Project Halcyon Distillery is well and truly up there with our favourite new openings in Manchester city centre and after having enjoyed many unique visits already, the speakeasy-style bar is now offering up yet another interesting drinking experience: their ‘Still Room Sessions’.
There’s a lot to it and we’ll get to all that in due course but, put in simplest terms, it’s kind of a bit like if the TV show Drunk History and a tasting event had a baby. Sold.
Still Room Sessions are Project Halycon‘s brand new monthly interactive workshop experience which will be typically held around the second Sunday of every month.
Each month, a member of their award-winning bartending team — and trust us, they really are worthy of the recognition — will cover a completely new topic as they take guests through a guided talk on various aspects of the history and ongoing drinking culture behind drinking.
Now, before any of jump the gun and say ‘I don’t want a history lesson, I want a drink’, let us stop you right there; each session revolves around tasting various different cocktails and spirits for the bar’s incredible drinks selection, as well as specials that they create for events like this.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tickets to one of Project Halcyon’s Still Room Sessions include a drink upon arrival, at least two cocktails during the sessions and a spirit tasting. Oh yes, you might have some trouble concentrating by the end but god knows you won’t be even more interested with a few drinks down you.
Also, it is worth reiterating that the subject matter the guys will be covering is genuinely interesting stuff, not just if you’re a history buff but a fan of drinking in general. In fact, we can personally vouch for that.
ADVERTISEMENT
After going along to their first session in September, simply entitled, ‘A Century Later’ — an exploration of the effects of the infamous American prohibition 100 years on, its lasting impact on today’s drinking culture, bartending style, as well as how the whole idea of a speakeasy bar came about — we were hooked inside the first five minutes.
After being presented with a refreshing G and T on arrival, we were welcomed into the still room for our first couple of drinks, which came in the form of their irresistible Bees Knees cocktail (created exclusively for this first event) as well as a taste of their house gin. Strong start — literally.
Then, as we prepared for the second 30-minute segment of knowledge and knocking back a few, everyone received an Apple Blossom cocktail along with a taste of Calvados as a nod to both gin and the distilled type of cider being two of the most bootlegged spirits ever.
ADVERTISEMENT
Finally, to tie things off, the last 10 minutes saw them open up the floor for a more casual discussion and Q&A of sorts, with people asking everything from ‘why do people shake instead of stir for certain cocktails?’ (that one’s for you, Mr Bond) to tips on how to make a proper drink at home.
Oh, and did we mention that everyone got 33% off their bill for the rest of the night? Oh yes, all 12 of us stayed behind to enjoy a few more drinks afterwards. We could hardly turn an offer like that down.
Their second session kicks off this weekend next week on Sunday, 8 October, with ‘The Journey of Juniper‘, which will see the staff talk about the world of gins and its illustrious history.
Starting all the way back with Dutch genever and the bathtub gin craze of 18th century London, to newer, more modern style expressions, including their very own, made on sight in the back of house, guests won’t just be sat listening, they’ll also be taught how to make the perfect martini at home.
We’ve always believed in the importance of education…
ADVERTISEMENT
We think this is a really exciting opportunity for guests to learn and interact with Halcyon’s already rich, culturally-infused drinking space. Each event is limited to just a dozen tickets, so these talks and tasting sessions really are exclusive. You can secure your place on the next one HERE.
Popular activewear brand Tala launches physical shop in Selfridges
Daisy Jackson
Tala, a popular British athleisure brand famed for its flattering range of womenswear, has officially launched in Selfridges.
The fashion label has opened a pop-up in the Trafford Centre today, showcasing a selection of its beautiful clothing and accessories.
The brand, founded by entrepreneur and influencer Grace Beverley, is famed for its stylish sports bras, comfortable leggings, and flattering dresses and tops.
Tala has built up a loyal following thanks to collections like DayFlex, Sculpt Seamless, Signature Sweats, and 365 Sculpting Lounge, much of which will be available to browse inside Selfridges.
