Support your Independents All the time Over the weekend I heard it from good authority that town was pretty busy - heaving in fact. People were out and they were spending money - which is exactly what we want after so many months of inactivity in our city's venues. Well, keep it up people! Go out and support your independents and save some businesses and jobs and hopefully in a few weeks' time - we can start going back to normal. Check out this list of places you can go where you don't need to book - just walk in and enjoy... The Best Bars & Restaurants You Don’t Need To Book in Manchester   Virtual Summer Cocktail Party with REAL Flamingos Friday 17th July Hattie Pearson will be hosting this rather unique party down in Cornwall - featuring REAL actual flamingos - probably strutting their stuff with their long legs out. Manchester craft distillery, Zymurgorium are hosting it - the world's first ever virtual gin party with a 'flamboyance' of real flamingos in attendance. Tickets are £30 and you'll get a load of gin liqueurs sent to you to drink on the night. Should be a good one. More Info   The Modern History of the Northern Quarter Friday 17th & Saturday 18th July Instead of sitting on the toilet and reading all about the history of Manchester in our articles, instead get up off your arse and see it all for real with local expert 'Skyliner' - someone who's forgotten more about this city than most people will ever know. This tour of the Northern Quarter will take you through the area, examining the architecture and heritage through its street art. She calls is an anti-tour - providing an authentic voice from the area. Tickets are only a tenner. Buy Tickets   GRUB Food Fair at the Red Bank Project Friday 17th - Sunday 19th July GRUB is back and all of you hungry (and thirsty) people will be pleased to hear that their line-up of street food traders is excellent once again this weekend. There's some of the best burgers ever from What's Your Beef, Italian with an African twist from Lucky Mama's, amazing Tiramisu from Paradiso Italiano and the award-winning Oh Mei Dumpling - who's accolades and legendary balls of deliciousness already proceed her. As usual you can also expect the all-vegan Plant Powered day on Sunday. More Info   Hulme Park Party Saturday 18th July There's a party over in Hulme Park this weekend - a party that will be socially distanced (of course) and will feature some live music from the likes of Cornershop Cat Piss, Edboiyeahboi, Killamanjaro, P45 Sound and more. More Info   Levenshulme Market Shop & Go Saturday 18th July It'll be a packed Levvy Market this weekend with a whole host of local vendors and makers. There'll be food and drink from Rack Manchester, Pastrami NOW, Cibus Pizza, McMarley's Bakes, and The Market Bar, shopping picks from devil_dog_sauces and Nasruddin’s Kitchen and hand-poured candles from Cedar. There'll also be long-term faves Konoba Manchester, Samosa Shack, Ginger's Comfort Emporium, HMPasties Ltd and Winter Tarn Cheese. Oh, and you can pick up some beautiful crafts from Kitsch Republic, The Gingham Flamingo, Made with Love in Lancashire and many more. More Info   Alton Towers Day Trip Sunday 19th July I didn’t even know that Alton Towers was open again. But open it is and if you've been gagging to get down there and get on Nemesis - then this is your chance. Basically, you buy a ticket and then meet in the city centre and then head on over to Alton Towers - one of the best theme parks in the UK. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is, of course, still the best place to go, but Alton Towers comes in a close second. Even though all them people nearly died on it - still give The Smiler a chance - it's great. Buy Tickets