The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is nearly here and it’s genuinely one of our favourite events of the year, so we’ve already started shortlisting places to watch it right here in Manchester.
With the contest itself starting on Tuesday, 9 May and the Eurovision Grand Final taking place on 13 May, there’s still plenty of time to plan where you’re going to watch it.
The city might have just missed out on hosting it this year but since it’s just down the road in Liverpool, is going to be a big occasion not only for the UK in general but the North West, in particular. The competition is even set to be shown on big screens in Piccadilly Gardens.
That being said, there are only going to be so many seats in the Gardens and we don’t want you to miss a second of the fun, so if you’re still wondering where to watch Eurovision in Manchester this year, here are 10 great options.
We’re going to start with one of our favourites and a bit of throwback to our uni days with the University of Manchester‘s Student Union. The SU over at UoM usually holds an annual watch-along party for Eurovision and this year is no different. Tickets for the Club Academy go quick but they’re also holding a screening upstairs in the main bar, so best grab yours quick.
Second on our list is one of the best places to watch movies in town, so why wouldn’t it be just as good a spot to watch Eurovision? A ticket to Everyman‘s viewing party includes entry a drink on arrival, snacks and a scorecard so you can join in with the action and, of course, there’ll be plenty of cocktails, dancing and people singing their hearts out — they’re encouraging fancy dress too, don’t let us down.
The next viewing party on our list is at one of our old nightclub faves, The Venue, along Jackson’s Row. We’ve spent many a night dancing our cares away in Venue and we’re sure it’ll be just as good a time for the Grand Final. Opening their doors from 6, there’ll be DJ playing Eurovision tunes and two big screens for the main event. They’re even encouraging people to bring food along for the night before they switch back to their usual indie stompers and a Sam Fender Disco until 4am. Book your spot HERE.
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4. VUE Cinemas
Everyman isn’t the only cinema chain showing Eurovision this year either, as Vue Quayside and Vue in the Printworks will also be airing the Grand Final on 13 May. Those who go along won’t only be treated to the usual perks of a movie theatre, but they’ll even get to experience exclusive bonus content courtesy of the BBC. You can grab your tickets HERE.
5. BarPop
Canal Street is consistently one of the best places to watch Eurovision in Manchester and while there’ll be plenty of spots throughout Gay Village showing the contest, BarPop has to be on our list. Teaming up with The Church (formerly Churchills), both will be airing it across their big screens. Secure your spot to watch the Grand Final HERE.
The third lot of cinemas that will be showing the Eurovision 2023 Final is Odeon, with screenings available at both the Great Northern Warehouse and The Trafford Centre. It’s the first time ever that the competition has ever been shown in movie theatres, so plenty are looking to join in with the fun. If you fancy comfy seats, big screens and plenty of food and drink to see you through the night, book HERE.
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7. GRUB
Just outside the city centre in the Green Quarter, GRUB is doing a full Eurovision takeover across every room in their Cheetham Hill venue. With tickets costing just a tenner and including a welcome drink and a fresh lineup of food inspired by the contest. The best part is that the entire event will act as a fundraiser for would-be hosts, Ukraine, with charity tombolas, donations and karaoke all on the cards. You love to see it.
The Refuge is one the prettiest spaces in all of Manchester and that’s what makes it an ideal place to watch one of the biggest spectacles on the annual TV calendar. The epic screening event will be hosted by Family Gorgeous inside The Vault, where there’ll be lots of cheeky commentary, DJs, activities and surprise performances throughout. There’ll also be special cocktails, an exclusive pizza from Crazy Pedros and more, not to mention a Eurpop party until the early hours. Grab your ticket HERE.
9. Native Ducie Street Warehouse
Credit: Ducie Street Warehouse (via Instagram)
Ducie Street is also hosting a must-not-miss Eurovision viewing party for 2023 that starts at 4pm and runs all the way until the early hours. It’s absolutely free to attend with tables available for bookings in the lounge for the pre-party where DJ Niallist will MCing for the pre-screening set. As for the watch party itself, this place is sure to be packed from 8pm onwards, so we’d book a table now if we were you.
Last but not least, we have the beautiful New Century Hall. We absolutely love everything about this venue and with a whole host of food vendors to choose from, non-stop music; a fancy dress competition, chances to win a £100 bar tab, tickets to ABBA tribute legends, Bjorn Again, hotel stays and much more up for grabs, it’s going to be a belter.
There’s even a special £2 Eurovision cocktail with every penny going to charities supporting Ukraine. Now, that’s what we like to hear. Once again, this one’s totally free to enter, you just make sure you have a good time when you get there. Tickets are available now.
With Song Contest now just a few days away, that should give you a few possible places to watch Eurovision in Manchester.
