Revolución de Cuba is handing out free cocktails this month and they’re only asking for one thing from the people of Manchester in exchange for it: warm clothes and accessories.
The well-known chain of Latin-inspired bars, restaurants and live entertainment venues is chipping with its own offer as part of the January deal season but instead of just giving people savings on their usual menu items, they’re making sure that as many Mancs benefit as possible this winter.
Serving up complimentary cocktails exclusively from their popular Peter Street venue on Deansgate, all locals have to do to get their hands on free drinks is come into the venue with warm garments to support GreaterManchester’s homeless community and those in need.
Sadly, as the low temperatures continue throughout the colder months, the number of people at risk as a result of sleeping rough is a more pressing issue than any other time of year, so the bar group have taken it upon themselves to do their bit where they can.
Revolución de Cuba is helping out the homeless this Jan with their warm clothes drive. (Credit: via IG/supplied)
The catch is as simple as it sounds: to take part in their ‘From Cuba with GLove‘ initiative this January, Revs is asking people to bring in spare hats, gloves, scarves and other warm layers/accessories — at which point they will receive a free cocktail.
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Known for their specialising in rum, those participating will receive one of their brand-new ‘Banana Manaña’ cocktails, made with Banana Peel Rum from Discarded Spirits.
Teaming up with local charity partners, chosen by the staff and customers themselves (including local Manc poverty and homelessness charity Mustard Tree), all items received go directly to those in need of support this winter. You can nominate your own organisation to donate to HERE.
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All warm clothes and accessories must be cleaned before being handed over and can be only donated to Revolución de Cuba’s Peter Street site, with the offer ending on Wednesday, 31 January.
The group’s Brand Operations Director, Alex McMillan, said: “As temperatures are forecast to drop and snow to fall, we hope that ‘From Cuba with GLove’ will make a positive impact on the lives of those who live in the communities around our Peter Street venue and across the city, whilst shining a spotlight on Cuban kindness.
“The Cuban people are known for their affection, gentleness and humanity and they’re sentiments that we share here at Revolución de Cuba Manchester. The New Year is an excellent time to declutter and clear out, setting us up for 2024 whilst making a real difference to those who need our support – especially as an icy blast prepares to hit the UK.
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“In return, you’ll brighten up what is no doubt a chilly January day with a deliciously fruity sunshine cocktail in a glass, as our way of saying thanks for your support.” Sounds like a fair deal to us — and for such an important cause.
We’re proud to say that this city has done a lot to combat rough sleeping over the last 12 months and for all the other top January food and drink deals around Greater Manchester, you can see our list in full down below:
Featured Images — Supplied/Revolución de Cuba (via Instagram)
Food & Drink
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
‘Hidden’ Manchester cocktail bar shuts down after only six months
Daisy Jackson
A cocktail bar in Manchester city centre that opened only last December has reportedly closed down, with its final service today.
Ego Death, a ‘hidden’ speakeasy-style bar in the Northern Quarter, told CLASS magazine that they were told by backers that they would have to close.
It opened under the steer of acclaimed bartender Cressida Lawlor, co-founded by Beau Myers, who also founded the original Almost Famous.
The bar is beneath newcomer smash burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe and accessed through an unmarked door within the takeaway.
Shortly after Super Awesome Deluxe opened, Almost Famous went through a high-profile closure of all of its restaurants this year, later bought out and reopened by D2.
And now just six months after launch, Ego Death looks set to be closing for good.
Cressida told CLASS: “The team here is wildly talented so the goal now is to get them into jobs so they can pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads.
“No one wants Ego Death to die and I think we’ve made enough of a stir in the six months that we’ve been open to find a new site and investment.
“Our last day is going to be Sunday, so anyone who can get here for one final party should come down.”
She later added on Instagram: “Truly gutting but there is always light in any form of darkness. Come see us this Sunday for the final service as we go through a true ego death.”
Ego Death came from the same team behind Socio Rehab (which if you remember it from 2004 was a bit of a local institution) and had a cocktail menu inspired by the speakeasy bars of New York City.
Behind the bar the stars were bourbon and champagne, plus cocktails inspired by the Big Apple – including one named after Sex and the City’s Samantha Jones.
Beau Myers, co-founder at Ego Death said at the time of its opening: “It’s been 20 years since we opened Socio Rehab so it seems pretty poignant to be opening another amazing cocktail bar. We changed the landscape of cocktail bar culture then and that’s something we’re trying to do again.
“We’ve partnered with Cressida Lawlor to make this dream happen. She’s a total firecracker and reminds me a lot of myself 20 years ago, she’s the future of cocktails and bartending and has that maverick spirit.
“Together we’ve created Ego Death, hidden in a basement behind an unmarked door at the back of a burger shop will be this cocktail haven. An underground escape throwing out the best classic cocktails, bourbon, and champagne from top level bartenders.”
Danny Jones -
8th January 2024 
