A new bar-come-shop has opened next door to Terrace in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Serving up wines and beers by the glass, as well as offering them to take away and enjoy at home, new venture Ad Hoc is part-bar, part-shop – and we’re already very taken with it.
Soon to become the NQ’s go-to spot to grab some quality bevs and good times, it initially opened earlier this year – but has kept things pretty low-key up until now, only serving those in the know.
“We want everyone to enjoy the best wines possible at affordable prices, whilst making the most of our window bar top and stools along with just a fiver corkage in the shop.” said Miles / Credit: Ad Hoc
Located on Edge Street, the shop boasts a vast selection of bottles from all corners of the globe, with stacked shelves filled with beers and ciders from brewers far and wide, as well as a selection of spirits covering everything from weekend essentials to rare bottles you didn’t know you needed.
Run by Miles Burke and Charlie Heyes, Ad Hoc is a store of abundance, created from a passion for the good stuff, with truly something for everyone.
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If you aren’t sure what you’re after, Miles and Charlie can advise you based on your likes, dislikes, and will likely encourage you to try something new based on their advanced knowledge of the selection at hand.
If you aren’t sure what you’re after, Miles and Charlie can advise you – the pair have some extensive product knowledge between them / Credit: Ad Hoc
Their ‘house’ bottle, La Ficelle Union Des Vignerons Saint-Pourcain, priced at £12.90 is a real people-pleasing blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. Delicious served slightly chilled, it can be taken home or drank sat down inside or out with a £5 corkage – and is recommended to be enjoyed alongside Ad Hoc’s selection of magnificent Torres crisps.
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Speaking on the new opening, Miles said: “We offer a vast selection of hand-picked wines, beers, and spirits (all tried and tested) so that there’s truly something for everyone.
“We want everyone to enjoy the best wines possible at affordable prices, whilst making the most of our window bar top and stools along with just a fiver corkage in the shop.”
Bottles range from £10 to £100 and are all handpicked from independent wineries with an organic and biodynamic focus / Credit: Ad Hoc
Bottles range from £10 to £100 and are all handpicked from independent wineries with an organic and biodynamic focus.
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On the shelves, you’ll find a selection of people-pleasing pinots and easy sipping cans, as well as some more elusive bottles which are sure to pique the interest of wine, beer and spirit connosieurs.
Ad Hoc also offers a selection of low ABV / non alcoholic beers.
Man pleads guilty to ‘preparing for acts of terrorism’ in relation to Manchester synagogue attack
Emily Sergeant
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism.
Mohammad Asim Bashir, of Shaftesbury Road in Cheetham Hill, appeared at the Central Criminal Court last week (Friday 5 June 2026) and pleaded guilty to one count of preparation for acts of terrorism under the Terrorism Act 2006.
The prosecution will consider the basis of the guilty plea, and now a two-day sentencing hearing has been set for 22-23 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.
In case you need a reminder, the shocking knife and car attack took place on 2 October 2025 on Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar – at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
During the incident, two men sadly lost their lives during the attack – Adrian Daulby, 53, who was shot dead by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
A man with links to the Manchester synagogue terrorist attacker has pleaded guilty to preparation for acts of terrorism / Credit: Google Maps | GMP
The attacker was named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot dead by police.
Following the terrorist attack, enquiries conducted by detectives identified Bashir as an associate of Jihad Al-Shamie, and established that the two of them had conducted ;hostile reconnaissance of a UK defence facility’ on 14 August 2025.
The pair were seen on CCTV prior to the trip discussing criteria for potential targets to attack.
They were then seen on ANPR cameras making the journey to the site – with Bashir acting as the driver for most of the journey.
He is due to be sentenced next month / Credit: GMP
Speaking following Bashir’s guilty plea, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts – who holds operational responsibility for Counter Terrorism Policing North West – commented: “Our comprehensive enquiries led to the offending of Mohammed Bashir coming to light.
“Although not directly linked to the synagogue attack, the fact he conducted hostile reconnaissance alongside a man who would later commit a terrorist attack show the seriousness of his actions.
“We welcome today’s guilty plea and look ahead to the sentencing which is due to take place in July.
“This case will understandably prompt public commentary about the terrorist attack that took place last October. My thoughts today are with all those affected, particularly the loved ones of those whose lives were taken and those who were seriously injured.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Pat Regan at the Fairfield Social Club – a brilliantly unhinged evening of standup comedy
Clementine Hall
There’s a particular kind of chaos that only Pat Regan can deliver, and the recently re-recognised Fairfield Social Club got the full force of it last night.
Making his Manchester debut as part of the ‘A Lovely Time’ series at the equally as lovely Fairfield Social Club, the New York comic, writer, and podcast host arrived with the energy of someone who had already lived through three emotional breakdowns before breakfast and somehow still had the worst to come.
Known for his work on HBO’s Hacks and the cult-favourite podcast Seek Treatment with fellow comic Catherine Cohen, Regan’s stand-up feels less like your traditional comedy set and more like being trapped in the world’s funniest group chat.
The perfectly intimate room beneath Fairfield’s railway arches was packed with adoring fans who were immediately on side as Regan launched into stories about traumatic trips to Paris, Grindr dates, massage tables and having crushes at the gym.
The audience was in the palm of his slightly sweaty hands (don’t worry, he’ll be fine with me saying so), laughing at every awkward punchline and self-deprecating anecdote.
The material is nothing groundbreaking, but this is what makes it so deeply hilarious; never before has shopping for the perfect pair of jeans been so serious and unserious at the same time.
There was laughter rolling through the venue for virtually the entire set, and after an hour of never-ending quips and jokes, we were left wanting more.
And the best part is, it won’t be long until we get more from this place, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to get the hosting plaudits they deserve.
It’s safe to say Fairfield Social Club has become one of Manchester’s most exciting homes for alternative comedy, and this felt like exactly the sort of booking that justifies its growing reputation.
By the time Regan left the stage, the audience looked equal parts exhausted and delighted. An absolutely classy evening indeed.
Find out about what else is on at the Fairfield Social Club HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd October 2021 
