Feature

Drinking around the ‘Beermuda Triangle’ of brewery taprooms in Manchester

The freshest pints in the city.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 1st August 2025

If you’re looking for the best pints in Manchester, turn your ass around at the door of the pub and head to the ‘Beermuda Triangle’, a corner of the city centre where taprooms are king.

Our city has a great rep for craft beer and microbreweries, and a lot of these are concentrated in one brilliant, unexpected stretch of industrial estate.

Head beyond Manchester Piccadilly and you’ll find yourself in an area nicknamed the ‘Beermuda Triangle’, where tucked among tool shops and warehouses are breweries welcoming in thirsty punters.

These are places where you can sip on the freshest lagers, ales and sours, straight from the source.

As you kick back in one of these taprooms, you can see the brewers hard at work on their next creation, and see beers being canned before your eyes.

There are, of course, plenty of other taprooms and brewery-operated bars all over Greater Manchester, but if you want to minimise your step count and maximise your drinking time, this is where to head.

So we’ve gone out exploring the current residents on the Beermuda Triangle (I know, tough job) to give you the low-down for your next pub crawl.

All the taprooms on Manchester’s Beermuda Triangle

Cloudwater

Cloudwater's Taproom on the Beermuda Triangle
Cloudwater's Taproom on the Beermuda Triangle

When you think of craft beer, you probably think of these guys.

Since being founded in 2014, Cloudwater has gone on huge things and is now listed among the largest craft beer brands in the UK.

They’ve got their own pub (The Sadler’s Cat), a taproom down in London, and a huge brewery next-door to their taproom on the Piccadilly Trading Estate.

In here, it’s a stripped-back, Scandi-style interior upstairs, with a few extra tables squeezed in amongst oak barrels downstairs, plus a decent suntrap terrace out the front.

Our order? A pint of Fuzzy pale ale.

Track

Track Taproom
Track Taproom
Track Taproom
Track Taproom

Another big player in the craft beer game, Track’s taproom is comfortably one of Manchester’s coolest bars.

It’s a huge space, split between the actual brewery and the taproom, where beers are displayed on a rainbow-hued menu board and their own merch lines the walls.

With loads of plants, a leafy little beer garden, and a small kitchen that’s home to Slice Culture pizzeria, this one is the least rough-and-ready of all the taprooms on the Beermuda Triangle.

The most logical order here has, and will always be, Sonoma, they’re easy-drinking session pale ale available on both cask and keg – but there are always tonnes of other beers beyond their core range that are worth your attention.

Sureshot

Sureshot taproom
Sureshot taproom
Sureshot taproom

Sureshot proves that you can take the art of brewing seriously but still have a laugh, with silly beer names and a giant bear mascot manically grinning at you as you sip your beer.

What’ll it be – a pint of ‘Wait… What?’, a schooner of ‘Small Man’s Wetsuit’, or a third of ‘Be Polite and Comb Your Hair?’.

They’re known for their hop-forward styles but are always dreaming up new creations and collaborations, like a recent sour with Bundobust, and collaboration with inclusive football club Manchester Lacesm with a donation of each ‘I Thought She Was A Pisces’ sold going to the club.

This one’s off the Piccadilly Trading Estate and is under the railway arches, handily with Nell’s next door who will deliver you a pizza while you’re on your taproom crawl.

Balance Brewing & Blending

Inside Balance Brewing's taproom in Manchester
Inside Balance Brewing's taproom in Manchester

The final stop on the Beermuda triangle is Balance, who specialise in barrel-fermented sours.

The taproom itself is a real looker, with fairy lights festooned overhead, a deep burgundy bar, and persian rugs thrown all over the concrete floors.

The beers here are all funky and punchy and well worth ordering a few testers of before you make your final decision.

Whatever you order, it’s going to have good British roots and a beautiful flavour.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Feature

Why you should be glad Tom Aspinall has said no to a UFC fight at The White House

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tom Aspinall says no to UFC fight at The White House

In this industry, you can get used to wearing some pretty strange-sounding headlines, but we still had to double-take when we saw the headlines that the UFC is set to hold an event at The White House (yes, really) – even more so when we saw local name Tom Aspinall linked.

In case you hadn’t heard the rather bizarre news, there are currently plans for the UFC to hold an official fight event at none other than The White House.

You know, as in the home of the actual President of the United States…

While UFC boss Dana White has stated that “it is definitely going to happen”, revealing that he has already met with Donald Trump, one of the UFC’s biggest stars and Manchester’s very own heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, says he has no interest. More importantly, he says you shouldn’t either.

