One of the largest and most authentic country-style family pubs in Manchester, The Wharf is already a go-to spot for locals and regular punters all week long with its canalside terrace and fabulous Sunday roasts being well-known highlights, but it also shines when it comes to private hire and group bookings.
Boasting one of the biggest and best beer gardens in the city centre, The Wharf is split over two massive floors, with several cosy nooks and dedicated rooms to perfectly match the atmosphere you’re looking for. The pub has become a popular site for birthday bashes, festive gatherings and more.
Sitting pretty just along the historic Bridgewater Canal, The Wharf has been a Castlefield institution for more than a decade, so it’s no surprise that you’ll often find the place hosting various social clubs, private parties and other groups.
They deliver a jam-packed seasonal calendar with events like the annual Summer Bash, where July sees them throwing a festival on the flags with an outdoor BBQ and live entertainment all weekend.
The fun doesn’t stop there though, with regularly scheduled wine and whisky tastings, pub quizzes, supplier spotlights and acoustic music, there’s lots to stick your teeth into.
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Credit: The Manc Group
And that genuinely is just the tip of the iceberg.
From hosting Table Top Manchester, a group united by their love of board games, to the droves ofManchester Road Runners who reward themselves with a refreshing pint every Wednesday, many a local organisation find themselves congregating in this watering hole.
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The semi-private upstairs floor is truly one of the pub’s biggest draws. With a capacity of up to 80 people is no stranger to the odd corporate takeover or work’s do.
With a little balcony area overlooking the terrace, no less, there are all manner of spaces for guests to make the most of the waterside pub depending on the nature of their visit.
Come the winter months, there’s no better place to cosy up than the ‘Library’ room: a charming, semi-private space that boasts an extensive book collection and a roaring fireplace. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal or simple drinks and buffet-style gatherings, the library really is one of the most comfortable corners in Manchester.
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Venturing further into the depths of The Wharf you’ll find a private space which can be transformed into a boardroom, dining area and plenty more, with access to a television and a capacity of 40 seated diners or up to 50 guests for more casual arrangements, the Old Office is perfect for any occasion.
Whether you simply need a sizeable room to host a big group of friends, a family birthday or anniversary, Christmas party or work event, The Wharf isn’t just one of the most welcoming pubs you’ll find so close to the city centre but it’s also one of the most versatile.
Little extras like free parking, a PA system, a full projector and screen set-up with all your stationery included when you book, not to mention discounts on their wine list for large groups, the aim is to make everything as easy as possible for you and your bookings should you choose them as your venue.
So, if you’re looking to sort somewhere for your next big gathering, you won’t go far wrong taking a gander at thisCastlefield gem.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to Manchester next month
Daisy Jackson
One of the world’s silliest and most-loved experiences is returning to Manchester this year, offering people the chance to step inside the world of Fawlty Towers.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience sees immersive theatre blend with a three-course dinner, bringing Britain’s most infamous hotel to life.
Fans of the hit 1970s comedy will enjoy two hours of mayhem led by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, all while tucking into a delicious era-appropriate meal.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has become an immersive dining phenomenon, scooping awards and selling out venues across the globe since launching almost 30 years ago.
In the years since, it’s welcomed more than one million guests, celebrated 13 years of its West End residency in London, and hosted celebrations for 50 years of the original BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.
And now it’s Manchester’s turn, with the event returning to our city between 3 and 15 February.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to ManchesterThe event is hosted by actors playing Basil, Sybil and ManuelAround 70% of the action is improvisedGuests are served a three-course 70s-inspired meal during the Faulty Towers experienceCredit: Rosie Powell
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will be taking over the Voco hotel on Portland Street for a limited run, starring Aaron Millard as ‘Basil’, Rebecca Norris as ‘Sybil’, and Simon Hourihan as ‘Manuel’.
You can definitely expect two hours of theatre, chaos, and a 70s-inspired three-course meal, but with around 70% of the performances completely improvised, we can’t tell you much more than that…
Producer Jared Harford said: “It’s such a joy to be bringing Basil and the team back to Manchester. After such an incredible 2025 celebrating 50 years of Fawlty Towers, we can’t wait to continue sharing the laughter, chaos and community spirit that make this show so special.”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience in Manchester:
Tuesday 3 February to Sunday 15 February
Tuesday to Saturday – doors open 6.45pm, seating and show starts 7.30pm
Saturday and Sunday – doors open 12.45pm, seating and show starts 1.30pm
Ticket prices, all including three-course meal and two hour immersive experience:
Tuesday to Thursday dinner, and Saturday or Sunday lunch – £67.50 pp (including fees) Friday or Saturday dinner £71.50 pp (including fees). Bookings can be made via the box office on (+44) 020 3700 3138 or online at www.faultytowersdining.com
Autotrader and viral food brand SpudBros are opening their first jacket potato drive-thru
Daisy Jackson
Autotrader has teamed up with SpudBros, the UK’s viral jacket potato trader, to open the first jacket potato drive-thru in Manchester.
The UK’s largest automotive marketplace is working with the SpudBros duo on the new Autotater drive-thru, where the duo will be handing out free jacket spuds – and which can also value your car in less than 10 seconds.
You’ll be able to visit the one-of-a-kind drive-thru for one day only next month, picking up a baked potato from an exclusive menu that includes the Autotater (a twist on a classic loaded spud) and the Curry In A Hurry (SpudBros’ signature garlic chicken curry).
You’ll also be able to tune into the Spud FM radio with SpudBros co-founders Jacob and Harley. Autotrader and SpudBros have teamed up for the drive-thru experience off the back of new research that has shown 44% of UK drivers have no idea what their car is actually worth.
The same research has also revealed that half of those surveyed are unsure how to determine the value of their car.
So now Mancs will be able to have their car instantly valued in less than 10 seconds, by Autotrader’s award-winning valuation service*, simply by visiting the Autotater drive-thru on 12 February.
Autotrader will be dishing out free valuations, to help ensure car owners don’t get small potatoes for their car and are empowered to choose when it’s the right time to sell.
Autotrader and viral food brand SpudBros are opening their first jacket potato drive-thru
This will be the first drive-thru for SpudBros, a brand which grew a traditional jacket potato van into a national sensation, finding viral fame on TikTok.
With a cult following of more than 4.8m people on TikTok and Instagram, the pair are now bringing their trademark energy offline for a drive-thru window with free spuds.
Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Autotrader said: “We know no one loves admin, which is why we want to make it easier and quicker for people to find out the true value of their car, in under 10 seconds.
“There’s something fun about that moment of surprise when you finally see what your car is really worth. Once you have that information, you can decide what to do next – whether that’s selling, upgrading or simply showing off to your mates.”
Jacob and Harley Nelson, the founders of SpudBros commented: “This is a big one for us. We’ve fed people across the country and even internationally, and Manchester is one of our most requested visits, so this is a really exciting opportunity.
“We love doing things that get people talking, and we also love cars, so teaming up with fellow Northern brand Autotrader lets us serve up something new that we feel passionately about – a free spud, a car valuation, and telling the story through social media.”
The Autotrader drive-thru will open in Manchester on 12 February, at Depot Mayfield. Tickets will be available through a draw on the Autotrader website for a limited time only.
To be in with a chance to get on the guestlist and for more details on the event, head HERE, and to join the millions who value their car free with Autotrader, visit HERE.
You can also follow @autotraderuk on Instagram for the latest updates.
*Highly Commended Winner of the 2025 Car Dealer Power Award in the Used Car Valuations category.
Danny Jones -
17th August 2024 
