Festive Fun at Junkyard Golf Club
Perfect for a proper enjoyable Christmas party, one where you’re not just sat down eating and drinking and talking about Helen in accounts and her bad breath. Junkyard Golf Club involves everyone getting stuck in, having too many cocktails and a bit of healthy competition – perfect. Just don’t lose – you’ll never live it down.
Kurisumasu Menu at Cottonopolis
The Finest Christmas Party was held at Cottonopolis last year and a brilliant time was had by all. Not only were the drinks positively flowing, we also got to tuck into their unique Japanese take on some traditional Christmas dishes. This year is no different, with a specially crafted menu of delights including their fantastic Wagyu Roast Dinner, Duck Bacon & Sprouts and always a favourite – Arctic Roll.
A Taste of Miami at Roc and Rye
Roc & Rye are transforming themselves into an ultra-glam Miami inspired bar this Christmas, complete with an impressive makeover that includes the kind of interior touches you’d find in Scarface. Now fully equipped with a nightclub sound system, neon ceiling lights and Miami themed artwork – it’s a bit of a welcome change from the usual cold, Christmas experiences elsewhere. Get on down!
Manchester German Christmas Markets 2016 at Albert Square Manchester Town Hall.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets
Everyone is going a bit ape-shit over the Christmas Markets at the moment; some saying it’s too expensive and we should be spending money in Manchester businesses, while others say it’s great for the economy and we should support it. Whatever your views – I don’t care. Do what you want. If you’re looking for somewhere that’s perfect for a Christmas party – this is probably it.
Exclusive Christmas Menu at Tattu
Its highly likely that Tattu would struggle to get your huge workforce in this Christmas – but if there’s only a few of you, it’s perfect. You know what to expect – this place is stunning, and the modern Chinese cuisine even more so. You’ll struggle to find somewhere in the city that will impress your group more than here.
The Refuge Christmas Carol
This winter The Refuge is hosting a Christmas Carol from the end of November, complete with their own town crier, carol singers, a festive tent in the Waterside Way and loads, loads more. They’ve also got a cracking Christmas Feasting menu for groups which, in typical Refuge style, is presented sharing style. Turkey Porchetta with Goose fat roast potatoes and Vimto-braised red cabbage? Go on then!
Bottomless Brunch with Unlimited Drinks & Pigs in Blankets at Black Dog Ballroom
There’s about a million different options available at the two Black Dog sites for anyone looking for a bit of Christmas Party action, what with all of the rooms, basement clubs, hidden bars, rooftop terraces, karaoke booths, pool tables and big screens knocking about. Personally, I’d get my team booked in for a Festive Bottomless Brunch on a Friday complete with endless prosecco and unlimited pigs in blankets. I tried it a few weeks back and it’s brilliant!
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lowry Hotel
There’s a couple of options available for anyone looking to celebrate Christmas in style this year at The Lowry Hotel – they really are pulling out all the big hitters. First of all, they’re putting on dedicated Festive Party Nights on select evenings, complete with 3 course menu and DJ all night. On top of this, there’s the Festive Menu at The River Restaurant, as well as a very special Festive Afternoon Tea which is just begging to be enjoyed by all.
7-Course Christmas Taster at Albatross & Arnold
With 3-course, 4-course and even 7-course options available, Albatross & Arnold is a great choice for your Christmas party this year. Head Chef Jonathan Green has created a menu that includes Pan Roasted Cod Cheeks, Roast Pheasant Breast and even a brilliant Mulled Wine Trifle, all alongside the usual meat and two veg. Once you’ve had some food (and cocktails) you can also pop over to The Range next door and have a mess about on one of their brilliant Golf Simulators.
Christmas Tipis at Dive NQ
Dive have unfurled a shit load of tarpaulin this year, strapped some wood together and erected some Christmas Tipis in their back yard – which you can hire and have a jolly good knees-up in if you like. There will be all of your favourite hot (boozy) drinks, food and some top tunes to keep you nice and festive too.
Indian Christmas at Scene
You can’t get more alternative than a curry for your Christmas celebrations – and Scene have a fair few options available for all you people who are sick and tired of the same old Turkey & Trimmings. There are a number of options available including a rather extravagant Grand Thali, alongside two huge ‘Feasts’ where it looks like you’ll have to take your stretchy pants and a handkerchief to dab your head down due to the sheer amount of food on offer.
Caviar & Christmas at Randall & Aubin
As you’d expect, they’ve got a special Christmas Menu down at Randall & Aubin, one featuring their excellent rotisserie turkey with all the trimmings or a Roasted Veggie Cutler should you be a herbivore. What sets them apart from everyone else though is the option to have some Royal Baerii Caviar with your meal too for an extra £12. Would be one of the best things to spend your Christmas Bonus on this year I reckon!
Italian Christmas at Don Giovanni’s
The gang down at Don Giovanni’s always take Christmas really seriously, so much so in fact that each year they create a huge PDF outlining all the menus, events and general festive happenings in the restaurant. This year is no different and once again it is a document that comes in at a whopping 7MB. If you fancy a bit of Italian this December – get it downloaded.
Christmas Menus at Grafene
Ben Mounsley has managed to create a rather impressive and unique menu for anyone looking to get down to Grafene this Christmas. You’ll start with a Mulled Wine ‘Foam’ before hitting up some Artichokes with Ox Tail, Bass with Oysters and Smoked Risotto and even a dessert which although cryptic, still sounds amazing. It simply says… Beer, prune, white chocolate, caramel… All your major foodstuffs right there.
