Project Halcyon Distillery might just be one of Manchester city centre’s best-kept secrets but with multiple coveted awards inside just six months of opening and a growing customer base, the word is starting to spread.
Better still, with exciting new innovations created alongside established and reputable names like Buffalo Trace, there’s all the more reason to come and try this hidden gem. We did exactly that and had such a great time we didn’t want to leave.
Teaming up with the popular bourbon brand who have collected quite a raft of awards themselves down the years for a brand new collaboration, Project Halcyon has just launched their brilliant old fashioned drinks trolley, making fresh glasses of the iconic cocktail with carefully selected blends by the expert staff and Buffalo Trace themselves.
The experience that launched this month will see the drinks trolley that many would associate with the like of gin and martinis reimagined for the classic whiskey-based cocktail staple to give that added personal touch that makes this speakeasy-style bar such a unique place to drink.
Boasting Best Newcomer on the UK’s list of Top 50 Bars, the Rising Star award for bartender Reah Owen — the youngest person to ever be nominated at the Manchester Bar Awards (it wasn’t hard to see why after being served by her) — as well as being voted best new bar back in March, it’s no wonder this lot are attracting big names.
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Having just recently launched their second menu, ‘A Time & A Place’, which aims to capture moments in history by emulating flavours, traditions and aesthetics from the past in drink form, Project Halycon are striving for theatre, nostalgia, care and a special connection every time you sit down at their bar.
That’s where the drinks trolley comes in.
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The newly rolled-out old fashioned trolley sees customers given a bespoke version of the drink carefully crafted to suit your tastes and made right in front of you. Using a collection of eight premium whiskeys, as well as six different house-made syrups and bitters, you can customise your cocktail down to the T.
The drinks themselves also include a special type of ice created by local company Ice Cubed Manchester, designed to deliver the perfect old fashioned. They really have thought of everything, down to the most minute detail.
You even have the option to have your drink smoked right at your table, allowing the Halcyon staff to show off the pageantry and finesse that has seen them earn such great reviews. Built by world-famous designers, Soak London, this one of the most spectacular ways you’ll ever be served a drink.
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Having seen the process first-hand, we can sincerely vouch for that — even the smoking contraption designed to look like the Buffalo Trace water tower had us staring on like excited little schoolkids.
This is truly an experience that is totally unique to Manchester, with nowhere else having ever made cocktails tableside in this way. Moreover, now being one of the only bars in Britain that stocks the full range of Buffalo Trace’s premium whiskeys intimate experience to its guests.
They even got one of the few rare bottles of the legendary Pappy van Winkle expressions, a whiskey so highly sought after it was the catalyst for ‘Pappygate‘, the now infamous heist that saw $25000 of the liquor go missing and even sparked a Netflix documentary.
Every inch of this place has something to marvel at and now with the Buffalo Trace old fashioned trolley experience on offer too, we’re going to be coming here more often than we already were — and we won’t be the ones.
When it comes to Project Halycon Distillery, there really is always more than meets the eye:
A FREE shopping event dedicated to saving students money is returning to Manchester Arndale
Thomas Melia
One of the city centre’s most popular shopping events helping students save money is returning to Manchester Arndale and the city centre.
MCR Student Socialis heading back to the city with its big discounts, freebies, giveaways and plenty of entertainment to keep you busy while you browse.
This interactive shopping event encourages new and current students to wander roundManchester Arndaleand the surrounding streets while snapping up some seriously good deals.
Expect discounts of up to 50% off at 120 stores including big high street retailers like Champion, Søstrene Grene, Selfridges, Sephora, and Berghaus.
This incredible 50% off deal continues into some of Manchester Arndale’s big-name food vendors like Wingstop, Archie’s, Barburrito, Sides, HOP Vietnamese and more.
If you’re after carrying thatZara Larssonenergy into your next academic year, the Arndale’s Rhinestone Rodeo celebration includes a Charm Bar in Exchange Court, where you can turn photos into personalised charms.
No shopping trip is complete without a matcha in-hand and you can bag yourself a free hot or iced drink in Exchange Court at the Cult Beauty Matcha Station.
Look out for our Audio North truck on Market StreetThe Manchester Arndale MCR Student Social is back
There’s even the Arndale’s Party Tuk Tuk which will be roaming around the city-centre shopping complex blasting out hip-hop tunes and some of your song requests.
Just outside Manchester Arndale on Market Street, there’s plenty of activities split across three dedicated zones, like Food & Drink by familiar foodie faces like Franco Manca and Great British Doner.
The Party Zone will be buzzing as Footasylum, Museum of Illusions and Urban Playground all unite, while there’s plenty of giveaways over at the Info Zone with brands like Science + Industry Museum and RSPB.
And, our very ownAudio North x The Manc DJ Truck is soundtracking Market Street with student DJs playing out everything from dance and funk to classic party anthems.
MCR Student Social is taking place on Thursday 24 September at Manchester Arndale from 12pm to 7pm and you can find more information via its official websiteHERE.
Etihad Stadium showcases City Hall, the new beating heart of Manchester City match days
Lonnie Bowes
There’s a particular kind of Manchester buzz you only get pitch-side. If you’re a seasoned Cityzen this one’s for you – one of three major new hospitality options for your next game day at the Etihad Stadium.
Tucked in the heart of the new Pep Guardiola Stand, directly behind the goal, we have the brand-new City Hall.
City Hall is built for people who actually want to watch football in comfort, and with a massive 500 capacity hall a stone’s throw from the pitch, it’s a hard one to pass up.
Doors open a full two hours before the match, and that early access turns the day into an occasion rather than a scramble.
There’s time to properly soak up the atmosphere in what is a genuinely lively, buzzing bar, and I have to say potentially one of the best I’ve come across on a match day.
Food and drink are where the local flavour really comes through. The street food menu leans into Manchester’s own identity with a modern twist.
The catering is relaxed and doesn’t take itself too seriously, let’s just say having a chip barm and chicken madras pie on the run-up to a kick-off is my idea of heaven.
Every guest gets an inclusive drink as part of your booking, too. You get to pick from a selected wine, beer or soft drink which you can claim at any point during your visit.
It’s a setup that suits everyone, whether you’re in it for a proper pre-match pint with your mates or meal with your family before a day of making pitch side memories.
The little touches matter too. A matchday programme is a nice, old-school addition in an era where so much matchday content has gone digital.
And crucially, the experience doesn’t end at the final whistle: with an hour’s access after the match, there’s no need to bolt for the exits the second the referee blows for full-time. You can sit and finish your drink, and let the ground empty out around you instead of fighting through it.
Put it all together and City Hall feels like hospitality done with an actual sense of place.
Manchester street food, a proper buzzing bar, and one of the best seats in the house, all wrapped around a schedule that respects the fact that match day is about more than just the 90 minutes.
For anyone looking to upgrade how they watch City this season, it’s well worth a look.
Have a look and make a booking at City Hall at the Etihad Stadium HERE.
Danny Jones -
19th June 2023 
