Manchester neighbourhoods have been welcoming some the city’s most-popular hospitality names for a series of entertainment events over the last couple of weeks.
In a bid to properly celebrate the launch of its ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ summer incentive, Kentucky handmade bourbon brand Maker’s Mark decided to rally together some of Manchester’s best-loved bars and restaurants to head across the city and serve up their take on the brand’s signature bourbon-based cocktail.
The series of Remarkable Neighbourhood events have been taking place all throughout August, and are founded on Maker’s principle to “make it remarkable”.
Not only that, but residents in sought-after city areas like the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, and Deansgate have also being getting stuck into themed cocktail masterclasses, live music nights, quizes, Kentucky food pairing events, and bar takeovers too.
But are you unsure what events are worth hitting up? And which are the best places to head on down to for a cocktail before August is out?
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Here’s The Manc’s picks for the best of the best.
Cocktails
Especially for the Remarkable Neighbourhood cocktail trail, there’s a whole host of heavy-hitting names from the city’s hospitality scene serving up their own twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail – which, if you’re unfamiliar with it, is cocktail is made up of a base of Maker’s Mark very-own bourbon, citrus, and a honey syrup.
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We’ve picked five of the top cocktails you need to try this month.
Vietnamese Gold Rush – NAM
The Marksmen – The Whiskey Jar
The Golden Sour – Jimmy’s
Honey Markhatten – Elnecot
Gold Rush – Escape To Freight Island
You can find out the rest of the Manchester bars doing their own twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail this month here.
Events
While there has already been a wide range of Maker’s Mark-themed ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ events happening throughout the month – with tastings, cocktail masterclasses, live shows, and more all been entertaining city dwellers in recent weeks – there’s still time to get in on the action and catch the last few events before August is over.
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Here’s our top three picks of the events still on the exciting lineup.
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Maker’s Monday
Arcane
Monday 22 August
Maker’s Mark / Credit: Supplied
One of Manchester city centre’s most bold and eclectic cocktail bars, Arcane – which is just off the beaten track and tucked away in the basement of a Grade II-listed Victorian building on South King Street – is a champion of Maker’s Mark all year round, with the tipple often making its way into several of its classic and signature cocktails, but this month, the bar is hosting a special Maker’s Monday event dedicated to the beloved bourbon.
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This could also be your chance to try out Arcane’s twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail before the Remarkable Neighbourhood series draws to a close.
Find out more information about Maker’s Monday at Arcanehere.
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Maker’s Mark Tasting & Wax Dipping
The Edinburgh Castle Ancoats
Tuesday 23 August
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The Edinburgh Castle / Credit: Supplied
The Edinburgh Castle pub – which has stood in the heart of Ancoats since 1811 – is one of the area’s most popular hangouts, and is also much-loved for its extensive drinks and cocktail menu, with Maker’s Mark being a proud part of that.
That’s why the pub is hosting its own Maker’s Mark tasting and wax dipping event this month.
Don’t forget to try out The Edinburgh Castle’s take on the Gold Rush Cocktail for Remarkable Neighbourhood series too.
Maker’s Mark x Escape To Freight Island Bank Holiday Warm-Up
Escape To Freight Island
Thursday 25 August
Escape To Freight Island / Credit: Supplied
Escape To Freight Island at Depot Mayfield has been going all-out for the Remarkable Neighbourhood events series throughout the month, with Maker’s Mark taking over the tropical urban space, the Plant Room, every Thursday with a special cocktail menu and food partnership with outdoor BBQ partner -Mayfield County Smokehouse.
But there’s still one more event to go, and it’s set to properly round out the Remarkable Neighbourhood incentive in style with a huge party holiday party to kick-start the August bank holiday weekend.
Find out more about Maker’s Mark x Escape To Freight Island Bank Holiday Warm-Uphere.
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Manchester City are hosting special Christmas-themed tours of the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City FC’s critically acclaimed stadium tour is about to get super festive, as the Etihad Stadium are now hosting special Christmas-themed walks around the ground.
