As tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II spring up around the city, one bar in Manchester has paid its own respects with a heartfelt message emblazoned above its door for everyone to see.
Impossible Bar on Peter Street is known for its tongue-in-cheek comments about current affairs, typically using its prominently-placed sign to comment on the latest Love Island or Kanye West scandal.
But in light of the Queen’s sudden passing, bosses have instead used it to share an ardent message about the late Monarch, writing “The best to ever do it. HRH Elizabeth II.”
Sharing the tribute on its social media channels, the bar described Queen Elizabeth II as “a leader, a lady, elegant and true… A role model for us all, our queen through and through… Queen Elizabeth ll 1926-2022.”
It follows the appearance of a number of tributes across the city, as locals and businesses begin to come together to mourn the death of Her Majesty.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester City Council has already announced St Ann’s Square as the dedicated space for anyone wishing to lay flowers in tribute, whilst the flag at Manchester Central Library has been lowered to half-mast and will remain so until 8am on the day following the State Funeral.
The Queen’s Books of Condolence has also opened at the library this morning, with locals invited to visit between 9am and 6pm from now until the day after the funeral.
Elsewhere, billboards across the city have been changed to show tributes to the Queen with numerous pictures of her now on display.
A number of voices from the wider nightlife industry have also joined in sharing tributes and condolences, with the Night Time Industries Association writing: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen has been an amazing ambassador and servant for this country over the last 70 years. Thank you for your service x”
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen has been an amazing ambassador and servant for this country over the last 70 years. Thank you for your service x pic.twitter.com/SrckAGE9Yn
— Night Time Industries Association (@wearethentia) September 8, 2022
Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord also shared his condolences, tweeting “A terribly sad day. My condolences are with the Queen’s family and with all who knew and loved her.”
Local brewery Joseph Holt has tweeted: “Joseph Holt Brewery and all of our Pubs share the sorrow of the nation following the announcement on the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Thank you for 70 Years of service and dedication. Rest in Peace Your Majesty.”
And J W Lees has added its condolences, writing: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Everyone at JW Lees extends their sincere condolences to His Majesty the King and the entire Royal Family.”
The crown now passes to King Charles III, who will now rule as Monarch with his wife Camilla becoming Queen Consort.
Feature image – Impossible
Manchester
10 food and drink highlights from the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas markets are back and… the same as ever! There are wooden huts everywhere and hoards of slow-moving people all over town.
But one thing we’re glad is still the same is the amount of brilliant food and drink all over the city centre.
For the last couple of years, the Manchester Christmas Markets have made a real effort to introduce plenty of local food and drink traders.
You’ll spot more than a few familiar faces as you weave among all the stalls of ornaments and cheese truckles – and we’ve rounded up 10 of the best.
From a festive twist on fish and chips to Asian fusion street food to a couple of returning viral sweet treats, there’s loads to go at.
Happy holidays – and happy eating!
10 of the best food and drink traders at the Manchester Christmas Markets
One of the very best chippies in Manchester is making it markets debut and we’re very happy about it. Hip Hop Chip Shop is serving up their perfectly fried, flaky fish and chips from £12 or £15 for a large but, to be honest, even the kids portion at £8 is well worth your money.
The only thing better than the ‘proper chippy chips’ here are the mustard and onion and a lovely chunky curry sauce. Having said that, we’ve now tired battered brussel sprouts (£6) for the very first time and we were very surprised about how much we liked them.
A vegan battered sausage and chips tray can always be snapped up at the same price point as the superb fish supper and they’ve even for beers starting at £5 and costing you no more than £7 for a posh pale ale.
The Flat Baker, Piccadilly Gardens
The Flat Baker are at The Winter Gardens in Manchester
At its main site in Ancoats, The Flat Baker always pulls in the queues, and its spot at the Manchester Christmas Markets is no different.
After last year’s runaway success, they’ve got a bigger unit and a proper queue system, bringing back hits like croissants served with warm dipping sauce (pistachio, dulce de leche, Nutella and Oreo, and Kinder) which are £7.50 each.
There’s also new items like a Brazilian mince roll ice cream (£6.50), and an indulgent hot chocolate served in a cookie cup (£7.90).
Oi Dumplings, Piccadilly Gardens
Oi Dumplings are back with a disco ball shed at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
One of our favourite restaurants and street food traders ever, the lovely Oi Dumplings are back at the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Head here for delicious, handmade steamed dumplings (£8 snack size, £12 meal size, £13 with rice) and the friendliest faces in town.
Fillings include pork cabbage and ginger, Chinese chicken curry, and vegan peanut, with sauces to go on top.
