Manchester neighbourhoods have been welcoming some the city’s most-popular hospitality names for a series of entertainment events over the last couple of weeks.
In a bid to properly celebrate the launch of its ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ summer incentive, Kentucky handmade bourbon brand Maker’s Mark decided to rally together some of Manchester’s best-loved bars and restaurants to head across the city and serve up their take on the brand’s signature bourbon-based cocktail.
The series of Remarkable Neighbourhood events have been taking place all throughout August, and are founded on Maker’s principle to “make it remarkable”.
Not only that, but residents in sought-after city areas like the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, and Deansgate have also being getting stuck into themed cocktail masterclasses, live music nights, quizes, Kentucky food pairing events, and bar takeovers too.
But are you unsure what events are worth hitting up? And which are the best places to head on down to for a cocktail before August is out?
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Here’s The Manc’s picks for the best of the best.
Cocktails
Especially for the Remarkable Neighbourhood cocktail trail, there’s a whole host of heavy-hitting names from the city’s hospitality scene serving up their own twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail – which, if you’re unfamiliar with it, is cocktail is made up of a base of Maker’s Mark very-own bourbon, citrus, and a honey syrup.
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We’ve picked five of the top cocktails you need to try this month.
Vietnamese Gold Rush – NAM
The Marksmen – The Whiskey Jar
The Golden Sour – Jimmy’s
Honey Markhatten – Elnecot
Gold Rush – Escape To Freight Island
You can find out the rest of the Manchester bars doing their own twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail this month here.
Events
While there has already been a wide range of Maker’s Mark-themed ‘Remarkable Neighbourhood’ events happening throughout the month – with tastings, cocktail masterclasses, live shows, and more all been entertaining city dwellers in recent weeks – there’s still time to get in on the action and catch the last few events before August is over.
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Here’s our top three picks of the events still on the exciting lineup.
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Maker’s Monday
Arcane
Monday 22 August
Maker’s Mark / Credit: Supplied
One of Manchester city centre’s most bold and eclectic cocktail bars, Arcane – which is just off the beaten track and tucked away in the basement of a Grade II-listed Victorian building on South King Street – is a champion of Maker’s Mark all year round, with the tipple often making its way into several of its classic and signature cocktails, but this month, the bar is hosting a special Maker’s Monday event dedicated to the beloved bourbon.
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This could also be your chance to try out Arcane’s twist on the Gold Rush Cocktail before the Remarkable Neighbourhood series draws to a close.
Find out more information about Maker’s Monday at Arcanehere.
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Maker’s Mark Tasting & Wax Dipping
The Edinburgh Castle Ancoats
Tuesday 23 August
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The Edinburgh Castle / Credit: Supplied
The Edinburgh Castle pub – which has stood in the heart of Ancoats since 1811 – is one of the area’s most popular hangouts, and is also much-loved for its extensive drinks and cocktail menu, with Maker’s Mark being a proud part of that.
That’s why the pub is hosting its own Maker’s Mark tasting and wax dipping event this month.
Don’t forget to try out The Edinburgh Castle’s take on the Gold Rush Cocktail for Remarkable Neighbourhood series too.
Maker’s Mark x Escape To Freight Island Bank Holiday Warm-Up
Escape To Freight Island
Thursday 25 August
Escape To Freight Island / Credit: Supplied
Escape To Freight Island at Depot Mayfield has been going all-out for the Remarkable Neighbourhood events series throughout the month, with Maker’s Mark taking over the tropical urban space, the Plant Room, every Thursday with a special cocktail menu and food partnership with outdoor BBQ partner -Mayfield County Smokehouse.
But there’s still one more event to go, and it’s set to properly round out the Remarkable Neighbourhood incentive in style with a huge party holiday party to kick-start the August bank holiday weekend.
Find out more about Maker’s Mark x Escape To Freight Island Bank Holiday Warm-Uphere.
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Featured Image – Supplied
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Manchester’s The Grosvenor pub set to host huge England fan zone with Fireball for 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, there’ll obviously be tonnes of places showing the game, but there’s only one place that’s promising big screens, ball pits, pool tables, ping pong, a ‘peep show’ and plenty more right from the off: The Grosvenor.
It doesn’t hurt that they’re teaming up with beloved booze brand Fireball to spice things up.
