If you’re bored of staring at the same four walls after nearly 18 months of lockdowns and working from home, you’ll be ready for a change of scenery. The good news – Manchester is full of independent cafes serving up artisanal coffee and smashed avocado on freshly baked sourdough! Which also means there’s an abundance of places to work from should you be looking for new surroundings. By no means a ‘top ten’ list, as there are so many good places across Manchester, here’s a selection of cafes and coffee houses to work from in the city centre – including some brand-new places to try out or old favourites to revisit.
Haunt
Only a month-old, Haunt is a new Coffee-Wine-Aperitivo that has opened just across the road from the central library. In the space where Cafe Nero used to sit and keeping the Italian theme, this new independent cafe is a great new spot to work if you’re looking for a change of atmosphere. It’s huge bi-fold doors also accommodate for the new inside-outside hybrid, which also makes it a great sport for people watching and passing the time.
58 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NQ
Ditto
Another new-ish establishment, Ditto is located on Oxford Road at the St Peter’s square end. With exposed brickwork, industrial furnishings and vinyl records adorning the walls, you certainly get a feel for Manchester’s heritage here. If you want somewhere a bit quieter than Oxford Road, they’ve also opened a second venue just off Albert Square.
61 Oxford Street, M1 6EQ
Foundation Coffee House
Another great spot for people watching working is Foundation Coffee House. With high window seats in there Whitworth Street and Northern Quarter locations, Foundation is great for watching the world go by when you need a break or a change of scene. The large open space and fast WiFi is also a bonus.
Whitworth Street – 48-50 Whitworth St, Manchester M1 6LS
NQ – Sevendale House, Lever St, Manchester M1 1JB
HOME
Not strictly a café, the arts venues ground floor bar offers a relaxing place to work during the day with plenty of space and away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. For the summer, the big outdoor screen has returned to first street to show sports such as Wimbledon, Tour De France and the Grand Prix – perfect if you need a bit of a break from your dissertation (or football).
2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
Chapter One
Part independent book shop, part café, Chapter One Books will charm you. With a range of individual desks, comfy armchairs, sofas, and bookshelves, you’re more likely to feel in a home study than a busy city centre. The bookshop atmosphere is also to be respected meaning noisy chatter won’t be a problem.
Chatsworth House, 19 Lever St, Manchester M1 1BY
Takk
Now an old staltwart in Manchester, Takk has brought slick Scandi style to the city. Since opening their first coffee house in the Northern Quarter, they now have residence in Hatch and University Green (if you fancy something a bit closer to campus). With wooden desks and plenty of sockets, Takk was designed to be a welcoming co-working space.
6 Tariff Street Manchester M1 2FF
Trove
Moving a little further north to Ancoats, Trove bakery offers simple décor and freshly baked sourdough bread. One for early morning risers, Trove is open weekdays 8am – 3pm. Like most places on this list the floor to ceiling windows make it a light and airy place to work.
5 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Pollen
Even further north of the city centre in New Islington is Pollen Bakery. Another artisanal bakery, it’s perfect for a sweet treat with views of the canal while you work. The communal bench style seating and large windows (clearly a requirement of cafes on this list) makes for the perfect environment for a productive day of work.
Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ
Ancoats Coffee Co.
Just over the canal from Pollen is Ancoats Coffee Co. Located in the courtyard of an old Mill, with plenty of exposed brickwork and industrial chic, you couldn’t find a more ‘Manchester’ place to work. And being in an old mill, there’s plenty of space to go around, even at busier times.
9, Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BA
Feel Good Club
Last on the list but certainly not least is Feel Good Club. The first of its kind in Manchester, the mental-health and wellbeing themed coffee-house opened during the pandemic and has been a huge success. Offering up ‘good vibes only’ it’s the perfect place for a calming environment if you’re stressed about work.
26-28 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EH