Summer is well and truly here, and Manchester is a city that knows how to make the most of it before 2021 is over.
With the government having confirmed that the country’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ will in fact be happening on 19 July – with rules on the wearing of face masks, social distancing, mass gatherings, and more all set to ease – it’s understandable that many of us have now decided to properly start making our summer plans.
And a bottomless brunch is sure to be on the hit list for plenty of people.
What’s better than a bottomless brunch though? A themed bottomless brunch of course – and luckily, there’s a whole host of them happening in Manchester city centre over the next couple of months.
Each of the immersive brunch events are being hosted by The Brunch Club, who has been working closely with Revolution Parsonage Gardens in Manchester to make each them happen, and those who book will be kept continuously updated with any changes.
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There will be an inclusive menu of grilled brunches, avocado toast and pancakes – with options available for vegetarians, vegans and those following a gluten-free diet – all on offer, and of course with these being bottomless brunches, you can also sip on a tipple or two, with everything from Aperol Spritz and Prosecco, to Bloody Marys, a range of beers and so much more to choose from.
Alternatively, you can skip the booze and just stick to the brunch by itself if you’d prefer.
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From events inspired by singing superstars, to cult-classic films and musicals, we’ve rounded up five of the best themed bottomless brunches taking place in Manchester this summer.
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1. Beyonce Karaoke Brunch
Revolution Parsonage Gardens
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Sunday 26 September
Calling all the single ladies, girls who run the world, or anyone who’s crazy in love – this one’s for you.
An immersive Beyonce-themed karaoke bottomless brunch experience is arriving at Revolution Parsonage Gardens this September, and it’s perfect for a proud member of the ‘BeyHive’, or anyone who fancies belting out Queen B’s greatest hits, all while sipping on a cocktail.
Each 90-minute event is set to be full of “fun and madness”.
While the “singing sessions” are sure to be the main event, you’re also encouraged to come dressed for the part to be in with a chance of bagging some exciting prizes in the costume competition.
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Tickets are available from £35 per head – and you can grab yours here.
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2. Pirates of the Caribbean Brunch
Revolution Parsonage Gardens
Sunday 22 August
A 90-minute bottomless brunch event based on the iconic 00s film franchise Pirates of the Caribbean is sailing into Revolution Parsonage Gardens this August.
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A description for the highly-anticipated event from The Brunch Club website reads: “Calling all pirates, wenches, mermaids and scallywags, if you’ve been waiting for the opportune moment, then this is it.
“Will you be made to walk the plank? Will you be cut in two during our live pirate sword fight? Will you be enchanted away by one of our mermaids? Will you find the hidden treasure?”
The brunch may be the main event, but there’ll also be “a quiz to test your pirate knowledge”, plenty of games, competitions and special prizes up for grabs to keep you on your toes, and while fancy dress is not compulsory, there will also be prizes for the best dressed attendees.
Tickets are available from £35 per head – and you can grab yours here.
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3. Spice Girls Karaoke Brunch
Revolution Parsonage Gardens
Sunday 26 September
Ready to spice up your life?
A Spice Girls-themed karaoke bottomless brunch is arriving at Revolution Parsonage Gardens this September, and it’s perfect for any 90s pop fan who fancies singing along to the iconic girl band’s greatest hits while sipping on a cocktail.
Each 90-minute event is set to be full of “fun and madness”.
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Once again, while the “singing sessions” are sure to be the main event, you’re also encouraged to come dressed for the part to be in with a chance of bagging some exciting prizes in the costume competition.
Tickets are available from £35 per head – and you can grab yours here.
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4. Dancing Queen! Brunch
Revolution Parsonage Gardens
Sunday 22 August
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The laid-back Greek island lifestyle and Mediterranean sunshine is coming right here to Manchester city centre this August.
This Mamma Mia-themed immersive brunch experience will have you singing, dancing and testing your movie trivia knowledge with a bunch of themed quizzes in the aim of trying to win some of the exciting prizes up for grabs.
There’ll also be a costume competition, all of the greatest Mamma Mia tunes blasting out, and a few sing-alongs accompanied by “a great band” thrown in there too for good measure.
Tickets are available from £35 per head – and you can grab yours here.
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5. Musicals Bingo Manchester! Grease
Revolution Parsonage Gardens
Sunday 8 August
Grease is always near the top of the list when reeling off the most beloved musicals.
First released as a musical 1971 before going on to become a critical and commercial success in the form of a smash-hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in 1978, Grease depicts the lives of greaser Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson who develop an attraction for each other.
It developed a cult following of fans in the process – but how well do you reckon you know the story and the songs?
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Now’s your chance to put your knowledge to the test at this ‘musicals bingo’ bottomless brunch.
