Award-winning New York bar Attaboy is coming to Manchester for a night next month, with its top bartenders set to take over city centre bar Schofield’s.
After an impressive nine years ranking highly on the World’s 50 Best Bar list, this downtown New York cocktail haunt is without a doubt up there with the creme de la creme of the global cocktail scene.
Now, for one night only, Manc’s can get a taste of some of its infamous drinks without losing years of their life to the queues currently plaguing travellers at Manchester Airport.
Located at the former site of Milk & Honey, once described as “a godfather of the cocktail renaissance” by those in the know, its roots mean that Attaboy has always had a leading edge on the New York scene.
Image: Attaboy
Image: Attaboy
That said, its notoriously laidback style and everyman appeal are sure to make it a favourite amongst Mancs here too.
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Attaboy bartenders Sam, Michael and Haley will be taking over the Schofield’s bar on Wednesday 18 May from 5-9pm. You can typically just walk in, but bookings are recommended for this one – it’s likely to be very popular.
As the bar is famous for having no menu, feel free to tell them what you like and they’ll be sure to find something to suit.
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Alternatively, if you want a tip from the pros, the World’s Best 50 Bars site suggests that you order “Ross’ legendary Scotch and honey cocktail Penicillin, his Paper Plane – a bourbon and bitters drink – or McIlroy’s Greenpoint with rye, vermouth and green herbal liqueur”.
Sharing the news to their Instagram earlier this week, the Schofield brothers said: “SCHOFIELD’S BAR PRESENTS: Attaboy
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“Stemming from Milk & Honey New York, Attaboy is currently owned by famed bartenders Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy. This is arguably the bar that started it all for us, the fresh citrus and block ice are 2 factors of many. It’s a true institution where countless classic cocktails were created.
“We are beyond excited and humbled to have Sam, Michael and Haley behind the bar with us for the evening.”
The takeover has been made possible through Schofield Bar’s friends at Boat Yard Distillery, who make organic,farm-to-bottle spirits produced in North West Ireland’s County Fermanagh.
There are a select number of tables available to book via the Schofield’s Bar website, or alternatively you can take your chances and try to walk in on the night.
Feature image – Attaboy
News
Subjects for first vocational equivalent to A-Levels revealed ahead of introduction next year
Emily Sergeant
The subjects for the first vocational equivalent to A-Levels have been revealed ahead of their introduction into the curriculum next year.
Claiming that too many have been ‘held back’ by a system that didn’t ‘value every route to success’, the Government has now announced that young people will be able to take the very first V-Levels in subjects like education, finance, and digital in 2027, as part of landmark reforms to close the skills gap and help them secure well-paid jobs.
V-Levels are described as being ‘transformational’ new qualifications where learning is designed around real jobs and the skills that employers actually need.
They combine study and real‑world work experience to achieve the final outcome.
As mentioned, the new qualifications will be introduced next year for 16‑year‑olds, providing a year of study before progressing to V-Levels, T-Levels or A-Levels – with the initial subjects being Education and Early Years, and Digital.
The first subjects for the vocational equivalent to A-Levels have been revealed / Credit: EasyPeasyAI | JESHOOTS (via Unsplash)
A separate two‑year, employment‑focused route will also be available for those aiming to move straight into work or an apprenticeship after education.
Students who want to specialise in technical, sector-focused studies will also have more options, as T-Levels will soon be expanded to include subjects such as Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science, and Care Services.
These further changes to T-Levels will refine content and assessment, and allow providers more scope to tailor industry placements, to ensure that more young people can access them.
“Our bold reforms will end the snobbery in post-16 education, supporting young people with real choice and real opportunity to build secure, future‑proof careers,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the V-Level subjects were announced.
“Not only that, but it will give parents much-needed confidence in a system that values every route to success, as we continuing driving forward our mission to ensure two‑thirds of young people are in education, training, or apprenticeships by 25.”
Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, added: “We are pleased that a third qualification pathway will sit alongside A levels and T levels in the future.
“The changes announced to T levels today are also very welcome and should make it easier for more young people to study a T level and for schools and colleges to offer them.”
Featured Image – The Labour Party (via Flickr)
News
Salford man jailed after pointing loaded gun at police and members of public while on the run
Emily Sergeant
A man from Salford has been jailed for more than a decade after he pointed a loaded gun at police officers and members of the public while he was on the run.
Jay Conway, of Leicester Walk in Salford, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (6 March 2026) where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and assault of an emergency worker, as well as also pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.
His sentencing comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Salford Challenger team were patrolling Albert Park in plain clothes on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
They spotted a man riding an e-bike and wearing a balaclava, and attempted to detain him there and then, but despite their best efforts, he fled the area, brandishing what officers believed to be a pistol in the process.
The suspect – which was later identified as Conway – stole a bike and cycled on to Great Clowes Street, where a neighbourhood officer heading towards the incident attempted to detain him but he resisted. The officer deployed his Taser but he drew the pistol for a second time, pointing it at police and also at a member of the public.
Conway then dropped the firearm – which police later confirmed as a viable, loaded pistol – and a mobile phone, and fled for a second time.
Thanks to a ‘fast-paced and thorough’ investigation by specialist GMP teams, involving forensic analysis of the phone and CCTV which identified Conway as the suspect, he was arrested by armed officers the following day in Whalley Range.
“Nobody – a police officer or a member of the public – should be confronted by a gun,” said Detective Superintendent Simon Moyles, following Conway’s sentencing.
“These were frightening incidents and Conway is clearly a dangerous individual who is rightly serving a prison sentence. We need to commend and recognise our officers who showed immense bravery in trying to stop Conway.
“Guns have no place on our streets and the work we are doing in Salford, and across Greater Manchester, in relation to firearms incidents continues.
“If you know anyone who is using, or possesses, an illegal firearm, we urge you to get in touch with us as, for each firearm we recover, that’s potentially a life saved.”
Georgina Pellant -
29th April 2022 
