The Rat & Pigeon, which only opened in June, has seen great success in the first few months since its big launch – and now it’s about to take that success through to the early hours.
Coined as ‘the backstreet boozer’, this spot is situated on Back Piccadilly just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Gardens.
It used to have a gruesome past when it was Mother Macs, but has now been reborn by the team behind the Crown & Kettle pub in Ancoats into a three-storey modern but traditional pub.
The Rat & Pigeon is now extending its opening hours to 3am to make the most of its new first floor space ‘The Red Room’.
In honour of the venue, the pub is hosting a three day free entry party titled ‘FREE AM’ from 12 September til 14 September.
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Each night will feature two artists helping celebrate the pub’s new venture. Names like Dead Stilettos, Velma and Truthpaste are headlining the respective Thursday to Saturday dates, giving their warm welcome to the brand-new hotspot upstairs.
After the bands have blessed The Red Room music scene, there are three different themed club offerings for those of you who want to keep the party going.
Thursday is titled as ‘Unknown Treasures’, with Friday claiming ‘First Aid On Wax’ and Saturday’s closer crowned with ‘Funk Yeah!’.
The pub itself will still keep its traditions as a drinking domain, however the self-contained first floor will just extend its legacy as it dips its toe into the club scene.
The Rat & Pigeon are passionate about supporting upcoming bands and acts through the revamped music site, revealing: “We’re aiming to help nurture the Grassroots scene and bring our guests a wide variety of musical and performance content.”
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It’s all about the three’s at this independent public house, as not only will they be hosting their three day free entry party and opening til 3am, there are three floors too!
If you’re looking for your next day drink or night out why not give The Rat & Pigeon a cheeky visit, nestled in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
CHOOSE LIFE.
Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.
Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Stopping off at Manchester Palace Theatre next spring, the show will be in our city from Tuesday 23 March through to Saturday 3 April 2027, before visiting other northern cities like Leeds, York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Tickets officially go on sale this week – with the pre-sale for ATG members beginning this Wednesday (13 May), before general sale starts on Friday 15 May at 10am.
Thomas Melia -
4th September 2024 
