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.
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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.
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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.
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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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You can get a mobile massage treatment in your office – just like us
Thomas Melia
We’d like to introduce you to the pioneering personalised service offering massage treatments on the move at practically any location including direct from your office– including to those of us here in Manchester.
In a world where you can get practically anything delivered straight to your door, it wasn’t going to be long until some genius invented a way to get a massage from the comfort of your own office.
Named ‘London’s first digital beauty concierge’, Ruuby have been pampering the nation’s capital for almost a decade before branching out to further locations.
The gorgeous set up provided by RuubyLook at that lovely branding on the towels.They did wonders with our otherwise plain downstairs office space. (Credit: The Manc Group)
In October 2024, the company expanded beyond its domestic reach in the likes of the capital, the Cotswolds and Surrey into Europe, making its first mark Switzerland: the perfect country for both luxury and essential beauty treatments with a tailored experience.
The month following saw the group moving up North and all the way to Manchester, where people can now book professional treatments best suited to them, right on their doorstep.
If you’re feeling scepticalstill, you can take it from us here at The Manc; we couldn’t tell you how relaxing and comforting these massages are.
There are a range of treatments available and we opted for two bespoke massages, a sports massage and a deep tissue massage.
Each experience is suited to your personal needs meaning each massage therapist will be able to fine-tune their relaxation abilities to what benefits you best.
After choosing the bespoke massage that I felt would work best for me, I went into this with no prior massage experience and I came out feeling taller, broader and more refreshed. Highly recommend.
Mid-day office massage? Yes, please.How relaxing. What a shame you have to go back to work after!Credit: The Manc Group
My masseuse guided me throughout the whole process and we soon discovered that I was able to tolerate much harder pressure than I thought which helped release tension I didn’t even know I had!
The same applies to how firm you’d like your session to be, as the masseuse can help with a brief overview of your time together, but the amount of pressure you like is down to personal preference.
It’s not just massages either: there’s everything from waxing, nails and hair to physio and IV drips; how about getting Marbella ready in less than an hour with a spray tan service set up wherever you are?
As Ruuby is a mobile and remote work environment, there are a number of at any time up and down the country, meaning your next beauty slot could be as little as an hour away, find out more HERE.
An award-winning Manchester cocktail bar is serving a Tiny ‘Tini martini cocktail flight
Daisy Jackson
Martini cocktails are one of the world’s most iconic and stylish cocktails, and come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, despite classically being made with only a few ingredients.
If you’re still dipping your toes into the world of the vodka martini cocktail, or if you’re a super fan always eager to try a new take on this beloved drink, can we introduce you to the ‘Tiny ‘Tini’ flight?
This clever creation is as photo-worthy as it is delicious – three miniature martini cocktails, served perfectly chilled in ‘flight’ form on a tray in one of Manchester’s very best bars, Blinker.
The Tiny ‘Tini has been launched by legendary vodka brand GREY GOOSE to celebrate the resurgence of vodka martini cocktails (vodka is one of the core ingredients, the other is typically vermouth).
Blinker, which was earlier this year named the 22nd best cocktail bar in the UK, is already famed for its menu of vodka martini cocktails , so was a perfect choice for the GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini collaboration.
Here, they’ve created three different miniature takes on the classic cocktail- the house martini cocktail, made with GREY GOOSE vodka, house vermouth, orange bitters and an olive; the Spanish Gibson, with sherry and onion brine (if you’re a fan of savoury cocktails, this is the one for you); and the champagne martini cocktail, with GREY GOOSE vodka, champagne cordial, Lillet Blanc and orange bitters (a gateway martini cocktail for the uninitiated).
Each of the three perfectly sized drinks is served in a special frosted miniature martini cocktail glass and is the perfect size for flavour exploration – while also staying perfectly chilled down to the last sip.
The Grey Goose Tiny Tini martini cocktail flight is available at Blinker in Manchester
Best of all, the Tiny ‘Tini flight also makes vodka martini cocktails that little bit less intimidating.
Lexa Ulijaszek, UK Ambassador for GREY GOOSE commented: “When it comes to the vodka martini cocktail, size does matter for some.
“Sometimes a full-sized martini cocktail can be a little bit too intimidating. Or over the course of great conversation between friends, the final sip of your drink may not be as superbly chilled or balanced in taste as the beginning.
“As a result, the offer of a ‘sip sized cocktail’ is gaining traction across many of the UK’s most influential bars.
“A sip size GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini is the perfect solution – beautifully crafted, expertly chilled, elegantly served with rich taste. A flight of three petite drinks allows you to responsibly enjoy the perfection of the ‘first sip’ of a martini cocktail while also experiencing a range of unique flavours.
“The trend is very much a UK-wide affair, with some of the best bars across Manchester, Edinburgh and London all serving the GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini – ushering in a brand new and bold ‘sip sized’ era for the vodka martini cocktail.”
The GREY GOOSE Tiny ‘Tini flight at Blinker in Manchester costs £12 and is available until 30 April.
Emily Sergeant -
1st August 2022 
