It’s all downhill from here, cold days, long nights – so get out and get involved in some of these beauties going on around the city and beyond…
Manchester Pride Big Weekend
All Weekend
Of course, Manchester Pride is the biggie this Bank Holiday, as the whole area around Canal Street becomes the city’s biggest and most extravagant party. From Friday afternoon right until the early hours of Tuesday morning the party never ceases – with so many things going on that I had to write THIS to list it all. Personal highlights are going to be the Parade on Saturday afternoon, Bongo’s Bingo in Sackville Gardens and Nicky Siano, who will be turning up with the best disco records in the world.
The Refuge Come As You Are Weekender
All Weekend
For a place that’s only been open less than 2 years, The Refuge have managed to cement their Come As You Are Weekenders as the ‘go-to’ parties whenever they grace the city with their presence. This Bank Holiday sees the whole thing get going on Friday with Jim Spratling and Joey T kicking off the festivities in the Public Bar from 5pm, followed by ‘Horse Meat Disco Does Pride’ all night in the basement. Saturday starts at 2pm in the courtyard with High Hoops, Supernature Disco and Will Tramp while the Basement will be hosting Joey Negro presents Edit. Sunday sees Homoelectric alongside Sprechen Music in the Basement with Chris Massey, DJ Paulette, Gina Breeze and Michelle Manetti.
More info & tickets here: The Refuge August ‘Come As You Are’ Weekender 2018
Bolton Food & Drink Festival
All Weekend
If you’re from Bolton and you don’t like the idea of coming into Manchester and getting all stressed out by the rowdy crowds over the Bank Holiday then you’re in luck – the Bolton Food & Drink Festival is here. Not that it will be quiet mind, you should expect a fair whack of people through the imaginary doors, especially considering there’s the chance to spend some time with Michael Caines, Nadiya Hussain, James Martin and the legendary Ainsley Harriot. There’re a million and one things going on so check their website below for all the listings.
Moovin’ Festival 2018
All Weekend
Located all the way over near sunny Marple, Moovin’ Festival is presumably named after the abundance of cows that are usually in the fields and not my favourite Soul II Soul record. All the cows are shipped off to holiday camp this Bank Holiday though because the fields are being taken over by some seriously good acts including Groove Armada, Goldie, De La Soul, DJ Yoda, Greg Wilson, Craig Charles and plenty more spread over the 3 days. There’re still a few tickets knocking about – get them below.
Pride Arctic Roll at Cottonopolis
All Weekend
Cottonopolis is sure to be its usual buzz of activity this Bank Holiday weekend, as it is most weekends in fact – with plenty of tunes, one of the best brunches in the city and some amazing cocktails to keep you going. On top of this they’ve introduced a bit of Pride love with their Rainbow Roll, which will be replacing their lovely Arctic Roll for the whole weekend (with £1 from each sale going to the Manchester Pride Charity). How very nice of them.
The Beer Up Here 2018
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th August
Taking place in the Fairfield Social Club throughout the whole Bank Holiday Weekend, ‘The Beer Up Here’ is basically a celebration of proper Northern beer from the likes of Yorkshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and the Isle of Man. Oh, not forgetting Northern Ireland either – they do some absolutely lovely drops up there. Each day will feature 32 keg and 16 cask beers from breweries big and small so if you can’t find a beer that you like – piss off and go back to drinking White Lightning in a bus stop. There are 5 sessions throughout the weekend, each offering booze from different places. To know which is which – see below…
Live Music & Sunday Social at Brasserie Abode
Friday 24th & Sunday 26th August
Kicking off the Bank Holiday weekend on Friday night at Brasserie Abode will be some live music from Alice Gasson and Douglas Francis, from 5pm. Then on Sunday they’ll be hosting their ‘Sunday Social’ with live music from Lyza. If you’ve never been to Sunday Social before – you’re seriously missing out. For £25 you can get a proper nice Sunday Roast Dinner complete with Bottomless Prosecco! Add a bit of a live music buzz to the place and you’re in for a great afternoon. Trust.
