The best things to do in Manchester this week (25 September - 1 October)

Who's up for some Honey Dijon?

By Manchester's Finest | Last updated 26 September 2023

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(Credit: Sophia J Carey)

This week’s very bestest things to do is a customarily mixed bag, from top class stand-up comedy to ‘night brunch’ (yes, this is a thing) to homegrown MCs to international DJ superstars who have worked with Beyonce.

And that’s without the outdoor raves, the student knees-ups and some birthday celebrations for one of our most fave NQ bars of all.

Check it all out below…

MediaCity Student Takeover

Tuesday 26 September

Welcoming the new student population to MediaCity and Quayside – and the existing one, obviously – they’ll be throwing their first ‘student takeover’ event. It’ll take in everything from (deep breath) rollerblading to silent discos to spicy bowl challenges to beer pong to speed-mating to after-dark sessions to stand-up comedy. There will also be more than 50 offers from traders including Pizza Express, Vue cinema, Seven Bro7hers, Box on the Docks, The Botanist, M1 Nails and the brand new Kargo MKT.

The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ

Blind Mic

Blind Mic at the Old Abbey Taphouse

Wednesday 27 September

Having worked with the likes of Zed Bias and Children of Zeus (not to mention support slots for icons like Pete Rock and Talib Kweil), Manchester rapper, producer, multi-instrumentalist and MC Blind Mic will be pitching up at the Old Abbey Taphouse. He’ll be debuting his new EP Happiness: A Short Story, produced by fellow Manchester production wunderkind Teo, who’s fashioned beats for the likes of Akemi Fox and [K S R].

Guildhall Cl, Manchester M15 6SY

Taste On Two Harvey Nichols

Taste On Two at Harvey Nichols

Wednesday 27 September

It will be autumnal vibes at this season’s Taste On Two event at Harvey Nicks. After a drink and some canapes, there will be tasting sessions from the food market and wine shop suppliers, as well as live demonstrations and some interactive masterclasses, as well as a sneak peak of the hamper offerings, for those looking to nail some Christmas present ideas early. It’s all happening from 6pm, and tickets are £20, redeemable against your food and wine store purchases on the night.

21 New Cathedral St, Manchester M1 1AD

Grub Bottomless Drag Race

Drag Race Premiere Bottomless at Grub

Thursday 28 September

To celebrate the premiere of the new series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, there will be a bottomless viewing party at the green quarter’s most excellent food and drink spot GRUB. It kicks off at 7.30pm, with the ‘No Tea No Shade’ cocktail (or the equivalent mocktail) shoved in your hand on arrival, and then for £25, it’s a bottomless situation with house fizz, beer, cider or non-alcoholic alternatives included for an hour. Then at 9pm, it’s lights down for the screening, and then a post-screening ‘surprise’ to stick around for.

50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF

Sangria at Canto

£5 sangria at Canto

From Thursday 28 September to Sunday 1 October

Portuguese tapas Canto in Ancoats is five, and to celebrate, their sangria will be £5 a glass, all day every day. You’ll be able to enjoy it with their new menu, featuring dishes like braised ox cheek with parnsip purée, red wine jus and parsnip crisps, roasted beetroot salad with white wine-infused goats cheese cream and dill, and fresh cavolo nero risotto with spicy butternut squash.

Cutting Room Square, Blossom St, Manchester M4 5DH

Jujū Night Brunch at Firefly

Friday 29 September

The monthly ‘night brunch’ event returns to Firefly. With the focus on ‘immersive social dining’ and live entertainment, it’s an Ibiza-inspired late night party with DJs, choices from the restaurant’s main menu with the potential for bottomless drinks thrown in too. It books out, so get in there quick.

Ground Floor, 1 Stanley St, Salford M3 5JL

Free drinks at New Century

Yes, free drinks. Completely free. For nothing. Can’t say fairer than that. To help usher in their new Kitchen Disco night this coming Saturday, everyone who signs up to the New Century newsletter (check the link below) from now until Midday on Saturday will be able to get themselves a free snifter. Kitchen Disco will feature members of the Untold Orchestra crew, laying down classic disco tunes and general good times. Just say hi to the greeter in the lobby from 7pm on Saturday to grab your free drink token.

Kae Kurd

Kae Kurd at Stoller Hall

Saturday 30 September

British-Kurdish comedian Kae Kurd – not his real name, his real name is Korang Abdulla, Kae is the result of kids at school not being able to wrangle his actual name – arrives in Manchester with his Kurd Immunity show. He’s written for Diane Morgan’s Cunk On… shows for BBC2, Charlie Brooker and Have I Got News For You, not to mention turning up on everything from Live At The Apollo to Mock The Week. And any excuse to go to the amazing Stoller Hall, tbh.

Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA

Honey Dijon

Honey Dijon at The Warehouse Project

Saturday 30 September

The iconic Honey Dijon returns to The Warehouse Project as the 2023 season starts to hit its stride, with its first Welcome To The Warehouse event. She’ll be joined by an equally stellar line-up, including The Blessed Madonna, Mall Grab, Daphni, Floorplan, Job Jobse, Sherelle, Krystal Klear, Saoirse, Ross From Friends, Kettama, Mella Dee… we could go on.

Mayfield Train Station, The Depot, Manchester M1 2QF

Cynthie
(Credit: Marie Staggat)

Cynthie at Sticky Heat

Saturday 30 September

The last Sticky Heat at The Yard, tucked away behind Cheetham Hill, was a riot, with Frankfurt don Roman Flugel absolutely nailing it, alongside residents Massey, Marco and Muddy Feet. So this time they’ve got Berlin’s Cynthie – owner of the 803 Crystal Grooves and Collective Cuts labels and general vinyl junky – on the ones and twos. It will be a cracker.

11 Bent St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8NF

Pen & Pencil

Pen & Pencil’s Eighth Birthday

Saturday 30 September

Many happy returns going out to the Pen & Pencil, who will be celebrating their eighth birthday with a one-night blow out. DJs will kick things off from 6pm, including the legendary Danny ‘Moodymanc’ Ward, and the celebratory drinks offers are bonkers. There will be 100 free pints being doled out from 9pm, 100 free tequila shots from 10pm, and a ‘happy hour’ running up to midnight, with 2 for £12 cocktails, £4.50 Amstel, £18 bottles of Prosecco and £15 bottles of house wine.

Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EJ


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