We hope the goals come easily for England this tournament, but we can assure the drinks will be free-flowing regardless, over at The Grosvenor on Oxford Road Corridor here in Manchester city centre.
Located just on the corner of (you guessed it) Grosvenor St and the busy Oxford Rd stretch, they’re already getting geared up for tournament time…
Teaming up with the famous cinnamon whisky liqueur, the popular student and matchday spot is set to be busier than ever for this year’s World Cup.
As for what they have in store for the North American edition of FIFA’s biggest competition and the ultimate celebration of the beautiful game, besides numerous England flags hanging from the walls and that beautiful ceiling, there’ll be plenty of music, England anthems, giveaways and top-tier atmosphere.
In addition to lots of chanting from yourselves, no doubt, there’ll be DJ sets and merch up for grabs, as well as lots of big wigs, St George’s glasses and foam hands floating around the room.
Credit: The Grosvenor (supplied)
Of course, there will also be wall-to-wall coverage of the games across their many screens around the venue, not least of all the big box sitting pride of place above the bar itself.
With two large floors and more intimate seating options upstairs, there are plenty of ways to watch Thomas Tuchel’s team fly the flag.
Kicking off with the Three Lions’ opening clash against Croatia on Wednesday, 17 June, the venue will be transformed into a sea of red and white, and guests will also be treated to a completely FREE shot of Fireball every single time England score.
Don’t mind if we do.
Naturally, with stuff like this on offer, fans are encouraged to grab their tickets for the fixtures as early as possible so as not to miss out.
In their words AND ours, “From the first whistle to the final anthem, The Grosvenor is set to become one of Manchester’s home ends for the World Cup.”
You can reserve your tickets from just £3 for The Grosvenor Fireball Fanzone – along with plenty of cheap pints and affordable food and drink packages – right HERE.
(Don’t say, don’t say it, don’t say it) It’s coming home…
Featured Images — The Grosvenor (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Sustainable clothing brand Lucy & Yak to host first-ever PreLoved Weekender in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Popular sustainable brand Lucy & Yak is set to host its first ever pre-loved clothing event this bank holiday weekend.
Lucy & Yak is turning its stores into dedicated PreLoved hubs for an entire weekend – celebrating second-hand shopping with communities across the UK.
Since 2023, Lucy & Yak – which is an independent, people-focused brand with all items made using organic, natural, recycled, or deadstock fabrics – has kept more than 42,000 items, also known affectionately as ‘Yaks’, in circulation through its PreLoved scheme, where customers bring in and return their old pieces, and once processed, will then receive a money-off voucher to put towards their next purchase.
Damaged pieces are repaired or upcycled by the Re:Yak Studio team in Yorkshire, before being sold on in-store to find their new homes.
While Lucy & Yak stores carry a dedicated PreLoved rail year-round, this late May bank holiday weekend from Saturday 23 – Monday 25 May, the whole Manchester store experience will be transformed – with a much larger, expanded PreLoved section.
There’ll be everything from old gems to one-off pieces available to get your hands on – all still wearable, all still loveable.
As well as here in Manchester city centre, the PreLoved Weekender will also be taking place at Lucy & Yak stores in Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh, Exeter, London, Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Portsmouth, so no matter where you are in the country this bank holiday, you don’t have to miss out.
What’s more is that fashion lovers in Manchester will also get to take part in a series of upcycling workshops in store on Bank Holiday Monday, with more events planned in the coming weeks.
The brand says its stores are ‘more than just shops’ – they’re spaces for the community to connect, and where Lucy & Yak’s values come to life in person.
Lucy & Yak’s first-ever PreLoved Weekender is coming to Manchester this bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
“We’re so excited to bring the PreLoved Weekender to our stores this May,” commented Lydia Coley, who is the Managing Director at Lucy & Yak.
“Lucy & Yak has always been built around community, creativity, and doing things a little differently, and PreLoved brings all of that together. We’re incredibly proud of keeping over 42,000 Yaks in circulation. Every second-hand Yak has a story, and this weekend is about helping those pieces find their next home in a fun way.”
The PreLoved Weekender will be taking place at Lucy & Yak’s Manchester store in the Northern Quarter this Saturday 23 – Monday 25 May, and you can find out more here.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2022 
