An immersive Christmas experience is coming to Manchester’s EventCity this winter – as ParkNParty hosts a glorious festive helping of drive-in entertainment.
Christmas movies, live performers and Father Christmas himself will all be at Trafford Park from Friday 4 December – with people invited to drive through Santa’s workshop, watch the elves at work, and enter the ‘snow valley’ before settling in for a movie.
ChristmasCity – from the same company behind the wildly successful drive-in event ScareCity – will run right through until New Year’s Eve, delivering a huge selection of outdoor screenings to guests in their own cars.
Each ticket provides visitors with the chance to journey through a trail filled with surprises, live actors and festive characters – with special events designed for both adults and younger audiences.
ChristmasCity has two types of events to choose from – ‘Nice’ or ‘Naughty’.
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‘Nice’ events have been created for all the family to enjoy. Films screened will include Home Alone, The Polar Express, Elf, and The Grinch, whilst kids will have a chance to post a letter to Santa in the mailroom and explore the North Pole from the safety of the car.
Santa’s elves will be on hand performing acrobatics and tricks – with a special message from Father Christmas, too!
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‘Naughty’ events are strictly for adults – which is easy to see why from the sounds of what’s involved…
Aside from 18-rated movies (such as Die Hard and Bad Santa) playing on screen, ChristmasCity is also promising appearances from “scantily clad elves and maybe even Santa himself after a few festive drinks…”
Naughty, indeed.
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Some screening highlights for ChristmasCity include:
Tickets for ChristmasCity are available to buy now – priced at £40 per vehicle.
COVID safety precautions will be implemented during the event.
For more information, visit the ParkNParty website.
What's On
All the February Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers you need in 2023
Georgina Pellant
This February, there are still plenty of great Manchester restaurant and dining deals to get stuck into.
Quite a few of the city’s bars and cafes have decided to extend their 50% off food deals from January into February, and we’re absolutely chuffed to see it.
Beyond that, there are some awesome set menus, lunch deals and general discounts going around – not to mention quite a lot of Valentine’s deals to take up if you’re looking to celebrate Cupid’s holiday with someone special this month.
Keep reading to discover the best Manchester restaurant deals, discounts and offers to try this February.
50% off food – Manchester February dining deals
Image: The Firehouse
Image: The Mews
Ducie Street Warehouse
What is it: A huge cultural hub serving small plates and disco brunches and good vibes.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Valid all day on Tuesdays only from the Something for Everyone menu between 1 and 28 February. Booking recommended.
Firefly
What is it: A glitzy spot across the water from Spinningfields, serving small plates influenced by south east Asia.
The offer: 50% off food and drinks
T&Cs: 50% off food available Wednesday to Friday. 50% off entire bill Sundays ONLY from 5pm. Maximum 6 guests, book in advance using code SUN50.
Provence
What is it: A gorgeous wine bar where you can wash down your natural wine with Manchester-made charcuterie and cheese boards.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Discount applies to grazing boards when purchasing a bottle of wine between until 7 February. Cannot be used with any other deal or experience.
The Firehouse
What is it: A cool Detroit-style restaurant and bar housed in a former MOT garage.
The offer: 50% off peri, plates and pitas.
T&Cs: Available until 10 February, Wednesday and Thursday between 4-9pm, Friday 12-9pm. Booking in advance is required.
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Three Little Words
What is it: Sleek restaurant and bar in industrial railways arch with vaulted ceilings, with a neighbouring gin school and distillery attached.
The offer: 50% off food and selected drinks.
T&Cs: Available until 10 February, Wednesday and Thursday between 5pm-midnight, Friday 12-7pm. Anything ordered after these time periods will not be eligible for discount. Maximum party of six.
TNQ
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What is it: A proper institution offering a little taste of bistro culture in the heart of the trendy Northern Quarter.
The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Available until 10 February. Applies to the A la Carte only Monday to Friday between 12-10pm. Maximum booking of six. Quote ‘JanSale’ when making booking online to get the deal.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The Mews
What is it: A wine and charcuterie bar tucked away on Deansgate Mews.
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The offer: 50% off food
T&Cs: Offer runs until 12 February. Available every day except Saturday, offer excludes fondue.
Wood
What is it: MasterChef Simon Wood’s high-end restaurant down at First Street, perfect for a pre-theatre treat.
The offer: 50% off Taste of Homage menu (five cheeses and five wines for £25 per person)
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T&Cs: 50% off cheese and wine at Homage throughout February. Bookings via [email protected]
Other Manchester February dining deals
The Blues Kitchen is serving up bottomless chicken wings this month. / Image: The Blues Kitchen
You can get pies and a side for £10 all month at The Black Friar as its pub grub menu makes a return. / Image: The Black Friar
20 Stories
What is it: Ultra-glitzy restaurant and bar set way up amongst the city’s skyline.
