Mulligans of Deansgate, Manchester’s most legendary and well-trodden Irish pub, have announced some exciting new expansion plans to make the boozer bigger and better than ever.
Comfortably one of if not the busiest bar in the city centre most weekends, Mulligans is an iconic part of the Manc drinking scene and stronghold for Irish folk, sports fans, fans of live music and more.
If there’s one thing you could ever count against the ever-popular pub it’s that the place is so packed out on any given day of the week that it can sometimes be a bit of a queue to get to the bar, so the news that they’re increasing the square footage to squeeze in more punters is music to ears.
There are few things that we love the sound of more than an even fuller pub sinking pints of the very best Guinness in Manchester and dancing along to classic Irish reels.
A sneak peek at the Mulligans expansion in progress. (Credit: Supplied)
As per an official press release, the expansion will see a brand-new upstairs area unveiled to the general public next month, “promising to enhance the Mulligans experience even more.”
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Building on the “exceptional craic, vibrant atmosphere, and the best Guinness outside of Ireland” (pretty much everyone seems to be in agreement on that front now), the new first floor will see the team go even further beyond live gigs, sports on the box and pulling pints.
The refurbished second-storey room will feature multiple levels, high ceilings for an entirely different feeling than the tight-knit spaces Mulligans fans are so familiar with, as well as options for private functions and even table service via a new QR code from the shiny new bar.
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To put things into perspective, the renovations are set to more than double the capacity, meaning this place is soon to be more booming than ever.
Staggering opening times of the new area over the launch weekend, the new upstairs will be open from 5pm till late on Friday’s grand opening, 2pm to the early hours the following Saturday and from noon until late on Sunday. The regular 11pm-12am times will resume the following week.
Speaking on the announcement, owner Pádraig Brady said: “We are super excited to unveil our new upstairs space at Mulligans.”
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This expansion not only allows us to host more guests but also provides an even more dynamic environment with additional live music and new premium services and spaces which will be available for hire. We look forward to our customers experiencing this new venue.”
Better still, to celebrate the launch weekend for the new upstairs, the first 250 guests through the door on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will receive exclusive Mulligans merchandise – and a complimentary pint of ‘the best Guinness outside of Ireland’, of course.
The grand opening takes place on Friday, 30 August and you better get in line early doors if you want a free glass of the black gold.
His post has generated a fair bit of reaction already, with one person replying: “Ridiculous advice! Loss of a table for 4 ! Empty tables for 2! Over ordered and over staffed, this stupidly from someone who should know better must corrected. Every customer counts in this day and age.”
Someone else wrote: “The amount of people booking 2 venues this year and cancelling is on the increase too!! We are now taking deposits for groups over 6 to try and eliminate this! When space is an issue booking more than you need is not fair on the venues!!”
Another commented: “A table of 3 is actually sat on a table for four. So you’re denying the business of 50% of its potential turnover. Do not do this.”
Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser to Greater Manchester.
CREDIT – Darren Robinson Photography
Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’
Danny Jones
Gregg Wallace has issued an official apology as he looks to be in increasing trouble not only over recent reports of his misconduct on set but his subsequent reaction to the allegations and now viral “middle-class women” comments.
The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter and well-known foodie face stepped down from the BBC cooking show last week after a total of 13 people came forward to complain about his ‘sexual’ behaviour over the course of a 17-year period.
Despite having denied an initial accusation from a former female colleague regarding an incident back in 2018, in which insists no comments or actions of a sexual nature were made, a dozen more individuals have now submitted historical complaints to the corporation and a full investigation is underway.
However, in an Instagram story shared on Sunday, Wallace was quick to dismiss the claims made by what he called “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a response which was quickly met with a severe backlash online.
Equally problematic was his suggestion that because he had worked with an estimated 2,000 people during his time on the show the words of “only 13” women were somehow less valid and/or believable.
Having also shared a video thanking all of those supporting him, as well as numerous other stories featuring personal messages from people both on and off the show defending him, he has continued to rebuke those who have put his conduct over the past two decades under a microscope.
That being said, it looks as though the now former TV personality and household name is doubling back after even Downing Street came out to condemn his comments, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the response video “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”
Having since deleted a number of his IG stories and now shared a follow-up video to his initial reply, telling his followers: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.”
He said that he was not in a “good head space” when he posted the response and has been dealing with a lot of stress since the story broke, adding, “I felt very alone.” You can see the clip down below.
As you see, the ex-green grocer and restaurant owner said he intends to step away from the story for now and let the in-house investigation move forward without interruption.
Both the BBC and production company, Banijay UK – who make MasterChef and the various spin-off series on which Gregg Wallace has served as a co-host – are currently conducting an internal review of those complaints made by former contestants and staff, including a BBC news anchor.
While none of the allegations are yet to be proved, one former male contestant reportedly told Sky News that the current allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg“, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.
Danny Jones -
31st July 2024 
