Pong & Puck has quickly become one of our favourites ever since it popped up in Deansgate and now the Great Northern spot is seriously upping its special events game.
Nearly a year on from their opening back in March, Pong & Puck is hosting its first-ever bingo night but it’s not like any other: this one is a bottomless drag bingo party. Yes, you heard us right.
We know there’s a lot to unpack in that sentence and we’re sure you have plenty of questions but, lucky for you, that’s what we’re here for.
First things first, it’s still the same game of bingo with prizes to play for and the rest of it, only this one comes with the added bonus of bottomless drinks, pizza, a comedy show; sing-offs, catwalks and more — all of which will be hosted by legendary Manchester drag queen and comedian, Miss Ginger Hunter.
The Canal Street queen is a cult favourite not only in Manchester but the UK drag scene, in general, and is set to sashay her way to Great Northern Warehouse on Friday, 31 March.
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As well as plenty of sass and style, you can expect big hair and even bigger prizes, not to mention stand-up and songs from Ginger herself and the ultimate queens of pop.
The prizes will range from bar tabs, free food and lots more that we obviously can’t spoil for you — all you need to know is that it’s going to be a bloody good laugh.
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Starting from 7pm, you’ll get a welcome drink on arrival, slices from a pizza of your choice and bottomless drinks including selected cocktails like the ‘Holy Puck’, ‘WHAM! WHAM!’ and the ‘Simmer Down and Pucker Up’ sharer.
Then, from 7:30 onwards, prepare for non-stop party vibes and action under Pong & Puck‘s lovely neon lights, all from just £40 per person.
They’re also one of several wonderful places showing the Six Nations in the city centre this month, with just two weeks of fixtures left to play in this year’s tournament.
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With casual sporting staples like table tennis, beer pong, shuffleboard and more all part of what makes this Pong & Puck so fun, not to mention the bottomless bingo party itself, there’s a lot of fun to be had there this month.
You can book your tickets for the 31 March HERE and be sure to catch the rugby there if you get the chance.
Featured Image — The Manc Group/Ginger Hunter (via Instagram)
What's On
A beloved Manc gig venue is hosting a special afterparty following Manichester tribute festival
Danny Jones
A much-loved live music institution in Manchester is set to host a dedicated afterparty for the inaugural ‘Manichester’: the live tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Seeing the grassroots music scene gathering together in moments like this is the kind of stuff that would make the man himself SO proud.
With Manichester 2026 announced this past March and set to take place later this month in honour of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, tickets for the main event sold out very quickly.
This came as no surprise, of course, but now other Manc venues are joining in toasting the life and career of Mani for one very special evening.
Shared by Madchester.com, who are helping organise the Manichester ’26 along with surviving members of the Mounfield family, as well as Mani’s friends and peers such as his brother Greg and Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene, gig space Gorilla are hosting it.
The small-cap live music room, bar and restaurant has hosted many a special night over the past decade or so – hosting multiple War Child charity shows in the past few years, for instance – and even when they’re not hosting a set themselves, they’re always more than happy to join in the celebrations.
With that in mind, there always likely to pay their respects to the late, great and iconic local musician in some way, but now they’re teaming up with Madchester directly.
Positioned as the official ‘aftershow’ following the mini tribute festival, as you can see, there will be just 600 tickets available, with general admission for the main event already gone as mentioned.
At one point, it looked like the kind-spirited and well-meaning idea might be scrapped altogether after some confusion between the organising partners.
Thankfully, that all looks to have been put to bed, and all those involved can focus on what’s important: honouring Mani in the best way possible – with a load of live tunes and a good time.
In terms of those who will be playing on the night ahead of the aftershow, the likes of the equally legendary Peter Hook, Rowetta, The Kowloons, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, plus many more, have been announced as part of the lineup.
There is also still a ‘AAA’ headliner still yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
As for the Manichester afterparty at Gorilla, keep an eye out on socials for the ticket link to drop and, hopefully, we’ll see you there for a night to remember.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Stopping off at Manchester Palace Theatre next spring, the show will be in our city from Tuesday 23 March through to Saturday 3 April 2027, before visiting other northern cities like Leeds, York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Tickets officially go on sale this week – with the pre-sale for ATG members beginning this Wednesday (13 May), before general sale starts on Friday 15 May at 10am.
Danny Jones -
1st March 2023 
