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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers

Happy birthday to an NQ OG

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th September 2025

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. 

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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 birthday
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthday
Pen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
Pen & 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. 

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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. 

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Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers

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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Less than a month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Women's Derby WSL Etihad Stadium tickets

We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time, with multiple Lionesses and international stars on show.

Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, with the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists both boasting plenty of reason to go into the game confident.

With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at the Etihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.

This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.

Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – the Cityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.

The Etihad recently hosted the Lionesses themselves in a close-fought fixture against Brazil this past October, with City legend Georgia Stanway herself getting on the scoresheet.

Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.

Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?

There’s also an added element of feistiness bubbling under the surface, as this is also the first meeting between the two clubs since Grace Clinton swapped the red half of Manchester for a sky blue shirt, with Jess Park going the other way.

Now both full England internationals are arguably fighting for the same position, too, you can expect the pair to get a rousing reception when they rock up/return to the Etihad.

The 22-year-old scored on her debut in City’s 5-1 win over Spurs.

All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.

Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.

Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…

What does the Manchester derby mean to you?

The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season. 

Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?

I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.

It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.

Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.

As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.

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Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.

If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.

Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right to see Manchester City Women, Man United, Lionesses stars and more right HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester City

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Major up-and-coming Manchester neighbourhood to debut Shared Ownership apartments

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank

A brand-new development that’s part of Manchester’s ground-breaking Redbank regeneration is welcoming guests to discover more about the new neighbourhood. 

L&Q at Victoria Riverside, who have just launched a collection of Shared Ownership apartments, will be hosting a special day of tours so that Mancs can find out more about this major new development for the city. 

Once complete, L&Q Victoria Riverside will be home to an 18-storey building with 128 Shared Ownership homes, at the heart of the up-and-coming Redbank neighbourhood. 

Over the next decade, Redbank – just a short walk from Manchester Victoria station – will become a bustling corner of the city home to new schools, healthcare facilities, restaurants, and bars. 

And all just a stone’s throw from public transport links, Manchester Arndale shopping centre, and the iconic Northern Quarter. 

L&Q at Victoria Riverside marks the first phase of Victoria North, which is the biggest urban regeneration project in the North of England. 

Within the development, residents will have access to an on-site co-working space, podium gardens, gym and concierge service.

L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank
L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank
L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank
L&Q at Victoria Riverside in Redbank. Credit: Supplied

Mancs will be able to get a glimpse of everything that’s to come with an exclusive preview day of tours and conversations with the L&Q sales team on 25 October.

The event will welcome customers who have registered interest to chat about their property search, and take tours of the brand new show home. 

Shared Ownership is a government-backed scheme that helps first-time buyers afford to get on the property ladder. Through part-buy/part-rent, buyers purchase shares in a Shared Ownership property that would otherwise be unaffordable to them. 

The sales team will be available to provide more information about Shared Ownership on the day.

Find out more about L&Q at Victoria Riverside HERE.

The L&Q at Victoria Riverside event will take place between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 25 October at Dantzic Street, M4 4DN – you can sign up for free tickets HERE.

And you can find out more about L&Q Shared Ownership via Instagram HERE. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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