Come on now, it’s the last Bank Holiday until Boxing Day – make the best of it with some of these beauties…
All Bank Holiday Weekend
Come As You Are Weekender @ The Refuge
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th August
The Refuge are famed throughout the land for their excellent Come As You Are Weekenders and his Bank Holiday will continue this legacy with a packed list of events and performances throughout the weekend. The whole thing kicks off on Friday at around 5pm, conveniently when you’re just getting out of work, with FREE performances in the Public Bar followed by a super special Horse Meat Disco Pride Special in the basement.
Saturday sees a whole host of DJ’s take over the Courtyard followed by a special screening of ‘Deep in Vogue’ in the basement later on (along with an after party into the early hours). Sunday will see Homoelectric take over the Courtyard with their usual mix of queer anthems and eclectic mixes. Check out the link below for the full line-up…
The Refuge ‘Come As You Are’ Weekender August Bank Holiday 2019
Manchester Pride 2019
Friday 23rd – Monday 26th August
Clearly the biggest event happening in the city this Bank Holiday – Pride is upon us once again. This year the whole thing is wildly different from previous ones, with 2 big parties happening – one in the new Mayfield bit near Piccadilly Gardens and the other in and around Canal Street. Most of the big performances are in the Mayfield bit – such as Ariana Grande and Bananarama while the more niche/fringe stuff is down in the village. Whatever you think of it all I’m not too fussed – just try and enjoy yourselves and have a good time.
Bolton Food & Drink Festival
Friday 23rd – Monday 26th August
Once again the organisers of the Bolton Food & Drink Festival have managed to wrangle a very impressive line-up of chefs and food experts throughout their weekend of events – probably making this the best food and drink festival in the region all year. There’ll be cookery demos from Nadia Hussain, James Martin, Greg Wallace, Ainsley Harriott, Michael Caines and even The Hairy Bikers, alongside a packed calendar of live music, over 200 food and drink stalls and anything else you can think of.
Gin Bottomless Brunch @ Bay Horse
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August
Week-in, week-out The Bay Horse Tavern in the NQ serve up one of the city’s best Bottomless Brunch deals – offering a range of breakfast dishes (including an English Breakfast to die for) with endless booze for 2 hours for just £27.50 per person. This Bank Holiday they’re going one further though, partnering with Portobello Road to offer Gin cocktails as part of the bottomless booze offering – perfect for anyone who enjoys a bit of Mother’s Ruin with their breakfast. So Audrey Roberts and me then. It’s a little bit more expensive at £30 but it’s well worth it.
The Bay Horse Tavern Brunch – now with Bottomless Gin!
Rochdale Uprising: International Street Art Festival
Thursday 22nd – Monday 26th August
A brand-new endeavour by street artists Nomad Clan, they’ve roped in a big gang of their fellow street daubers with the aim of improving some of the more deprived and manky parts of Rochdale, bringing a new lease of life into the area. The 4 days will feature large scale murals, an exhibition, art fair, workshops, artists talks and much more, all accessible for FREE to the general public for all ages and cultures. Get more info on the artists and line-up below…
An International Street Art Festival is coming to Rochdale!
Friday 23rd August
Horse Meat Disco Pride Party @ The Refuge
Friday 23rd August
A massive part of The Refuge’s Come As You Are Weekender, this special Pride show from the Horse Meat Disco lot should be an absolute belter – one not to be missed. Joining the HMD crew will be London-based duo RAW SILK who will be aiming to get your hands, legs and lips all warmed up ready for the big event. It’s highly likely that I will turn up in here with my dancing shoes on – so get ready for that and give me a big sloppy kiss and/or hug – it’s PRIDE after all!
2 Many DJs @ Gorilla
Friday 23rd August
The Belgian lads will be heading to Gorilla to kick off the Bank Holiday in style. You’re always guaranteed a bloody good time when these boys are in town and even though I reckon Gorilla is going to be super busy – there’ll still be plenty of space in which to have a dance and get sweaty.
The Most Depressing Pride of your Life @ YES
Friday 23rd August
Why is thi the most depressing pride of your life? Because YES are putting on a full evening of emotional power ballads and love songs – designed to really make you re-think your romance woes. Bollox DJ Zoe McVeigh will be playing the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Tyler, Wilson Phillips, Cher, Meat Loaf and more – and it’s FREE!
Special Pride Class @ Barry’s Bootcamp
Friday 23rd August
If you’re a fan of keeping fit and having a six pack, then this is the perfect Pride event for you. Barry’s Bootcamp is running a special Pride Class on Friday 23rd where 100% of the proceeds will get donated to the LGBTQ Foundation. Once you’ve finished getting sweaty and destroying calories, they will then be hosting a Pride warm-up party from 8pm until late with Pho providing the food and drinks.
