Once Christmas is over and the hustle and bustle of the festive season has died dow, there’s often not a great deal to look forward to in January.
But this time, Manchester’s very-own GRUB has got you covered.
If you’re unfamiliar with what GRUB is, it’s a street food market space that’s located just outside the city centre at the Red Bank Project in Cheetham Hill, and it’s known for having a wide range of rotating food vendor pop-ups provide foodies in Manchester with some of the best eats from right across the globe.
The world cuisine hub also has a full calendar of events that take place every week all throughout the year too.
Think street food takeovers, vegan markets, and so much more.
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But, despite what the name suggests and even though that may be what it’s best-known for, GRUB isn’t just about food – there’s everything from cocktail masterclasses, to craft workshops, puppy parties, and film screenings regularly on the agenda too.
And, to properly see in the new year in style, GRUB is hosting its very-own seasonal beer festival next month, so Manchester beer lovers can sip creations from some of the best local breweries.
The popular event was due to take place once again back in 2021, but sadly had to be postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions introduced newly-introduced at the time.
Now, it’s making its much-anticipated return – and GRUB says it is “delighted”.
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Over the course of the three-day festival, there’ll be plenty of local brews to taste test, with brewery bars courtesy of some of the region’s best – Beatnikz Republic, Blackjack Brewing Co, Rivington Brewing Co, The Runaway Brewery, and Squawk Brewing Co.
That’s not all either, as there’ll also be over 20 guest taps too.
Not a big beer lover? You can also expect a street food market, hot toddies, a mulling bar, DJs, pop-up tasting events, and so much more over the extended weekend.
There will be plenty of local brews to taste test, with brewery bars courtesy of some of the region’s best / Credit: Instagram (@runawaybrewery) | Instagram (@beatnikz_nq)
Fancy it then?
Tickets for event will set you back just £5, and include entry to the festival, access to the full range of beers – including all the brewery bars and guest taps – as well as branded glass to take home with afterwards.
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Tickets are now on sale, and you can grab them from the GRUB website here.
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.
MediaCity’s massive Vue cinema has had a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Manchester cinephiles are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
That’s because, over at the popular MediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have been installed across seven screens, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests and a personal table for snacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler, which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time, and even a back and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and the Quayside cinema is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Quayside Manchester / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
This means that anyone heading to the cinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, The Housemaid, Fackham Hall, Wicked: For Good, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We have invested in bringing Vue’s best seating option to our venue and are excited for our customers to enhance their experience on their next visit,” commented Darren Tinsley, who is the General Manager at Vue Manchester Quayside.
“It is truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film and to have the most comfortable experience.”
Tickets for Vue Manchester Quayside start from £6.49, with upgrades to Ultra Lux from £3 on selected tickets.
January is a month where the temperatures are colder, the days darker, and the social batteries a little lower, so it couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets to upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Emily Sergeant -
16th December 2021 
