Pitching up at the popular warehouse venue next to Manchester Piccadilly station from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May, the Mancunia Motorcycle Festival is an all-new show that will combine the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment – and bring it right to the heart of our city.
A blend of factory and custom motorcycles will be on show across the extended weekend, and dozens of independent custom builders will be on hand to showcase what they’re made of, as well as a full line-up of global brands such as BMW Motorrad and Royal Enfield.
Not only will Royal Enfield be leading, headlining, and sponsoring the event, but it’ll also be showcasing its global custom bike display and providing the thrills with Europe’s leading professional freestyle stunt rider, Lee Bowers, with his displays happening across each session of the festival.
UK hand-built specialist motorcycles, such as Langen, will also be on show.
Festival-goers will even get the chance to try out the new world of electric bikes, from brands like New Gen and Maeving, in the show’s Electric Avenue zone.
This isn’t just an event for motorcycle fans though, as there’s plenty to get stuck into on the lifestyle side, with one of the UK’s most exciting breweries Manchester Union whosting a mini craft beer festival featuring Cloudwater Brew Co, Pomona Island Beer, Wild Beer Co and Rivington, and also including a guest ‘low & no’ alcohol bar for those travelling by bike to the festival.
Suntory will also be showcasing the best of American and Japanese Whiskey.
Manchester legends Bunny Jackson’s will be throwing open the doors to its brand-new Wing Wagon, where you can grab a cocktail or get yourself a box of their famous Chicken Wings, and Red’s True BBQ will also be on the grill, alongside local heroes the Butchers Quarter, Manchester’s own ‘Meat + Three’ experts, Kongs.
Bringing the best of new and custom motorcycles, test rides, BBQ, craft beer, and entertainment / Credit: Mancunia Motorcycle Festival
There’ll even be cooking demos throughout the festival from Master Built and Kamado Joe, who will be serving up bites with some impressive guest chefs.
Away from food, the ‘blades’ aspect of the festival will be looked after by Uppercut Barbers, along with Manchester-based Jersey Street and the Chop Shop, and then there’ll also be a whole host of motorcycle apparel brands too, such as Hedon Helmets, Stylmartin, Boyd’s of Bedford, and Saint.
Mancunia Motorcycle Festival will take over Depot Mayfield from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 May 2022 / Credit: Depot Mayfield
Speaking ahead of the Mancunia Motorcycle Festival’s arrival in May, the show’s co-promotor Will Evans said: “This is an event I’ve wanted to create for some years now.
“Until now, the North of England hasn’t been well served with bike shows and certainly hasn’t seen anything like this before [so] we really want to bring something fresh and new to Manchester [and] we want to bring together not just lovers of bikes but music, fashion and food.
“We can’t wait to share this amazing mix of Brews, Blades and BBQ with Manchester.”
Tickets for the Mancunia Motorcycle Festival will be available to grab from Friday 4 March 2022, and you can sign-up to be notified when they go on sale by email here.
Featured Image – Mancunia Motorcycle Festival
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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers
Daisy Jackson
The Pen and Pencil, an absolute staple for brunches and drinks in the Northern Quarter, is celebrating a major milestone this month with a huge party and some unbeatable deals.
The bar and restaurant will be marking 10 years on Tariff Street in September – and it’s only right that we all pile in to celebrate with them.
This spot is one of the city’s original bottomless brunch venues and is similarly famed for its happy hour offerings, and opened in 2015 to bring a taste of Manhattan to Manchester.
Pen and Pencil took its name from the infamous New York City bar that was seen in Mad Men.
And now as it turns 10 years old, it’ll be throwing one big party on Saturday 27 September, featuring 10 hours of DJs, free pints of Red Stripe at 10pm, and a special bottomless brunch offering.
Those DJing on the day will include Drag Race UK’s Banksie, as well as Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove.
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthdayPen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party will kick off from 2pm and run until late – but if you can’t make that one, there’ll be celebrations all week (and, indeed, month) long.
On Tuesday 23 September, you’ll be able to play for double prize money in The Pen and Pencil quiz, as well as enjoying happy hour drinks all night.
Then on Friday 26 September, it’ll be an all-night happy hour, with free tequila shots at 10pm and music from DJs Nev Johnson and Gareth James from 7pm.
All September long, there’ll be 50% off food every Monday, two-for-£10 cocktails every Wednesday, £10 burgers every Thursday, happy hour all night on Fridays, 10 dishes for £10 and two bloody Marys for £10 on Sundays, plus DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
There’s a new colourful art installation outside the venue inspired by the bar’s New York roots.
Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years!
“New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.”
Walk-ins are welcome for The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party on Saturday 27 September, but booking is encouraged – book your spot HERE.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved professionals, Oti Mabuse, is going to be hosting a free family dance class in Printworks this month.
The two-time Strictly champion will be getting Mancs jiving and waltzing with a fun and inclusive workshop, geared towards all ages and abilities.
Whether you’ve got a little one desperate to boogie or have two left feet yourself but love to dance, this event is for you.
Oti will be bringing her world-class moves and infectious energy to Printworks, dancing beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling just in time for the show’s glittering premiere, screened on the huge gaming screen.
After your own dancing workshop you can watch Strictly Come Dancing’s first show as the new cast of celebs and professionals hit the famous dance floor.
The evening will kick off at 6.10pm on Saturday 20 September, with a dance class led by Oti followed by the launch episode screened on the giant Printworks gaming screen.
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael WharleyOti will lead a dance class beneath the digital ceiling at Printworks
Ahead of the event, Oti Mabuse said: “I’m so excited to be coming to Manchester’s Printworks! It’s such an iconic venue, and I can’t wait to feel everyone’s energy and see how the city comes alive here – show me what you’ve got!”
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Printworks is the ultimate city centre destination for anyone ready to catch the Strictly fever.
“Europe’s largest digital ceiling will feature bold, bright and energy-inducing content to compliment the unique dance class led by the dancing queen herself Oti Mabuse, it’s set to be an unforgettable experience.”
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated (and twice-decorated with the glitterball trophy) performers – book your spot HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2022 
