Boasting stunning views across Manchester city centre from its perch at the top of no.1 Spinningfields, 20 Stories is one of the city’s swankiest spots.
Dining here at any time is a special event, with breathtaking panoramic views adding an extra bit of oomph to the equally top-tier food and drink offering.
However, for those looking for something a little extra, there’s an event coming up next month that is sure to pique your interest.
Shutting off all the electrics, the team will instead light the restaurant by candlelight alone (and the twinkling lights from the city’s night sky) as they host a very special black-out dinner.
Image: 20 Stories
Bookable in three sittings, there will be a specially-curated four-course menu served on the night with a dedicated welcome cocktail created by Belvedere.
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Think seared scallops and squid ink risotto with pickled kohlrabi, tomato concasse and nasturtiums to start, followed by a hearty seasonal pickled veg salad with beetroot gel, goat’s curd with walnut & sherry dressing.
This will be followed by a hearty herb-crusted lamb cannon, served with sautéed Wye Valley asparagus, pea & mint purée, lamb jus. You’ll then finish with a pistachio soufflé with pistachio ice cream and chocolate crumble.
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With the whole experience priced at £55 per person including your welcome drink, it’s quite the steal for a night of luxury and one of Manchester’s most impressive dining locations.
Image: 20 Stories
It’s not the first time that 20 Stories has hosted such a dinner, having previously put together some sell-out dine in the dark events – formerly hosted in partnership with Taittinger champagne.
The popular evenings have become welcomed in Manchester as a stylish way to see in the colder weather and nod to the spooky season. We expect that tickets will sell out fast.
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Announcing the news on their Instagram page, 20 Stories said:
“BLACKOUT DINNER IS BACK! Join us on Sunday 31st October for our very special Blackout Dinner in collaboration with @belvederevodka for an exclusive four-course menu.
Image: 20 Stories
“Be welcomed into the 20 Stories rooftop restaurant with a Belvedere cocktail and take your seat as the restaurant is plunged into complete darkness with thousands of candles and the city as the only source of light!
“Learn more and book via the What’s On section on our website.”
There is also a vegan menu available which can be viewed here featuring some replacements like pea and mint soup, chargrilled butternut squash with truffled vegan cheese, and strawberry and dark chocolate delice.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester Open exhibition to return in 2026 with ‘biggest celebration’ of local creative talent
Emily Sergeant
The biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent is making a much-anticipated return next summer.
Taking place every two years and now in its fourth iteration, Manchester Open exhibition sees the HOME Gallery walls filled with hundreds of artworks selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
The exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs, and even first-time artists.
Artists are invited to submit work into eight different categories, with the aim of creating an exhibition ‘rich in variety’ for visitors to explore.
Manchester Open exhibition is set to return in 2026 / Credit: Jason Lock Photography
This means you’ll get to explore works of ceramics, digital/moving images, drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculptures/installations, and textiles.
Several awards will also be up for grabs throughout the exhibition – which is set to run from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September 2026 – including a prestigious new award in honour of philanthropist and business leader, Kate Voke.
Three artists will also be awarded with artist development packages, managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery.
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent,” explained Karen O’Neill, who is the CEO of HOME.
“With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Manchester Open exhibition is taking place in 2026 from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September, and the application and submission process is now live – with all submissions being reviewed by the selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition.
Artists will only be able to submit one artwork, and the selection panel members will be announced in spring 2026.
Featured Image – Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Georgina Pellant -
27th September 2021 