Brasserie Abode, 107a Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2DB
abodemanchester.co.uk
Spank Holiday at Albert’s Schloss
All Weekend
Never ones to let an excuse for a party to go to waste, Albert’s Schloss are celebrating the Bank Holiday in style with a host of events over the full weekend. Starting off on Friday they have A Royal Riot featuring Riot Jazz who manage to merge jazz with anything from grime to Britney. Saturday sees Le Petit Discotheque turn up with the best disco and glam the city can offer. Finally Sunday sees their Sunday Service get taken over by the ‘MCR Queens’ including the Feel Good Choir singing gospel, DJ Paulette, Grace Oni and many more.
Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam 2018
Saturday 25th August
The Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam is a day where you can listen to some tunes, eat some lovely street food, drink something wet and have a little potter around some nice little shops. Everything under one roof. Although there is no roof. The guys from Grandad’s Sausages will be there which is reason enough alone to go – I met the fellas at the Manchester Eats festival and they bash out a phenomenally good banger. Where’s Sadler’s Yard? It’s that bit outside the Pilcrow Pub. Where’s the Pilcrow Pub? Google it you idiot.
Homoelectric Bank Holiday Showdown at Hidden
Saturday 25th August
As well as making an appearance at The Refuge on Bank Holiday Sunday, Homoelectric will first be hitting up Hidden on the Saturday night with a party that will encapsulate everything you’d expect from a Homoelectric night over Pride Weekend. There will be an Erol Alkan Disco Set, Michael Upson, Will Tramp, Gina Breeze, Luke Unabomber and Jamie Bull on until 4am. Skiddle is telling me that’s there’s only 17% of tickets left for this event – go, go, go!
Morning Gloryville at Hatch
Saturday 25th August
You’re going to have to make sure you’ve eaten your Ready Brek if you go to Hatch this Bank Holiday because Saturday sees Morning Gloryville show up with their immersive morning dance party. They’re pioneers of sober morning raving, hoping to bring conscious clubbing to the masses. The theme of the party will be Indian Summer, so there’ll be plenty of Indian inspired art, music, dancing and (hopefully) a bit of Indian sun. There’s also going to be free massages, organic coffee and smoothie bars, and a load of yoga! It starts at 7am so make sure you don’t stay up too late the night before.
Pride Disco Brunch at Gorilla
Saturday 25th August
The Disco Brunch events at Gorilla are legendary throughout the city – somewhere where you manage to both hinder and feed a hangover with the combination of lovely brunch dishes, one of the best Bloody Mary’s in the city and a seemingly endless procession of top disco tunes. It’s like someone invented the most perfect party and has presented it to us on a plate. This Bank Holiday special, like everywhere else, is a Pride themed one with a little bit of help from the gangs over at Gaydio & Supernature Disco.
Glitterbox at Albert Hall
Saturday 25th August
One of the ‘Official After Parties of Pride’, Glitterbox is an absolutely storming night of epic proportions over at the Albert Hall. Roger Sanchez will be making an appearance alongside Simon Dunmore, former Soup Dragons frontman Hifi Sean and a live performance by Julie McKnight – all of them sending out some of the best house and dance the city has ever seen. I can’t recommend this night highly enough and if you get yourself there – you’ll see me. We can have a nice little kiss and a cuddle if you fancy it.
Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club ft. Men of North Country
Saturday 25th August
Tickets are selling out fast (as you’d expect) for Craig Charles’ Bank Holiday Funk & Soul extravaganza over at Band on the Wall on the Saturday. While I’ll be coated in glitter and getting sweaty at Glitterbox, the more civilised people of Manchester will be enjoying Craig’s typically faultless picks and tunes, alongside a live performance by soul band Men of North Country. They’re a soul band from Tel Aviv in case you don’t know and you can have a little listen of what they do right here.
40% off food at Asha’s
Sunday 25th & Monday 27th August
This deal has been going on since the beginning of August but there’s no better time to take advantage and tuck into probably the best Indian grub this city has to offer. Take their Indian Summer menu for example, which features one of the best curries I’ve ever tasted in my life (their Stone Bass & Sunchoke) as well as the best bit of Indian bread ever – their Lancashire Cheese Kulcha. You can’t really argue with 40% off food in such lush surroundings so you’d be a bit of a silly sausage not to treat yourself. Get yourself booked in on either the Sunday or the Monday of the Bank Holiday. (Or Both?)
