Whisky, poetry and haggis… what’s not to love? Burns Night is the kind of party we whole heartedly approve of and there are loads of things happening this year to celebrate Burns Night in Manchester.
Held annually on 25 January every year, Burns Night celebrates the life and works of the Scottish national poet and writer of Auld Lang Syne who was born on this date back in 1759. Try reciting one of his traditional Scots verses after a few drams.
This longstanding tradition finds Scots and many others across the world getting together to raise a glass of something strong to the bard, while they enjoy an evening of poetry, haggis, neeps and tatties.
A Night With Macallan
Celebrate Burns Night with The Macallan whisky at The Black Friar, who will be hosting a true Scottish whisky experience, alongside a new five course tasting menu on Thursday 25 January. Be taken on a journey of fine scotches by Senior Whisky Specialist Michael Green, who has over three decades of experience in the drinks industry, leading training and tastings all over the UK. Enjoy classically Scottish dishes with a Black Friar twist, all especially curated to pair with Macallan favourites.
Burns Night Supper
Celebrate Burns Night by enjoying some of Scotland’s finest culinary exports. Hosted by Chips @ No 8 in collaboration with Keg, Cask & Bottle in Prestwich, the two-course menu includes iconic dishes like haggis (as well as a veggie version), deep fried Mars bars and Irn Bru sorbet. Crivens.
Burns Night at The Crown and Kettle
The Crown and Kettle is marking Burns Night with a Scottish Tap Takeover from eight independent Scottish craft brewers, featuring the likes of Vault City, Moonwake and Holy Goat Brewing. Try stouts, sours, porters, pales and pilsners from north of the border, as well as Irn Bru cocktails for the more brave at heart! The Ancoats Doughboy will be providing Scottish-inspired scran, including delicious orange and peated whisky cookies and deep fried mars bars. Festivities will kick off around 8pm with Manchester Phoenix Pipe Band, a 12-person pipe and drum band, providing the traditional Caledonian soundtrack.
Burns Night at Sam’s Chop House
Head to Sam’s Chop House for a seven-course celebration of Scottish cuisine. Tickets cost £75pp including welcome drinks, a wee dram, venison, haggis, two starters, desserts and a cheese course.
Burns Night Whisky Special
“Some hae meat and canna eat, and some wad eat that want it,” wrote the Bard himself. “But we hae meat, and we can eat, sae let the Lord be thankit.” Celebrate Burns Night with Grape to Grain by tasting six different whiskies at the wine and beer bar in Prestwich.
Burns Week at The Whiskey Jar
Enjoy a Burns supper, cocktail specials and live music at The Whiskey Jar across an entire week of Burns Night celebrations.
They will be giving away free haggis from Tuesday to Thursday between 5pm and 6pm on a first come, first served basis. The open mic will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with even more live music from Thursday to Saturday. Scottish attire and kilts are most welcome.
Burns Night Whisky Supper
Honour the life and work of Rabbie Burns with historic Manchester boozer The Britons Protection. Enjoy a traditional haggis supper with five fantastic drams of whisky from the excellent Berry Bros & Rudd.
Burns Night Whisky Tasting
High-end bottle shop Tiny’s Tipple in Chorlton will be hosting their first tasting of 2024 for Burns Night. There will be several bottles of whisky opened and the opportunity to indulge in a cocktail or two, as well as an information sheet detailing the different whiskies tried.
Dining With Distinction: Burns Night Dinner
Raise a toast to Robert Burns in style by hopping on-board the luxury steam-hauled train at East Lancashire Railway. A live pipe band will welcome guests onto the train with a glass of prosecco. Guests will then tuck into a four-course meal while their carriage is steam-hauled between Bury, Heywood and Ramsbottom on the trip which lasts just under three hours.
Burns Night with Linden Stores
The Knutsford wine shop and restaurant will celebrate the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns with an exclusive Whisky tasting. Guests will be treated to a selection of Whiskies and delectable Scottish-inspired canapes, including rumpledethump croquettes, tattie scone & hogs pudding and beetroot cured smoked Scottish salmon. For the sweet tooth, the restaurant will also be serving their take on the modern Scottish classic, the deep-fried Mars bar.
Burns Night at Edinburgh Castle
The Edinburgh Castle is staying true to its namesake and marking Burns Night with a specially-curated set menu by chef Shaun Moffat. The menu, frankly, looks immense, taking in black pudding from Mangalitza pigs served with savoury porridge, Swaledale lamb haggis and ‘Keltic seafare’. The perfect place to raise a dram to Rabbie.
