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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers

Happy birthday to an NQ OG

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th September 2025

The Pen and Pencil, an absolute staple for brunches and drinks in the Northern Quarter, is celebrating a major milestone this month with a huge party and some unbeatable deals. 

The bar and restaurant will be marking 10 years on Tariff Street in September – and it’s only right that we all pile in to celebrate with them. 

This spot is one of the city’s original bottomless brunch venues and is similarly famed for its happy hour offerings, and opened in 2015 to bring a taste of Manhattan to Manchester. 

Pen and Pencil took its name from the infamous New York City bar that was seen in Mad Men. 

And now as it turns 10 years old, it’ll be throwing one big party on Saturday 27 September, featuring 10 hours of DJs, free pints of Red Stripe at 10pm, and a special bottomless brunch offering. 

Those DJing on the day will include Drag Race UK’s Banksie, as well as Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove.

Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthday
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthday
Pen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
Pen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG

The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party will kick off from 2pm and run until late – but if you can’t make that one, there’ll be celebrations all week (and, indeed, month) long. 

On Tuesday 23 September, you’ll be able to play for double prize money in The Pen and Pencil quiz, as well as enjoying happy hour drinks all night. 

Then on Friday 26 September, it’ll be an all-night happy hour, with free tequila shots at 10pm and music from DJs Nev Johnson and Gareth James from 7pm. 

All September long, there’ll be 50% off food every Monday, two-for-£10 cocktails every Wednesday, £10 burgers every Thursday, happy hour all night on Fridays, 10 dishes for £10 and two bloody Marys for £10 on Sundays, plus DJs on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers

There’s a new colourful art installation outside the venue inspired by the bar’s New York roots.

Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years! 

“New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.”

Walk-ins are welcome for The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party on Saturday 27 September, but booking is encouraged – book your spot HERE. 

Featured image: The Manc Group

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Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael Wharley

One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved professionals, Oti Mabuse, is going to be hosting a free family dance class in Printworks this month. 

The two-time Strictly champion will be getting Mancs jiving and waltzing with a fun and inclusive workshop, geared towards all ages and abilities. 

Whether you’ve got a little one desperate to boogie or have two left feet yourself but love to dance, this event is for you. 

Oti will be bringing her world-class moves and infectious energy to Printworks, dancing beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling just in time for the show’s glittering premiere, screened on the huge gaming screen. 

After your own dancing workshop you can watch Strictly Come Dancing’s first show as the new cast of celebs and professionals hit the famous dance floor. 

The evening will kick off at 6.10pm on Saturday 20 September, with a dance class led by Oti followed by the launch episode screened on the giant Printworks gaming screen. 

Oti Mabuse will lead a Strictly Come Dancing dance class at Printworks beneath the digital ceiling
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael Wharley
Oti Mabuse will lead a Strictly Come Dancing dance class at Printworks beneath the digital ceiling
Oti will lead a dance class beneath the digital ceiling at Printworks

Ahead of the event, Oti Mabuse said: “I’m so excited to be coming to Manchester’s Printworks! It’s such an iconic venue, and I can’t wait to feel everyone’s energy and see how the city comes alive here – show me what you’ve got!”

Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Printworks is the ultimate city centre destination for anyone ready to catch the Strictly fever. 

“Europe’s largest digital ceiling will feature bold, bright and energy-inducing content to compliment the unique dance class led by the dancing queen herself Oti Mabuse, it’s set to be an unforgettable experience.” 

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated (and twice-decorated with the glitterball trophy) performers – book your spot HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied, Michael Wharley

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Five reasons to live at New Maker Yards, Salford’s stunning canalside neighbourhood

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson New Maker Yards is a canalside neighbourhood in Sheffield

With new apartment blocks springing up all over Greater Manchester, it’s rare to find one with community spirit built-in – but we’ve found just the place. 

Just across the river from Manchester city centre, this canalside neighbourhood offers more than just its beautifully designed apartments and generous green spaces. New Maker Yards creates a community that values lifestyle, wellbeing and connection as much as the living spaces themselves. 

That means free events for residents, plenty of communal spaces, a gorgeous setting, and so much more. 

Here, you’ll find one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes available for rent, with pet-friendly pads, an on-site cafe, parking, and green spaces all available. It’s in a pretty enviable location, too. 

Here are five reasons to make New Maker Yards your next home. 

  1. Community

At New Maker Yards, you’re not just renting an apartment, you’re joining a neighbourhood with real community spirit. 

Large-scale free community events bring residents and locals together, like this summer’s Middlewood Locks Fest, which featured live music, food, rowing boats and a market right on the canals. 

The recent Sofar Sounds event saw the community curl up on beanbags to enjoy a completely free gig from up-and-coming local artists. 

Come winter, there’ll be a Christmas party, and all year round you’ll find monthly quiz nights, workshops, a book club, yoga, football, a run club, and pop-up events like sushi making and plant pot painting. 

  1. Location
Aviva Studios is a short walk from New Maker Yards
Aviva Studios is a short walk from New Maker Yards
New Maker Yards is just outside Manchester city centre
New Maker Yards is just outside Manchester city centre

Technically in Salford, but a stone’s throw away from Manchester city centre, New Maker Yards blends convenience with character. You can even see Aviva Studios from here. 

Built around canals and just beside the River Irwell, it’s a gorgeous part of the city centre.

From your door, it’s just a four minute walk to the Regent Retail Park (hello, big Sainsburys and JD Gyms); seven-minutes to all the restaurants and cafes on Chapel Street; and less than 10 minutes from St John’s and onwards to Spinningfields. 

You can also get your green space fix with a 15 minute walk to Castlefield, with Peel Park a little further on. 

And with each apartment block designed around its own communal gardens, you’ll feel tucked away from the city centre, while still being amongst the action.

  1. Communal spaces
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
Co-working hub at New Maker Yards
A resident lounge
A resident lounge

You’ll never get cabin fever at New Maker Yards, which has loads of communal spaces to enjoy.

Residents have access to The Lock, a co-working hub with window seats, booths and a huge co-working desk. 

Residents can also access the Club Room, where you’ll find a mini library, a kitchen for hosting events, a huge TV and more. 

Outside, landscaped gardens include flower beds, loungey garden furniture, ping pong tables and more for residents to enjoy. 

Add in a 92 Degrees coffee shop and an on-site Co-op shop, and you have everything you need right on your doorstep.

  1. Interiors
Inside a New Maker Yards apartment
Inside a New Maker Yards apartment
A living space opening onto an outdoor terrace
A living space opening onto an outdoor terrace
Modern, fully equipped kitchens
Modern, fully equipped kitchens
Stylish living spaces
Stylish living spaces

Apartments at New Maker Yards come with top-spec, state-of-the-art interiors, designed for modern living.

Each home has huge windows that flood with natural light, integrated kitchen appliances including a fridge, microwave and dishwasher, and loads of storage space.

Furniture packages mean you can move straight into a home kitted out with dressers, drawers, beds, sofas, mirrors, and more. 

Many of the apartments also feature private outdoor space – balconies for the upper floors, and terraces opening onto the communal gardens for the ground floors. 

They’re also pet friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend with you. 

  1. Services and amenities
The Club Room
The Club Room
New Maker Yards
New Maker Yards

You’ll have proper peace of mind at New Maker Yards, both for your own personal safety and the safety of your ASOS parcels. 

There’s 24-hour on-site security, an on-site maintenance team, a parcel room and a friendly resident team in the welcome office, ready to help with whatever you need.

Storage pods, car parking and bike storage are all available too.

To find out more about New Makers Yard, head HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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