A handful of Manchester’s most-popular hospitality names are joining forces to bring a series of entertainment events to neighbourhoods across the city next month.
To celebrate the launch of its ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ summer incentive, Kentucky handmade bourbon brand Maker’s Mark has rallied together some of Manchester’s best-loved bars and restaurants to head across the city and serve up their take on the brand’s signature Gold Rush Cocktail from Monday 1 August.
Cocktail masterclasses, live music nights, quiz nights, Kentucky food pairing events, and bar takeovers will also be on their way to the city’s residential hotspots over the next few weeks.
Founded on Maker’s principle to “make it remarkable”, the series of Remarkable Neighbourhood events will be taking place all throughout August in some of the city’s sought-after areas like the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, and Deansgate.
Arcane and Elnecot are two of the Manchester bars serving up takes on the Gold Rush cocktail / Credit: Supplied
Popular bars Speak in Code, Whisky Jar, and Arcane are just a few of the heavy-hitting names from the city’s hospitality scene that will be serving up their own twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail – which, if you’re unfamiliar with, is made up of a base of Maker’s Mark very-own bourbon, citrus, and a honey syrup.
Neon Tiger, Nam, Jimmy’s, Mecanica, Escape to Freight Island, Edinburgh Castle, Blind Tyger, Sandinista, and Elnecot are the other bars and restaurants taking part.
The Maker’s Mark ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ series starts on Monday 1 August / Credit: Supplied
In an ode to the Manchester worker bee – which has been a key emblem for the city for over 150 years – Maker’s has chosen to partner with local Manchester honey producers, The Finest Honey Company, for the sweet nectar that’s such an important part of the cocktail.
The worker bee also represents Manchester being a hive of activity and a symbol of unity – which is exactly what the ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ incentive is all about.
And if all of that didn’t sound sweet enough as it, residents can also head on down to Escape to Freight Island at Depot Mayfield every Thursday throughout August, where Maker’s will be taking over the tropical urban space, the Plant Room.
There’ll be a special cocktail menu and food partnership with Freight Island’s outdoor BBQ partner – Mayfield County Smokehouse.
You can expect cocktail masterclasses, quiz nights, live music, and more all month / Credit: Maker’s Mark
“I am so excited for Maker’s Mark to be partnering with such incredible hospitality venues in such a vibrant city like Manchester this summer,” said Nicole Sykes – UK Brand Ambassador at Maker’s Mark – ahead of the upcoming event series.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with the communities at the heart of the city, and spread our love for bourbon in the UK.”
Edinburgh Castle and Nam’s take on the Gold Rush Cocktail / Credit: Supplied
The Remarkable Neighbourhood special cocktails and event series is running from the 1 August – 1 September, and here’s a full rundown of all the events you can expect:
1 August – Maker’s Monday at Arcane
4 August – Maker’s Mark x Escape to Freight Island launch event, with samples from Mayfield County Smokehouse partnership and Maker’s Mark cocktails
4 August – Flying Dutchmen Cocktails takeover at Speak in Code, sponsored by Maker’s Mark
10 August – Americana Quiz Night at Jimmy’s
11 August – Maker’s Mark x Escape to Freight Island live music takeover
14 August – Bourbon and Blues night at Whiskey Jar
18 August – History of Bourbon with Maker’s Mark wax dipping at Escape to Freight Island
22 August – Maker’s Monday at Arcane
23 August – Edinburgh Castle Maker’s Mark tasting and wax dipping
25 August – Maker’s Mark x Escape to Freight Island bank holiday warm-up
There’ll also be a Bao and Bourbon special to enjoy at Nam throughout the whole of August.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Aspiring artists can get their work displayed on one of the biggest digital screens in Manchester
Danny Jones
Are you a budding artist looking to get your work seen or know some who is? Well, you might want to pay attention because there’s an opportunity to have your creation seen by countless passers-by and on one of the biggest displays in the entire UK over at the Printworks.
If you’ve passed through the much-loved hospitality and leisure complex over the past year or so, you’ll have noticed their roof is now no longer a roof at all, really; the striking ceiling is now a constantly moving image and the largest of its kind in all of Europe.
Meaning that anyone who got their artworks on there would effectively be securing one of the biggest displays and public installations on the continent.
As Printworks themselves put it: “This isn’t just a screen; it’s an artistic stage viewed by millions of visitors every year, with the power to turn a single artwork into a 360-degree sensory experience.”
With that in mind, they’re giving one lucky individual the chance to grab the spotlight and see their creative expression plastered on the 1,000m² wraparound LED canvas.
“Supporting emerging talent and seeing fresh, creative perspectives is always inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what these young artists bring to the table! It was so surreal seeing my artwork on the digital.”
Past installations have included the ‘Spaces Up-Above’ exhibition by world-renowned light artist, Rupert Newman, as well as an International Women’s Day showcase by Heitzman herself, as a fellow Manchester-based creative.
In case you need a better idea of the sheer scale of this screen and why this is such an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming local artists, here’s how they celebrated Oasis returning to Manchester for their Heaton Park reunion gigs this week:
Synchronised with sound and added motion effects, the competition is now open to students who are currently enrolled in college, university or art school.
Better still, you don’t even have to be from or based in the area to take part – this is a nationwide competition hoping to spotlight the best talents in the UK.
All you have to do to enter this exciting competition in Manchester is simply provide Printworks your details and upload your artwork of choice HERE by Sunday, 3 August.
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Emily Sergeant -
1st August 2022 
