a gym to ensure complete relaxation! Book directly with the hotel to receive discounted rates!
Dakota Hotel
Media credit: dakotahotelsuk
Address: 29 Dulcie St
Contact: Online form
Check-in & Checkout Times: 3 pm & 11 am
Pricing: £££
Dakota Hotel is for refined vacations, where the design is elegantly cosy. The beds are comfortably plush, the en-suite bathrooms include rainfall showers, the tower rails are heated, and include daily housekeeping to keep your room clean every day.
The bar is equally refined, perfect for intimate date nights. The menu offers a variety of options for every palate, and the drinks are creatively crafted to serve an adventurous twist on the classic tipple.
As a boutique hotel, there aren’t a tonne of facilities. But gym buffs get complimentary access to the closest Pure Gym.
The Alan Hotel
Media credit: thealanmcr
Address: 18 Princess St
Contact: +44 736 631626, +44 1612368999, [email protected]
Check-in & Checkout Times: 3 pm & 11 am
Pricing: £
The Alan Hotel is an accessible place to stay when in Manchester due to its proximity to Piccadilly Station. It’s located in the city centre, close to various tourist attractions and local shops.
The spacious rooms are creatively designed, featuring warm tones, cosy ambience, and open-plan designs. Amenities are complete, like rainfall showers, luxury bath products, smart TVs, and luxuriously plush beddings.
There’s a bar and a co-working space inside the hotel. The facilities are spot on for business travellers who need to unwind or find a quiet space that will encourage productivity.
What to Do in Piccadilly East
Take a stroll in Mayfield Park
Media credit: visitmanchester
Address: Boardman Gate Entrance, 11 Baring St
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 am – 9 pm
Take a stroll in Mayfield Park, a place filled with green spaces, rivers, and a play yard for the kiddos. It has over 140 trees and more than a hundred thousand plants and shrubs, perfect for a quiet walk surrounded by greenery and fresh air.
Families and groups, as well as adults and kids, can find something to enjoy at the park. You can bring your pup, as long as it’s on a lead. There’s also a small coffee shop for your daily dose of caffeine.
Walk over to the Gay Village
Media credit: mcrgayvillage
Location: Gay Village
Gay Village is a short walk from Piccadilly East. It’s a vibrant LGBTQ+-friendly community in Manchester, and home to various attractions and entertainment, including buzzing bars and pubs.
There’s always something to do in the village, from talks to cabaret shows. If you want suggestions on what to do in this fun community, check out this article.
Join the buzzing events at The Warehouse Project
Media credit: whp_mcr
Address: Mayfield Train Station, The Depot
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Depending on the event
Partygoers will have a blast at The Warehouse Project, where club nights take over the whole venue. Dancing, singing, and having fun are required here!
At this exclusively 18+ space, experience unforgettable nights as the DJs take over the stage to keep the audience buzzing with excitement and energy.
Where to Shop in Piccadilly East
0161 Provisions
Media credit: diecastmcr
Address: 51 Ducie St
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Friday: 1 pm – 1 am
- Saturday: 11 am – 1 am
- Sunday: 11 am – 12 pm
This New York-inspired bodega is located inside Diecast, which is one of our favourite places to eat in Piccadilly. 0161 Provisions is basically a corner shop inside a bar, offering snacks and drinks to take back to your hotel for late-night snacks.
Various chocolates, including Flake and Kinder, are up for grabs—if you’re a tourist, get a Flake to add to your Stracciatella (if you know, you know). You can also find crisps and alcoholic drinks for fuel after hitting the town.
The Barkside
Media credit: thebarksidemcr
Address: Richmond House, Travis St
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am – 6 pm
- Every other Saturday: open for salon only
It’s hardly a secret that pet lovers LOVE spoiling their furry companions. So, whether you’re vacationing or moving to Piccadilly East, you must visit The Barkside, which offers dog products and grooming services.
Since Piccadilly East is an up-and-coming neighbourhood, there’s really no reason why your pup shouldn’t be trendy! Grab travel essentials, like poo holders, dog bowls, and leads, so you can bring your pup to Mayfield Park and dog-friendly bars!
Northern Quarter and Ancoats
Media credit: nqmanchester
We’re technically cheating because the Northern Quarter and Ancoats aren’t in Piccadilly East, but they’re close!
Since Piccadilly East is a new neighbourhood, the surrounding areas will provide more shopping options, like the Northern Quarter and Ancoats. The brilliant thing is these places are only about 5 to 10 minutes away by car—just add an extra 15 minutes if you’re walking.
If you want to check out the Northern Quarter, click here for our handy travel guide. You can also explore Ancoats with our top recommendations of activities by checking out this article.
What to Expect in Piccadilly East
Piccadilly East is a new neighbourhood in Manchester, situated near Piccadilly Station. Since it’s still emerging as the next “it” place to be, there aren’t endless experiences going on yet.
However, it’s close to the hottest spots in Manchester. It’s near the Northern Quarter and Ancoats, which are brimming with local shops and restaurants.
There are plans to build new buildings in the area, including residential places to purchase before the market booms.
Don’t get us wrong—Piccadilly East is vibrant, but expect quieter moments, unlike its nearby bustling neighbourhoods. But with the plans for this new place, it’s going to thrive way more than before.
