Eats

You can visit loads of the UK’s best bars this week, without ever leaving Manchester

Erm, yes please.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 8th March 2024

When the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list was announced last month, it’s safe to say Manchester cleaned up.

Our city’s fantastic bar scene managed to take the number one spot with Schofield’s, along with Blinker (6th), Speak In Code (12th), and Project Halcyon (21st).

But the rest of the bars on the prestigious list are a bit further afield – at least, until now.

For there are so many events taking place at bars across town in the next week that you’ll be able to sample 12 of the country’s best bars without needing to board a single train.

The great and good of the country’s hospitality industry will all be piling in up north for the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibit at Manchester Central.

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And as always, the city will be buzzing with special events at bars and restaurants all over the city centre.

Right then, back to the boozing.

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Stray x Callooh Callay. Credit: Supplied

First up will be Callooh Callay at Stray bar (a newcomer that’s surely in with a shot at the Top 50 next year).

London’s Callooh Callay placed 38th this year, and it’s a bar that’s really standing the test of time, having first opened in 2008.

They’ve won a long list of accolades over the years with their themed menus and creative approach, and are promising Manchester an evening of ‘serious nonsense’.

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On the same day, you’ll find Copenhagen’s Ruby bar (which has previously placed in the Top 50 in the world) at Blinker on Spring Gardens.

Blinker in Manchester made the top 10 of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
Blinker in Manchester made the top 10 of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

For one night only, they’ll be serving up a taste of Copenhagen here in Manchester, utilising Danish products in their drinks.

It’s walk-ins only between 4pm and 9pm.

Project Halcyon has got it all happening on Wednesday, brining four of the country’s best bars together in its hidden gem Bonded Warehouse venue.

There’ll be Murder Inc (15th), The Hideout (25th) and Callooh Callay (38th) behind the bar from 6pm.

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And the third-best bar in the UK this year, Birmingham’s Passing Fancies, will be taking over part of Thomas Street.

Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

The Thomas Street Takeover will also involve Manolo from Liverpool and El Guapo from Newcastle, who’ll each take one floor at Cane and Grain for the night.

Amaro Bar, which just this year made it to number eight in the Top 50 Bars, along with Twice Shy will be joining 10 Tib Lane behind their beautiful bar – and this one involves a free drink to the first 25 people through the doors.

All that, of course, is in addition to the rest of the Top 50 list that is homegrown talent – Schofields, Speak In Code, and ‘one to watch’ Red Light.

Happy drinking everyone.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester’s smash burger and ice cream legends Big Licks launch huge crowdfunding effort

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Big Licks, the Manchester restaurant that’s found the ‘sweet spot’ between amazing burgers and delicious desserts, is sailing through a huge crowdfunding campaign. 

The restaurant, which has an eye-catching location down on Liverpool Road as well as two sites in Scotland, has already raised a whopping £135,000 for its expansion dreams. 

It’s now pushing to hit £150,000 so that it can open new restaurants and franchises across the UK. 

Big Licks was first launched by two teenagers in 2009 as a takeaway – it’s now gone on to be a rapidly expanding name bringing in £3m in sales and more than 400,000 customers in the last 12 months alone. 

On their menu you’ll find incredible smash burgers (with up to four patties in each bun) made with free-range grass-fed beef that they source directly from farm, or buttermilk chicken topped with their signature ranch sauce. 

There’s also an impressive menu of house-churned ice cream made with quality local ingredients, and cakes, cheesecakes and brownies all baked in house daily. 

All that is alongside fried chicken, loaded fries, and other mouth-watering sides. 

Manchester’s smash burger and ice cream legends Big Licks launch huge crowdfunding effort
Manchester’s smash burger and ice cream legends Big Licks launch huge crowdfunding effort

Next on the agenda for Big Licks is expansion across the country, offering up the chance to become a shareholder in this bright young business. 

They want to use the money raised to prepare the business for franchising, with a target to open 18 restaurants by 2027.

Then any extra money raised will be used to open more company-owned restaurants.

And there are rewards on offer for those who choose to invest in Big Licks. 

If you invest £100, you’ll get a Big Licks White Card which gets you 10% off in store, as well as owning a share of the business. 

Then the rewards continue with other things like free burgers and shakes all the way to merch and much bigger discounts. 

Co-founder Anees Ahmed said: “It is clear that the potential is great.”

He added: “We believe one of the key ingredients to a successful restaurant is creating a hangout spot, a vibe. That will always be our aim when you come to Big Licks.”

The businessman then said: “We won’t compromise on quality. We will always keep sourcing within head office. This means we keep producing our own ice cream using locally sourced organic milk and the finest Italian flavours.

“We’ve found that sweet spot. The combination of sweet desserts and smashing burgers that opens up audience’s doors, covering off every craving. 

“We want you to be part of the journey and become a shareholder in Big Licks.” 

You can find out more about the Big Licks crowdfunder through Crowdcube here. 

Big Licks Crowdcube from Big Licks on Vimeo.

*Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. 

Eats

Electrik Bar in Chorlton is giving away 100 FREE frankfurters to celebrate their latest kitchen collab

Danny Jones Danny Jones Electrik Bar in Chorlton giving away 100 free frankfurters hot dogs

We all love a freebie, so we thought we’d spread the good word of the scran lords by letting you know that Electrik over in Chorlton is giving away 100 free frankfurters to celebrate their newest menu takeover.

The popular neighbourhood bar and kitchen on Wilbraham Road in the South Manchester suburb has had a couple of different foodie collaborations over the past couple of years, with local residents Paramogeddon and Four Side Vegan Pizza being the most recent, but now they’re doing hot dogs.

Welcoming their latest vendors Tisch Und Teller, Electrik will be giving away a total of 100 free frankfurters to the first century of people there this evening.

Guess we’re taking a trip to Chorlton for tea.

Bringing a taste of Berlin, Bavaria, Frankfurt and more (with a Manc twist, of course) to the popular pub for the Thursday launch party, all you need to do is order a drink upon arrival to get your hands on a free frankfurter sandwiched between a lovely fluffy roll.

Who doesn’t love a hot dog? Especially when they’re giving them away.

As for Tisch Und Teller (TuT), they’ve been serving up German-inspired favourites from the likes of The Shakespeare in Manchester city centre and Nip and Tipple in Whalley Range since September last year, including some very impressive brunches and Sunday roasts.

But the brand just keeps gaining more traction and now they’re setting up shop in Electrik, we’re sure the word will continue to spread – and fast.

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Better still, as advertised on the promo poster, not only will TuT now be serving up their delicious food from Electrik every Thursday-Sunday for the foreseeable but the launch party will also live music by local legend and DJing veteran, Abigail Ward of Ghost Assembly.

Free food, pints and top tunes – what more could you ask for on a random weeknight?

The offer will be available from 6pm tonight and, once again, you have to be among the first 100 people to buy a pint to be eligible for a free frankfurter.

Race you there.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Electrik/Tisch Und Teller

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