All Weekend
Easter Afternoon Tea @ Harvey Nichols
The Afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols Second floor Brasserie is legendary as it is, but if there was anything to tempt you there further it would be the version they are putting on this Easter. All the mouth-watering miniature patisseries, sandwiches, scones and you’ll also receive a complimentary Rococo Salted Caramel Seagull Egg Cube to take home with you and continue the festivities. Who every said you were too grown up for an Easter egg was a liar.
Harvey Nichols Manchester, 21 New Cathedral Street, Manchester, M1 1AD
harveynichols.com/afternoon-tea/
Refuge Easter: The Long Weekender
It’s all going down this bank holiday at The Refuge and it seems there is something for everyone. Thursday will welcome to ease themselves into the long weekend with Dr Sid Honey Cooler, a record collector of over 40 years who will take control of the public bar from 5 pm until late. Friday sees the basement host a Record Fair featuring Hi-Tackle and a late night evening social in the basement.
Saturday will kick things off on Waterhouse Way with an All Strala Yoga Class. The Den will then be host to ‘Overdrawn’ – an interactive drawing social featuring local artists, art battles, auctions, a pop-up shop and more Saturday night will be a ticketed all night long takeover from A LOVE FROM OUTERSPACE, with Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnson.
The Refuge will be welcoming Bluedot Festival on Sunday to curate the final day of their weekender with families in mind. Down in the basement, Bluedot will be hosting a range of exciting science experiments and intergalactic interactive children’s entertainment. Our Kids Social will host “I am the Eggman”, a psychedelic egg hunt for children of all ages, followed by an interactive Family Silent Disco, circus skills, arts, crafts and more.
The Refuge, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
www.refugemcr.co.uk/
Dog Bowl
The Dog Bowl brunch is legendary and full of American classics like chicken & waffle, steak and eggs and of course pancakes. This Easter they have pancake special on too which would make the Easter bunny green with envy- creme egg pancakes. Creme eggs are 1) delicious 2) extremely festive and 3) not as big as they used to be – but drizzled on a pancake it is going to be hard to turn this one down.
Dog Bowl, Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5WW
blackdogballroom.co.uk/dog-bowl/.
Bottomless Brunch Easter Weekender at Black Dog Ballroom NQ & NWS
Good Friday – Easter Monday
There’s probably no better way to celebrate the death (and resurrection) of the Easter Bunny by getting sloshed on Bottomless Prosecco at Black Dog with some lovely brunch dishes. For £25 you get one brunch item and selected bottomless drinks and if you don’t go for the Chicken & Waffles – you crazy.
Black Dog Ballroom NWS, 11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP
Black Dog Ballroom NQ, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW
blackdogballroom.co.uk/
Bottomless Brunch / Roast Dinners at The Bay Horse Tavern
Good Friday – Easter Sunday / Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
The Bay Horse have only recently started doing Bottomless Brunch and I must admit – it’s a beauty. Their breakfast dishes have always been a winner – with an English Brekkie that could probably sort out a hangover from a night out on the Duck Bleach. This Easter they’ll be offering more of the same with one dish and unlimited booze for £27.50 per person. As well as bottomless brunch, they’ll also be offering their brilliant Roast Dinner not only on Sunday but also on Monday. Make sure you get some extra gravy – it’s fantastic.
The Bay Horse Tavern, 35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
thebayhorsetavern.co.uk/
Easter Weekend at Gorilla
There’s a ton of stuff going on at Gorilla this Easter and to get things started they’ll be opening at 9am every day over the weekend. Once open they’ve got Kicking Pigeon DJs until 2am on Thursday, as well as some DJs pumping out tunes until 2am on Friday. Saturday will also see the legendary Horse Meat DJs hit up the club until 4am. If all that partying has done you in they’ve got their brilliant Disco Brunch on Sunday where you can get a Roast Dinner with Bottomless Prosecco while listening to some great tunes. Finally, Monday sees the Hip-Hop Hangover with Brunch, hangover cures and hip-hop DJs to get you ready for work on Tuesday.
Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 5WW
thisisgorilla.com
Easter Egg Hunt@ Airport Runway Visitor Park
From Good Friday to Easter Monday you, and some kids I guess if you have any, can enjoy an Easter egg hunt at the Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park. Happy hunting and fingers crossed for some decent weather- no one likes a soggy egg.
