One of Manchester’s most popular city centre bars is set to give away hundreds of free beers for just two days only.
And it’s all to celebrate the long-awaited return of Oktoberfest.
In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester is gearing up for a two-week “Bavarian extravaganza” starting at the end of this month, as popular city centre hangout, Albert’s Schloss, unveiled its programme of Oktoberfest-themed events a couple of weeks back, and it’s packed with plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry.
The much-loved venue has become “the ultimate purveyor of Bavarian bliss” in Manchester over the years, and 2024 is expected to be absolutely no different.
Revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss for a whirlwind of celebrations.
Throughout the 16-day event, which is kicking off from next Thursday 26 September, you can get stuck into everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and sipping specially-selected beers, to experiencing must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, best dressed competitions, and a whole host of other games and activities.
But it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the beer, right? Or should we say, ‘bier’.
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Luckily, Albert’s Schloss will be serving Munich’s ‘Big Six’, making it the only venue in Manchester to serve all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers synonymous with the festival this year.
Annual Oktoberfest celebrations are returning to Manchester with a two-week ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ / Credit: Supplied
To celebrate the festivities in true Bavarian style too, Schloss will be giving away 100 free biers to the first 100 guests through the door on both Thursday 26 September and Thursday 3 October.
Eager bier-lovers will need to be ready to enter the venue from 5pm on both Thursdays if they want be in with the chance of getting to sip on a pint of Höfbrauhaus, Löwenbräu, Augustinerbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, or Spaten-Franziskaner from the classic lineup, all without having to spend a single penny.
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Schloss’ beloved Cook Haus will also be offering Oktoberfest classics too, like crispy Bavarian Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, and a whole section dedicated to Schnitzels and the traditional Bratwurst.
Oktoberfest 2024 is running at Albert’s Schloss Manchester from Saturday 21 September – Sunday 6 October, and you can find out more on the venue’s website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
18th September 2024 