The offer: Three courses and a glass of wine for £30.
T&Cs: Available Monday to Wednesday between 630-10pm. Available for groups of six people max.
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The Black Friar
What is it: A classic pub reborn, with a huge new restaurant installed into a new glass extension.
The offer: £10 pie and mash.
T&Cs: Available all day Monday and 12-6pm Tuesday to Friday until the end of February.
The Blues Kitchen
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What is it: Dedicated blues bar serving hickory-smoked comfort food, plus regular live music and DJs.
The offer: Bottomless chicken wings.
T&Cs: Available every Sunday throughout February between 12pm and 6pm. Available for £12 per person (£20 for two people), served with blue cheese dip and celery.
The Beeswing
What is it: New Kampus wine bar with a sun-soaked terrace (probably not right now), sandwiches and small plates.
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The offer: Meat or cheese board with bread and a carafe of wine for £25.
T&Cs: Available every Wednesday and Thursday between 4-9 pm.
Image: The Beeswing
Image: The Beeswing
Provence
What is it: A relaxed, independent new wine bar serving quality cheese and charcuterie boards alongside low-intervention wines by the bottle and glass.
The offer: Free dessert boards and free prosecco.
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T&Cs: Free dessert boards (chocolate brownies, blondies and cupcakes, all made by local baker ‘cupcakes by donna) offered with any bottle of wine purchased. Guests who pre-book will receive a complimentary glass of fizz. Available Valentine’s Day only.
Cane and Grain
What is it: New York-style style bar split of over three themed floors, serving ribs, burgers and cocktails.
The offer: Burger, fries and a drink for £10.
T&Cs: Offer available Monday to Friday between 12-4pm.
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Image: Cane and Grain
Image: Cane and Grain
Cibo
What is it: Modern Italian cafe, restaurant and prosecco bar serving Italian pizzas, grill dishes and sharing plates.
The offer: One course £7, two courses £12.
T&Cs: Available 12-230pm Monday to Friday, 12-3pm Saturday and Sunday.
Don Giovanni
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What is it: Modern Italian restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bar and a large selection of traditional dishes.
The offer: Two courses £23.95, three courses £28.95.
T&Cs: Available 12-2pm and 4-6pm every day for a maximum of six people.
Edinburgh Castle
What is it: Another classic pub reborn – cosy vibes and pies downstairs, fancy small plates upstairs.
The offer: Two courses with a drink £30, three for £35.
T&Cs: Available Wednesday to Friday between 5 – 6.30pm throughout February.
Evelyn’s / The Daisy
What is it: More great brunches and roasts, plus an all-day menu that’s just had an overhaul and a charming bar underneath.
The offer: Roasts followed by £12 carafes at The Daisy
T&Cs: Enjoy a carafe of red or white wine for £12 at Evelyn’s subterannean bar The Daisy before or after your Sunday roast.
The Lawn Club
What is it: Airy cafe bar with wicker chairs, food served on wooden boards and an extensive cocktail menu.
The offer: Dine out for £50(for two)
T&Cs: Available Valentine’s Day only. Offer includes a bottle of prosecco, any 2 mains and 2 sides from the main menu, between two people for £50. Walk-ins welcome.
What's On
The new bars and restaurants opening in Manchester this month | February 2023
Georgina Pellant
We’ve said goodbye to so many brilliant Manchester bars and restaurants already this year – so it’s nice to have some new openings to get excited about.
As the saying goes: when God closes a door he opens a window, and whilst we’ve found it really sad to say goodbye these past few months, there’s hope in seeing new businesses open their doors across the city centre (and beyond).
From the opening of the first Gail’s Bakery site to grace the north west, to the return of the Flawd team’s critically-acclaimed pre-Covid restaurant venture Higher Ground, there is a lot to look forward to this month.
Add in an exciting new kitchen pop-up at Cloudwater pub The Sadler’s Cat, a new Japanese izakaya-inspired bar in the Northern Quarter and a brand new pie and mash cafe, and we think you’ll agree there’s plenty to start feeling chipper about again this month.
Keep reading to discover the new Manchester bars and restaurants to put on your list this February.
Mira
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: Mira
Mira, aka as the original home of Manchester’s saucy sandwich, relocates to Cloudwater-owned pub Sadler’s Cat this month with its mouthwatering Neapolitan butties.
Owners Mike and Rhea first fell in love with the rich flavours, culture and history behind the sandwich whilst travelling and felt compelled to bring it home to Manchester, quickly building up loyal fanbase during the pandemic for their saucy ‘Cuzzetiello’ sandwiches.
