The notorious Fun Lovin’ Criminals performed a special intimate charity gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in The Printworks for the Bombay Teen Charity. Lead singer Huey told of his love of the city saying, "Manchester is like a sister city to New York, where I grew up. We’ve got lots of stories to tell about our trips here and we kicked off our 2010 tour in the city. I like the vibe and music." Keyboard player, Fast, celebrated his 40th birthday on the night. ~ 30th March 2012
The National Football Museum at Urbis is set to open on the 6th July 2012. It has also been confirmed that the top two floors, vacated by The Modern bar and restaurant, will once again house an upmarket destination bar and restaurant to complement a cafe on the ground floor. When the ill-fated Urbis museum closed in February 2010, the closure of the multi-award winning Modern was seen as one of the biggest losses to hit Manchester's drinking and dining scene in recent years. ~ 30th Mar 2012
Just six years after opening Odd Bar, Cleo Farman has revealed plans for her fourth bar, which is set to open in an old bank opposite the Northern Quarter favourite. Having added Odder on Oxford Road in December 2006 and Oddest in Chorlton in July 2009, The Blue Pig sees a break from her award-winning bohemian theme and is set to be more of a nod to a Parisian wine bar and restaurant, aimed at a more mature maket. ~ 29th Mar 2012
Manchester's music legend Peter Hook is planning a 30th anniversary rave for the famous Hacienda nightclub in the underground car park of the luxury apartments, which were built on its former Whitworth Street West location in 2002. Residents of the Hacienda apartments have been approached about the ambitious idea which would see 500 revellers raving in their car park to an all star set list of former Hacienda DJs on Monday (yes, Monday) 21st May, thirty years to the day that the club first opened its doors ~ 29th March 2012
Following on from the 27th February release of their Cherrytree Cola, botanically brewed traditional soft drinks manufacturer Fentimans have released a new version of their best-selling Traditional Ginger Beer.
Expected to hit Manchester's bars in April, Fentimans Cool Ginger Beer is less fiery than the original although is made using the same Chinese ginger root and seven day fermentation process before being cooled down by adding pear juice. ~ 29th Mar 2012
Manchester's most famous nightclub, the notorious Hacienda has been rebuilt in London. Closed and demolished to make way for apartments in 1997, the original Whitworth Street, Ben Kelly designed club has been replicated, complete with Factory Records posters and vinyl sleeve covers, at the Victoria & Albert Museum as part of a display celebrating iconic British design. The exhibition runs through the Olympics until August 12th ~ 28th March 2012
No, it's not a story from Only Fools & Horses, but a true tale from London distillers Analogue Spirits.
Released in small batches to the market on 27th March, 1940's inspired 41.6% ABV Sparrow London Dry Gin is made in Peckham Rye from 100% grain spirit using grapefruit, orange and ginger botanicals.
Perfect for mixing in cocktails or drinking with tonic water, it's recommended to be drank with a twist of grapefruit peel instead of the traditional lemon or lime. ~ 27th March 2012
The pub trade has again hit back at the coalition government following controversial tax increases announced by Chancellor George Osborne, claiming there will be mass job losses and pub closures as a result. The Conservative MP for Tatton, which covers Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Knutsford, has refused to budge on his 5% increase in tax on alcohol (set to increase by 2% above inflation each year until 2015). The British Beer & Pub Association say that tax on beer has risen by 60% in the past four years (to 42%) with the average pint of lager set to hit £3.17. ~ 21st Mar
After closing down before Christmas and being completely gutted "for refurbishment" supposedly ahead of "a February relaunch", Kro2 have vacated their Oxford Road unit with landlords Bruntwood rumoured to be re-letting the premises to Tesco.
The announcement sparked anger with six protestors arrested for illegally entering the glass-fronted premises next to the former BBC studios and hanging anti-Tesco banners. More protestors gathered outside and played loud music from a sound system. ~ 19 Mar
Drinks giant Bacardi Brown-Forman is to capitalise further on the trend for flavoured spirits by launching a cherry-infused version of its New Orleans blended whisky-flavoured spiced liqueur, Southern Comfort, in April.
