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There’s a ‘candyland’ immersive cocktail experience coming to Manchester

Candyland is a unique pop up experience that combines riddles, candy and cocktails.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th August 2021

Manchester is gearing up to become host to a series of sweets-themed immersive cocktail experiences this autumn.

Ready to make all your childhood dreams come true?

For all of those with a sweet tooth looking for their next sugar fix, it’s time to take a trip to Candyland – a unique and independent pop up experience in the heart of Manchester that combines riddles, candy and cocktails.

Each event is set to transport you to a place where all magical and edible delights come to life right before your very eyes.

Taking place at a soon-to-be-announced city centre location, not only will the Candyland bar be stocked with the most delicious candy-themed cocktails – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, which are included in the ticket price – guests will also get to indulge in 90 minutes of immersive candy-themed fun.

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There’s a whole host of games, puzzles and prizes to be won along the way too.

Candyland is a unique pop up experience combining riddles, candy and cocktails / Credit: Candyland

Event organisers reassure that Instagram lovers will be in awe of the set up – with countless sweet spots to capture the fun-filled experience and make your friends “mint-green with envy” dotted around the venue.

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Did we mention there’s literally thousands of sweets coating the entire bar area? And that there’s even family-friendly sessions suitable for all ages too?

There’s something for everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N7mkT0uhmU

Candyland – Immersive Cocktail Experience is arriving in Manchester from 15 September – 7 November 2021.

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Ticket prices are starting at £17.50 – and you can grab yours here.

Featured Image – Candyland

What's On

Manchester City turn down Old Trafford offer for FA Youth Cup final in favour of Joie Stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester City have turned down an offer from rivals Man United to hold the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford.

The Cityzens have instead chosen to host it themselves, only not at the Etihad Campus’ main ground, but rather the Joie Stadium.

Primarily used for City Women and the club’s EDS (elite development squad) and academy teams, the arena was formerly and simply known as The Academy Stadium, was renamed for sponsorship reasons back in 2023, and has seen several updates over the years.

Seating just a fraction of the amount possible across the city at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, the decision has disappointed many, but has been seen as a shrewd bit of gamesmanship by some, as it could effectively see any home advantage handed over to their opponents.

With this set to be the first Manchester derby FA Youth Cup in four whole decades, many supporters were hoping to go along and back their young teams in big numbers.

Proving somewhat divisive among both fan bases, with each of their under-18s squads having enjoyed promising seasons, to say the least, literally tens of thousands look set to miss out on potential tickets as a result of the announcement.

For context, the last time Man United won the coveted academy tournament – which has often served as a key first piece of silverware won by entire generations of young talent – they welcomed a record youth crowd of 67,492 in May of 2022.

In comparison, even with a sold-out stadium, the Joie would only be able to match around 10% of that figure at most.

That being said, it goes without saying that United fans have been some of the most vocal on social media following the controversial confirmation.

On the day, the winning team featured the likes of now fully graduated senior stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Joe Hugill, along with several still-rising prospects.

Some of the starlets that lots of fans would have been looking forward to seeing live in a large and historic sporting arena include Jim Thwaites, Noah Ajayi, Kai Rooney, JJ Gabriel on the red half, and the likes of Kylan Midwood, Divine Mukasa, Stephen Mfuni, Reigan Heskey and more in the blue.

Head coach Oliver Reiss (who took over in July 2024) led his City side to the U18 Premier League North title at the start of this month; meanwhile, Darren Fletcher has returned to oversee his young Red Devils after a spell as caretaker manager of the men’s first team.

While tickets were expected to be snapped up rather quickly already for the all-Manc FA Youth Cup final, it’s now set to be a race for followers of both teams to get their hands on their respective allocations.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

What's On

A taste of ‘Dam in the heart of NQ: a first look at Manchester’s first Dutch fry house

Danny Jones Danny Jones Smaak Northern Quarter Dutch chip shop Manchester

A brand-new Amsterdam-inspired chip shop has opened up on the backstreets of the Northern Quarter, and we have a feeling you’re going to love this one.

Complete with burgers, beer, a whole brunch menu, plenty of cheese and sauce, there may be a lot of calories coming your way, but just imagine how hard this is going to slap on a night out.

Smaak opened up somewhat quietly at the end of April, just in time for a maiden long weekend of Manc punters over the early May bank holiday, and the reviews have got off to a great start.

But we wanted to try it for ourselves, so we did.

Yes, the central crux of a ‘Het Friethuis’, or fry house, is the fries, but trust us, this is much more than a chippy; Smaak is not only the first of its kind in Manchester, but we think it’s nailed on to become NQ’s next big thing.

Either that, or at the very least, a cult favourite among those who know their schooners from their steins.

Why? Well, besides preaching to the choir when it comes to chips – let’s face it, we Northerners aren’t just converted, we’re practically dipped in the frying oil at this point – the full food lineup is a condensed but satisfying selection full of big hitters.

Let’s begin with the brunch: it features everything from classic Dutch pancakes and topped Belgian waffles, to breakfast buns, and rostis served up until 3pm; we’re off to a great start.

Then there’s an all-day smattering of bar snacks, including various loaded fries like truffle mayo and parmesan, classic Belgian trimmings, or even the ‘Oorlog’ option with peanut sauce, house mayo and raw onion, to ‘bitterballen’, which are basically breaded and deep-fried stewy meatballs.

But then you peruse the rest of the menu to see not only wonderful beers that taste like they’re flowing directly from casks in the Netherlands, but a trio of traditional burgers (yes, even a fish one) and seven seriously enticing cocktails and desserts, each with a little twist from the region.

smaak cocktails nq
smaak dessert menu
Credit: The Manc Eats

It’s also worth noting that A LOT of time and attention goes into this operation, from shipping over a fryer straight from ‘The Dam’, to double-cooking, making all of their sauces in-house, usually freshly-sourced Cheshire potatoes, and the best quality thick-cut bacon, just to name a very small few impressive details.

Some of these recipes literally took more than a year to perfect – and that’s just when it comes to sauces, no exaggeration…

The whole concept was developed with help from renowned chef Kate Austen, who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and even appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu, becoming the first woman to ever win the competition. So yeah, there’s some proper pedigree behind this one, too.

Put simply, you’ve heard of farm table – well, these guys are really committing to that ethos, too, only their slogan is more like “from farm to fryer”, and it shows in the results.

Overall, they’ve just got a really good product to offer here, with a more casual cafe-style set-up on the first floor, the cool pour-your-own beer option, as well as plenty of scope for private hire with the big space downstairs. Located on Back Turner Street in NQ, Smaak is well worth a visit.

Smaak Manchester
Smaak Northern Quarter
new dutch friethuis in manchester
Ctedit: The Manc

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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