Roxy Ball Room, the adults-only entertainment venue with games like ping pong, bowling, shuffleboard and ‘crazy pool’ all under one roof, has released a new music-themed cocktail menu.
Taking inspiration from classic hits such as Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’, Jimmi Hendrix’s ‘Purple Haze’, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ ‘Californication’, the new rock-inspired cocktail menu pays homage to some of the genre’s greats.
From Tequila Little Time, a mixture of Olmeca Tequila Blanco, grapefruit liqueur, lime, rose and tonic that references The Beautiful South’s lilting country ballad, to Road To Ruin, a twist on a Gin Rickey cocktail that nods to The Foo Fighters’ mid-noughties hit, the new menu celebrates some of the biggest songs from decades past.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Further tongue-in-cheek cocktail names include Living on a Pear (a fruity mixture of Absolut vanilla vodka, raspberry and pear liqueur, plus lemon, pineapple and raspberry juice), and an appropriately bright-purple concoction called Purple Haze, combining violet sugar, lavender, lemon, lychee and Absolut Citron vodka.
Elsewhere, drinkers will find a host of fun sweetie-style shots all priced at £3.50 each or £6 for two.
Here, you can expect to find flavours like Apple Pie, Toffee & Cream, Coffee and Chilli, as well as the likes of Pear Drops and Lemon Drops, and a Pingstar Shooter that combines passionfruit liqueur and vanilla vodka in one fell swoop.
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There’s also a collection of classic cocktails, including popular orders like the Pina Colada, Dark and Stormy, Cosmopolitan, Espresso Martini, Long Island Iced Tea and everyone’s favourite, the Daiquiri.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
As for those who are watching what they drink, the bar has also released a selection of ‘no and low’ cocktails that are either alcohol-free or very low ABV – meaning that those who are off the sauce can still enjoy a virgin version of its house favourites like the Pina Colada, Amaretto Sour and Elderflower G&T.
Last but not least, there’s also a selection of thirst-quenching spritzes to get stuck into whilst you work up a sweat playing ping pong or another of the venue’s classic ball games.
With two sites in Manchester, one on Deansgate and another inside the Arndale Shopping Centre, it’s the perfect place to let loose with friends after a busy week.
To find out more and book, visit the Roxy Ball Room website here.
Feature image – Roxy Ball Room
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Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
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A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
The Manc -
21st November 2022 
