In an effort to get people more politically engaged this summer, a number of local breweries have banded together to create a great way of incentivising people to vote: a free pint.
Now that’s talking in the language of the people.
Prime Minister Rishi Suank called a general election last month, with the vote set to take place on Thursday, 4 July, but there is still always the problem of making sure enough people get to the polling booths and express their democratic rights.
X doesn’t just mark the spot, it can make a difference and get you a free pint too – all with just one vote. (Credit: Supplied)
As part of the clever ‘Give an X, Get a Pint’ campaign, Manchester Union Brewery, Cloudwater Brew Co, Sureshot Brewing and Northern Monk’s MCR Refectory are all offering a free pint to anyone who proves they went and cast their vote in the 2024 general election.
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The process is simple: head to your local polling station, be it a church, primary school, or library, and cast your vote.
After that, you need to snap a picture outside the polling station as proof of your participation – though strictly NO pictures should be taken inside the building itself as these could incur a legal fine and will therefore NOT be valid – then tag all four breweries and post on your socials.
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Once done, all you need to do is bring along your polling card to one of the breweries’ four participating and show your social media post too.
These are the following watering holes where you can then grab your free pint:
Sureshot Taproom – 4 Sheffield St, Manchester M1 2ND
Cloudwater Taproom – Piccadilly Trading Estate, Unit 9, Gidding Rd, Manchester M1 2NP
Manchester Union – available at The New Cross 6 Cross Keys St, Manchester M4 5ET
Northern Monk Refectory – 10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Aiming to encourage young voters in particular to engage in the democratic process, this is a fun rewarding way to ensure their voices are heard, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate democracy than with some of the best craft breweries in the UK.
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These are fundamentally Northern independent businesses too, and we’re sure you’ll agree that’s something we can and should all get behind at this time.
Commenting on the initiative in a joint statement, the breweries said: “We believe this campaign not only supports democratic engagement but also highlights the incredible contributions of our local breweries. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word about this initiative.”
So don’t miss out on your chance to make a difference and grab yourself a free drink, give an X and get a pint this polling day.
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
Food & Drink
The Manchester restaurant serving bottomless curry for just £20 during National Curry Week
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s leading curry houses is bringing back its bottomless curry offering very soon.
For just £20, diners can tuck into unlimited curry, rice and naan at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, stuffing yourself silly on authentic dishes from from all over the Indian subcontinent.
There’s nothing quite like getting the gang together for a proper curry, and Zouk is making it even easier to do exactly that this October.
They’ll be bringing back the £20 Bottomless Curry deal for National Curry Week 2026, running for five nights only, from Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October, with tables available between 5pm and 10pm each evening.
Guests can choose one curry from a daily selection of four, with meat, vegetarian and vegan options available throughout the week.
Once you’ve picked your curry, you can then order as many portions as you fancy during your 90-minute booking.
Rice and naan are unlimited too, so there’s no shortage of carbs to mop up the curry with.
The dishes on the menu include some of Zouk’s favourites, such as Chicken Karahi, Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka Masala, Dall Makhani, Chicken Handi and Gobi Manchurian.
The exact four-dish selection varies by day, giving curry fans a reason to head back more than once during the five-day promotion.
And yes, you can go back for another helping.
Zouk owner Tayub Amjad said: “National Curry Week is always a great excuse to celebrate the food we love.
“Bottomless Curry has become a real favourite with our customers, so we’re excited to bring it back for five nights. It’s relaxed, great value and perfect for getting friends together for a proper curry night.”
Advance booking is recommended – you can book your table for the Zouk Bottomless Curry nights HERE.
Danny Jones -
19th June 2024 
