Creative Lunch Club is a global community for people working in the creative industries. Whether you are a graphic designer, a photographer, a marketer, or a filmmaker, the Creative Lunch Club gives you the chance to regularly meet other creatives in your city for lunch.

Colony is Manchester's most beloved coworking network, with spaces in Ancoats, Piccadilly and the city centre. The Ancoats location at Jactin House is the standout, a beautifully refurbished Victorian mill with high ceilings, exposed brick and good light throughout the day.

HOME Arches is a free artist development hub run by HOME, offering studio spaces, residencies, events and workshops to artists across all disciplines in Greater Manchester. It's a genuine resource for the creative community, not just a coworking space with a fresh coat of paint.

HOME is Manchester's centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film, with five cinema screens, two theatres and gallery spaces all under one roof. The programming leans bold and experimental, and the bar and cafe are a genuine hub for the city's creative crowd.

Pollen Bakery has built a serious following in Ancoats with its incredible sourdough, seasonal pastries and specialty coffee alongside a brunch menu that changes with what's good. The canal-side spot at Cotton Field Wharf is a perfect place to start a creative day in the city.

Escape to Freight Island is a sprawling food, drink and events venue set in a former railway goods yard near Piccadilly. With rotating food traders, bars, live music and a big outdoor area, it's one of Manchester's best spots for an evening that goes in a few different directions.

Ancoats Coffee Co has been roasting specialty coffee inside the historic Royal Mills since 2013, and the setting alone is worth the trip. It's a proper roastery with a cafe attached, the kind of place where the coffee conversation is just as good as the brew.

Idle Hands is a Northern Quarter cafe institution, known for its rare filter coffees from guest roasters and legendary cream pies. It's a small, laid-back spot on Dale Street that draws a loyal crowd of freelancers, designers and regulars who never quite leave.

Trove started as a sourdough bakery in Levenshulme and has since expanded to Ancoats, where it quickly became one of Manchester's best spots for coffee and brunch. The Ancoats cafe has a warm, neighbourhood feel that keeps people coming back for more than just the food.

Factory International runs Aviva Studios, a spectacular new cultural venue designed by OMA with a 5,000-capacity warehouse space that transforms for almost any kind of event. As home of the Manchester International Festival, it's become one of the most ambitious arts institutions in the UK.

Afflecks is a Manchester institution, a multi-floor indoor emporium in the Northern Quarter packed with independent vintage stalls, alternative fashion, music, homeware and things you genuinely couldn't find anywhere else. It's been at the heart of Manchester's counterculture since the 1980s.

Motion North #54 – The Big'Un 2.0 is a special edition meetup celebrating motion design, animation, and creative storytelling.

It brings together artists, studios, and industry voices for an evening of talks, inspiration, and community within the motion design scene.

BEYOND is the UK’s leading conference for research and innovation in the creative industries. Attracting a global audience, enjoy three days of fringe events, around 100 speakers across 50+ sessions and workshops, and our 'hands-on' showcase of cutting-edge creative technology.

Design Manchester is the city's annual design festival, running each autumn with talks, exhibitions, workshops and open studios spread across venues throughout Manchester. It brings together local practitioners and international names, and is one of the best events in the UK design calendar.