It goes without saying that this is by no means an exhaustive list and there will of course be plenty of other options if you don’t manage to sort a ticket to one of these or they simply don’t tickle your fancy.
Either way, since it’s being hosted right here on home soil, Eurovision 2023 is set to be the biggest in years and we look forward to seeing the city get into the swing of the pageantry and festivity of it all.
We just hope the UK performs as well as they did last year!
Featured Image — Ducie Street Warehouse/Eurovision/BarPop (via Instagram)
What's On
A big party in the park is coming to Poynton and an iconic disco group is headlining
Danny Jones
Poyton’s Party in the Park is back for 2024 and has an announced legendary disco act as their biggest headliner ever.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the cult favourite event, the old Cheshire town which neighbours the likes of Stockport and Macclesfield is hosting its biggest party to date at Poynton Park this summer in partnership with the local Rotary Club, promising a jam-packed day of live music and more.
Confirming classic New York disco group and vocal trio Odyssey and the main event, with millions of records sold worldwide and some of the most iconic tracks of the 1970s and 80s to their name, this little one-day festival is set for a massive year.
Better still, as a fundamentally not-for-profit event raising money for local charities and community groups, you can party all day and all night whilst doing your bit for a good cause.
They’re best known for tracks like ‘Native New Yorker’ and former ‘Use it Up & Wear it Out’ (Credit: Supplied)
Alongside Odyssey, the lineup for Poynton’s Party in the Park 2024 includes critically acclaimed cover bands like The Soul Providers and Soulvation Band, performing some of the greatest soul, funk, Motown and disco hits of the 1960s.
There’s plenty of local talent from around the North West on show too, such as Manchester singer-songwriter Imogen Paige, Liverpool-based indie band The Garnetts and, returning due to popular demand, Party in the Park favourites and Poynton’s very own Monkey Harris Band.
Great name and an even greater stage presence.
They’re the stuff of legend around the local area, regularly playing the likes of the Poynton Beer Festival and this is by no means their first turn around the park.
This year’s Party in the Park is being put on by local festival organiser and Hale Barns Carnival creator, Max Eden, working alongside Poynton Rotary – who founded the event two decades ago – to deliver what they’re calling a “refreshed and updated event for all the family to enjoy”.
The one-day festival also promises to feature lots of new and exciting additions for 2024 including traditional funfair rides for all ages, alongside an extended showcase of the amazing local food and drink, as well as a new VIP area offering premium seats, table service and exclusive meet and greets.
Local station Happy Radio UK will also be covering the event as the official radio partner, broadcasting in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and across various other parts of the North West, with well-known presenters like Steve Penk, Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris all set to be involved.
Speaking ahead of the fundraising festival, Odyssey lead singer Steven Collazo said: “We’re so excited to be headlining Poynton Party in the Park this June. We’ve heard you guys know how to party and we can’t wait to get our groove on with y’all!”
As for organiser Max Eden, he added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Poynton Rotary this year to stage the biggest Poynton Party in the Park to date.
“We have an incredible headliner alongside outstanding local musicians and performers, amazing family attractions and the best food and drink from the local area – it’s the perfect lineup for a really good party!
“We hope to raise vital funds for Poynton Rotary to enable them to continue the incredible work they do locally in supporting charities and community groups in our area.”
Party in the Park starts at 1pm on Saturday, 8 June with tickets starting from £28.50 for adults and just £15 for 5-16s – not to mention kids four and under going completely free. You can grab your general admission, or VIP passes if you’re feeling a bit posh, right HERE.
Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has issued a statement after his two gigs at Co-op Live were rescheduled – again.
The Bolton-born comedian was supposed to officially open the huge new Manchester venue last week, but ‘power supply issues’ forced it to be rescheduled.
He was then supposed to perform on Monday and Tuesday of next week instead, but these two shows have been pushed back even further.
Peter Kay has now issued a statement addressing the postponement, saying it’s ‘very disappointing’.
He also said: “I know, I can’t believe it either.”
He’s even amended his own tour poster to add the disclaimer: “(If they actually open the place).”
The star joked that he was now the ‘ninth artist in the world’ to play there.
Can always count on a comic to make the joke everyone else is thinking.
The legendary comic wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.
“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
“The first available dates the shows can reschedule to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Frid 24th May.
“Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable.
“It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.”
They’ve also made the rather bold decision to once again assure fans that the next raft of shows now set to be their opening gigs – big dates from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo – are still set to go ahead as scheduled.
Touch wood.
Today's announcement comes with reassurance that we welcome fans to Co-op Live from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on 1 May and into Olivia Rodrigo from 3 May 2024.
This could back to bite them. It already has once before.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause. Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
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“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”