From serene, high-end wellness experiences to mouth-watering tasting menus by top-tier chefs, Manchester isn’t short on ways to treat yourself. The tricky part is figuring out which experiences are actually worth the splurge and how to get the best value – but that’s where we come in. Barclays are currently offering a £400 bonus* when you switch to a Barclays Premier Current Account by April 30 2026, so we’ve curated a selection of standout activities worth spending that extra cash on. Consider this your guide to revamping your down time in Manchester.
To claim your £400 bonus, you need to download the Barclays app and use it to open a sole Premier Current Account in the app. Next, you just initiate your switch with the Current Account Switch Service (including two active direct debits), and finally deposit £4,000 or more into your account. Plus, the bonus isn’t the only perk – Premier banking customers enjoy fee-free access to an Apple TV subscription***, Barclays Experiences***, preferential savings rates, Cashback Rewards***, an exclusive black debit card, support from Barclays’ team of Financial Guides, and more. Read on to get inspo on how to spend that bonus in Manchester.
Read on to get inspo on how to spend that bonus in Manchester.
Download the Barclays app here.
1. Explore new cuisines at Peter Street Kitchen Omakase
Set inside the iconic Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, Peter Street Kitchen offers a luxurious yet great value Omakase menu. The food is a fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisines, with set menus ranging in price from £70 for the vegetarian option, £80 for the standard and £130 for the wine pairing menu. If you prefer to mix and match, an à la carte menu is also available.
2. Create your own signature scent at a blending experience
We all want a perfume that’s uniquely ours – and with help from the experts at The Perfume Studio’s Fragrance Design Experience, you can get one. Their Moissanite Blending Experience begins with a run through of the base, middle and top notes. Then, you’ll put your learning into practice and blend your own, before taking home 100ml of the final scent in a customisable glass atomiser.
3. Get the ultimate relaxation experience at the Midland Spa
If ultimate pampering is what you’re after – then look no further than the Midland spa. The signature package includes a 100 minute experience with robes, slippers and towels provided on arrival. You can also access the thermal suite and relaxation area, enjoy a light lunch, glass of champagne and two treatments from a menu including a skin purifying facial and a Mediterranean Candle Massage.
4. Enjoy music by candlelight at the Queen & Abba candlelight concert
One of the most elegant ways to spend a night out is under candlelight – now imagine hundreds of flickering candles and a string quartet. The Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and Abba concert is perfect for music lovers and will take place at Hallé St Peters, the 19th Century church turned event space in the heart of Ancoats.
5. Pair spa time with afternoon tea at King Street Townhouse
Step into the luxury spa facilities at King Street townhouse before sitting down for a refined afternoon tea. The £95 package includes an hour of spa access featuring a sauna, ice fountain, heated marble loungers, salt inhalation cave, a steam room and experience showers. After that, enjoy an array of deserts and a glass of champagne or non-alcoholic drink at afternoon tea.
6. Get 360 views of Manchester at 20 Stories bar
Manchester looks its most beautiful from above, that’s why the rooftop restaurant 20 Stories, in the heart of Spinningfields, is the best place to admire the city and enjoy some good food. The restaurant has lots to offer, including a weekend brunch starting at £37 per person for two courses, as well as delicious a la carte options every day of the week.
7. Indulge in a Japanese head spa experience
For next level relaxation and an ultra unique experience, this Japanese head spa focuses entirely on scalp and hair health. Services at Head Space include scalp analysis, deep hydration hair masks and scalp massages – the signature treatment is £85.
8. Get a taste of modern British cooking at Skof
Skof’s carefully considered tasting menu reimagines classic British dishes with contemporary flair. The tasting menu ranges from £130 – £175 per person with options including cheese biscuits, orkney scallops, and mackerel in horseradish.
*To be eligible, (1) use the Barclays app to open a sole Premier Current Account (eligibility criteria apply), (2) initiate a full switch (including two active direct debits) by 30 Apr 2026, (3) complete the switch & (4) deposit £4,000, all within 30 days. T&Cs apply. New customers, 18+ & UK residents only.
**To be eligible for a Premier Current Account, customers must meet the account criteria, through either paying in a gross annual income of at least £75,000 – or having a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both.
***Activate benefits in the Barclays app. T&Cs apply.