Food and Drink
Book a January Dining Deal
Throughout January
Kicking the new year off with a bang – many of the city’s bars and restaurants are offering up to 50% off food throughout January – so maybe you should spend this week getting those bookings in before they all fill up? It’s looking increasingly unlikely that we’ll be going into any form of lockdown or imposing restrictions – so go mad, get those tables booked, enjoy your 50% off and support the city’s independents.
A Taste of Winter – An Urban Forage in Manchester
Sunday 9th January
Fletcher Moss Gardens will host a hearty foray this Sunday for all things wild food! Perfect for the start of a post-Christmas plant-based detox, the group foray aims to test perseverance and application in the pursuit of worthwhile tasty edible wild foods.
The Mews – 50% OFF FOOD
The Mews on Deansgate is offering 50% off its entire food menu, that’s including its brand-new loaded flatbreads, which come with toppings including; smoked fiocco ham, beef bresola and there’s even a vegan option with vegan feta cheese and fresh veg. The bar’s famous Charcuterie boards are at 50% off throughout January, too.
Cottonopolis – 7 courses and a drink for £25pp
The Northern Quarter favourite will be hitting 2022 with a bang as they introduce their ‘Taste of Cotton’ set menu, featuring 7 courses and a drink for just £25 per person! Book in advance and there needs to be two or more of you.
Ducie Street Warehouse – New Vegan Menu with 50% off midweek
Taking part in Veganuary? DSW has just released its brand-new vegan menu, full of plant-based goodness to expand your dietary range! Highlights include; crispy peanut cauliflower, sweet potato fritters, mafalde pasta ribbons and the DSW vegan laksa.
Arts & Culture
Jock McFadyen exhibition at The Lowry
All week
Bringing together a range of works spanning 45 years, this exhibition at The Lowry highlights McFadyen’s passion for painting the overlooked margins of the modern city and its inhabitants, as well as huge panoramic views of the natural world. Massively influenced by LS Lowry, his focus is always with the qualities of the painted surface.
FREE Things to do at the Museum of Science and Industry
All week
The Museum of Science and Industry has loads of free things to do throughout January if you need to keep the kids entertained on the weekend or if you fancy brushing up on your knowledge of the city. You can find out more about engineers like Joseph Whitworth and Richard Roberts, who helped the wheels of industry to turn and make Manchester into a global powerhouse, or step into the circle of energy and uncover the ground-breaking work of James Joule.
Derek Jarman PROTEST! at Manchester Art Gallery
Until April 2022
This exhibition focuses on the diverse strands of Jarman’s practice as a painter, film maker, writer, set-designer, gardener and political activist. This is the first time that all of these strands of his practice will be brought together in over 20 years. PROTEST! captures Jarman’s engagement with both art and society, as well as his contemporary concerns with political protest and personal freedoms arising from the AIDS crisis.
Clubs & Gigs
God Made Me Funky at Joshua Brooks
Friday 7th January
Joshua Brooks is launching its brand-new God Made me Funky club night this Saturday! The night promises to be a big bash that digs deep to find the finest house and disco DJs to serve up dance floor bangers and club anthems. The party is FREE and you can expect music from the likes of Dimitri From Paris, Horse Meat Disco, Todd Terje, Dave Lee, Sister Sledge, Kerri Chandler, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Jeremy Underground and more.
Funkademia at Mint Lounge
Saturday 8th January
Mint Lounge’s resident funk fuelled club night returns this Saturday for another evening of non-stop disco delights and music for the soul. Expect funk, soul, disco, hip-hop and some huge party bangers, the perfect way to spend an early weekend in January, when most of us are still figuring out who we are and whether or not we should eat that last bit of brie in the fridge.
Baltra at YES
Saturday 8th January
Aiming to start the year off with a bang, YES has invited brilliantly left-field electronic producer BALTRA all the way from NYC to take you on a sonic exploration all night long in the main bar. Baltra’s wonderful ‘Ambition’ EP on Local Action (India Jordan, Anz, Finn, E.M.M.A etc.) was truly one of the most spectacular releases of 2021, showcasing his depth of ideas and production talent.
Slap Rash at The Castle Hotel
Sunday 9th January
Raucous punk duo, Slap Rash play their first headline show at The Castle Hotel this weekend, bringing sultry vocal-led punk to the iconic venue. The bands chugging riffs and roaring bass have the power of Drenge and Royal Blood, positioning them as an unrelentless force atop Manchester’s music scene. Support comes from electro-pop outfit Sugarstone, and moody four-piece Pyncher, this show is definitely not one to be missed!!
Events
School of Rock at The Palace Theatre
From Tuesday 4th January
School of Rock makes its Palace Theatre debut this week, as the award-winning, Andrew Lloyd Webber box office hit comes to Manchester. Based on the iconic 2003 film featuring Jack Black, the show follows wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn on his quest to put together the greatest band of all time.
Peter Barlow’s Cigarette
Wednesday 5th January
Peter Barlow’s Cigarette is an alternative poetry group, providing a platform for innovative and exciting poetry from around the UK. This Wednesday, the group will be at Ditto Coffee on Albert Square from 7pm-9pm, with performers, Carrie Etter, Maryam Hessavi, Vik Shirley and Scott Thurston.
ABBA Mania at the Opera House
Friday 7th January
For one night only, the world’s number one ABBA tribute production will be performing at Manchester’s Opera House! Grab those platform boots as this Friday a special concert celebrating the music of ABBA will revive special memories of when the Swedish pop group ruled the airwaves.