Tickets are available from £35 per head – and you can grab yours here.
What's On
Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, when all the blossom trees burst back to life – and now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over town.
The National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The digital Bloomtown Map will tell you a little something about each hotspot as you arrive, whether you’re interested in the history of the place or just want to know what particular flower you’re looking at.
This year’s trail again starts up at Castlefield Viaduct, the incredible industrial structure that’s been brought back to life by the National Trust and turned into an urban sky park.
It then weaves through landmarks in the city centre like the Rochdale canal, Parsonage Gardens, and Manchester Cathedral.
And there are five branches of the trail to check out this year too, covering Hulme and South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
Because this is Manchester, and our weather is famously all over the place, not all of the blossom trees have kicked into action yet (and some of the ones that bloomed early are dropping their petals like confetti already).
But April is usually the best time to see the blossom in full bloom – which makes the Easter weekend perfectly placed to get out for a stroll.
See the full Bloomtown Map below, or click here for the blossom trail around Manchester
All the places on the Bloomtown Map 2024 around Manchester
Alexandra Park
Angel Meadow
Ardwick Green
Birchfields Park
Manchester Metropolitan University Birley Orchard
Blackleach Country Park
Bridgewater Community Garden
Castlefield Viaduct
Clifton Country Park
Cutting Room Square
Dukes Drive
Gartside Gardens
Hullard Park
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Hulme Park
Manchester Cathedral
Mayfield Park
Ordsall Hall
Parsonage Gardens
Peel Park
Philips Park
Platt Fields Park
Queens Park
RHS Bridgewater
Rochdale Canal Lock 87
Rochdale Canal Lock 89
Sackville Gardens
Sadler’s Yard
Salford Quays
Science and Industry Museum
St George’s Park
St John’s Gardens
St Peter’s Square
Tariff Street
Thomas Street Pocket Park
University of Manchester Students’ Union
Waterside Arts
Victoria Park
The Whitworth
Whitworth Street West
Wythenshawe Park and Gardens
Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Bloomtown Map is a blossom trail walk around Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at
Manchester’s biggest free music festival is back this Easter bank holiday weekend
Danny Jones
Sunnier days are well and truly on their way and better still, that means Manchester’s biggest free music festival and one of the best event series on the annual calendar is returning: that’s right, it’s time for Manifest 2024.
Back and bigger than ever, Manifest over at The Oast House in Spinningfelds returns this Easter Sunday and we cannot wait to get soaking in the sun, tunes and good vibes.
The biggest and most popular free music festival you’ll find anywhere in Greater Manchester, Manifest has been going for a few years now and it’s become such a staple of the warmer months here in the city centre that we don’t consider spring/summertime as having even started until it rolls around again.
Set to deliver an all-day line-up of live music with various acts playing from Sunday, 31 March at 1pm onwards and well into the early hours of Monday, 1 April, we can’t think of many better ways to spend the bank holiday.
Taking place on The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace complete with its dedicated stage and the big beer garden providing both coverage and plenty of room for Mancs to turn it into one giant dancefloor, thousands turn up to this series of events every year now.
Kicking off this season’s festivities on Sunday, 31 March, the first Manifest event of 2024 has a packed roster of musicians lined up including bands, solo artists and duos, as well as interludes from their resident and ever-reliable DJs.
Guests can expect not only a vibrant party atmosphere all day and night but tastes of pretty much every genre, from rock, pop and soul to R&B, funk, disco and blues.
Again, part of the reason this music festival series has become so popular is that it’s completely free, with space inside the venue dished out on a first-come, first-served basis. There were plenty of queues at every single date last year, so we recommend getting there early. Seriously, it packs out quickly.
You’ll have everything you need to keep you sorted throughout the day when it comes to food and drink too, by the way.
The Oast House’s street food-style menu will also be on offer for those looking to line their stomachs during the festivities.
We’re talking katsu chicken fries, Northern poutine with bone marrow gravy and Shorrock’s Lancashire cheese, chicken or plant-based gyros, stacked burgers, hot wings and hanging kebabs. We’ve tried it all and trust us, some seriously good scran this.
Festivalgoers can also keep cool with plenty of cold pints and house-made cocktails, including twists on the classics such as Watermelon Margaritas, Passionfruit Coladas and Pink Gin Punch. Phwoar.
The best part is, even if you’re already busy this weekend (obviously, scrap your plans and come here), you’ll have plenty more opportunity to enjoy Manifest this year with the free music festival returning every bank holiday weekend throughout the spring and summer.
There’s also set to be an extra few Saturday Manifest dates this year which are still yet to be confirmed but we’ll keep you posted as and when we know more – see you there, Manchester!
And to keep track of the other latest music news going on here in Manchester, keep your eyes peeled over on The Manc Audio.