International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Tucked just off Oxford Road, the International Anthony Burgess Foundation is one of Manchester’s most inspiring cultural spaces, a place where writing, music, film and conversation meet. Dedicated to the legacy of the Mancunian author of A Clockwork Orange, it has grown far beyond its literary roots to become a welcoming home for creative events, community storytelling and inclusive arts.

The foundation’s intimate performance space and cafe bar host everything from poetry nights and live jazz to drag cabaret, author readings and queer film screenings. It’s a regular partner of Queer Contact, Manchester Literature Festival and LGBT History Month, giving a platform to local LGBTQ+ artists and thinkers whose work challenges and celebrates identity in equal measure. Past events have included Polari Salon Live, LGBTQ+ Writers Night, and collaborations with spoken word collectives that make the space buzz with creative energy.

The in house cafe and bar serve great coffee, local beer and freshly baked treats, and the staff are as welcoming as they come, artists, students and regulars chat easily before performances, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a salon than a gallery. The bookshop corner, stocked with queer literature and Mancunian voices, invites you to linger long after the lights go down.

What makes the Burgess Foundation special is its quiet confidence, it’s not flashy, but it’s full of soul. It embraces the idea that culture starts with conversation, that everyone’s story matters, and that Manchester’s creative spirit is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table. For many, it’s a safe, affirming and endlessly inspiring corner of the city, small in scale, huge in heart.