Appearing on Canadian journalist Ariel Helwani’s mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling-focused podcast, The AH Show, Aspinall discussed everything from his next bout against French fighter Ciryl Gane, beef between coaches and much more.

However, the pair couldn’t possibly have skipped over the topic on everyone’s lips in the fight world and, indeed, beyond, after President Trump announced that he would be bringing the UFC to what is, for all intents and purposes, the most famous seat of power in the world.

As you can see in the clip above, the Atherton-born and Salford-raised sportsman barely even gave the notion much time of day at all, quickly expressing his ‘boredom’ over talking about it.

Regardless, Helwani did manage to get a clear response from ‘The Honey Badger’, who said: “It has spent zero seconds in my mind. I’m not interested, mate. Not interested, and the world shouldn’t be interested either, because what’s the point? That’s false hope.”

Once again, while both Trump and Dana White insist an official UFC event will go ahead, slating none other than the annual 4 July celebrations as the desired date on the 250th anniversary of the nation’s unification, it still seems like a surreal sentence to even say out loud for most people.

Now, while the Manc MMA fighter (who recently became the undisputed champion in his division following fight legend Jon Jones’ retirement) begins by dismissing the idea, he goes on to admit via double negative that the idea “doesn’t not interest [him]” and would be a “cool experience”.

Whether or not he means in the future, perhaps under a different POTUS’ regime, or simply doubts that the deal will even come off at this early stage, who knows?

He might have also just been referring to his doubts that the former three-time champ Jon Jones’ self-proclaimed return to the testing pool just weeks after retiring will amount to anything material, let alone in time for this particular date; even Dana White himself has said the likelihood is “a billion to one“.

First and foremost, Apsinall explains that he believes that “the Americans [fighting in the UFC] should get the shot at the White House” as they obviously have a much more vested interest in the concept and sense of appeal when it comes to utilising it as the latest historic, albeit unorthodox, sporting venue.

Interestingly, he does confess that he neither knows nor cares very little about US politics, stating: “I’m not really a big Trump supporter or against Trump […] I don’t live there, I don’t reside there, I don’t do anything there, apart from pay taxes and fight there. Really, all of that stuff is irrelevant to me.”

However, his minor caveat was that he has no ‘particular’ interest in the proposal and only really reiterated that he’s “not bothered” about when or where it happens, stating simply that he’ll “fight anywhere.”

The White House under the lights on fight night would be quite the sight, there’s no denying that. (Credit: Rob Young via Flickr)

You could argue that the current world number two UFC heavyweight is being careful in his choice of words, playing the bipartisan role ever so carefully so as not to jeopardise his own future in a sport that predominantly revolves around North America.

After all, recent developments in the media world alone would suggest that the Trump administration could make his time working and competing in the US more difficult than it would otherwise be if he made an outwardly public and definitive stance against the mercurial and controversial statesman.

And that’s putting it mildly.

On the other hand, his words could be quite literally taken at face value: he may not care one bit about the rather divisive political climate in America; he is just an athlete who’s making a living has nothing to do with Democrats vs Republicans.

Nevertheless, it seems fairly significant that Aspinall rubbished what are still just unofficial, though admittedly very loud and public, rumours put forward by the two relevant leadership figures involved in these ongoing developments, especially given that the Wigan warrior is currently at the top of his game.

You can see his AH Show interview in full down below.

He may be too wise to say it out loud, but we’d wager Aspinall knows backing a UFC fight at The White House is bad for business.

Given that Donald Trump is known to be an avid fight fan – having famously backed and hosted the 1988 Tyson fight at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, later going to be pictured shaking ‘Iron Mike’s hand at UFC 316 back in June – there could be a chance of the two interacting somewhat closely.

With that in mind, even if this isn’t Aspinall cleverly and indirectly distancing himself from the President, some might say he is at least trying to urge others to hopefully prevent the sport from drifting into the same muddy waters that other modern combat sports have.

As time goes on, boxing in particular seems to be coming more and more about the paegantry and finding new ways of marketing one of the world’s oldest and most primal contests; celebrities entering the ring and YouTube/influencer boxers being the prime example.

The fight world has always been about spectacle, but many would argue it’s become increasingly style over substance in recent years, given the advent of social media, not to mention the line between exhibition and genuine competition becoming increasingly blurred.

