Following the success of Bakerie bread and wine bar, which hit the Northern Quarter in November 2011, the hotly anticipated Bakerie Tasting Store opens on the 27th April at The Hive, next door. Serving quality wines and freshly baked bread to take home alongside small plates of food and wine flights in the store, this unique concept will also house Manchester’s first wine dispenser which preserves opened bottles of wine for at least two weeks in perfect condition. ~ 27 Apr
The London Cocktail Company have created a range of pre-mixed ready to drink cocktails, designed for pubs and bars who do not have the ability to make their own.
The four cocktails set to be available ahead of the Queen's Jubilee and London Olympics this summer will be a Mojito, Margarita, Mai Tai and a Strawberry Daiquiri, each with an 11% ABV and served in 250ml bottles. ~ 27th Apr 2012
As Manchester gears up for the biggest ever Manchester Derby in history, with the result of the match moreorless deciding if the Premiership title goes to United or City, Police are advising pubs and clubs to use plastic glasses and employ extra door staff for the Monday night clash (30th April).
Thousands of fans are expected to watch to the match in pubs and bars across the city centre, making it the busiest Monday night the city has ever seen". ~ 26th April 2012
2,400 strong pub, restaurant and hotel group Greene King have announced a 4.5% year-on-year increase in sales with a 6.7% increase in food sales up to 15th April, thanks largely to the March heatwave. Mother's Day meal sales were up 16% with wine sales up 18%.
The group had enjoyed record Christmas sales although an earlier Easter saw flat sales. Greene King operate Loch Fyne, Hungry Horse and Exchange Bars together with The Royal Oak in Chorlton, Orange Grove in Fallowfield, Ye Olde Cock in Didsbury and The Kings Ransom in Sale. ~ 23 Apr
Diageo GB and Schweppes have joined together for a £3.5 million campaign to help bars tap into the sense of patriotism around the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, London Olympics, and Wimbledon tennis tournament this summer.
It includes the launch of a limited edition Union Jack Gordon’s Gin and Pimm’s bottles range, alongside GB drink stirrers featuring sceptre or tennis ball shaped handles. ~ 19th Apr 2012
Ab InBev, have released 'Perfect Draft', a draught beer dispensing system that requires no installation and is perfect for pubs and bars who have limited or no cellar space.
The technology from Phillips can dispense Leffe, Hoegaarden, Lowenbrau and Becks from six-litre kegs and allows outlets restricted to serving mainly bottled beers to expand their offering and is claimed to deliver great quality draught beer. ~ 17 Apr
Bar Centro in the Northern Quarter has been bought from administrators by former Lammar's owner Rory O'Keeffe who plans to turn it into a real ale bar.
The venue has temporarily closed for a complete refit and reopens in May as The Tib Street Tavern. ~ 11th April 2012
Over 450 people passed through Manchester Town Hall’s historic doors for Cocktails in the City, an evening of shaking, muddling and drinking under the expert guidance of the city’s (and indeed the world’s) leading bartenders. Celebrating Manchester’s vibrant cocktail scene,the huge cocktail masterclass featured 19 bars, serving up 1,200 cocktails and a demonstration from The Liquorists. ~ 10th Apr 2012
Work has began on the highly-anticipated Summer pop-up bar The Yacht Club, which is set to bring the glamour and the grace, if not the weather, of the 1950s French Riviera to Spinningfields. The stylish new bar will open on the 19th April and run until September. Located next to The Alchemist, the elegant bar will be the ideal place to quaff Champagne and absorb the sunny Manchester rays, with a chic wooden sun deck and leather day beds likely to be extremely popular. ~ 9th Apr 2012
As you may have seen on the recent Carling TV adverts, Britain's best-selling lager has new glasswear with brewer Molson Coors distributing four million pint and half pint glasses across the UK.
The blurb that goes with the release states the glass provides "a better serve" with "increased nucleation to improve head performance" which can probably be translated as "it looks better than the old glass" and "is more likely to be stolen by students". ~ 5th April 2012
As we first predicted twelve months ago, Living Ventures have confirmed plans to open a second branch of The Alchemist at 1 New York Street, opposite their Grill On New York Street restaurant (which was still called Grado at the time we broke the news). With the working title, of Number 1, it is set to provide this quiet area of Piccadilly and Mosley Street the same offering as their Spinningfields model when it opens in mid to late June 2012. ~ 4th Apr 2012
After performing to 15,000 fans at the Manchester Arena across the road, Canadian rapper Drake enjoyed a lavish after-show party at The Bijou Club, where he even gave an impromptu performance on the balcony for his fans below.
Whilst his new "best friend" Mario Balotelli stayed out of trouble for once by avoiding the party, stars present included QPR footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and actor Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street. ~ 2nd Apr 2012
As if to maybe prove that not everything Living Ventures turns to gold, Spinningfields deli style café Peppermint Bay has closed down barely four months since opening. With the company's other units, The Alchemist, Australasia and The Oast House performing well above expectations next door and news of a neighbouring Michelin- standard members only venue on the way, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Knutsford based bar operators return with a new concept for the unit. Based above Australasia, Peppermint Bay offered teas, coffees and hot chocolates, alongside a choice of Champagne and wine. ~ 1 Apr
The world's largest T.G.I. Friday is to open in the historic Royal Exchange building this June. The American chain bar and restaurant will be set over two floors and employ over 140 staff. ~ 25th Apr 2012
The new outside arena next to The Oast House in Spinnigfields is set to open by hosting SpinFest, a Vintage 1950's American inspired free music festival on May 6th and 7th. ~ 24th Apr 2012
The new Black Dog Ballroom on New Wakefield Street opens on 3rd May. Located in the premises formerly occupied by Pure Space, it will replicate the Northern Quarter branch and be open until 4am. ~ 23th Apr 2012
Gay superclub Essential has been sold to a "major player" and closes down for the final time on Sunday 6th May ahead of a relaunch as another gay venue later in the year. ~ 23th Apr 2012
Gay bar Crunch on Canal Street will close down in May for a dramatic refurbishment which will see it reopen for the end of May Bank Holiday with a new name. ~ 20th Apr 2012
Canal Street is set to get a new independent gay bar in May as Bar Below makes way for Oscars. ~ 17 Apr 2012
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