You’ve watched the tales of the ‘Centurions’, ‘Treble winners, the ‘Fourmidables’, and plenty of other ‘Cityzen’ stories play out in front of you, but have you visited the hallowed halls while their decked doughs of holly for yourself?
Well, now’s your chance.
Hosting a series of exclusive festive tours around the Etihad this month, Man City fans, club-obsessed kids, and football fanatic tourists in general can take a walk around the impressive sporting arena for the perfect early Christmas present.
In addition to being able to walk around the famous home of the Blues, sit in the home team dressing room and see the trophy cabinet, fans of all ages can now field questions with virtual Pep and Haaland in their very own press conference, before walking down the tunnel, into the dugout and sitting pitchside.
Once you’ve finished warming up the gaffer’s very own seat (they’re actually already heated), supporters can look forward to a brand-new dancing light display, plus more heartwarming entertainment in the form of Christmas carol audio recorded by Manchester’s very own Hallé Youth Choir.
As if that wasn’t enough, ‘Beyond the Blue Moon’ VR experiences and special ‘Etihad After Dark’ tours will be available, too, giving people from all over and of all ages an extra opportunity to turn up and make the most of this truly global club.
You can even grab a warming mulled wine or hot Vimto during the evening slots to keep your hands nice and toasty as you go around – be rude not to.
Rumour has it Santa may have left a gift lying around each day, too. Safe to say that puts our Advent calendar this year to shame…
Credit: Man City (supplied)
Here’s hoping he doesn’t get a telling off for wearing red…
Evening tours at the Eithad will be held from 5:30 and 6pm on 7, 12, 14, 18, 22 and December, and the main slot will be running all the way up until Christmas Eve (24 Dec).
You can even grab a warming mulled wine or hot Vimto to keep your hands nice and toasty as you go around – be rude not to.
Tickets start from only £26 per person and family passes are priced at just £60.
Better still, you can even spring for the VIP package if you fancy: a two-hour experience that is one of the most interactive and immersive you’ll find anywhere.
The Etihad Stadium is currently in the middle of a huge redevelopment, both in terms of size and things to do around the wider Campus, with the expanded North Stand not only seeing matchday fan capacity increased to over 60k, but a new club shop, sky bar, hotel, and a rooftop walk being added.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder that the already award-winning City stadium tours are simultaneously seeing an upgrade over the holiday period.
Being given the Tripadvisor seal of approval once again last year, as the club were once again recognised in the Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ – putting them not just in the top three stadium tours in the UK but in the top 1% of the most highly rated in the world – things are only getting bigger.
You can find out full availability, timings and where to get tickets right HERE.
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building is being reborn – and the developers want to hear from you
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building, formerly home to the Debenhams department store, is being reborn.
And now the developers working on its new chapter want Mancunians to weigh in on which businesses we want to see in the landmark building.
The transformation of Rylands Manchester will honour the heritage character of the building, which dates back to 1932, but will introduce contemporary design and a list of residents that’s bang up to date for our modern city centre.
The plans include building a four-storey extension with panoramic city views and a bright, central atrium. When it completes, this Grade II-listed art deco building will bring together workspace, retail, and leisure, right at the beating heart of town between the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, Manchester Arndale, and the central business district.
Standing proudly at the top of Market Street, this next era for Rylands will establish it as an exciting new destination in the heart of town when its phased completion begins from late 2026.
Already confirmed to be moving in is Market Place Food Hall with its first northern location, which has signed on for a 15 year lease to occupy the ground floor of Rylands.
Market Place Food Hall is already confirmed to be moving into RylandsRylands is entering a new era
But now Rylands are putting it back to locals to ask what shops, restaurants, or cafes we’d love to see moving in.
It could be a high street hero you’ve loved for years, an independent business you’ve fallen for, or a foodie spot you return to time and time again.
Your ideas could help to shape the future of this landmark building and make it a destination us Mancs can be proud of.
And if you submit your suggestions in the comments of THIS Instagram post, you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop voucher (make sure you’re following @Rylands_manchester for a chance to win).