Targeted at 18 to 24-year-olds, Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry follows the 2011 launch of Southern Comfort Lime. It's said to work well when mixed with cola. Other serving suggestions include one that includes cherry jam and apple juice. ~ 15th March 2012
Soon to be available in selected Manchester bars, for a limited time only, the UK’s first draught vodka has been launched "to speed up service and cut down on waste".
Distributed by Hi-Spirits, the USA crafted and five-times distilled Vodka One is made from a predominately corn recipe and served from a calibrated ‘weights & measures’ draught font, pouring each super cold shot at just 1°C within one second. ~ 15th March 2012
To celebrate the 125th year anniversary of Hereford brewed Bulmer's Cider, Heineken UK have released a limited edition Bulmers Vintage Reserve which will be available in Manchester's bars for the next 12 months.
The 5.5% ABV cider replaces Bulmers Crisp Blend and is made from 2011’s vintage apple crop giving it a 100% bitter-sweet apple taste. It will be served in pint-sized bottles with white and gold labelling and will be backed by TV adverts, along with those for Bulmer's No.17. ~ 15th March 2012
Wine and beer importer The Morgenrot Group is to distribute the Belgian Affligem abbey beer to bars around Manchester.
Originally made by monks in the Flemish village of Opwijk, Affligem is now made by Heineken outside the abbey grounds using the original recipes and brewing methods.
It will be available as a 6.8% ABV Blond, 6.8% ABV Dubbel and 9% ABV Tripel in 33cl bottles, as well as a draught version of the Blond. ~ 15th March 2012
The Britons Protection, Manchester's leading whisky bar, may be forgiven for struggling to keep up with all the new whiskies and bourbons hitting the market at the moment but they're sure to get their hands on the new Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish Scotch whisky.
The 19 year old single malt is matured in oak casks previously used to age fine Madeira Portuguese wine and is the first in a new range of whiskies which celebrate 15th Century explorers and the Age of Discovery. ~ 12th March 2012
Molson Coors have released a limited edition 2.8% ABV lager for the summer. Carling Zest is the latest in a line of new lower-alcohol beers which take advantage of a 50% descrease in excise duty on such offerings.
Described as the perfect summer drink, the light, citrus flavoured beer will be available in Manchester's bars from 18th March until September and will be backed by a £1.9m advertising campaign. ~ 9th March 2012
Joining offerings in Leeds and Blackpool, The Printworks are to get a branch of The Bierkeller. Not related to the notorious Piccadilly bar from the 1990's, the Bavarian-themed party bar is to take the huge unit vacated by Pure nightclub and will feature Oompah bands and German beer served in steins. ~ 30th Mar 2012
Restaurant, Bar & Grill on John Dalton Street have unveiled plans for a fifth floor roof terrace. ~ 30th Mar 2012
The unit vacated by Billie Rox on Portland Street is set to become home to Tops Restaurant. ~ 30th Mar 2012
Chester pub company Brunning & Price have confirmed that Jackson's Wharf in Castlefield is set to re-open as The Wharf in June 2012. ~ 30th Mar 2012
Manchester-based Clover Taverns, the owners of Manchester's historicThe Shakespearepub on Fountain Street, amongst ten other pubs around the country, have gone into administration. The Shakespeare, which is said to be haunted, will continue to operate whilst new buyers are found. ~ 6th Mar 2012
The new Club HD on Whitworth Street West has won back its permanent license from council bosses after agreeing to sell drinks in plastic glasses. The former Brick House club temporarily lost its license following serious disorder by three men, including two under-aged youths, in January. ~ 6th Mar 2012
Panacea owner Joe Akka is back in prison after he used criminals to provide false details in a ticket scam when he was caught going through red traffic lights. He was one of over 735 motorists who avoided prosecution as part of Britain's largest ever speeding ticket scam. Akka was jailed for three months in February and was previously sentenced to 13 months in 2007 after attacking a clubber at Panacea. ~ 1st Mar
Disclaimer: All information correct 14/01/2011. ManchesterBars.com can not be held responsible for any differences experienced at the premises listed. All images and information ? 2002-11 Pride Of Manchester
