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.
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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.
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.
Clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know to make massive comeback in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
World-renowned clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know is set to make a massive return this weekend, with a huge line-up at O2 Victoria Warehouse.
The international line-up will include Timmy Trumpet, Blasterjaxx, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman, Third Party, and Ummet Ozcan.
Don’t Let Daddy Know is famed for its huge production, with walls of LEDs, pyrotechnics and lasers creating an almighty clubbing experience – not to mention plenty of surprises along the way.
It has grown into a global phenomenon, hosting tens of thousands of clubbers in venues around the world.
The 18+ dance event will be back after a two-year hiatus and returning to the O2 Victoria Warehouse, the site of previous sell-out shows.
The line-up is packed with EDM and HardStyle artists, including Australian DJ/producer Timmy Trumpet, who has 1.2 billion streams and first broke through with Freaks, which dominated the charts in more than 10 countries.
He said: “Manchester knows how to party!! I can’t wait to rage with you guys, this is gonna be absolutely MENTAL!!
“Don’t Let Daddy Know always brings the best production. This is gonna be one for the history books!”
Blasterjaxx is a fixture in the EDM scene, along with Swedish DJ and producer duo Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman.
Don’t Let Daddy Know will be at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday 1 October, with last entry at 11pm.
There are VIP tickets available, with the best views in the house from the venue’s mezzanine level, as well as fast-track entry and a private bar and toilets.
General admission tickets are priced at £25 plus fees, while VIP tickets start from £37.50 – you can get yours here.
Featured image: Don’t Let Daddy Know
What's On
You can meet tarantulas, komodo dragons, and more on Chester Zoo’s new interactive Halloween trail
Emily Sergeant
Tarantulas, komodo dragons, and poisonous dart frogs are just some of the creatures you can meet on Chester Zoo‘s newest trail next month.
With the spooky season right around the corner, Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is set to take over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of next month from Saturday 1 – Monday 31 October, and it looks set to be an ideal day out for families during the half term.
You’ll get to see komodo dragons, a Gaboon Viper, some poison dart frogs, a blue komodo viper, a tarantula, and even the upside-down Jellyfish as you make your way along the indoor trail.
If meeting the animals wasn’t exciting enough as it is, this is also an interactive trail too.
So for those feeling brave enough, visitors are encouraged to visit the six different animal stations to learn some spellbinding facts about each hair-raising species, all while collecting letters to form a magic word using augmented reality.
You can meet tarantulas, komodo dragons, and more on Chester Zoo’s new interactive Halloween trail / Credit: Chester Zoo
All you’ll need to do is scan a QR code with your phone to reveal each letter of the word with a fun interactive experience, and then stamp the letters onto a postcard.
You’ll be rewarded with a sweet treat at the end of the trail if you manage to work out the word.
Of course, as Chester Zoo as place that’s as much about educating people on conservation as it is somewhere to head to for a fun day out, the theme of Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is linked to the zoo’s BIAZA Vital Venom and Practical Poisons campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of all the “creepy but crucial creatures” at the zoo that are venomous and poisonous.
Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is set to take over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of next month / Credit: Chester Zoo
“We’re so excited to launch our very own Halloween themed trail around the zoo this October,” said Gemma Bamford – Admissions & Membership Manager at Chester Zoo.
“Halloween is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the unknown species Chester Zoo is home too, inspiring visitors to care for our cause of preventing extinction of not only the renowned species like elephants, giraffes and rhinos, but the more unusual and extraordinary animals that may just shock, surprise or spook you.”
Georgina Pellant -
27th September 2021 
