Project Halcyon Distillery is well and truly up there with our favourite new openings in Manchester city centre and after having enjoyed many unique visits already, the speakeasy-style bar is now offering up yet another interesting drinking experience: their ‘Still Room Sessions’.
There’s a lot to it and we’ll get to all that in due course but, put in simplest terms, it’s kind of a bit like if the TV show Drunk History and a tasting event had a baby. Sold.
Still Room Sessions are Project Halycon‘s brand new monthly interactive workshop experience which will be typically held around the second Sunday of every month.
Each month, a member of their award-winning bartending team — and trust us, they really are worthy of the recognition — will cover a completely new topic as they take guests through a guided talk on various aspects of the history and ongoing drinking culture behind drinking.
Credit: Project Halcyon Distillery
Now, before any of jump the gun and say ‘I don’t want a history lesson, I want a drink’, let us stop you right there; each session revolves around tasting various different cocktails and spirits for the bar’s incredible drinks selection, as well as specials that they create for events like this.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tickets to one of Project Halcyon’s Still Room Sessions include a drink upon arrival, at least two cocktails during the sessions and a spirit tasting. Oh yes, you might have some trouble concentrating by the end but god knows you won’t be even more interested with a few drinks down you.
Also, it is worth reiterating that the subject matter the guys will be covering is genuinely interesting stuff, not just if you’re a history buff but a fan of drinking in general. In fact, we can personally vouch for that.
ADVERTISEMENT
After going along to their first session in September, simply entitled, ‘A Century Later’ — an exploration of the effects of the infamous American prohibition 100 years on, its lasting impact on today’s drinking culture, bartending style, as well as how the whole idea of a speakeasy bar came about — we were hooked inside the first five minutes.
After being presented with a refreshing G and T on arrival, we were welcomed into the still room for our first couple of drinks, which came in the form of their irresistible Bees Knees cocktail (created exclusively for this first event) as well as a taste of their house gin. Strong start — literally.
Then, as we prepared for the second 30-minute segment of knowledge and knocking back a few, everyone received an Apple Blossom cocktail along with a taste of Calvados as a nod to both gin and the distilled type of cider being two of the most bootlegged spirits ever.
ADVERTISEMENT
Finally, to tie things off, the last 10 minutes saw them open up the floor for a more casual discussion and Q&A of sorts, with people asking everything from ‘why do people shake instead of stir for certain cocktails?’ (that one’s for you, Mr Bond) to tips on how to make a proper drink at home.
Oh, and did we mention that everyone got 33% off their bill for the rest of the night? Oh yes, all 12 of us stayed behind to enjoy a few more drinks afterwards. We could hardly turn an offer like that down.
Their second session kicks off this weekend next week on Sunday, 8 October, with ‘The Journey of Juniper‘, which will see the staff talk about the world of gins and its illustrious history.
Starting all the way back with Dutch genever and the bathtub gin craze of 18th century London, to newer, more modern style expressions, including their very own, made on sight in the back of house, guests won’t just be sat listening, they’ll also be taught how to make the perfect martini at home.
We’ve always believed in the importance of education…
ADVERTISEMENT
We think this is a really exciting opportunity for guests to learn and interact with Halcyon’s already rich, culturally-infused drinking space. Each event is limited to just a dozen tickets, so these talks and tasting sessions really are exclusive. You can secure your place on the next one HERE.
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
Thomas Melia
After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun.
Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..
Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.
Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.
With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where the festival action is taking place.
For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.
The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright
If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.
Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.
There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.
And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography
And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.
As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.
Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.
“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”
Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be foundHERE.
For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub, there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.
Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more atgetliving.com.
A theatre adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Alfred Hitchcock’s much-loved spy classic, North By NorthWest, is hitting the stage and visiting one of Manchester’s most celebrated theatres.
This new, riotously funny production will be visiting HOME theatre for a run of shows kicking off this week.
The show reworks Hitchcock’s film of the same name, following one man who accidentally lands himself in the middle of a Cold War conspiracy.
Now adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, North By Northwest follows an unfortunate mix-up where a mistimed phone call to his mother lands Roger Thornhill in a spot of bother.
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy film North By Northwest is hitting the stage in Manchester / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)
Audiences will see this unlikely (and reluctant) hero head on the run, dodging spies, airplanes and a femme fatale.
For the theatre production at HOME, the classic spy film (that starred Cary Grant) has been turned on its head and stars just six shape-shifting performers.
There’s a fabulous 1950s soundtrack to go with it too – and, apparently, a lot of suitcases.
Tickets are now on sale, and it’s already being described as a must-see / Credit: Steve Tanner (via Supplied)
North By NorthWest promises ‘glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths’.
Artistic director Emma Rice has already adapted and directed products for Wise Children including The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, and Wuthering Heights, plus worked as artistic director for Shakespeare’s Globe.
The cast is made up of Mirabelle Gremaud as Anna; Patrycja Kujawska as Eve Kendall; Kary Owen as The Professor; Simon Oskarsson as Valerian; Karl Queensborough as Phillip Vandamm; and Ewan Wardrop as Roger Thornhill.
North by Northwest is a co-production with Wise Children, York Theatre Royal, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and is currently on a UK tour.
Danny Jones -
4th October 2023 