Sunbank Ln, Altrincham WA15 8XQ
manchesterairport.co.uk/runwayvisitorpark
Thursday
Albatross & Arnold
There is no school on Friday so Thursday night will see an extra special night live Jazz performances over at Albatross & Arnold paired with some guilt-free New York-inspired cocktails. Sure, Jazz isn’t actually from New York, but it has an enormous presence there, and it is something Manchester is definitely missing. Cocktail specials include a Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, a New York Sour and a Breakfast Martini all complimented by the stunning A&A interior and the musical stylings of Jeremy Sassoon and his piano.
Albatross & Arnold, The Range, Leftbank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3AN
albatrossandarnold.uk.com
Friday
Ultimate Power @ The O2 Ritz
I must say this doesn’t sound like my bag, but Ultimate Power has been recommended to me again and again (albeit by the same person) so this Friday might be time to give it a go. It is often dubbed ‘communal karaoke’ and by that it means that those (sometimes cheesy) tunes we all know and love, those guilty pleasures and shower power ballads will be played all night long. Think Meat Loaf, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Bonnie Tyler, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Boston & you’re there.
Easter Bunny Breakfast at Selfridges Trafford
If you’ve got kids then you’re probably going to be sick and tired of seeing their manky little faces every day instead of them getting shipped off to school so you can relax. Head down to Selfridges Trafford this Easter weekend though and you can tire them out with an Easter Bunny Breakfast while you nip off for a cheeky gin when nobody is looking. They will get to meet the real Easter Bunny too so they will be proper buzzing.
These Smiths @ The Ruby Lounge in Manchester
These Smiths are a tribute band from Manchester who performs the music of The Smiths and Morrissey. The band was formed shortly after their lead singer appeared on the TV show ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ as Morrissey which sat here in 2018 seems retro as AF. Anyway, they are playing a gig at The Ruby Lounge on Good Friday and These Smiths are a must-see for fans of The Smiths so get down there for some serious hair flopping and melancholy warbling.
Manchester Duck Race 2018 in Spinningfields
If you head to Spinningfields on Good Friday, you will see a flock of oversized, plastic rubber-duckies all in costumes floating down the canal for the annual Duck Race. It is all in need of the charity Brainwave and the aim of the game is people and businesses buy a duck, decorate it and race them down the canal. Last year at my old job I made a ‘Stranger Wings’ duck complete with blonde wig and bloody beak. I have no idea until this day why it didn’t win. Genius.
visitmanchester.com//manchester-duck-race-2018
Juicy at Black Dog Ballroom NQ
Every Friday sees the legends that be – Juicy – head over to Black Dog Ballroom and this Good Friday is no different. They are legends primarily because they manage to mix old school hip hop with a range of genres, ensuring that you’re always on your toes with what’s going to come on next. It’s always a belting party and it’s always pretty busy too so don’t be messing about – get there early.
Black Dog Ballroom NQ, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW
blackdogballroom.co.uk/
Payday Palooza @ The Liars Club
Make every Friday feel like payday and give your after work drinks/piss up/night out a boost with The Lairs Club. The deal is that every Friday the first 50 people through the door will get their drink for free. So Friday Feeling + Free Drinks + Playtime with fire cocktails and shit= The perfect place to kick off your bank holiday weekend.
The Liars Club, 19A Back Bridge St, Manchester M3 2PB
theliarsclub.co.uk
Micron w/ Jasper James & Agnès at Joshua Brooks
The brilliant Micron is back at its original home – Joshua Brooks and they’ve got a massive night out this Friday ready for Easter. Jasper James will be on the decks for 3 hours – non-stop – without any form of loo break, no time for a Boots Meal Deal and definitely no chance of a cheeky little ciggy outside. Also on the roster is Agnès, who may or may not be French, as well as the classic Micron DJs we all know and love.
Saturday
Boogie Nights: Easter Saturday @ Whiskey Jar
This legendary night at The Whiskey Jar returns this weekend for another fantastic mix of Disco, Gospel, Afro and Chicago House. These events are so hot they always sell out, so make sure you get your paws on your tickets sharpish. So grab your jumpsuit and your dancing shoes- you aren’t going to want to miss this one.
