Manchester used to be a city strongly associated with older generations – people who loved bands like Oasis and were passionate about football.
On Saturday nights, The Hacienda was the hotspot for celebrities and the heart of the ‘Madchester’ music scene. It was known for its energetic atmosphere, with people dancing to acid house music and a prevalent drug culture.
Ugh, it’s just… it’s not the same anymore! Remember when being ‘Mancunian’ meant something cool? Now it’s all just… TikTok. Seriously, everywhere you look it’s people with those ring lights – you know, those super bright LED things? They have to have perfect lighting, and they’re always posing with their fancy new stuff outside designer stores, sipping on matcha lattes. It’s just… so different. It used to be about the music and the vibe, now it’s all about showing off online. It really gets to me, honestly.
Manchester is no longer just experiencing a temporary surge in popularity; it’s rapidly becoming a major cultural hub, quickly challenging London’s dominance. The competition for attention in Manchester is fierce, similar to how difficult it is to get a reservation at a trendy London spot like Sexy Fish.
Perhaps the clearest sign of what’s happening is this: people from all walks of life – including public relations firms, new chefs, and young people building a presence on social media – are moving here, often seeking more affordable living costs outside of London.
If you look at Instagram or TikTok, you’ll notice a lot of famous people are now living and working in Manchester, creating a thriving celebrity scene there.
Molly-Mae Hague, a star from Love Island and now a major social media influencer, is a driving force behind the city’s growing popularity. She’s attracted other young creatives who want to collaborate with her. Her fiancé, boxer Tommy Fury, has also contributed by successfully combining his athletic career with social media and lifestyle content, all based in the city.
Popular creators also include Maddison Sarah, who shares lifestyle and fashion tips, and the Thomas Brothers, a comedy duo with a large local following.
Manchester is also home to stars like Angry Ginge, who recently gained a huge boost in online followers after winning the TV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
JD Sports, a sponsor of his, helped increase his visibility even more by funding a billboard campaign with the message ‘Congrats King Ginge’.
Influencers like Sasha Atwood, who is dating footballer Jack Grealish, frequently visit Manchester and contribute to the city’s growing popularity as a dining and café destination.
Fashion influencers Tara Maynard and Aimee Smale are helping to boost Manchester’s profile. In October, Aimee’s brand, Odd Muse, hosted a temporary shop inside Selfridges in Manchester, attracting a large crowd of shoppers.
Someone from Manchester explained that the city has a strong sense of community because it’s relatively small and many people are connected.
London’s trendy restaurants and clubs are now expanding to the North, bringing a luxurious lifestyle that’s more affordable. As a result, this area has become a highly desirable place to live.
It’s no surprise that we’re seeing more events featuring influencers and brands. I recently spotted an influencer in a store being asked for photos – it was bound to happen, given how much this city has to offer.
Manchester’s PR scene is booming too, signalling its emergence as a serious influencer hub.
Founded in 2016 by Scott Thomas from Love Island, The Social PR is a great example of a company focused on supporting talent in the North. It aims to keep creators and influencers based in Manchester, rather than requiring them to move to London.
This agency manages all aspects of a brand’s marketing, from introducing new products to planning its media approach, and helps them connect with the growing number of online users in the city.
YMU, a highly respected talent agency in London representing stars like Davina McCall, Simon Cowell, and Graham Norton, has recently and discreetly expanded to Manchester. They are now actively searching for new talent, organizing events, and developing connections to match those they have in London.
Manchester’s nightlife scene has changed a lot recently. Bars, restaurants, and clubs are now designed not just for having a good time, but also for creating content for social media – they’re carefully planned to look good in photos and videos.
According to one local, the new restaurant plans to host influencers, encouraging them to share photos and posts online. This creates buzz, as their followers visit weeks later, after which the influencer moves on to promote another venue. It’s a continuous process that benefits both the restaurant and the influencer.
Restaurant and bar SDK, opened by former England midfielder Danny Murphy, is the newest hotspot.
The launch party drew a crowd of popular social media personalities, actors, and reality TV stars. The venue itself is designed for social media, filled with mirrors, flattering lights, and picture-perfect spots, making it a great place to create content.
People love taking pictures and videos at this restaurant, and sharing them online has made it a popular spot in the city.
The recent opening of Sexy Fish in Manchester has added a touch of London’s upscale style to the city, becoming a popular weekend spot for social media influencers.
Okay, so One Eight Six is everything. Seriously, it’s this amazing bar, but you’d totally miss it if you weren’t looking! You walk in through what looks like a barbershop – all mirrors and cool vibes – and then it’s like, whoa, a hidden bar! It’s just… perfect. It’s exactly the kind of place everyone’s trying to find now – something a little different, a little mysterious, and unbelievably Instagrammable. It feels like you’re part of a story just being there, you know?
Fenix is a trendy restaurant with a Greek vibe and a lively atmosphere thanks to its DJs. It’s become hugely popular on Instagram, attracting celebrities like Molly-Mae Hague and Lennon Gallagher. Due to its success, they’re planning to open a second location in London next year.
Louis restaurant takes a different approach – they don’t allow photography at all. When customers arrive, they’re asked to put phone-protecting covers on their devices, and anyone seen taking pictures will be asked to leave.
Despite not always posting about it, influencers are drawn to this place simply to be seen there. It demonstrates that in Manchester, social status isn’t always about what you share online—sometimes it’s about being part of an exclusive scene.
Soho House recently opened as the city’s first private members’ club, and it’s become a popular spot for content creators. While it’s known for being exclusive – and previously had rules against using laptops – those restrictions are reportedly being removed soon.
