St. Patrick’s Day in Manchester is biblical, no doubt about it, but getting in amongst the mile-long queue is another question entirely – so it’s a good job Albert’s Schloss is offering a grand auld alternative.
Arguably one of the best, biggest and admittedly busiest bars in all of Manchester city centre (for good reason), Albert’s Schloss on Paddy’s Day is becoming an increasingly popular annual event, with not just hundreds but literal thousands filing in and out of the beloved Germanic beer hall over the 24 hours.
Having spent St. Patrick’s evening here on more than one occasion, we can certainly vouch for the vibes as the night rolls into the early hours, but they’re offering food, booze, entertainment and more all day long on what many refer to as the holy day.
And by many we mean us. It’s our holy day.
St. Patrick’s Day Manchester is always a belter, but this has to be one of our favourite venues for it (Credit: Supplied via Albert’s Schloss)
For starters, what do Bavarians and Irish have in common? A love of great beer, good craic and party vibes. With that in mind, this St. Patrick’s Day, Albert’s Schloss is painting the town green with a two-week celebration of all things Irish.
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Kicking things off from this week – Wednesday, 5-Monday, 17 March – expect rivers of Guinness, plenty of Jameson whiskey, even more epic feasting, live music and even the chance to test your luck with some Paddy’s Day surprises, Albert’s Schloss is about to party hard enough to make St. Patrick proud.
During this special two weeks and this period alone, Schloss will be pouring pint after pint as well as Guinness-inspired specials and food flavoured with black gold, plus promising plenty more.
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From pints of the ‘Baby Guinness‘ shots to rich and hearty dishes like beef and Guinness pie, or indulgent sweet treats such as the Guinny and ginger sticky toffee pudding, they’re going to be ramming everyone’s favourite drink down people’s throats and we’ll be there with mouths wide open.
Better yet, on the Sunday and Monday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend (16-17 March), guests can roll the dice to win an array of exclusive prizes, from free drinks and desserts to Jameson merch or even a fully comped bill worth up to £100. Yes, you heard that right.
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On the Sunday, the Schloss team will be handing out 150 Jameson and limes drinks on trays across the venue early in the evening, “to get the party shamrockin’.”
And of course, no Schloss party is complete without top-tier entertainment. Get ready for live bands, folky Irish tunes, a ‘Sunday Service’ with a St. Paddy’s twist; walkabout performers, Vegas-green showgirls for a sprinkling of burlesque, as well an interactive game show host to keep the energy high.
Put it this way, we always have an absolute riot in here…
Take it from the beloved Manc bar themselves: “With fire-lit revelry, Bavarian feasting, and plenty of Irish spirit, Albert’s Schloss is the place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”
Walk-ins will of course be welcome as they always are but if you want to try and beat the crowd and secure a table to dance on – well, you can dance on the benches but you catch our drift – you can book your place HERE.
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It’s fair to say that the Irish boom across Greater Manchester is well and truly in full swing, with more and more venues popping up all over the place, and long may it continue.
Featured Images — Albert’s Schloss (supplied)/The Manc Group
Eats
Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant
Danny Jones
One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.
Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.
With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.
But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.
Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.
Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.
“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.
“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”
Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.
One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure
As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.
Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.
But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.
Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.
Iconic old Manchester boozer named the best pub in the UK
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most legendary pubs – which happens to be home to its most legendary landlady too – has been named the best in the UK.
The Peveril of the Peak has shot to the top of a list of the 22 Best Pubs in the UK, compiled by Time Out.
The comprehensive list spans the length and breadth of the country looking for the watering holes that nail a ‘convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks’.
And it’s Manchester’s very own Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev, that made it into the number one spot, being labelled by judges as ‘perfect’.
Time Out praised the pub’s ‘dazzling’ tiled exterior, its jukebox and pool table, and its 96-year-old landlady Nancy Swanick, who (along with her family) has overseen the pub for more than 50 years.
The Peveril of the Peak wasn’t the only Manchester pub to make it onto the list of the best in the UK – there was also a nod for another local icon, The Marble Arch, which placed 15th.
Elsewhere in the North West, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, and The Roscoe Head in Liverpool made it onto the list, along with a couple of pubs in Sheffield.
Inside The PevThe Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester
Speaking of The Pev, Time Out wrote: “The Peveril of the Peak — or the Pev, for short, always — is the kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake. And, preferably, as much life between.
“Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, the Pev beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door. Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.
“The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — has been overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who still lives above the bar and is now well into her 90s, for over 50 years. Expect a knees-up for the ages when she hits the big 100. Cheers!”
The full list of Time Out’s 22 Best Pubs in the UK 2026
Danny Jones -
5th March 2025 