Boxing at Black Dog Ballroom NWS & The Range
Anthony Joshua will be preparing for his fight on Saturday – probably right now punching meat in a rickety shack, lugging blocks of ice up a mountain and running through the streets with his dog. Or more likely – pissing about with a skipping rope. There’s plenty of places to watch the bout this Saturday, including Black Dog NWS where you have a choice of 2 packages, and The Range where you can book out a booth with a huge screen with food and drink.
Sub Focus LIVE at Victoria Warehouse
Sub Focus has announced his forthcoming Easter weekend dates playing two huge live shows, one in Brixton and the other at Victoria Warehouse on Saturday 31st March. Sub Focus will be unveiling a full new live production over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, with artists including Dimension, Darkzy, JAUZ, and Turno set to join him at Brixton Academy. He’ll then be joined by Camo & Crooked, Cause & Effect, Dimension, TS7 and Flux Pavillion at Victoria Warehouse on 31st March.
Funk & Soul Club ft. DJ Don Letts & The Hempolics at Band on the Wall
Mr Charles is too busy getting time and a half in his taxi this Easter Weekend to fire up his MacBook Pro for another stint of his Funk & Soul Club at Band on the Wall so the legend DJ Don Letts is taking over. If you’ve never heard of him – where have you been!? He’s one of the biggest reggae DJs ever and he will definitely make the night one to remember. Joining him will be The Hempolics who will be playing live on stage.
Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band at Night People
The Twisted Wheel is welcoming Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band this Saturday at Night People so if you’re a fan of the old Soul sounds – this is the night for you. It’s been 50 years since his last appearance at the Twisted Wheel Club and so it should be a biggy and something not to miss. Tickets are £15 and can be bought below.
Sunday
Art in Action with Time Burgess @ Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis is known for throwing great parties and this Bank Holiday will be no different. They have teamed up with Bulliet Frontier Works and Art Battle Manchester to present a full day of interactive art and music on Easter Sunday, featuring the headline DJ – Tim Burgess. The event will take place on Sunday 1st April at Cottonopolis from 3 pm. The artists will be creating their pieces live all afternoon alongside a stellar line-up of local DJs through to an after party with headline DJ Tim Burgess which will go on until the early hours.
Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
www.cottonopolis-nq.com/
Classical Family Concerts @ Heaton Park
On Easter Sunday and Monday, Heaton Park will come alive with music with classical concerts from RNCM and The Music Box – a brand new show, brought to us by acclaimed musician and storyteller Kate Romano with the Vine Quartet following its debut at the Cheltenham Festival. Both these performances which run over the two day period are aimed at families and children, with the inclusion of stories for the little ones and Handel, Corelli, Mendelssohn, Verdi, Puccini, Gounod, Lehar and a whole dose of fun with Gilbert and Sullivan at the Classical Concerts.
Homoelectric with Eli Escobar at Hidden
A bit of copy and paste here – “Homoelectric is for queers and their straight peers. For Pans People and trans people. For the late night disenfranchised and the refuse to be categorised.” This Easter special will feature Eli Escobar, Krysko, Luke Unabomber, Will Tramp, Gina Breeze & Jamie Bull banging out the best in Disco, House, Soul and Techno. Tickets are going fast baby!
Family Sundays @ Hatch
As part of their monthly family-friendly events, Easter Sunday will see a wide range of activities for everyone to enjoy. The courtyard will play host to a free face painter, a caricaturist and Ginger’s Ice Cream Cart. Families can also enjoy the regularly changing line up of pop-up foodie pioneers serving up diverse and delicious tastes from all over the world. It really makes a great spot for some city-centre Easter Activity for you and the little ones.
Hatch, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED
www.hatchmcr.com/
Monday
Easter Monday Vintage Fayre @ Seven Bro7hers
Over at Seven Brother’s Beerhouse in Ancoats, which never ceases to amaze me for being run by seven actual biological brothers, will be putting on a Vintage Fayre this Eater Monday. You know this will be legit because they have spelt fair the oldy-woldy way but there will be up-cycled furniture – antique, memorabilia, vintage couture clothing, shoes and accessories. Its free admission so make sure you get down and get yourself some retro-clobber.
The Ice Plant, 39 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 5AF
sevenbro7hers.com/