Ping Pong Galore at Twenty Twenty Two
It is nigh on impossible NOT to have a good time at Twenty Twenty Two during the regular months, but if you add the whole ‘party season’ vibe to it – you’re in real danger of exploding with sheer excitement. They offer a massive range of packages, but if you’re not utilising their ping pong tables in order to embarrass the most annoying members of your workforce then you’re not doing it properly.
Festive Twists at Eat New York
The Eat New York gang have used Christmas as the perfect excuse to give their usual menu of bagel & meat goodness a bit of a twist and my word, it all looks amazing. You’ll find Turkey Ruben sandwiches, Mince Pie Spring Rolls, a Breaded Camembert Bagel and even a Bagel Bread and Butter Pudding on there too. They all sound fantastic, but the clear winners are their Roast Potato Fries. I’ll let that sink in for you.
Canarian Tapas at La Bandera
The city’s only Canarian restaurant, a Christmas with La Bandera is sure to transport you to the beaches of Tenerife with every bite. They’re offering a range of menus including a lunch, dinner and Tapas dinner menu, which would be perfect for any large groups out there. Get your sleeves rolled up and tuck into some of the best Spanish food in the city. Oh, and the organiser of the event will get a £60 voucher to use in January. Beat that.
Urban Narnia at Hatch
This last week saw Hatch unveil their brand-new Urban Narnia concept for Christmas, alongside a huge expansion further underneath the Mancunian Way. It’s truly massive now, with more stalls, more booze, more food and more seats, and seeing as it’s under the motorway, you aren’t going to get wet any more. They’ve a packed December of events to get your teeth into, as well as some proper nice decorations and (obviously) some great food.
Get Your Festive On at Brasserie Abode
Starting from the 1st December, Brasserie Abode will be providing all of your Christmas food and drink needs, with a range of menus and party buffets for groups of any size up to 25 people. Their Smoked Salmon Scotch Egg is reason enough to head down here but the rest of the food is always on point and if you’re looking for somewhere classy with enough Prosecco to sink the Titanic – this is the place.
Christmas Tiffins at Zouk
I’m always a massive fan of a Lunch Tiffin and Zouk have decided to give their usual offering a bit of a spruce up this Christmas. So, for £11.95 each you can take your lot down to tuck into a selection of 3 curries, plus naan breads, rice, poppadoms and all the trimmings. Good that isn’t it?! I don’t think I’ve ever left Zouk less than absolutely full-as-fuck so you’re getting a top deal there.
Social Darts at Flight Club
A new arrival to the Manchester scene, Flight Club is one of those places that is pretty much built for the sole use of big groups of people who are looking to get hammered, eat some food and have a bloody good time. It’s all about ‘Social Darts’ so there’s loads of great games to play with your mates that are a lot more interesting that normal darts. This place is massive too – they’ll definitely be able to fit you in.
Unique Indian Dishes at Asha’s
Never ones to do something bog-standard, Asha’s have a range of menus available at Christmas and one of them is truly brilliant. I mean, they’re all pretty good but the ‘Saffron Menu’ at £40 per person is right up my street. If features some of Asha’s signature unique takes on traditional Indian cuisine including Venison Samosas, Duck Vindaloo and a Pistachio Rasmalai that’s just to die for.
Bowling & Beers at Dog Bowl
Another choice for the Finest Christmas Party last year, Dog Bowl is the perfect venue for a group of people, with loads of bevvies on hand, some great food and of course – all that bowling. The perfect opportunity to get competitive and show your fellow work colleagues or mates who’s boss – don’t forget to follow through with the ball – it ensure you get a strike EVERY TIME. Trust me.
A Taste of Peru at Mama Pacha at Sandinista
Why not get a taste of Peru this Christmas? Didn’t ever think of that one, did you? Peru and Christmas probably aren’t the best of bed fellows but in fact I once spent a Christmas in Trujillo in the North of Peru and it was brilliant. Just like Mama Pacha in Sandinista the food was amazing, there was tons of booze and everyone was mega friendly. There was also a lot of weird dancing going on too – which is pretty much guaranteed in Sandinista as well.
Escape & Win at Breakout
Sticking with the theme of a Christmas challenge, Breakout is the perfect place for a group of people to go down and see how well they work together and perhaps, just perhaps have a bit of a laugh along the way. They have a ton of rooms to try out, with differing difficulties – so if you’re all a bit stupid, you can just go for an easy one and feel happy about yourselves.
Buon Natale! with Cibo
Italians take their Festive celebrations VERY seriously, and so Cibo down on Liverpool Street will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that you have a bloody good time filled with fantastic food and lots of booze. In the run up to Christmas they will have a set menu of 3 course for only £19.95 – making it much easier to actually have a good time without worrying about your wallet.
Crappy Christmas at Almost Famous
The gang at Almost Famous sent me an email last week saying that ‘Christmas was Cancelled’ and I thought – yes! About bloody time! Well, they were telling porkie pies, because basically they came out with a Christmas menu instead featuring some typically odd-ball creations. There’s a Christmas Dinner Burger, Christmas Dinner Loaded Fries and loads of Christmas Cocktails. If there’s a big gang of you I’d probably try the one at the Great Northern – the NQ one is tiny.
Christmas is Coming at The Patron
I’ve always been impressed with the food at the Patron so I wouldn’t expect anything less than brilliance on their Christmas Menu. A quick scan reveals all of your favourites, but with a nice little twist – Roast Beef with a black garlic and shallot gravy, pork cheek and cheese bonbons, spiced dark rum panacotta – all of this sounds divine!
