What's On

Inside Archie’s Atomic as burger brand opens roller rink, arcade, diner and milkshake bar

Oh yeah, that's pink.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th October 2024

Beloved Manchester-founded burger brand Archie’s has revealed its latest venture – an all-pink roller rink, diner and arcade, Archie’s Atomic.

The huge new venue will officially open its doors to the public next week, but we have, of course, had a little sneak peek for you.

This exciting addition to Greater Manchester includes the north’s largest leisure roller rink, geared towards skaters of all abilities.

You’ll be able to rent a pair of Archie’s Atomic roller skates before going for a spin beneath a huge spinning disco ball on the bespoke bright pink rink.

There’s plenty of space around the sidelines for your mates to cheer you on (or laugh at you, depending on your skating ability).

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This massive new 750-capacity entertainment destination also has a state-of-the-art arcade, including games like basketball hoops, prize grabbers, driving simulators, and dance machines, in partnership with SEGA.

An immersive gaming platform will let you challenge your pals in interactive competitions, with a soundtrack of 80s, 90s and 00s hits.

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The huge pink roller rink at Archie's Atomic.
The huge pink roller rink at Archie’s Atomic. Credit: The Manc Group
Arcade area at Archie's Atomic. Credit: The Manc Group
Arcade area at Archie’s Atomic. Credit: The Manc Group

And it wouldn’t be Archie’s without burgers and shakes, would it?

The 5000sq ft Archie’s Atomic has a full diner with smash burgers and delicious sides.

For the first time ever, the new venue also has a dedicated milkshake bar serving shakes, waffles, coffee and ice cream by the scoop.

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Passes for the roller rink, which get you an hour on the floor, start from £15, or a full any-time Skate Club membership is £60 per month.

Archie's Atomic has a full diner serving its signature burgers and shakes. Credit: The Manc Group
Archie’s Atomic has a full diner serving its signature burgers and shakes. Credit: The Manc Group
Archie's shakes are on the menu. Credit: The Manc Group
Archie’s shakes are on the menu. Credit: The Manc Group

There are party packages available for groups of more than eight people, starting from £25pp for children and £30pp for over-14s.

Archie’s Atomic is at the Trafford Palazzo, next to to Nerf Action Experience and Sea Life Manchester.

Doors will officially open at 10am on Thursday 7 November, with opening hours from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.

You can book your spot at Archie’s Atomic HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

What's On

Freight Island is hosting the UK’s biggest Six Nations fan zone

Danny Jones Danny Jones Watch the Six Nations rugby at Freight Island Manchester

Freight Island’s Six Nations fan zone returns for 2025 at the end of this month and we’re so ready for seven weeks of rugby action and a river of Guinness.

The iconic international tournament gets underway on 31 January and so too does Freight Island’s fantastic fan experience, providing an unparalleled level of excitement beyond being inside the stadium.

Set to be even bigger and better than last year, it’s the largest of its kind anywhere in the country because, well, as well as know, Manchester sports fans do it better than anyone.

Promising everything from free pints and prosecco for ticket holders, live music, top-notch scran from Freight’s in-house vendors and more, it’s going to be another year to remember.

six nations fan zones uk
six nations manchester city centre
The Freight Island Six Nations fan zone is back for 2025. (Credit: Supplied)

Fuel for the sporting action

Launching in time for the first game between France and Wales on the final Friday of the month, the Freight Island Six Nations fan zone will be open for the full duration of the competition, showing all 15 fixtures across a seven-week period.

With the final not until Saturday, 15 March, you’ve got plenty of time to sample all the massive Manchester venue has to offer this year. Speaking of..

As well as a steady supply of drinks including a self-service Guinness machine, punters will be eligible for a free pint of Freight Island pilsner or a glass of Prosecco with their ticket.

To make things even sweeter, as well as the usual foodie favourites such as Fuku, Mia’s Arepas, Burgerism, Voodoo Ray’s; Mega Gyros, Oh! My Cheesecake and Soft Boi, Scouse chicken connoisseurs Pattersons are launching their brand new ‘American Buffet’. We’re talking proper game-day food.

Every Sunday, they’ll be serving up half-chickens brined and deep fried in their special spice mix, or a vegetarian nut roast, plus an all-you-can-eat sides including sweet potato, corn salsa, tater tots, cheesy grits, home-made corn bread and their famous gravy, all for £18 per tray

You can ever pre-order a full bird ahead of time if you like – consider this the Six Nations answer to Super Bowl-level feasting.

freight island fan zone sports
pattersons chicken manchester
Credit: Freight Island/Patterson’s (supplied)

Entertainment on and off the pitch

But isn’t all food and drink, of course: Freight Island will also be making sure to keep the energy high no matter what’s going on in the matches with DJs, music from live bands, as well pre and post-match content for you to enjoy. Let us explain.

In addition to sets by the likes of singer-songwriter Neeva Zahra, Paul Eden and other special guests, but they’re also be performances by the Pent Up Pipes band and Dizzy Brasscals to really get the atmosphere going.

Crowd interaction is essential to making these fan zones work, so if bagpipes and a brass band doesn’t get you hyped as the six sporting-mad continental countries go head-to-head for European glory, we don’t what will.

Freight Island have also partnered with The EggChasers rugby union podcast, who will be delivering podcasts live from the building, as well as fan content before and after the whistle, meaning you can also get involved if you fancy yourself an armchair expert.

Dizzy Brasscals Manchester
Dizzy Brasscals is the best band name we’ve heard in ages. (Credit: Supplied)

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Once again, the tournament last for a good month and a half, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy all of the above, as well as all the live rugby on the multiple screens dotted around the venue – including one very big one.

Freight Island opening hours during the Six Nations and throughout February and March are Friday (4pm-12am), Saturday (12pm-12am), and Sunday (12-8pm).

You can book your free tickets HERE and we’ll no doubt see plenty of you there.

Meanwhile over in rugby league, local side Salford Red Devils have found themself in a less than ideal position ahead of the new season after being hit with a new sustainability cap.

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Freight Island)

What's On

World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.

Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.

Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.

Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.

Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.

With plenty of well-known radio rock staples to their name such as ‘Free Bird’, ‘Simple Man’ and, of course, the iconic ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, they’ve sold more than 28 million records and are ranked at no. 95. in Rolling Stone‘s ‘Top 100 Artists of All Time’.

Now that’s pedigree, right there.

With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.

As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?

They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.

rock concert manchester, lynyrd skynyrd, manchester
Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester.
rock concerts this year, lynyrd skynyrd, manchester
That iconic Lynyrd logo will look immense in AO Arena this year.
Credit: Supplied

They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.

Similarly to Katy Perry, who also announced a gig at AO Arena set for this year, £1 from every ticket will also be donated to Live Trust in support of grassroots music venues. Love that.

One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.

Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.

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

Featured Images — Publicity Pictures (Supplied)

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