El Gato Negro, King Street
Meatball sandwich at El Gato NegroTapas and spanish sandwiches at the Christmas Markets
El Gato Negro has always found itself in the midst of the Manchester Christmas Markets, thanks to the fact its award-winning restaurant is slap-bang in the middle of King Street. So it was only a matter of time before they joined in with their own stall.
Now back for a second year, they have small tapas-style plates like chorizo in cider, lamb meatballs, and patatas bravas (all £6).
There are also fully loaded bravas topped with chorizo, cheese, sriracha mayo, crispy onions and aioli (£8), and meatball sandwiches (£8).
This legendary Spanish spot is even doing a mulled margarita (£6)
We ran faster than a Manchester run club the second this gorgeous food stall dedicated to all things crumble opened at the Christmas Markets because honestly is there anything more warming to the soul than a pot of home made crumble?
Choose your base – apple and cinnamon, winter berries, or chocolate caramel brownie, plus classic crumble or granola, then add on vanilla custard or whipped cream.
It’s £7, then for an extra quid you can add in toppings like toasted marshmallows, salted caramel, and pistachio sauce.
We couldn’t think of a better way to keep your hands warm as you browse the festive wooden huts.
Waffle Kart, King Street
Waffle Kart are back at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
Stop what you’re doing right now and look at the above food p*rn. Just look at it.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘What if KFC and a Chinese restaurant made a baby?’, they ask on their blackboard above the door – if this is the result, we’re all for it.
Tender buttermilk chicken with an outrageously crunchy batter is served alongside fluffy waffles, with pickles and maple syrup for drizzling (£13.95); or you could get the prawn toast waffles (12.50), an unconventional twist on a family recipe. It’s all great.
Cheezy Bandits, King Street
There is never a season I don’t want to eat a big pot of melted cheese and carbs – and if you whack a bit of cranberry sauce on top too I’ll be there faster than Santa down a chimney.
Cheezy Bandits has a full menu of mac n cheese (£8), with toppings including Buffalo fried chicken and blue cheese sauce; bourbon BBQ pulled pork; and a ‘Festive Pig’ with maple glazed pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce (all £11).
You’ll find them tucked in amongst the festive scenes on King Street.
ADVERTISEMENT
La Bavette, New Cathedral Street
You just can’t go wrong with steak, can you? Treat yourself to a seasonal steak sandwich stuffed with rocket, mustard mayo and topped with crispy onions for a a tenner – or, go one even better like we did and get a helping of freshly carved, melted Raclette cheese on top for an extra £4.
They do healthily portioned plates of steak frites too, which we topped with peppercorn sauce for an extra couple quid and it definitely levelled up the already well-seasoned carbs and the protein too.
Steaks are served medium rare as standard but you can ask for less/more cooking time if you like.
Yard & Coop, St Ann’s Square
Yard and Coop at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc GroupYard and Coop at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
If you don’t yet know of Yard & Coop – where the hell have you been, loca?
This Northern Quarter institution is back at the Manchester Christmas Markets with a menu full of its usual comfort food with a festive twist.
ADVERTISEMENT
There are huge trays of loaded fries, like the salt n pepper tray or the Dirty Santa (£11), plus chicken in a waffle cone (£7) and the Buff Daddy burger (13).
BangGa BangGa, Piccadilly Gardens
Another insanely viral hit from a couple of years ago, and familiar face from the Piccadilly Street Food Markets, here you’ll find Korean hot dogs with so much mozzarella stretch you need two people to reach breaking point.
There are a few combinations of hot dog, potato, and cheese, with the option to roll them in a delicious salt and sugar blend before topping them with gochujang and mayo or whatever sauces you fancy (between £5.50 and £10.20).
There are also super spicy ‘Tteokbokki’ rice cakes (£5).
In photos – the Manchester Christmas Markets open for 2024
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets have sprung open for another year, and I know what you’re thinking – it’s only November!
But it’s never too early to cram in among the wooden huts and sip on a mulled wine, in our opinion, so we’ve been out in the thick of it all day today.
The huge festive celebration runs from 8 November until Sunday 22 December, which means a whole weekend of markets than we normally have.
For another year, Albert Square is sadly out of action, but the main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets has shifted across to Piccadilly Gardens again, transforming them into the Winter Gardens.
Dotted all around the city you’ll find food, booze, music, gifts, and all sorts of other delightfully fun festive things to sink your teeth into.
Click or swipe through the gallery below to see more photos from the first day of the Manchester Christmas Markets 2024.
The Manc -
9th September 2022 
