If you happened to be at The Castle Hotel pub in the Northern Quarter on Tuesday evening, you’ll likely have been counting your lucky stars when you saw The Lottery Winners wander for a little surprise set.
The indie-rock four-piece from Leigh, Wigan, are playing Kendal Calling again this year and they decided to head over to an NQ favourite to make a special announcement.
As it turns out, not only will they be playing the popular Lake District festival but after revealing that frontman Tom Rylance will be serving as the pub landlord for their brand-new on-site boozer, ‘The Stagger Inn’ (very, very good), they also decided to treat some Mancs to a little post-work treat.
Sneaking in through the back door, The Lottery Winners appeared behind the bar and began pouring a few pints for the local punters before kicking off a surprise pub quiz and getting out the acoustic guitar for a quick little ditty.
Finally, we were actually in the right place for once.
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As you can see, the fun didn’t stop there; the pub quiz wasn’t just for a laugh (although we did have fun even from all the way at the bottom of the leaderboard), it was actually to win VIP passes to Kendal Calling this August and after ending in a tie-break, it all came done to ultimate decider: necking a pint.
We might have fancied our chances if we made it this far but, alas, twas not to be and the winning team proudly collected their well-earned prize.
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But once again, they still had another surprise up their sleeve, as Tom then revealed to the other two finalist that they would also be getting tickets to Kendal 2024.
We can’t wait for this year’s festival – it’s genuinely become one of our favourite festival full stop and the prospect of quite literally falling through the door of The Stagger Inn to be served by Tom Rylance is top funny an opportunity to pass up.
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There are still tickets left is you’ve never been before and fancy giving a go, and trust us, you won’t regret it one bit.
You can see the full lineup for Kendal Calling 2024 down below:
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
A huge Irish festival with iconic music stars, markets, food and more is coming to Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July.
There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.
And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport.
The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July.
Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.
Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more.
There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up.
And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises.
Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic.
Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.
Danny Jones -
10th July 2024 
