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Manchester Rum Festival – Tiki paradise lands at New Century this month

It’s bigger than ever before

Daisy Jackson - 11th July 2024

Manchester Rum Festival is set to return to Manchester this month, but this time, things are ramping up. 

There’ll be more than 50 rum brands bringing the calypso vibes to New Century, serving cocktails and rum tastings. 

The huge event is taking over New Century for the first time, happily falling on World Rum Day (13 July). 

The bigger venue also means a larger-than-ever line-up of rums and brands, with tastings all included in the ticket price. 

Cocktail creations will come from local bars like Exhibition, Hold Fast, Northern Monk Refectory and New Century Kitchen, with the official cocktail bar headed up by MONIN. 

Authentic Caribbean food will come from Nyammin’, who will have their world-famous rum cake in abundance, while Manchester legend DJ Dom will be keeping the party going all day with a mix of Reggae and Soca from the decks.

Rum names making their Manchester debut at the Manchester Rum Festival include O Reizinho, an agricultural rum from Madeira; Casa Tarasco from Mexico; Renegade Cane Rum from Grenada; Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan brand with the only female Master Blender in the country; Rhum Depaz from the volcanic terroir of Martinique; and Don Q from Puerto Rico.

Bristol Classic, a rum firm that produces limited quantity rums from countries including Guyana and Mauritius, as well as Trinidad and the Dominican Republic, will also be making its first appearance at the festival.  

Other much-loved brands making an appearance include Chairman’s Reserve, Pusser’s, Worthy Park, Cockspur, Damoiseau, Don Papa, Ninefold and Aluna, plus Manchester-based One-Eyed Rebel from the Spirit of Manchester Distillery.

And if you fancy switching from the rum for a brief while, there’s also going to be Caribbean lager Carib heading to Manchester for the very first time. 

London Essence will be the official mixer partner for 2024, bringing their distinctive drinks, including tonics, crafted sodas and lemonades, to the festival. 

This year, founder and Manchester rum expert Dave Marsland and special guests will also be running three ‘Rum Ramble’ seminars. 

These will include a ‘From Grass to Glass, the making of a Rum Brand’ showcase with Equiano Rum and Ian Burrell; a talk and tasting surrounding the world of rum cocktails with MONIN; and finally, a ‘Make your own Arranges’ class (the first time this has been run at a European festival) hosted by Damoiseau of Guadeloupe and ambassador, Danilo Grenci.  

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Ticket-holders will have the chance to book their places on these exclusive seminars in advance. 

Dave Marsland said: “The festival brings together renowned distilleries from all over the world, and ticket holders are in for an even bigger treat this year as we relocate to New Century Hall – what an incredible, iconic central city venue it is!

“The event really has gone from strength to strength over the last eight years and we are now one of the biggest rum festivals in the country outside London.  

“We can’t wait to welcome the rum lovers to the event, which is set to host more rum brands than ever before, meaning the ticket price is even better value for money.”

For further information on Manchester Rum Festival, visit manchesterrumfestival.com.

Featured image: The Manc Group