It’s the first time Tala has ever had a physical retail presence, launching in all four Selfridges stores across the country (including Manchester’s two department stores at the Trafford Centre and Exchange Square).
The pop-up space at Selfridges Trafford Centre has been decorated with soft neutral colours, halo lighting, and plants.
Tala’s range of athleisure is now available to browse in Selfridges in ManchesterTala has opened a pop-up inside Selfridges Trafford Centre
Grace Beverley, who will greet shoppers at Selfridges Trafford Centre tomorrow at Tala’s launch event, said: “Anyone who knows Tala knows that we – and I – are completely product-obsessed, so for customers to be able to try on their favorite Tala pieces in person is incredibly exciting, and I couldn’t think of a better place to start than Selfridges, a retailer that holds so much history within its walls.”
Morgan Fowles, CEO of Tala, added: “We’re very excited to be launching Tala at Selfridges. It’s a milestone moment to experience our brand in a physical retail environment for the first time, to feel and experience the quality and unique attributes of our products that set our brand apart.”
And Bosse Myhr, buying director of menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear at Selfridges, said: “Selfridges has selected a beautiful edit of new and best-selling Tala products and will bring them to life in their exciting and unique retail environment.
The fountains outside Selfridges at the Trafford Centre, Manchester
“Known for curating the finest and most innovative brands whilst sharing our commitment to ESG, Selfridges provides the perfect backdrop to connect with a broader audience whilst strengthening our bonds with our community.
“We are thrilled to welcome activewear brand, TALA to Selfridges as their first physical retail partner globally. It’s really important at Selfridges to nurture and platform emerging brands, and so we are super excited to be working with talented entrepreneur and founder Grace Beverley.”
A curated selection of highlights from Tala’s range is now available to browse in person in Selfridges Trafford Centre and Selfridges Exchange Square – and you need to get your hands on these leggings to believe how soft they are.
Science and Industry Museum reveals ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most-visited museums has unveiled its exciting events lineup ahead of half term in a couple of weeks time.
Fancy diving into the “gloriously gross” world of our brilliant bodies?
It’s certainly not an invite you get every day, but as schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term at the end of this month, and parents and carers gear up to entertain the little ones, the Science and Industry Museum has, thankfully, just announced a wide range of events and activities especially for the holidays.
Anyone who considers themselves to be “curious about the incredible inner workings of the human body” are invited to join in with the series of anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations.
And the best bit is that a good chunk of the events planned are actually open for you to get involved with for completely free of charge.
As the curtains on Operation Ouch! are due to close for good on Sunday 9 June, the museum has chosen to dedicate the entire month of May to celebrating the record-breaking exhibition and making sure it goes out in “a blaze of glorious grossness” by having it inspire all the upcoming ‘brilliant bodies’ events – and this half term is no different.
The Science and Industry Museum has revealed its ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as exploring the exhibition before it closes, mini Mancs can also bring a bear (or any soft squishy friend) to the museum and take them round the departments of the ‘Teddy Hospital’, as well as learn all about looking after their brains, bones, and bottoms with fun and fascinating activities, and find out how their skeleton works, what their poo is made of, and why we have blood.
The museum‘s team of Explainers will also be back in action this half term.
They’ll be putting on interactive science shows packed with “fun facts and wow moments” that explore how and why our bodies are all the same, but different too.
There’s so much to discover and explore about our ‘brilliant bodies’ at the museum this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
Away from the ‘brilliant bodies’ events, if you haven’t had the chance the make the most of the museum’s smash-hit gaming exhibition, Power UP, then this upcoming half term is the ideal time to do so.
Revolution Manchester, the museum’s interactive Experiment gallery, and the Textiles Gallery are also open for exploring for free all throughout the half term week.
Both free entry tickets to the museum, and charged-for tickets for Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You and Power UP, can be booked now on the Science and Industry Museum website.