As the typical Manchester weather has us all back in its grip, we’re looking to move out of the beer gardens and into somewhere with a bit more shelter, but no less booze. It is still summer after all.
This week looks like a big’un for burger enthusiasts, theatre buffs and even singletons, as Ducie Street Warehouse is hosting a huge dating event this Thursday where you can win your own wedding.
There’s also loads of great Manchester Fringe performances taking place this week – a VR musical being the most exciting – and even a couple of pre Edinburgh fringe shows, too, featuring comedians Larry Dean, Olga Koch and Milo Edwards.
As always, we’ve condensed our top picks of the week into a chronological list below, and, as you’ll see, who said Thursday evenings had to be boring?!
Patrón’s Paloma Week
ALL WEEK
A whole week dedicated to tequila is just another day in the life for me, and what better way to spend it than by darting about various Northern Quarter institutions and enjoying a tequila-based tipple in each. Cloud 23, Escape to Freight Island, Ramona, Ducie Street Warehouse, and Crazy Pedro’s are each offering an exclusive menu of Patrón-inspired cocktails, as well as some tasty freebies on selected dates across the week. Follow the link below for more info!
50% OFF at Burgerism
ALL WEEK
It’s a big week for burger fans, as Salford’s award-winning burger joint, Burgerism is offering 50% off its Freebird chicken burger when bought via the Uber Eats app. Much like Burgerism were the first to do smashed patties in Manchester, they also set the trend on Nashville chicken, with the FreeBird. The burger starts with a juicy, tender piece of chicken, that’s buttermilk brined fresh each day by Burgerism’s prep team. It’s then dredged in a special flour mix, dropped in the fryer for 6 minutes, and, from there, dipped in a Burgerism Nashville warm oil and spice mix. That’s where you get that flavour hit but also the appetising, deep red colour on the breading. The chicken then sits in a toasted potato bun, built with lettuce, pickle, slaw and Burgerism’s Comeback Sauce, all made fresh and in-house.
Summer Daze at Trafford Centre
ALL WEEK
From the 22nd July to 4th September, the Trafford Centre is hosting Summer Daze, which features a great sun-trap location for alfresco dining with some of Manchester’s best street food traders. You’ll find the likes of Mira and Ram Yum popping up, alongside an outdoor cinema, live music, a man made beach and loads more fun for the family!
FREE Suits at Dooley & Rostron
21st July – 4th August
Running for two weeks, King Street’s menswear specialists Dooley & Rostron have got a great deal for anyone getting married in the near future. If you book an appointment any time between now and the 4th August and purchase a made-to-measure suit for the groom, the best man’s suit will be completely FREE. The starting price is £1250 for a two piece suit and £1500 upwards for a three piece. To claim the offer, you must quote Manchester’s Finest when making an appointment at the store. To qualify, you will have to pay in full for the first groom’s suit to receive the best man’s suit for free. Or, alternatively, you can purchase a gift voucher for a 2 or 3 piece suit, which will also get you the best man’s suit for free.
Brick by Brick at 53two
Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th of July
Today and tomorrow, 53two, Manchester’s home of accessible, creative arts, is showcasing Brick by Brick – a new community driven monologue night, organised and presented by emerging, Manchester based theatre company Red Brick Theatre. The evening aims to showcase the work of some of the city’s most exciting emerging performers for an exclusive night of theatre. George Miller, Abbey Hayes and Kelsea Knox are just some of the eight creatives giving stand-out performances over the next couple of days. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £7.
Double Life: A VR Musical at Whitworth Locke
Monday 25th – Thursday 28th July
This all sounds very Black Mirror, doesn’t it? A theatre performance dedicated to virtual reality must have been written by Charlie Brooker, but not this time – as ‘Double Life’ is a brand new fusion of live musical theatre and VR by theatre group leo&hyde. One moment heartwarming, the next heartbreaking, the show will introduce you to virtual reality, immersing you in the story of Guy and surrounding you with his own virtual world and teaching you his favourite new VR games! The performance takes place at Whitworth Locke and tickets are £14.
Comedy For Hot People at The Fitzgerald
Tuesday 26th July
Taking place at The Fitzgerald, Comedy For Hot People is one of the newest comedy events in town, with a regular rotating line-up of world-class comedians – and the best part is that tickets are ‘pay what you can’. This week, star of Mock the Week, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, Olga Koch will bring her brand-new show ‘Just Friends’ to the Fitzgerald alongside a performance from Milo Edwards, who will debut his new show ‘Voicemail’ before it makes an appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Larry Dean at Corner Boy
Tuesday 26th July
Another pre-fringe preview in Manchester this week, Larry Dean will be warming up at The Corner Boy in Northern Quarter. The Live At The Apollo star has a set of brand-new material that he’s penned to perform at Edinburgh’s fringe this September, and he’s giving the people of Manchester an exclusive look all for just FIVE quid. Tickets are available via the link below, but be quick as once these tickets have sold out the final 20 tickets will set you back a tenner.
Win a Wedding at Ducie Street Warehouse
Thursday 28th July
In collaboration with dating app ‘Thursday’, Ducie Street Warehouse will host the city’s biggest dating event this Thursday welcoming almost 500 singletons to meet and mingle on the warehouse’s romantic sunny terrace. The dating event will be soundtracked by Sweet Vibrations Radio who will be kicking off the evening from 5pm, supplying the best in Neo-Soul, alternative RnB and Hip-Hop tunes. If you meet the love of your life at the event, and subsequently end up marrying them, you also get the chance to win your wedding for FREE. The relationship must be authentic and evidence of your undying love may be required. The wedding is redeemable subject to availability before 28th July 2023, weekdays only and the prize includes the venue hire of Ducie Street Warehouse’s events space for no more than 40 people.
Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King at The Blues Kitchen
Thursday 28th July
Evelyn “Champagne” King is the Grammy-winning vocalist who is without question one of disco’s biggest icons. Throughout her storied career she’s notched up hits including 1978’s ‘Shame’, which was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame, and ‘Love Come Down’ and ‘I’m in Love’, both of which are perennial favourites on the dance floors of the world. The queen of disco will hit The Blues kitchen at the end of the month for a stripped-back evening of disco anthems.
That Burger Place at Seven Bro7hers, Ancoats
Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st July
Seven Bro7hers in Ancoats has been hosting kitchen takeovers from a range of local, independent businesses recently and next on the list is That Burger Place, who will be popping up from Thursday to Sunday this week! Known for its jam-packed burgers dripping with homemade sauce, the national burger awards finalist crafts burgers made to be enjoyed out in the sunshine with a pint in hand.
Vic Meets… Live at Canvas
Friday 29th July
A curated lineup of some of the north’s best talent as BBC Radio 1 host and DJ Victoria Jane hosts an evening at new city centre venue Canvas. Making up the line-up this week is The KTNA, [ K S R ], Mya Craig, P1 CAPS, Musumba and Nxdia – six emerging artists that Victoria has hailed as some of the North’s current best musicians. Alongside this, there will be some local female-run brands showcasing their work and DJ Chaise spinning the decks throughout the night.
Slowpo Soundsystem with Black Josh at Soup
Friday 29th July
In his tenure in Manchester, Slowpo has been shelling down parties on an almost weekly basis over the last decade. Following up from his last events with size? where he bought out special guests Novelist & Jordss, Slowpo calls upon Manchester’s very own Black Josh, Rinse FM’s Halfports , 1/3 of Manchester’s weekly Habitat; Tone Rarri and Daisy Adams for support, hosted by the one and only Faro.
The Den in M8
Friday 29th July – Saturday 6th August
Starting this Friday for two weeks, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s unique pop-up theatre will come alive as residents of Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall take part in workshops, family craft days, book in to see a show or get on stage themselves in the brilliant M8s Got Talent! THE DEN IN M8 is a celebration of creative communities and the importance of access to art in the places you live. All tickets for THE DEN IN M8 are either free or just £1.
NEW OPENING: Castlefield Viaduct ‘High Line’
Saturday 30th July
You will soon be able to enjoy Manchester’s new sky park just five months after work began to transform a giant 330-metre steel viaduct into an elevated park with trees, plants and flowers. The Castlefield Viaduct ‘High Line’ officially opens to visitors this Saturday 30th, a chance to explore part of the structure and find out more about the viaduct’s heritage, the city’s long relationship with plants and trees and learn urban gardening tips.
Emiko Studios Stockport Launch
Saturday 30th July
This Saturday, sustainable clothing store Emiko Studios will open the doors to its brand-new store in the heart of Stockport’s old town. The brand has been pioneering slow fashion since its inception, with everything in its collections 100% ethically sourced and handmade using organic, natural fibres. The launch will see the store finally showcase its Stockport location where all of the brand’s clothes are made from scratch in-house, with the option to browse and buy in person, too.
Paint Like Botticelli at Seven Bro7hers, Salford
Saturday 30th July
Fancy trying your hand at painting like a true art icon this week? If yes, you might want to get yourself to Salford on Saturday, as Seven Bro7hers Middlewood Locks is hosting an evening inspired by Botticelli’s Birth of Venus masterpiece. Led by PopUp Painting, they’ll supply the tools, so all you need to do is unleash your creativity with a glass of wine in hand. There’ll be an experienced artist to guide you through the process, but don’t worry about veering off course – it’s all about finding your own artistic flair.
Manchester’s Craft & Flea
Saturday 30th July
Putting its own spin on the city’s Makers Market, Manchester’s Craft & Flea is at the Cathedral again this weekend bringing a host of independent traders selling everything from vintage homewares to handmade accessories and herbal remedies. There’ll also be street food and drink, alongside workshops and a chance to meet and mingle with some of Manchester’s best independent creatives.
Manchester Reggae Festival
Saturday 30th July
Manchester Reggae Festival has been a favourite for a few years now, offering up the very best Reggae acts from across the world all in one very convenient city centre location. This year, the massive line-up will be graced by the likes of Inner Circle, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Third World, Black Uhuru and Eek A Mouse. Also on the bill is Jamaican roots Reggae musician, Horace Andy who will be joined by the Dub Asante Band featuring Matic Horns – a trumpet player who puts his own eclectic spin on traditional Reggae and Dub beats.
Green Island Festival
Saturday 30th July
Held at Hulme’s picturesque Garden Centre, Green Island Festival is a community-inspired event that serves as a sanctuary from a hectic urban lifestyle. It’s an opportunity to discover the beauty of the garden centre that has been a cultural epicentre and community hub in Manchester for decades, through a diverse line-up of bands, DJs and speakers. Performing across the event on Saturday is; Marley, Hunrosa, Sticky Sol, Ruf Dug and Fat Britney, amongst many others.
Funkademia Picnic at Freight Island
Sunday 31st July
Pioneering Manchester club night, Funkademia will take over the terrace at Freight Island this Saturday with a line-up of its founding DJs. Bucky, Keith Griffiths, Jamie Scahill and Peter Jay will be spinning funk and disco classics for a relaxed afternoon of music, alfresco dining and the very best vibes in the city.