Tama Sumo presents Cervo & Tama Sumo @ Soup Kitchen
Friday 23rd August
Berghain and Panorama Bar resident Tama Sumo heads to Soup Kitchen this Bank Holiday and resident DJ Cervo will be joining her for this massive all-nighter. Heading up a whole host of Banana Hill parties, Cervo is responsible for some legendary nights, a few that have featured Tama Sumo herself on several occasions. A definite kindred spirit between them, don’t miss the intimate showcase of the pair’s eclectic collections.
Free Britney: Pop Curious? Pride Party @ Mint Lounge
Friday 23rd August
Pop Curious will be launching Manchester’s biggest ever Britney & friends party with the aim of FREEING Britney “from her current woes and releasing her back into the wild!” I’m not entirely sure where she’s been locked up but it doesn’t matter when you’ve got such a huge range of hits to play – as well as tunes from her mates such as Lady Gaga, Madonna and Cher.
Saturday 24th August
Love Party – Queer Pride Party 2019 @ Star & Garter
Saturday 24th August
Who wants to snog Ms Marilyn at her Consensual Kissing Booth? Thought you might. Star & Garter is hosting a big queer riot where you can do just that plus SO much more. A huge pay-what-you-can charity fundraiser party providing the best LGBT disco, pop and dance music, live performances, an indoor Pride parade and loads more still to be announced. Profits are going to LGBT charities so add an extra donation on the ticket options.
Manchester Pride Parade
Saturday 24th August
One of the biggest and best events in the city’s calendar, the Manchester Pride Parade is the perfect chance to wave at a bunch of strangers, get some stickers and snog Ian McKellen with tongues. I’m not sure who’ll be at the front of the parade this year but if it’s Sir Ian again he better pucker up and get some Lip Balm on. The whole thing kicks off on Deansgate at 12pm and should be finished for around 3ish – just make sure you get a good spot so you don’t miss anything.
Block Hoppin’ Beats @ Alphabet Brewery
Saturday 24th August
Alphabet Brewery are teaming up with 3 of their fellow brewers to bring a packed day of booze, beats and errr… bites. They’ll be joined by the crews from Track Brew Co, Manchester Union Lager and Beatnikz Republic – all serving up some of their most popular brews. There’ll also be some DJ’s spinning some tunes, as well as Los Antojitos – serving up some lovely tacos to soak the booze up.
Homoelectric Bank Holiday Showdown @ Hidden
Saturday 24th August
A non-stop exotic disco for homos, heteros, lesbos and don’t knows, queering up Hidden warehouse. The night will also welcome Honey Dijon, Hifi Sean, Dan Beaumont, Jamie Bull, Will Tramp and Gina Breeze.
High Hoops Pride Weekender @ The White Hotel
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August
High Hoops’ first ever Pride Weekender and they’re promising a weekend full of outrageous events curated by special guests Peach, Eris Drew, Wes Baggaley, Sofie K, Joy Social, Kiss Me Again and Supernature Disco. The White Hotel is always a jam – so this should be unmissable.
Swiftogeddon – The Taylor Swift Club Night @ Gorilla
Saturday 24th August
One for all you Taylor Swift fans out there – Swiftogeddon comes to Gorilla this Saturday night for an evening of non-stop Swifty that all four of you are sure to enjoy. Expect a selection of deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the hits as you’re treated to FIVE HOURS of her songs. Good luck with that one.
Sunday 25th August
The Liars Club Bank Holiday Bacardi Party
Sunday 25th August
Bacardi are heading down to The Liars Club this Bank Holiday Sunday with a shit ton of rum under their arms and some super-special cocktail recipes printed out off the internet for them to make with it all. They’ll be helping host a bopping beach party in the legendary Tiki venue, where most of the people attending are so cool that they’d never ever think of using the word ‘bopping’ in a sentence or even uttering it out of their mouths. The rum will be flowing right through to the early hours.
The Bacardi pop-up Bank Holiday Beach Party at The Liars Club
Surco presents: A Guy Called Gerald LIVE (for 4 Hours!) @ South
Sunday 25th August
Celebrate 30 years of A Guy Called Gerald with this epic set at South, hosted by the on-fire gang from Surco. Gerald has been described as a ‘self-written bible of dance music’, collaborating with seminal artists like Frankie Knuckles and releasing notable remixes of The Stone Roses, David Bowie and others. This 4-hour live set is certainly a must-see!