Even though they don’t allow photos, I’ve noticed a few appearing on social media this week. When I went, a staff member directed me to a photo booth on the upper level.
The restaurant is already popular with local celebrities – I even saw Sally Nugent, the host of BBC Breakfast, enjoying lunch there with friends.
Loyle Carner kicked off the event with a performance, and attendees can also look forward to sets from Grammy winner Honey Dijon and the renowned bandleader Jools Holland.
I’ve been following this club’s journey for a while now, and it’s amazing to finally see it open! There were so many delays with the building – almost two years! – but it was totally worth the wait. From what I can tell, everyone around here absolutely loves it.
Someone told me Manchester really needed a private club, and they believe it will soon be the place to go to be seen.
New restaurants like Chotto Matte, which blends Japanese and Peruvian flavors on a rooftop setting, and soon-to-open spots like Eggslut and Shake Shack (both popular in London) are solidifying the city’s status as a trendsetting destination.
Oh my gosh, Manchester is just… different now! It’s not just the clubs and bars, it’s everything. The whole city centre has been totally transformed with all these incredible skyscrapers popping up everywhere. I mean, it barely even looks like the same place anymore, it’s amazing!
Someone I spoke with said that the city used to have very few tall buildings. Now, it’s starting to resemble New York City with a lot of new apartment buildings being constructed. These aren’t just basic apartments either; many are luxurious, featuring amenities like pools, spas, and even things like climbing walls and mini golf courses.
Walking around, you can’t help but notice all the construction – cranes, trucks, and workers are everywhere.
New apartment buildings seem designed for young, wealthy people who are active on social media. Developments like Deansgate, Elizabeth, and Colliers Yard offer luxurious apartments with modern features, plus amenities like gyms and pools – all very ‘Instagrammable’.
I was told that the shared spaces in those apartment buildings feel like a constant Instagram photoshoot.
Most of Manchester’s social media influencers live in areas like this. It’s a popular spot for people just starting their careers online, and it seems like residents don’t stay for very long.
After working hard for several years, many people choose to move to the affluent areas known as the ‘Cheshire Golden Triangle’ – the villages of Alderley Edge, Prestbury, and Wilmslow.
Molly Mae, connected to Manchester United, and Ellie Egar, a stylist with a large Instagram following, both live in very large, luxurious homes.
The new Nobu Hotel & Residences is set to become the ultimate luxury destination. Construction is already happening on this impressive £360 million project, a 76-story skyscraper that will be the tallest building outside of London. When finished in six years, it will offer 452 apartments.
It’s no surprise Robert De Niro, a major investor in Nobu, feels so positively about Manchester. He’s said, ‘It’s wonderful to be in a city with such a unique atmosphere, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.’
Salboy, the developer behind the project and based in Manchester, is also very positive about the future. They stated that Manchester has experienced consistent growth for over a decade, with its population continuing to increase. Attracting high-end brands like Nobu, and the quality, prestige, and attention they bring, is seen as a major step forward and will likely encourage further development in the city.
Port Street apartments, offering one-bedroom flats from £1,500 per month, will open next year. It’s already becoming known as the perfect place for social media influencers, with features like a rooftop bar ideal for photos and dedicated co-working spaces for creating content.
Vista River is another apartment building designed for people who create online content. It offers unique amenities like a rock climbing wall, an on-site restaurant for residents, a dog spa, and a professional studio for photos and podcasts.
Even though apartments in the 55-story tower start at £415,000, most of them have already been purchased.
Manchester is more than just a city to live in or have fun – it’s increasingly attracting major brands and hosting big events.
Café Açai & The Tribe, known for its delicious acai bowls made with fruit from the Amazon rainforest, has teamed up with Sophia Tuxford and Cinzia Baylis-Zullo, the popular podcasters and influencers behind The Girls Bathroom.
A special acai bowl and matcha drink created a buzz in Manchester, with people lining up for hours to try them.
Last month, the online fashion retailer ASOS flew guests from London to Manchester in first class for an Adidas party. The party was held at Victoria Baths, a historic and beautiful building protected as a Grade II listed site.
The event drew a crowd of well-known faces, including Jackie Apostel, girlfriend of Cruz Beckham, Love Island champion Toni Lates, and fashion personality Alicia Roddy.
Next year, the famous BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester! For the first time in nearly 50 years, the awards ceremony won’t be held in London – it’s scheduled for February 2026 at the brand-new Co-op Live Arena. This will be a much larger event than anything Manchester has hosted before.
Plus, the MOBO Awards are heading to Manchester next year. The 30th anniversary celebration will take place in March.
Even Vogue magazine is expanding its reach, bringing its popular interactive exhibit – originally launched in London – to Manchester’s Aviva Studios this month.
With major retail events, popular café partnerships, and music awards happening, Manchester is quickly becoming the go-to place for brands, event organizers, and creators looking to expand north.
Manchester is experiencing a surge in popularity, and that includes a growing population. Since 2011, the number of residents aged 24 and under in Greater Manchester has increased by 3.9%, making it the fastest-growing area in the UK for young people.
Manchester has changed since the days when it was known as a rough, industrial city, but it’s still vibrant. It’s moved on from factories to trendy rooftop spaces, and instead of the confident attitude of the Gallagher brothers, you now see influencers and new restaurants taking center stage.
This isn’t just a temporary fad or a poor imitation of London. It represents a significant and lasting change in power.
The city is experiencing a huge influx of creative individuals, brands, developers, and major events – growing so quickly it struggles to keep up. After a long time, people across the nation are now looking to this city to see what’s new and exciting.
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2025-12-16 16:07