Manchester Gin has teamed up with Joy Division legend Peter Hook to launch two new, limited edition series of Manchester Gin FAC51 The Hacienda.
Created to honour the iconic Manchester nightclub’s 40th anniversary this year, the special bottles feature two new rare label designs that nod to the heady days of all-night acid house raves in the former shipping warehouse.
The first recreates a famous piece of Haçienda street art originally featured on the famous Northern Quarter House, whilst the second includes the mantra “The Haçienda Must Be Built.”
Image: Manchester Gin
Both labels are located on the inside of the bottles to make them appear distorted through the clear liquid – an intentional reference to the club’s wild, debaucherous parties of days gone by.
As for how it all tastes, dandelion and burdock root joins with lemon and lime peel to create a ‘refreshing zestiness’ on the nose that then turns sherbety on the tongue in another nod to the club’s acid house era.
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To mark the special release, New Order and Joy Division legend Peter Hook will play an intimate gig at Northern Quarter record shop Vinyl Exchange as part of a store takeover.
Image: The Manc Group
The Manchester music legend will be stepping behind the decks on Saturday 5 March between 1 and 4pm, with free gin, bottle signings and on-point selections promised all afternoon.
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Those heading down will be amongst the first to get their hands on the new gin and will have first access to the limited edition bottles.
‘Golden tickets’ will also be hidden throughout Vinyl Exchange, which will entitle the holder to a free vinyl record (or £20 off) in store on Saturday only.
Located in the Northern Quarter, and a staple of the Manchester music scene for over 34 years, Vinyl Exchange can be found on the corner of Oldham Street and Dale Street.
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Seb Heeley, Manchester Gin founder and master distiller, said: “When we first collaborated with Peter Hook in 2019, we were overwhelmed by the public response. Now, we are so excited to revisit this partnership with the launch of two new limited-edition labels.
“The Haçiendawas such an iconic venue, and its influence has spread far beyond Manchester. It occupies a special place in the heart of many Mancunians, and we are delighted to be able to further celebrate its legacy 40 years on.
“Vinyl Exchange is another Manchester musical institution. Opening in 1988, just in time for the Haçienda’s Acid House heyday, it makes perfect sense for us to launch the new limited-edition series of Manchester Gin FAC51 The Haçienda here.”
The new limited edition expressions of the gin can be purchased online from 7 March.
Feature image – Manchester Gin
News
Referees admit Manchester City’s derby-winning goal over Manchester United was a VAR ‘error’
Emily Sergeant
Referees have admitted that Manchester City’s winning goal during yesterday’s Manchester derby was a VAR ‘error’.
In case you didn’t tune into the Manchester derby yesterday – which was held at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford – star striker Erling Haaland’s goal handed Manchester City a 1-0 victory – in the end, even after fellow City player Phil Foden was given a straight red card and sent off in the twenty third minute.
Haaland‘s goal was initially deemed offside on the pitch, before VAR overruled the decision.
New City signing Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as he attempted to play the ball before Haaland scored.
Fernandez appeared to impact the defending of Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martinez by attempting a diving header, despite not touching the ball.
Erling Haaland has put Manchester City ahead in the derby after a VAR check ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V0DCwryhFy
Following the full-time whistle, United’s manager Michael Carrick said it was ‘worrying’ that the goal was allowed to stand, claiming that there was no ‘grey area’ when it came to determining whether Fernandez had interfered with play.
“It’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it,” he commented.
Pundit and former Manchester United star, Gary Neville, also expressed confusion at the decision, declaring on Sky Sports after the game: “I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say. I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong.”
Neville said he thinks that referee Michael Oliver will be ‘nervous’ about the goal yesterday, as will the rest of the officials.
Pro Ref has admitted an 'error of judgement' in awarding Manchester City's winner at Manchester United in their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Erling Haaland's goal was initially disallowed for offside on the pitch before VAR overturned the decision. pic.twitter.com/ZF76Qwz4Ib
And now, less than 24 hours after the match ended, refereeing body Pro Ref has since made what Sky Sports is calling an ‘unusual intervention by confirming that a review of the goal will take place.
A spokesperson for Pro Ref said in a statement: “It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement.
Charli XCX announces massive Manchester arena gig as part of long-awaited UK and European tour
Emily Sergeant
Charli XCX has finally given UK fans the news they’ve been waiting for.
After the genre-bending popstar announced back in June a series of US gigs this autumn to support and celebrate the release of her eighth studio albumMusic, Fashion, Film – which was met with critical acclaim following its release in late July – fans in her home country were wondering when she would announce UK dates to accompany these.
The 34-year-old been had hinting at a UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour on social media over the past couple of months, but nothing was set in stone as of yet.
Then last night, Charli took to Twitter to announce that she ‘finally’ had some information coming today (11 September), and then followed it up with a teaser video – sending fans into a frenzy.
And now, it has been announced this morning that Charli XCX will be taking to the Co-op Live stage early next year.
Support on the UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour will come from US popstar Audrey Hobert.
Hobert has been having somewhat of a star-making year herself in 2026 following the release of her own critically acclaimed debut album, Who’s The Clown?, last year – with her streams racking up daily and drawing in massive crowds on the festival circuit this summer.
Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film Tour UK & EU Dates 2027
13 February – 3Arena, Dublin
15 February – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
17 February – Co-op Live, Manchester
19 February – The O2, London
22 February – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
24 February – Accor Arena, Paris
Upon release back in July, Music, Fashion, Film the album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its lyrical honesty and experimental production, as Charli took a sonic journey away from the undeniable mega hit that was her 2024 album BRAT, and into ‘Rock Music’ territory.
Music, Fashion, Film topped the charts in the UK and Australia, as well as in Belgium, Hungary, and New Zealand, while reaching the top 10 in countless other countries – including the US.
Charli XCX will be bringing the Music, Fashion, Film Tour to Manchester‘s Co-op Live on Wednesday 17 February 2027, and tickets will go on sale next week.
Georgina Pellant -
1st March 2022 
