Some of Manchester city centre’s best-loved pubs have been out of action for most of 2021 thanks to the ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
They aren’t the only ones who’ve been out of action though.
Singletons who were previously used to playing the dating game and “shooting their shots” in person have had to embrace a year of video dates, cold winter walks and rain-soaked evenings, but next week, as ‘Step Three’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting lockdown commences – which crucially allows hospitality to reopen for indoor service – the chance to meet their match in real life will return ready for the summer.
Looking for the best places in Manchester to hit up? Global dating app, happn, has picked out the top 10 Manchester boozers for daters to pack-out from 17th May.
happn – a location-based social search mobile app – uses geolocation technology to give users the chance to find the people they’ve crossed paths with, like or dislike those people, and then subsequently chat if both parties like each other.
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The list is made up of Manchester’s hottest spots for “singles to meet singles”.
Top 10 Manchester Pubs to Meet Singles
The Briton’s Protection, Great Bridgewater Street
The Old Nag’s Head, Jackson’s Row
Grey Horse Inn, Portland Street
The Knott, Deansgate
Sinclair’s Oyster Bar, Cathedral Gates
Mother’s Mac, Back Piccadilly
The Molly House, Richmond Street
The Castle Hotel, Oldham Street
The Wharf, Slate Wharf
The Angel, Angel Street
Do you agree with this list? Had better luck elsewhere over the years?
Now that we’ve got the list of the city’s best matchmaking boozers out the way, happn has also revealed some top tips for singles who are to brush up on their flirting techniques, which you can have a read of here.
Speaking ahead of the reopening of indoor hospitality on 17th May, Marine Ravinet – Head of Trends at happn – said: “Singles may be feeling all kinds of emotions in the lead up to more freedom, and not all of these will be positive ones.
“What’s to be understood is that you’re not alone in this.
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“Nervousness is to be expected [and] what we do know is that time waits for no one so enjoy the moment and live in it – If not now, when?”
Featured Image – Freepik
Manchester
Police ‘delighted’ after Manchester man is jailed for running county lines drug operation
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester man has been jailed for his part in running a county lines drug operation that exploited vulnerable people.
Following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) County Lines Team, John Joyce, of Stuart Street in Manchester, was identified as operating a county lines drugs network that supplied Class A drugs across Greater Manchester, and was subsequently jailed for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
The investigation – which uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply – found that Joyce was the controller of the “CEE” line – a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.
Among that ‘extensive’ evidence was more than 31,000 text messages and 8,700 calls linked to drug dealing activity, and ‘flare’ messages advertising drugs for sale sent in bulk, as well as forensic analysis linking Joyce to two personal mobile numbers and vehicles used during the operation.
CCTV footage was also uncovered showing Joyce purchasing top-up vouchers for the drugs line.
#JAILED | Man sentenced to over 5 years in prison for running county lines drug operation
Our County Lines Team investigation uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply & found he was the controller of the “CEE” line, a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine & heroin pic.twitter.com/WAdej9lLxU
And the final nail in the coffin was that a search of the 28-year-old’s Manchester apartment uncovered more than 460g of crack cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Joyce fled the UK and headed to Dubai in an attempt to evade justice, but was arrested upon his return at Manchester Airport in October 2025.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to dismantling county lines networks that exploit vulnerable people and blight communities,” explained Detective Constable Josh Claxton, of GMP’s County Lines Team.
“Joyce’s operation was significant and his sentence reflects the harm caused by class A drug supply in Greater Manchester.
“He evaded justice for a long time, but now we are delighted to have locked him up so he can no longer cause damage to people’s lives.”
Joyce has been jailed for five years and three months after appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court this week (Tuesday 16 December).
Featured Image – GMP
Manchester
Popular bar chain The Alchemist to rewind back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 next month
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s most popular bar chains is celebrating its sweet 16th birthday next month by winding back to 2010.
Money is always tight in January, right?
Once Christmas is over with, and so is the festive feasting and drinking, many like to use the first month of the new year to lay low and save some money back up – which is why The Alchemist is launching a limited-edition ‘2010 Revival Menu’, bringing back some of its most iconic early cocktails and dishes – all at their original prices from 16 years ago.
For the whole month, you can enjoy the curated throwback selection starting from £6, which i perfectly timed for a month of saving without sacrificing going out.
The Alchemist is rewinding back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 / Credit: The Manc Group
The 2010 Revival Menu includes the return of the fan-favourite White Chocolate Raspberry Martini for £6 on the cocktail menu, which was an early Alchemist staple, alongside other fan-favourites like the Colour Changing One and Virgin Pornstar, both for £6 again.
When it comes to food dishes for £6, you can tuck into a selection of different refreshing salads, while stretching your budget up to £10 will get you things like Chicken in a Basket, a Cheeseburger, and Fish and Chips.
Other iconic Alchemist cocktails returning for a fraction of the price next month include the popular Smoky Old Fashioned, and Dead Read Zombie – both for £8.
The Alchemist opened its original bar in Manchester‘s swanky Spinningfields district all the way back in 2010, and quickly became a popular and stylish destination with its high ceilings and industrial features, and has since developed into a much larger chain – with not only more Manchester destinations, but others across the UK too.
Emily Sergeant -
14th May 2021 
