What's On

A ‘dine in the dark’ experience is coming to 20 Stories this Halloween

20 Stories has revived it's sell-out dine in the dark dinner - and this time it's taking place on Halloween

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 27th September 2021

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.

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To find out more and book your table, click here.

Feature image – 20 Stories

What's On

Shayne Ward relaunches music career with Manchester gig and box set album

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Shayne Ward is heading back out on the live music scene in support of his box set album ‘Anthology’, with a Manchester gig in the works for this year.

The former X-Factor star, originally from Tameside, had stepped back from music to join the cast of Coronation Street in the role of Aidan Connor.

His character was killed off in 2018, in a highly-praised storyline that was written with the help of CALM and the Samaritans.

His acting career has also seen him performing on the West End in Rock Of Ages as Stacee Jaxx in London’s West End as well as the touring productions of The War of the Worlds and Band of Gold.

Shayne Ward first shot to fame as the winner of the second series of X Factor, and released three albums – a self-titled debut in 2006, Breathless in 2007, and Obsession in 2010.

Shayne Ward is heading back out on tour. Credit: Publicity picture

His debut single That’s My Goal was the Christmas number one in 2005 and sat at the top of the charts for four weeks.

Those first three albums have been released in their entirety as a new box set, Anthology, along with bonus tracks, remixes and unreleased recordings.

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To support Anthology, he’ll be heading out on a mini-tour, with two UK headline shows in 2023.

He’ll perform at the O2 Ritz in Manchester on 9 April, and at the O2 Academy Islington in London on 15 April.

Tickets go on general sale Friday 3 February at 9am and will be available from See Tickets.

Featured image: ITV

What's On

Where to watch the Six Nations in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

It’s that time again, the Six Nations is just around the corner and we can practically taste the pints already. That being said, we thought it only right to put together a list of where to enjoy those pints.

With the tournament kicking off on Saturday, 4 February, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the Six Nations in Manchester; we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.

So, without further ado, here is our list of the best places to watch the Six Nations in Manchester:

1. Guinness Fan Zone at Escape to Freight Island – Mayfield

Guinness and the Six Nations go hand in hand — I mean, their name’s literally on the trophy — so what better place to start than the official Guinness Fan Zone at Escape to Freight Island? It’s the biggest outside of London and it’s got plenty more on offer than just the games:

2. Shooters/Bierkeller – Printworks

Next up, a tried and tested favourite of any punter who frequents sports bars in Manchester. Shooters Bar inside the Bierkeller at Printworks. Showing the Six Nations every year, this place always draws in a big crowd so best get your booking sorted early HERE.

3. Calcio! – Northern Quarter

You’d be forgiven for thinking a place called Calcio only shows football, but au contraire mon frère (one for those few France fans among you): this new hotspot just on the edge of Northern Quarter and not far from Piccadilly has all kinds of sports, tonnes of retro games, plenty of pints and some seriously whopping burgers. Give it a try.

4. Mulligans – Deansgate

As far as Irish bars go, you can’t go wrong with Mulligans. A go-to for sports fans and punters in general, not to mention Guinness’ second home in Manchester, this traditional Irish pub sandwiched just across the road from Spinningfields will be showing the games and promises live music every night. It’s always good craic in here.

5. Tib Street Tavern – Northern Quarter

No list of Manchester sports bars would be complete without Tib Street Tavern, one of the most popular in NQ or the city centre in general, for that matter. With booths for you and all your mates to pile into, massive screens filling the walls and solid grub, this place is packed out noon till night, so give ’em a ring to sort your sort whilst you still can.

6. Waldorf – Piccadilly

Now, if you’re looking for something right next to the station so you don’t have to walk far for your first pint or, equally, can make a quick exit if the result doesn’t go your way, the Waldorf is the one for you, Spanning aross multiple floors with the upstairs usually dedicated to rugby fans, you’ll catch many a face watching the sport in here most weekends. Again, it fills up quick so bag yourself a table while you can.

place showing Six Nations in Manchester
does the waldorf show rugby?
best places to watch Six Nations in Manchester
Private room upstairs
Credit: Waldorf (via Instagram)

7. Directors’ Box – Central

Another all-time classic Manchester sports bar, The Directors’ Box just off St Peter’s Square in the city centre has plenty of pints, an absolutely mint menu full of sharing platters perfect for watching the game with your mates, as well as a pool table to keep you occupied during the breaks. Book HERE.

8. Kiely’s – Great Northern

Whether you’ll be cheering on Ireland or not, Kiely’s is prime location to watch the Six Nations. Yet another place for Guinness lovers and showing live sport all week-round before the rowdy live music kicks off in the evenings, we’ve spent many night in here and can heartily recommend it for the rugby.

9. BOX – Deansgate

One of the newest bars on this list, BOX on Deansgate brings a real sense of the American sports bar culture with shuffleboard, giant steins of booze, banging food and TV on every wall — including a big 360-jumbotron screen so nobody misses a second. Even with two large floors, this place packs out quick, so we would get booking your place now.

10. Walkabout – Printworks

Last but not least, Mancunians have made memories in the one and only Walkabout. The massive pub, club and local nightlife institution has plenty food, pints and screens to cater to the hordes of punters. Better still, with its Australian roots, there’s a real love for rugby in here, whether you’re an England fan or otherwise. Book you place HERE.

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So, if you’re still wondering where to watch the Six Nations in Manchester, that should be plenty of options for now. It’s one of the biggest competitions on the sporting calendar so we’re looking forward to similar festivities to the kind we saw for the World Cup.

It may be a fairly frosty February but we’ve never been the type to let the weather put us off going out and having a good time.

The first match between Wales and Ireland starts at 2:15pm on Saturday, 4 February, with England facing off against Scotland at 4:45pm that same day. Who do you fancy for it this year?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Mulligans of Manchester (via IG)/Six Nations (via Twitter)/Supplied

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