Bank Holiday Mash Up at Dive NQ
Sunday 26th August
Weekends at Dive in the NQ are always heaving, mostly because of their brilliant drinks offers and booming tunes. This Bank Holiday will be no different with a big ‘Mash Up’ on the Sunday where DJ Lemmi & Justin Fry will be bashing out the Soul, Indie, Hip-Hop and Reggae right up until 5 in the bloody morning. They’re going to have a big Happy Hour from 5pm until midnight where a single spirit and mixer is only £2.50, pints are also £2.50 and a bottle of wine is only a tenner. Oh, and a bottle of prosecco is £15! With them prices – how can you not have a good night?
Dive NQ, Oldham St, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1SH
divenq.co.uk
Disco Mums at Hatch
Sunday 26th August
As part of their burgeoning Bank Holiday line up, Hatch have added the Disco Mums to Sunday with a mammoth 6 hour set from 12pm. There’ll be the usual mixture of booze, street food and general fun-ness, alongside a Wish Upon a Sparkle Photobooth and the aforementioned set by Disco Mums, an all-female DJ collective of seasoned clubbers (who are also mums obviously). It’s free so if you’re looking for something to crack on with – get involved.
Bacardi Blowout at Liars Club
Sunday 26th August
They’re having a huge Bacardi Bank Holiday Blowout over at The Liars Club this Bank Holiday Sunday with the promise of Live Music, DJ’s and even a big stonking BBQ cooking up some tasty treats for all. The shindig starts at 2pm and will continue late into the night, with the usual selection of springing hip-hop and RnB that you’d expect from Liars. Because it’s being sponsored by Bacardi there’s going to be loads of the rum knocking about too. So much in fact that I think it will be seriously frowned upon if you don’t have some in any drink that touches your hand. So, sort it out.
The Liars Club, 19A Back Bridge St, Manchester M3 2PB
theliarsclub.co.uk
Manchester Soul Festival at The Printworks
Sunday 26th August
Now in its umpteenth year (I couldn’t be bothered doing my research) The Manchester Soul Festival takes place at The Printworks and is usually a proper good time, especially if you actually like soul in the first place. They’re doing a great thing by raising money for The Christie so get yourself down to listen to some top soul anthems and give a little back. The whole thing kicks off at 12pm on Sunday, and as you know, there’s plenty of places for you to sup and eat there too.
Micron, Lost in Music & Bounce with Egyptian Lover at Joshua Brooks
Sunday 26th August
Phew! That’s a mouthful isn’t it? It seems that with the return of Micron to Joshua Brooks they’ve grabbed as many of their mates as possible to provide this banging night on Bank Holiday Sunday. It’s the first time in Manchester for Egyptian Lover, so you better make him feel welcome – or else! Expect the usual mix of disco, electro, hip-hop, house and techno which elevated this night to ‘legendary’ status all those years ago.
Bottomless Sushi Sunday at Sakana
Sunday 26th August
Oh yeah. It’s back and I’m not going to lie – it’s brilliant. The Bottomless Sushi Sunday at Sakana is one of those events that you should always aim to attend at least once in your life, so if you’re quick enough this Bank Holiday, now might be your time. It’s exactly what it sounds like – bottomless Uramaki sushi and wine for 2 hours for only £40. You’re going to have to book online using the quote ‘SUSHISUNDAY‘ which you can do below. Also, Saturday sees a load of Pride activity with a Mojito bar bashing out £5 Bacardi Mojitos, 2-4-1 cocktails and 20% off food for those with Pride wristbands.
Punk in Drublic at Sandinista
Sunday 26th August
They’re never shy of a big night at Sandinista and as you’d expect from the flyer above – this Bank Holiday won’t be any different. Punk in Drublic will be offering a concoction of rock, indie, funk and soul until 3am in the morning on Sunday night, with a little welcome sprinkling of tequilas for only £1. If you don’t actually end up drunk in public – I’ll be very disappointed.
Sandinista, 2 Old Bank St, City Centre, Manchester M2 7PF
site.sandinista.co.uk/
Austerlands The Pow Wow
Sunday 26th August
My Aunty Stella will be loving this as M35 Music head on down to the lovely Austerlands Cricket Club to knock their socks off with some banging tunes. Finest favourites The Mouse Outfit will be there alongside Dave Haslam and a host of other performers throughout the day on Bank Holiday Sunday. Where’s Austerlands? It’s a tiny little bit of Oldham, halfway up a hill on the way to Huddersfield. It’s really nice and if you walk all the way up to the top of the hill you can see so far that with binoculars you can spot Big Ben.