Popular fillings at Mira include slow-cooked Genovese beef brisket with onions, parmesan and salami; Italian meatballs in a slow-cooked ragu with fresh basil and mozzarella and a vegan-friendly juicy aubergine parmigiana sandwich with rich tomato sauce, cashew cheese and basil.
They’ve also branched out into breakfast sandwiches, focaccia slabs and sides, and serve a regularly-changing Cuzzetiello ‘Wild card’ special.
1 February
Gail’s Bakery
Cinnamon rolls at Gail’s made with croissant dought. / Image: The Manc Eats
Sandwiches, bagels and focaccia loves are all baked and prepared freshly at Gail’s each day. / Image: The Manc Eats
Gail’s Bakery will open three cafes in the north this year, kicking things off with a new site in Wilmslow, Cheshire this February. Here, Mancs will be able to get their hands on all manner of treats: from its range of sourdough breads (including a ‘wasteless’ loaf made with breadcrumb leftovers), to cakes, pastries, sandwiches and more.
The bakery group already has strong ties with Manchester, having run its sister wholesale bakery The Bread Factory – which supplies bread to some of Manchester’s premium restaurants, cafes and bars – in Openshaw since 2017.
Already well known and loved by its customers in the south of England, Gail’s recently confirmed it would be opening more neighbourhood craft bakeries in Manchester city centre and Altrincham later this year.
The team behind gorgeous Ancoats wine and small plates bar Flawd will relaunch their Higher Ground concept as a permanent restaurant in Manchester’s Chinatown this February.
First launched as a four-week pop-up back in February 2020, it was closed when Covid struck but now the bistro is making a permanent return.
The brainchild of Joseph Otway, Richard Cossins and Daniel Craig Martin, dishes will change on a daily basis depending on the season and showcase organic produce from their very own market garden, Cinderwood, as well as other local producers.
Promising a focus on North West ingredients, dishes will put a focus on small-scale agriculture and small herd, whole carcass cookery, whilst its wine list will center around small-scale, low intervention winemakers from around the European continent.
A twist on the Japanese Sando. A burger at Disorder made with beef and black pudding, Japanese mustard mayo and apple sauce. / Image: Disorder
New bar and restaurant Disorder will open inside the former Man With The Fish unit (next to Oklahome, previously home to Walrus). / Image: DIsorder
Set to open in the Northern Quarter this month, Disorder is a new restaurant and bar that takes its inspiration from izakaya bars in Japan.
With a laid-back Asian-inspired menu featuring Japanese sandos with a Mancunian twist and a selection of small plates on offer, Executive Chef Bryan Barber will be cooking a number of dishes on a traditional Japanese konro grill (using a ceramic pot over charcoal) and making all gyoza on the menu by hand.
Watch out for The KFPB sando (made with fried chicken, lemongrass peanut satay sauce, and spiced berry jam) and Buldak fries (loaded fries topped with home made fire sauce, oyster mushrooms, crispy noodles and nori seaweed).
Two thirds of the dishes on the menu will be vegetarian and vegan friendly, with plenty of craft beers on offer and a dive bar-style music venue underground.
17 February
Great North Pie Co
Steak and kidney steamed suet pudding, mash, roast onion and brown sauce gravy / Image: Great North Pie Company
The Macaroni pie special from Great North Pie Company / Image: Great North Pie Company
After a lot of anticipation, Great North Pie Co will finally open its pie and mash cafe in Manchester city centre cafe this month.
Moving into garden neighbourhood Kampus just across the water from Manchester’s famous Gay Village, Great North Pie will serve up all the traditional favourites like classic Lancashire cheese and onion, roast chicken and mushroom, and 14 hour braised beef and ale alongside a regularly-changing selection of seasonal specials.
Set to arrive on the cobbles of Little David Street later this month, the cafe will be the first to move into the long-forgotten avenue as it is brought back to life by Kampus developers this year.
2 February
Crumbled
Image: Crumbled
Image: Crumbled
Founded by former Britain’s Next Top Model contestant Chloe Peers, Crumbled reopens at Hatch on Oxford Road this month – leaving behind its previous home at secret Northern Quarter garden Mala.
A haven for sweet tooths, as the name suggests its menu is almost entirely dedicated to crumble and custard puddings – with a few tasty hot drinks thrown in for good measue.
Making us nostalgic for school lunchtime puddings, find classics like apple and rhubarb crumbled served with a Insta-friendly additions like toasted pink marshmallow toppings, Lotus Biscoff and Rolo chocolates.
The Manc -
11th November 2020 
