Events
Fizzy Quizzy at GRUB
Wednesday 22nd December
A festive version of their monthly ‘Fizzy’ Quiz, this week sees GRUB host a whirlwind evening of festive fun trivia, general knowledge, art, impossible facts and a gallon of Manchester Union Lager to be won. You can join from anywhere inside or outside of GRUB and, as you’d expect – there’s plenty of street food legends there to feed you whilst you try to answer those questions.
Mini Cini Christmas Countdown
Until Friday 24th December
Every day this week in the run up to Christmas, the Mini Cini at Ducie Street Warehouse will be showing a Christmas film, and there’s some proper crackers in there. There is (of course) a bit of Home Alone action (1&2) plus Die Hard, The Holiday and finally – Miracle on 34th Street on Christmas Eve. Hopefully it’s the old one from the 40’s and not the new one with John Hammond and Matilda in it.
Christmas Day
Saturday 25th December
This is it! The big day is finally here. Have you got all your presents? Have you picked up a mask for when Nanna starts farting after her dinner? Are you all set to eat the most you’d eaten all year?! You’ve only got a few days to get everything sorted – and from the team here at Manchester’s Finest – have a bloody good one!
Music & Clubs
The Carlton Club & MCR Union Festive Knees Up
Wednesday 22nd December
Beer, music, festivities, good people and more. That’s what you should expect as the Carlton Club in Whalley Range team up with Manchester Union Lager for a massive festive shindig. They’re promising the very best bangers ever recorded, from some pretty big names in the Manchester music scene, including Jamie Scahill, Chris Massey, Supernature Disco and more. Oh, and it’s FREE!
The Last Night of the Christmas Proms
Sunday 26th December
There’s nothing more British than the Last Night of the Proms, except for perhaps eating a Roast Dinner in the sun in Tenerife, knotted hanky on your head, pint of Fosters and Only Fools and Horses on the telly (which is what I’ll be doing this Boxing Day.) For all of you who won’t be on an island in the middle of the Atlantic, you can watch the Last Night of the Christmas Proms over at The Bridgewater Hall for an afternoon of “rousing classics” such as 633 Squadron, Rule Britannia, and Land of Hope & Glory.
KOMPND at Off The Square
Sunday 26th December
Most people fall into one of two categories. Those who go out on Christmas Eve and those who go out on Boxing Day. As you’ve expect, the city is catering for all this year, and on Boxing Day you’d be hard-pressed to find a better night than this – KOMPND at the Northern QUarter’s Off The Square. Expect a night of musical excellence, with live performances, DJ sets, visual concepts and networking opportunities.
Food & Drink
Manchester’s Finest January Deals Round-up
January is a difficult month for most, we’re skint, freezing and probably still too hungover to even look at another bottle of Prosecco. It’s not just us who feel the burden of the first month of the year, but it’s usually a bit quieter for our hospitality pals, too, which usually means that as a goodwill gesture, there’ll be some decent deals for eating out during the dreaded month. Keep your eyes peeled as we’ll be dropping our full list of the hottest January hospitality bargains at some point this week that will hopefully give you something to look forward to during the Christmas comedown.
Christmas Day at Ducie Street Warehouse
Saturday 25th December
The Christmas Day menu at Ducie Street Warehouse is priced at £115 per head (£40 for kids), and you’ll be welcomed with some festive punch, and a Sharing Board on arrival. You’ll then be treated to a starter, mains with all the sides – served ‘family style’, with dessert and cheese course at the end. Restaurant sitting times are from 12pm until 6pm. Book below.
Christmas Dinner at Zouk
Saturday 25th December
Zouk’s legendary Christmas Day feast will make its return this year, and at £35 a head, the urge to abandon the turkey and be waited on hand and foot is VERY strong! Their six-course spicy festive menu is a totally different take on the traditional British turkey dinner, with starters including Samosa Chaat and Spicy Prawn Pakoras, and mains consisting of divine homemade curries, butter chicken and Zouk’s very own roast platter, featuring chicken, lamb and beef! There is also a vegan and veggie menu available at the cheaper price of £27.50pp.
Elnecot’s Christmas Day Dinner
Saturday 25th December
If you’ve ever had a Sunday roast at Elnecot, then I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that their Christmas Day dinners are knock-out, too. On arrival, there’ll be loads of festive fizz and tables are available to be booked between 12pm-4pm. There’ll be starters ranging from butternut squash velouté to a more traditional prawn cocktail and the main menu is just as appealing, too, with your classic roast turkey (with ALL the trimmings) on the list, as well as tandoori quail and sous-vide pumpkin with red lentils and five spice. Elnecot’s Christmas Day dining experience comes in at £95 per adult and £45 per child, with bottomless soft drinks.
Christmas Day Luncheon at Peter Street Kitchen
Saturday 25th December
Peter Street Kitchen’s carefully composed five-course menu aims to showcase the magic of food at Christmas. Expect a signature PSK twist on dishes including an aged beef wellington with all the trimmings, oven-baked lobster to start and a dessert menu consisting of cinnamon crème brûlée, Valrhona chocolate fondant and baked blackberry and vanilla cheesecake. With the menu coming in at £125 per person, you can expect to drink and dine like a queen, it’s what you deserve after another, quite frankly crap year.
Arts & Culture
Duckie at HOME
This Thursday is the last time you’ll be able to see Duckie at HOME. Duckie is a family friendly exploration of what it means to be different, and a modern magical and musical reimagining of the Hans Christian Andersen classic, The Ugly Duckling. The theme throughout the theatre performance is of tolerance and self-acceptance, so join Duckie on an adventure of self-discovery, asking questions of the ‘happy ever after’ in a celebration of difference.
Mariel Osbourn The Christmas Tree at HOME
Mariel Osborn is a freelance textile artist, still life stylist, prop and accessory maker based in the UK. She focuses on tactile materials and processes, taking an inventive and multi-disciplinary approach to surface embellishment and prop-styling. Mariel takes a playful, fun and dreamlike approach to creative projects. At HOME this week, Mariel presents her brand-new Christmas Tree, which is made of 98% repurposed materials weaving together offcuts and existing works from a 6 year period and decorated with shapes made from wooden offcuts taken from the bins of Mariel’s studio.
