What's On

The Student’s Guide to the City: All the best events and offers in Manchester this month

If you're going to be a student anywhere in 2020, you've made a good choice in picking Manchester.

The Manc The Manc - 23rd September 2020
Pixabay

Just like every year, Manchester is getting ready to welcome around 80,000 new and returning students to our city over these next few weeks.

Although, the student experience is set to be a very different one amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With nightclubs still closed and strict social distancing measures in place in bars – as well as the new rule of six and a 10pm curfew announced by the government – this means that usual bar crawls and club nights are out of the question.

Luckily, there’s still plenty of offers, deals and COVID-safe / virtual events either already happening, or set to take place in and around the city centre which are all intent on helping the iconic student adventure thrive despite the circumstances.

From discounted drinks deals, to virtual bingo events, student shopping weeks and even money-off gym memberships, there’s a lot going on in the rainy city that you won’t want to miss.

If you’re going to be a student anywhere in 2020, you’ve made a good choice in picking Manchester.

This is your ultimate student guide to the city.

___

Student Shopping Week

Trafford Centre

Trafford Centre

intu Trafford Centre’s annual Student Shopping Week is back.

More than 50 stores, restaurants and leisure venues are getting involved and students will be able to take advantage of some amazing deals and exclusive offers, with up to 50% off some brands.

The popular shopping mall has hosted a huge student night for the past eight years, but in 2020, this will be extended to a full week and it means that students can choose a time to visit that is convenient to them, which will in turn help to manage the number of visitors in the centre and maintain social distancing.

Student Shopping Week is taking place from 28th September – 4th October and you can find out more of what’s on offer here.

___

‘Fresh Deals for Freshers’

Printworks

Printworks

The Printworks is ready to welcome students to the city in the safest way possible.

As Manchester’s number one entertainment complex in the heart of the city centre, the Printworks has a whole host of deals and discounts to suit the needs of every student and help you kick-start freshers in style. 

There’s over nineteen venues to splash your student loan on, including food, drink and leisure.

You can find out more information here.

___

Bongo’s Bingo

Freshers Goes Virtual

Together with Southern Comfort, Schuh and Unihomes, Bongo’s Bingo is bringing the party from the comfort of your halls or student house this year with Freshers Goes Virtual.

Students will be able to tune in to the crazy three-hour live stream on an unprecedented scale.

Now, Joel Corry joins Clean Bandit – both UK chart No.1 artists debuting brand new mixes for the stream – at what is set to be a wild evening of mayhem and magic, with stream host Jonny Bongo keeping it very much unreal and where fabulous prizes can be won.

Bongo’s Bingo Freshers Goes Virtual is taking place on 1st October 2020 at 8pm.

You can find more information here.

___

Pints, Pool & More

Brickhouse Social

Ever-popular Wakefield Street hangout Brickhouse Social has already got plenty going on this month.

Students arriving in the city can make the most of free games of pool, 25% off food seven days a week – and 50% off food on Mondays only – £2.50 pints and vodka mixers, £2 shots, £1 coffee, four for £10 jagerbombs and 2-4-1 pizza.

What more could you want? All you need to do is show your Student ID to be eligible.

You can find more information here.

___

Free Beer & ‘Mates Rates’ Card

Yard & Coop

Buttermilk Fried Chicken experts Yard & Coop are offering something a little different for students in Manchester this year.

The Mates Rates card is arriving in the rainy city, meaning those dining in the Manchester restaurant can now get 20% off the entire bill on Sunday-Thursday. Not only that, but they’re also giving away a free pint of Yard Pilsner when you sign up for Mates Rates with no strings attached.

All you have to do fill in the form on the Yard & Coop website and then you’ll receive an email with a voucher.

You can find more information here.

___

Student Bottomless Brunch

Revolution Deansgate Locks

Weird & Wonderful

Weird & Wonderful is bringing its student-focused bottomless brunch to Revolution Deansgate Locks.

With a signature soundtrack of Disco / Party / Hip Hop tunes, an endless selection of drinks – from Aperol Spritz, Pornstar Martinis and Prosecco, to Amstel and Heineken – and a wide array of mouth-watering food options, this is bound to be 90 minutes of bottomless fun.

There’s multiple events going on from 4th October right through to 6th December and you can grab your tickets starting at £25 per person now.

You can find more information here.

___

We’re going to make sure we keep updating this list with any more unmissable offers that we see as the weeks go on, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.

Don’t forget to check back for all the latest.

What's On

Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.

Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.

Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.

You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.

Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.

There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.

There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.

Clothing rack
Sewing machine
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)

At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.

And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.

“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.

Read more:

Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.

Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)

What's On

New immersive Race Across the World Experience comes to Manchester this summer

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Hit BBC TV show Race Across the World is launching an interactive experience in Manchester this summer, inspired by the series.

After five original series and two celebrity spin-offs, it was only a matter of time before the huge TV show materialised into ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’.

Just like the real programme, you will be sent on a mission across the heart of the city centre where you will have to complete tasks and reach various checkpoints to be crowned champion.

The missions will see players visiting Manchester hotspots, lesser known locations, renowned pubs, and distinctive landmarks across three hours.

Teams will rely on our trusty Bee Network as they take a trip on our vibrant yellow trams and buses to get around the city as they make their way to each puzzle and activity.

At each puzzle destination, participants will complete a challenge to guide them to their next location, all of which is pre-planned and spread across a five kilometre city-wide voyage.

For Mancs and anyone further afield, ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ offers a whole new way to explore Manchester and gives you the chance to see some of the city’s best hidden gems, even if you are on a time limit.

This sounds like a great idea for friends and family alike, and based off the amount of times we’ve had to sprint down to Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I think us Mancs were born for this challenge.

In true Race Across the World style, the team who manages to finish not just with the fastest time but with the most budget remaining too, will be the ultimate victor.

Cast of BBC's Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert
Cast of BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert

Tom Rymer, Founder of CityDays, said: “Following an outstanding debut month in London that has thrilled fans of the show, both old and new, we are bringing the Race Across The World Experience to Manchester.

“New puzzles, new characters, new decisions and new discoveries, all coming soon over three new thrilling legs. Manchester, are you ready for your race?”

Read more:

A launch date for ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ is yet to be released but eager entrants can sign up to the official waitlist and find out even more information HERE.

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

Featured Image – BBC / Studio Lambert

Thumbnail – @richardstorey_photography (via Instagram)

More What's On

Art & Culture

Free Britpop karaoke event comes to Printworks this week ahead of Oasis reunion

Audio

Aitch is playing a huge hometown set at The Warehouse Project

Art & Culture

‘Dazzling’ Victorian silver sculpture goes on public display in Greater Manchester after fears it was lost

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches