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The Manc -
28th February 2020
The Manc -
28th February 2020 Eats
Viral influencer ‘Schooner Scorer’ gives Mulligans his highest Guinness score ever
Danny Jones
If you’re chronically online like us, you’ll most likely have at least heard of the ‘Schooner Scorer’, and while everyone’s a critic these days, it does feel noteworthy that he’s just awarded his highest ever score for a Guinness to none other than Mulligans in Manchester.
For anyone not aware of the social media influencer, Alex Hendy, a.k.a. the ‘Schooner Scorer’s whole angle is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: he goes around the world rating the best pints – no, they don’t have to be schooners – and he has quite the penchant for Guinness.
Don’t we all?
Popular on Instagram and TikTok in particular, he’s gone viral on multiple occasions during the search for the best black gold in the UK and beyond, and he’s finally made his way to the legendary Mulligans of Deansgate. It didn’t disappoint…
@schoonerscorer The hunt goes on… 🍺 guinness (£7.70) 📍 mulligansofdeansgate #schoonerscorer #mulligans #manchester #guinness #fyp #fypシ゚ ♬ original sound – Schooner Scorer
In addition to the typical comedic intro (now we’re panicking trying to remember what state we were in on Paddy’s Day), Hendy gives the usual mini-tour of the premises before getting stuck into a frothy head.
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And, as you can see, not only is he quick to compliment the “smooth” and “creamy” texture of the drink that is regularly dubbed ‘the best Guinness outside of Ireland’ from ‘the best Irish pub in Manchester‘, but he goes on to give it a whopping 9.2: the highest score he has ever given for a Guinness.
He may not have found his perfect 10/10 pint just yet, adding the caption “the hunt goes on”, but we’re glad to hear that his experience of the much-loved city centre spot lived up to the reputation we all know to be true.
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Mulligans gathered its biggest crowds ever over the 2025 St Patrick’s Day weekend as it was the first time they were able to welcome those celebrating the into their second floor following a major expansion last year.
Owner Pádraig Brady maintains that the title of the best Guinness in Manchester isn’t a self-proclamation; it’s merely something the punters have bestowed upon them over the years.
We’ll hold our hands up and confess that we’re not religious Schooner Scorer viewers, but we’ll happily accept him giving Mulligans and, therefore, Manchester the best Guinness score to date.
He’s welcome back in the city any time as far as we’re concerned, and he’ll be glad to know that we have plenty of other great places for a pint of the black stuff.
For instance…
Read more:
- ‘I’m proud of the joy we spread’ – Much-loved Manc cake shop Loaf confirms closure
- Manchester’s most legendary Irish pub Mulligans reveals major makeover
- An award-winning Manchester cocktail bar is serving a Tiny ‘Tini martini cocktail flight
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Schooner Scorer (via TikTok)/Press shots (supplied)
Eats
‘I’m proud of the joy we spread’ – Much-loved Manchester cake shop announces closure
Daisy Jackson
A gorgeous little cake shop in Manchester city centre has announced its sad closure, five years after launching as a lockdown project to raise money for the NHS.
Loaf, the hot pink cafe on Oxford Road and just across the river in New Bailey in Salford, will shut its doors for good later this month.
Its founder Aiden Ryan has poured his heart out with a heartbreaking statement, describing Loaf’s closure as ‘incredibly tough’.
In his message to followers, which you can read in full below, Aiden detailed everything from rising costs, cashflow issues, and a personal mental breakdown.
“I’m not sharing this for sympathy,” he wrote. “I just think honesty matters.”
In the five years Loaf has operated in Manchester, there have been plenty of highlights, from those days fundraising for the NHS, to opening its doors on Christmas day to those who struggle with loneliness.
And there’ve been commercial successes too, with these pretty miniature loaf cakes making their way onto the shelves in Selfridges.
But now Aiden has said that Loaf will shut for good on 30 April, urging people to pop in for ‘one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug’.
Loaf’s farewell statement in full
I’ve made the incredibly tough decision to close Loaf MCR.
Loaf began in 2020 as a small lockdown idea to raise money for the NHS—and somehow grew into a bold, pink cake business that lived in a shipping container, then cafés on Oxford St and New Bailey St, and even Selfridges! It was more than I ever dreamed of.
But behind the scenes, it’s been a really hard year. We lost essential funding, faced delayed payments and invoices, battled rising costs, and unexpected hits – including a supplier taking thousands from our account without permission. It led to cashflow issues we couldn’t recover from.
There were delays in paying important bills—things I never imagined would happen (even tips and pension contributions for staff). It was a living nightmare and it weighed heavily on me. At the same time, I was facing big personal challenges, which led to a mental breakdown the middle of last year. I couldn’t function. And when your business needs you 24/7, everything starts falling fast.
I’m not sharing this for sympathy, I just think honesty matters. Running a business isn’t always big wins and instagram moments—it’s often stress, silence, and sacrifice.
Still, I’m proud. Of the joy we spread. Of the community we built. And of myself—for knowing when to stop and look after mine and my team’s health.
To my loafly team: you were the heart of this. Thank you for everything. To our suppliers, landlords, partners, and customers—thank you for believing in Loaf.
Our final day is April 30th. If you want one more mini loaf or just a goodbye hug, we’d loaf to see you.
As for what’s next… who knows? For now, we rest. Thank you for being part of our story. I’ll carry it with me, always.
Lots of loaf,
Aiden & Team Loaf
More food and drink news
- Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement
- One of Manchester’s best-loved independent cafes is coming to Bolton
- Beloved plant-based independent street food business Herbivorous is set to close imminently
Featured image: The Manc Group
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