Roots Before Branches @ Electrik
Sunday 25th August
Playing a host of sure fire classics from past and present, Roots are heading back to Electrik in Chorlton for another Bank Holiday party that shouldn’t be missed. Residents Chris Roots & Tom RBB will be dropping sounds of House, Disco, Soul, Funk, Boogie, Afro, Jazz & more – oh and it’s FREE!
Mvson presents Caribana @ Manchester Academy
Sunday 25th August
The annual Mvson Carnival is back in the courtyard of Manchester Academy this Bank Holiday Sunday. Expect ” full carnival production & vibes its about to get super lit”
Supernature with High Hoops at Brickworks Social
Sunday 25th August
This Pride Sunday get yourself to Supernature down at Brickworks Social – it looks like it’s going to be a big one! They’ve got the mighty High Hoops playing for them again at this FREE, daytime party, PLUS… a yet to be announced VERY SPECIAL secret guest lined up.
Manchester Soul Festival
Sunday 25th August
Now in its 5th year, the Manchester Soul Festival will once again be taking over the Pump Yard in The Printworks for a day of legendary soul, funk and Motown sung by some of the city’s best performers. It’ll all be in aid of raising money for the Christie Cancer Charity – of which they have already raised over £100,000 since they began. For fans of Soul, Northern Soul and Motown – this is the place to be this weekend.
One Man & His Deck with Dr Sid @ Volta
Sunday 25th August
Dr Sid will be hosting a special one deck session this weekend at Volta in West Didsbury with a non-stop whistle stop tour through his extensive collection of vinyl. He typically straddles the sounds of Big Band Swing, Jump Rhythm & Blues, Jukebox Mambo, Killer Calypso Soul, Jazz, Rare Groove and other oddities – so expect more of the same.
Danny Ward at BAB
Sunday 25th August
Down in their brand-new basement, BAB will be hosting DJ Danny Ward this Bank Holiday Sunday for an evening of soul, funk, disco and house until 1am. On top of this, they’ll also be offering a welcome 25% off to Manchester Pride wristband holders on Saturday and Sunday. Oh, and there’s a super special cocktail that they’ve made – the Queen of the Clouds where £1 from the sale of each one goes to the LGBTQ Foundation.
Flixton Festival
Sunday 25th August
A brand-new event down in Flixton now – the Flixton Festival will be held at the Flixton Cricket Club and looks set to feature plenty of events for the family, loads of food and drink and some very special musical guests – notably Artful Dodger and Phats & Small – two 90’s Garage juggernauts who’ll definitely get you up and dancing. There’s a packed day of activities and events and tickets are only £15 each. Get them below…
Kiss Me Again Pride Party! @ Soup Kitchen
Sunday 25th August
Close off the weekend in the Soup Kitchen basement with a party that promises to be total mayhem with producer, performer and DJ – LOFT. ANY profits made on the night are being donated with the LGBT Foundation so dig deep, get pissed and have the time of your life.
Animal Crossing #012 The Bank Holiday Railway Round Up
Sunday 25th August
The Animal Crossing gang have been smashing it with the parties recently and you should expect more of the same from this ‘Railway Roundup’ over the Bank Holiday weekend. The party will be set under the railway arches – making this even more special.
SpinFest @ Oast House
Sunday 25th August
Now in its 4th year, SpinFest is a celebration of all things Live Music at Oast House and this Bank Holiday line up looks like a corker. There’s the Terell F Band, AudioPimps, The Cats Pyjamas and loads more – performing throughout the day in the massive terrace – hopefully in the sun. No guarantees on that one though.
Back By Dope Demand @ Mint Lounge
Sunday 25th August
The brilliant Back By Dope Demand is err… back this August Bank Holiday, taking over Mint Lounge in the NQ for a night of serious hip-hop. Headlining is Manchester’s very own DJ Nipper, a pioneer of the 80’s Manchester house scene and genuine DJing legend. He’ll be joined by Si Frater, Butty & Recca, Ben Fisher and Grimmy until 4am in the morning.
Monday 26th August
Bank Holiday Screenings @ Tattu
Monday 26th August
Tattu once again present a selection of big screen movies to enjoy while you tuck into a special 3 course dinner specially prepared by their very talented chefs. On offer this time are some true US classics including Grease (1pm), Dirty Dancing (4pm) and American Pie (7pm). Choose any of these to enjoy alongside a selection of favourites from Tattu’s summer à la carte menu, as well as their new Asian Pear Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert, accompanied by a refreshing welcome cocktail.
Watch Grease, Dirty Dancing & American Pie alongside a 3-course feast at Tattu
