An Alternative Guide to Valentines in Manchester

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all flowers and candlelight.

If you're looking for some non-cheesy together time, Manchester is full of interesting things to do. Here are just a few ideas for a more alternative, yet no less romantic, Valentine's Day. 

Enjoy an exhilarating 20 minute session

Want to get the blood flowing and the pulse racing ahead of your evening's *ahem*  'pursuits'? Get yourselves down to Daytona Motorsport in Trafford where you can enjoy an exhilarating 20 minute indoor karting session for £21.60 per head. Find out more at www.daytona.co.uk

Go down to Chinatown

Go on a quirky lunchtime date to Chinatown. Visit the brilliant Ho's bakery, on the corner of Faulkner Street (opposite the Chinese arch)and treat yourself to a variety of delicious sweet and savoury chinese buns. Ho's is also one of the only places in the UK to serve pearl bubble tea - a definite must-try. Take your box of treats to the covered pergola next to the Chinese arch and soak up the colourful atmosphere while you get stuck in to your lovely buns.

Sip cocktails in the clouds 

Perhaps an obvious choice, but there really is nothing in Manchester to compare to the feeling of sipping a Champagne cocktail 23 floors above the ground, in the landmark Hilton Tower. Call ahead to book a table for two by the floor to ceiling windows, and work your way through the cocktail menu as you watch the sun set across the city.

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Go clubbing!

If you'd rather get down and dirty on the dancefloor than gaze lovingly at each other across a table, then why not spend Valentine's weekend losing it at one of the city's amazing club nights. Friday 10th sees John Dahlback and Sister Bliss take over Sankeys  while the Scratch Perverts are over at Sound Control on the 11th. Find out about more events in Manchester here. 

Explore the farmers' markets 

Why not spend an afternoon wandering around Manchester's fantastic food markets together and pick yourselves up some seasonal ingredients for a special Valentine's meal. The Real Food Market, with a great selection of farm and traditional produce is held on February 10th and 11th, in Piccadilly Gardens. You can also pick up some delicious on-the-go lunch including Savin Hill's hot burgers and sausages, Mango Rays' paellas and curries, and of course a delicious cupcake for dessert. Find out more here.

Walk the canals

One of the many fantastic things about Manchester being an industrial city is its extensive canal network, most of which has been developed with pedestrian walkways. Venice it may not be, but it certainly has a charm all of its own; not to mention a wealth of history along the way. Try walking along the Rochdale Canal from Castlefield all the way to Piccadilly basin, and discover the city from a different perspective. Of course, it would only be right to stop off at one or all of the bars along the way. 

Of course, with its museums, galleries, clubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and shops, Manchester is overflowing with things to do over Valentine's weekend. Check out our Valentine's guide for inspiration.