Manchester’s oldest and most iconic Irish pub has announced that it’s giving away hundreds of free pints next week.
Mulligans is finally adding the beloved Irish stout Murphy’s to its already-exceptional draught beer lineup, and to celebrate the launch of Guinness’ slightly lesser-known cousin, the first 1,989 people through the doors will get a pint of the good stuff for free on one day only next week.
Originating from Cork, Murphy’s is known for its smooth, mellow profile with subtle notes of caramel and malt.
The much-loved stout was first introduced on draught in the UK all the way back in 1989, hence the number of free pints being given away next week.
The unmissable giveaway will be taking place for one day only next Thursday (8 May) from 11am right through to 1am, and open to all punters on a first-come, first-served basis, with one free pint per person… but you’ll need to be quick if you want a freebie, because once those 1,989 pints are gone, they’re gone for good.
Mulligans is giving away hundreds of free pints of Murphy’s next week / Credit: Supplied
Murphy’s joins Guinness as the second stout on draught at Mulligans, and with the Deansgate institution already famed for pouring what many call ‘the best Guinness outside of Ireland’, you can expect that every pint of Murphy’s will be just as expertly poured.
Those heading to Mulligans for their free pint next Thursday can also look forward to the venue’s famously-lively entertainment being in full swing all day long.
“Murphy’s has been a long time coming and we’re excited to finally be serving it on draught,” commented Pádraig Brady, who is the owner of Mulligans, ahead of next week’s highly-anticipated giveaway.
“The idea behind this giveaway isn’t just to introduce the stout and celebrate its history, but to give people another reason to enjoy a proper Thursday day and night at Mulligans with our extensive live entertainment offering.”
In case you missed it, Mulligans recently had a bit of makeover, which most-notably included the renovation of its upstairs space complete with vaulted timber-beamed ceilings, a mezzanine-level stage, and two new bars with even more room for dancing and drinking.
So if you haven’t had a chance to check out the new space yet, then what could be better than sipping on a free pint while you’re at it?
The Murphy’s giveaway will take place on Thursday 8 May from 11am, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to claim their freebie.
Featured Image – Supplied
Eats
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
£1.8m revamp of Ancoats pub The Shamrock is FINALLY set to begin
Daisy Jackson
At long last, work to revamp The Shamrock pub in Ancoats is about to begin – and they’re calling on locals to rename the historic boozer.
The Shamrock, on Bengal Street, was taken over by Joseph Holt brewery in 2019 but has been firmly sealed shut ever since, with the pandemic halting its revamp.
But now the family-owned brewery is ready to get to work on the pub, with a £1.8m revamp kicking off very soon.
The Shamrock, which dates back to 1808, will be transformed from an Irish pub into a Joseph Holt’s venue.
Back in the turn of the 19th century, it was a popular watering hole for the Irish and Italian communities who moved to the industrial neighbourhood.
Obviously, Ancoats has gone through some pretty major changes in the years since, and is now one of the city’s trendiest and foodiest suburbs, filled with flats, bars, coffee shops and more.
It’s because of this that the Joseph Holt team felt like The Shamrock was due a new name for its new chapter, and are asking the public to help rename the pub, with a shortlist of five names drawn up.
The options on the table for when the pub reopens include The Victoria Arms (as a nod to the flats and accommodation across the road); The Fleet (the name of a former neighbouring pub); and The Linen Arms, reflecting the city’s cotton trade.
The historic Ancoats pub The Shamrock will finally undergo a £1.8m revamp. Credit: Supplied
The other choices for the public to vote on are The Spinners Rest, after the mill workers who lived in historic Ancoats; and Queen Adelaide, after another former pub around the corner on the main Ancoats Road.
Richard Kershaw, CEO of Joseph Holt, said: “As a family business with deep roots in the area, our pubs are very much at the very heart of the communities where they are located.
“With the moving forward of long-awaited refurbishment of The Shamrock – and with it a new name – we wanted our customers to feel part of the journey.
“So we brainstormed names for the pub that would respect the past and the local area while also looking to the future. Now we’re letting the people who matter most to us, our customers, decide which one to use.”
You can place your vote on the new name for The Shamrock pub HERE. One participant who picks the winning name will receive free drinks vouchers.
Emily Sergeant -
29th April 2025 
