Manchester is soon to welcome yet another new bottomless brunch to town, and this is one of the most unique concepts so far.
With the choice of bottomless brunch offerings in the city growing by the day, the UK’s original urban axe-throwing brand Whistle Punks – which opened its doors in Manchester back in November 2019 – is set to take its own spin on things by launching a bottomless axe-throwing brunch from this August bank holiday weekend called ‘Sunday Sessions’.
During what is described as “the most visceral bottomless brunch in the UK”, you’ll first get to take part in an axe-throwing competition with your best mates, all before sitting down to tuck into unlimited food and drinks.
You can expect irresistible sourdough pizza, delicious cocktails, and contemporary craft beers.
With bottomless brunch sessions at 11:20am, 12:40pm, 2pm, and 3:20pm every from Sunday 28 August onwards, each party can take on 70-minutes of axe throwing followed by 50-minutes of bottomless pizza and drinks for just £30 per person.
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The UK’s original urban axe-throwing brand Whistle Punks is launching a Bottomless Axe-Throwing Brunch / Credit: Whistle Punks
Drinks will be available for the full two hours, and a selection of beers and cocktails can also be ordered direct to your lanes.
Alongside an extensive menu of freshly-prepared pizza, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too, some of the classic drinks in the bottomless offer include Whistle Punks Lager, Bloody Marys, Aperol Spritz, prosecco, and more.
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“I think a large part of the appeal is that it feels like something you shouldn’t be allowed to do,” explained Whisle Punks’ co-founder Jools Whitehorn ahead of the brunch launch.
“It’s a visceral experience which is physical without being too demanding, and it all takes place under the close watch of our instructors who make sure everyone stays safe while having a truly unique night out [so] with our brand new axe brunch launching at Whistlepunks Manchester, we feel we’ve put together the most high-octane brunch experience in the city.”
It’s already being described as “the most visceral bottomless brunch in the UK” / Credit: Luke Dyson (via Whistle Punks)
And if all of that didn’t sound exciting enough as it is, the Manchester venue has chucked in the chance to get a ticket for free.
To properly celebrate the launch of the highly-anticipated event this month, Whistle Punks Manchester is giving away 100 free tickets on a first come first served basis, and to be in with a chance of winning one, all you’ll need to do is head on over to the venue’s website here.
When you book online, just make sure to add the 100% discount code ‘SUNDAYSESSION’ to get your ticket for free.
Featured Image – Luke Dyson (via Whistle Punks)
Eats
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
The Manchester restaurants and bars shortlisted for the MFDF Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards – better known as the MFDF Awards – have revealed the shortlist of local restaurants, bars, cafes, chefs, and more that are up for the city’s ultimate accolade.
Dozens of outstanding local businesses are nominated across 17 categories, covering everything from food trucks to Michelin Star chefs.
The winners will be revealed at the MFDF Awards ceremony on Monday 25 January, which this year will be held at Medlock Square’s City Hall for the first time.
Sponsored once again by Therme Manchester, the MFDF Awards celebrate the outstanding talent in Manchester’s hospitality scene.
Categories have been chosen to showcase new openings, talented chefs and producers, neighbourhood favourites, top restaurants, great pubs, and plenty more.
The shortlist has been selected from a list of submissions by the MFDF Awards judging panel, made up of leading food and drink critics, writers and industry experts.
As well as the public vote, judges will mystery shop venues in a number of categories and will score venues based on their experiences. The mystery shopping and public voting period will end at midnight on 11 January 2027 when the polls will be counted and combined with the judges’ scores and the winner of each category will be chosen.
The awards are now open to public vote on the MFDF website HERE.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of the MFDF Awards, said: “We’re proud to reveal this year’s MFDF Awards shortlists and shine a spotlight on the very best of Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene.
“The awards celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and diversity that make our region a world-class food and drink destination. We’re encouraging everyone to get behind the nominees by voting for your favourites, visiting the shortlisted venues and showing your support for our brilliant hospitality industry.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing the industry together on 25 January 2027 for a fantastic night of celebration and to crown this year’s winners.”
The Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, sponsored by Therme Manchester, is being decided through a separate judging process. The award celebrates initiatives making a positive difference to communities across Greater Manchester, from tackling food poverty and promoting sustainability to improving access to healthy food and bringing communities together.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement will also be presented on the night to recognise an outstanding contribution to Greater Manchester’s food and drink industry, with no public shortlist for the category.
The Manchester restaurants and bars on the MFDF 2026 shortlist
1. Affordable Eats Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Therme Manchester)
Sips n Dips in LevenshulmeNoodle Alley in ChinatownCredit: The Manc Group
Al Madina – 76 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5AL
Noodle Alley – 56A Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH
Sips & Dips – 994 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WN
Que Huong Viet – 76–78 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EB
Kabana – 52 Back Turner Street, Manchester M4 1FR
Bahn Mi 782 – 782 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DR
Zaytoni’s – 12 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JQ
Cafe San Juan – 27 St Petersgate, Stockport, Manchester SK1 1EB
Previous winner – Double Zero
2. Takeaway of the Year
Kool Runnings – 118 Chorlton Road, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M15 4AN
Rita’s Reign – Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LY
Chicken Run – 6 Yarburgh St, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 7FJ
Viet Deli – 22 Blackfriars Street, Manchester M3 5BQ
Levenshulme Bakery – 842 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3AW
The Post Box Shawarma – 543 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PP
Emily Sergeant -
8th August 2022 