Despite their stars remaining underpaid in comparison to headline boxers, MMA has always prided itself on being brutally itself, and whatever you make of it as it continues to grow both commercially and in terms of popularity, personally, we believe people like Tom Aspinall are trying to keep it honest.

Steering clear of not just politics but the same Hollywood trappings and overly spectacular, money-driven, entertainment-for-profit-first focus that often plagues present-day boxing is a wise step, no matter how Jon Jones suddenly wants to join in the hard sell.

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Featured Images — The AH Show/Cezary Piwowarczyk/NomadPHY/Hftrt275 (via WikiCommons)

Feature

Everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025 – parade route, lineup, tickets, and more

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Manchester Pride Festival 2023

One of the biggest highlights in Manchester’s events calendar, Manchester Pride 2025, is ready to take over the city centre for the party of a lifetime.

Manchester Pride 2025 is upon us, and we’ve got everything you need ahead of this fun-filled, glitter-covered, disco-driven big weekend.

This event isn’t just a party – it’s a spectacular coming together of a community who aim to spread love and joy through various celebrations, with glorious music from some truly incredible artists and acts to look forward to.

The four-day occasion consists of a city-wide parade, a lineup of music performances, and closed out by a poignant candlelit vigil which each year commemorates members of the Queer community who sadly lost their lives to HIV.

Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025.

Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025 / Credit: Supplied

Manchester Pride 2025 – Parade

The parade on Saturday 23 August will start on Deansgate near Beetham Tower at 12pm, before making its way onto Liverpool Road and Oxford Street.

This route then sees the parade make its way onto Portland Street and Princess Stree, before finishing off on Whitworth Street and Fairfield Street – a stone’s throw away from Mardi Gras.

Check back soon for all the information you need to do about Parade route road closures.

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Tickets for Manchester Pride Festival 2025

There are two options for tickets if you’re looking at attending Manchester Pride Festival 2025.

If you’re after dancing the night away to an impressive live music lineup at Mardi Gras and continuing the night at the Gay Village Party, then you can buy a ticket which covers you for both HERE.

Anyone who’s after boogying til the sun comes up at the Gay Village Party, but skipping the live music can bag themselves a ticket or two HERE.

Crowds at Manchester Pride Festival on Canal Street / Credit: Supplied

Once you’ve purchased your preferred ticket, you can trade them in for your official Manchester Pride Festival 2025 wristband at two city centre locations.

The first box office can be found at Depot Mayfield – where Mardi Gras is taking place – and will be open from 12pm to 7pm on Saturday 23 August, and 12:30pm to 7pm on Sunday 24 August.

An alternative box office can be found in the Gay Village, which will be open across all three dates Friday 23, Saturday 24, and Sunday 25 August from 12pm to 11pm.

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Who’s on the lineup at Manchester Pride 2025?

Four huge names are fronting the bill for Manchester Pride 2025 – with each and every one of them being a certified hitmaker.

Saturday’s lineup sees a headline slot for former Little Mix star, now solo sensation, Leigh-Anne, who will be playing discography classics like ‘Don’t Say Love’, ‘My Love’, and her latest single ‘Been A Minute’.

Broadway star and highly-successful artist, Billy Porter, joins the pop princess and Manchester’s biggest festivals of the year, and you best believe he’ll make ‘Everybody Say Yeah’.

UK Eurovision entry and certified ‘Sweet Talker’, Olly Alexander, is playing out a selection of bangers on Sunday’s lineup, and he’s ready to ‘Shine’ to his heart’s content.

Nelly Furtado completes the headline slots – and yes I did ‘Say It Right’ – as the ‘Maneater’ herself was recently announced as the surprise headliner to close out Sunday’s celebrations.

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How to get to Manchester Pride Festival 2025?

Transport to Manchester Pride Festival 2025 / Credit: TfGM

By tram – The easiest way to get to and from Manchester Pride Festival is using Metrolink. The nearest stops are Piccadilly Gardens (for the Gay Village Party), and Deansgate-Castlefield or St Peter’s Square (for the Parade).

By train – The closest train stations to the event are Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road.

By bus – Take a bus to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. From there, the Gay Village Party event site is a two-minute walk and just across the road.

By plane – From Manchester Airport, you can take a train or the Metrolink tram to Manchester Piccadilly. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Piccadilly Gardens from the airport.

By car – Manchester will be very busy with a number of road closures in place over Manchester Pride weekend, so if you really need to drive, you might want to look at using a ‘park and ride’ and completing your journey by tram.

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

Featured Images – Supplied

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