Since Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger introduced Instagram to the world nearly 10 years ago, the platform has been making some serious moves. 

From tailgating Facebook by hitting 1 billion users in 2018, to averaging 96 million posts a day, there’s no denying the power it yields in today’s digital world. 

Now, you might have noticed that the photo sharing platform is even taking control of other things too. From the way in which bar owners design their spaces to the food restaurateurs serve on their menus, more and more places are in a fight to be ‘Instagrammable’. But what is that? 

Being Instagrammable refers to when something is aesthetically pleasing that instantly lends itself to getting a phone out, photographing it and sharing it on social media - avocado and eggs on toast is the OG of ‘Instagrammable’ things.

Understanding that it is one of the most important factors for millenials when making any eating or drinking decision, restaurants and bars all over the world have capitalised on the trend. 

In making themselves appealing for Instagrammers, these establishments are turning the tables on influencer marketing. As opposed to paying influencers to visit them and post about it, they have created spaces so unique that influencers make the trip off their own backs. And when they inevitably upload a post of them there to their many followers, they are providing free advertisement to hundreds of thousands of people. 

Here are six of the most Instagrammable places in Manchester that regularly enjoy influencer exposure due to their beyond-the-norm interiors. 

Menagerie Manchester

What? Restaurant and bar 

Where? One New Bailey, New Bailey St, Salford, M3 5JL

The creatives behind Menagerie have truly let their imaginations run wild. 

With pink neon quotes, stunning floral backdrops, a bath full of multi-coloured balls and a colour scheme that will make a statement on any Insta feed, this restaurant & bar is the stuff that dreams are made of. 

As well as being an Instagrammer’s playground, the food at Menagerie both looks and tastes the part. Explore the colourful sushi selection, pastas and grills, or take a ride on their imaginative Afternoon Tea ferris wheel of sweet treats. And be sure to assume the iconic Instagram drink-in-hand pose as their cocktail menu is picture-perfect.

Richmond Tea Rooms 

What? Tea room 

Where? 46 Sackville St, Manchester, M1 3WF

Get ready to channel your inner Alice with this Alice in Wonderland themed tea room - a must for any Instagrammer looking to get a little creative with their posts. 

Inspired by the weird and wonderful world Lewis Caroll created, every element of this tea room has been thoughtfully designed, from the garden restaurant and decor to the character named afternoon tea options.

Trust us, you won’t want to be late for a date at this Instagram haven. 

Rosso

What? Restaurant & Bar 

Where? 43 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BG

Owned by Rio Ferdinand, Rosso has long been a fine dining experience loved by foodies and celebrities alike - Elle Macpherson, the Beckham clan and One Direction have all enjoyed its offering. 

The Italian inspired cuisine and exciting mix of drinks at Rosso are bold, bright and beautiful. The restaurant’s minimalist, chic decor is the ideal location to get that perfect Instagram shot.

Want your Insta to really sparkle? Pay the restaurant a visit during the Christmas period and get the ultimate festive snap outside its magical lit-up architecture.

The Northern Quarter

What? Street art scene

Where? Across the city

The Brooklyn of Manchester, Northern Quarter is one of the city’s most vibrant and trendiest places to explore. The neighbourhood has been known for its art scene for decades and its abundance of street art can be spotted everywhere. 

If you want to guarantee an Insta worthy shot, then add Stevenson Square to your agenda. Here, you will find some of the most popular graffiti in the whole of Manchester by a group of artists known as Outhouse MCR. 

But you might be looking for something a little less mainstream, so for pieces that are less photographed than those in Stevenson Square, simply spend a day wandering around the area - you’ll be sure to find a mural that suits your Insta feed style.

Hotel Gotham 

What? A 5* hotel 

Where? 100 King St, Manchester, M2 4WU

After a busy day of taking in the sights of Manchester, filling your stomach with great food and sending your feed into a frenzy, look no further than Hotel Gotham to lay your head. 

The decadent 5* hotel has plush accessories, statement furniture and stunning views of the city that offer up picture-perfect shots all year round. 

To add a truly special touch to your feed, it’s worth splashing the cash a little more and getting yourself checked into one of their ‘Bank Manager’s suites’ or the show-stopping ‘Inner Sanctum Suite’ - trust us, you won’t regret it. 

John Rylands Library

What? A library

Where? 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH

A must-stop for those that want to combine a love of Instagram with a love of literature, the John Rylands Library boasts all the architectural features you need for some stunning posts. 

Housed inside a late-Victorian neo-Gothic building, the library is an inspiring place to explore unique book collections, manuscripts and works of art. 

Its ‘Historic Reading Room’ has private reading alcoves which are flooded with light. The cosy corner in their historic reading room is like something out of a novel itself with shelves stacked high with books and completed with a traditional ladder for browsing. 

The library hosts special sessions for photographers which might give you undisturbed access to some of the building’s best lighting, backdrops and much more creative freedom. 

Just hashtag #johnrylandslibrary to see the posts others have done before you!