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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

The smash-hit daytime rave where you can still be in bed early is returning to Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall Day Fever Manchester dates tickets 2026

That’s right: Day Fever, the daytime rave designed to still get you tucked in at a reasonable hour, is coming back to Manchester city centre this year.

Following their biggest raft of shows across the UK and Ireland in 2025, the smash-hit night out that is very much aimed at those of us 30 and over – but fellow sleepy heads are obviously more than welcome – Day Fever are targeting big things in 2026.

Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and Reverend & The Makers frontman, Jon McClure, Day Fever has become a cultural sensation.

From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm – and let’s be honest, who can blame them?

who started day fever uk?
The founders (L-R): Jon McClure, James O’Hara, Jonny Owen, Vicky and Chris McClure. (supplied)

Running from 3-8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.

“It started as a WhatsApp idea”, says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’”

“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”

From here in 0161 and our mates over in Leeds, to Newcastle, Glasgow and many more, each Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.

There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”

For starters, just look at the turnout they got over Christmas:

They last popped up their second home of New Century Hall over the festive period, so it’s no surprise they’re coming back from.

Day Fever will be turning up the speakers at New Century once again on Saturday, 31 January, and we will absolutely see you there. Better still, the organisers have just announced additional shows due to phenomenal demand, including 7 March and 11 April here in Manchester.

Find the rest of their previously announced shows, as well as the extra dates for 2026, in full down below:

  • 24 Jan, 28 February and 25 April – Glasgow, BAaD
  • 24 Jan, 14 Feb and 21 March – Nottingham, Palais
  • 24 Jan, 7 March and 4 April – Sheffield, City Hall
  • 31 Jan, 7 March and 11 April – Manchester, New Century Hall
  • 31 Jan, 28 Feb and 4 April – Leeds, Project House
  • 28 Feb, 28 March and 25 April – Newcastle Boiler Shop
  • 31 Jan and 11 April – Leicester, Athena 
  • 7 Feb and 28 March – Dublin, The Academy
  • 7 Feb and 21 March – Liverpool, Camp And Furnace
  • 7 Feb, 7 March and 4 April – London, HERE @ Outernet
  • 7 Feb – Oxford, O2 Academy
  • 14 Feb and 11 April – Brighton, Concorde 2
  • 14 Feb and 28 March – Cardiff, Tramshed
  • 14 Feb and 4 April – Norwich, Adrian Flux Waterfront
  • 14 Feb – York, The Barbican
  • 21 Feb and 18 April – Bristol, O2 Academy
  • 28 Feb – Aberdeen, P&J Live
  • 28 Feb and 4 April- Belfast Ulster Hall

You can sign up for tickets right HERE.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

What's On

A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Who’s ready for a night at the cottage?

We honestly can’t believe we finally get to say this, but a Heated Rivalry-themed club night – as in the ones we’ve seen going viral all over our TikTok FYPs – is finally coming to Manchester next month, as one popular local venue has decided to jump on the bandwagon and give us all what we deserve… a night at the cottage.

If you’ve been living under a rock and somehow haven’t heard about Heated Rivalry (you don’t have to have watched it, but we’d be shocked if you haven’t at least heard of it), it’s also affectionately nicknamed and known on the internet as ‘the gay hockey show’, which kind of does some it up really.

It’s a story of two elite ice hockey players, Canada’s Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie).

The two play for rival teams and countries in the MHL and begin a ‘relationship’ over a 10-year period, which they choose to keep a secret due to homophobia in the world of hockey, and also just not fully understanding their connection themselves.

The six-part Canadian series has gone viral since its initial release back in late November last year, and UK release earlier this month… in fact ‘viral’ is an understatement, it’s been critically and commercially acclaimed like nothing else has in the television space for a while.

Its undeniable success has also spawned club nights across the world, with the soundtrack blasting out of speakers at full volume and fan edits of the show playing on big screens behind the DJ.

A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month / Credit: Sky / Crave (Press Images)

And now, Manchester’s finally getting a taste of the action.

Popular live music and club venue Gorilla has teamed up with Throwback Events to announced that it’ll be hosting its own Heated Rivalry club night next month, and fans can expect DJs to play music from the show’s soundtrack, before it’s woven into a late-night mix of the greatest 00s and 10s pop/queer club anthems.

Plus, you’ll also see edits on the big screen too, making it like a proper night at The Cottage.

“Join us for a night inspired by the viral hit TV show and book, built around tension, proximity, and the kind of chemistry you can’t ignore,” the event’s description reads.

“No ice. No rules. It was never just a game.”

Read more:

The Heated Rivalry Club Night is coming to Gorilla in Manchester on Friday 20 February from 11pm, right through to 3am, and tickets are on sale now – with early bird options also available.

And as an extra perk, NHS staff or anyone with a birthday between 13-27 February go free.

Get tickets here.

Featured Image – Sky / Crave (Press Images)

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