A new handcrafted 45% ABV London Dry Gin has been launched inspired by the pioneering spirit of 19th century African explorers and the botanical discoveries they made. The artisan Elephant Gin is produced in Germany made using 14 different botanicals including some rare ingredients such as African wormwood and the buchu plant. Not only is this a uniquely flavoured gin, it is also charitable like Snow Leopard vodka, with 15% of all profits being donated to two African Elephant foundations, which are devoted to the conservation of wildlife in Africa.
Hot on the heels of the recently re-launched Hooch, Crabbie's are set to leave Ginger Beer territory for the first time with the launch of their Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade. Another change will see the new drink sold in smaller 330ml bottles. It's the sixth Crabbie's variant to hit the market and joins their Original, Black, Spiced Orange, Scottish Raspberry and Strawberry & Lime alcoholic ginger beers. We're sure the grown-up Famous Five and Secret Seven would approve.
Following unsubstantiated rumours that Manchester City Council have served Almost Famous in the Northern Quarter orders not to sell pink burgers, somebody at the cult diner must have taken the order too literally after a large fire broke out in the kitchens at 1:30pm on Friday 28th June. Fire crews are currently battling the blaze in the landmark building which also houses the Keko Moku tiki bar and Mexican diner, Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn (formerly Socio Rehab). The restaurant was full at the time although, fortunately, all staff and customers were evacuated safely. Sadly the building looks to be severely damaged with much of the roof destroyed. We're not sure if there's any truth in the rumours that doorstaff refused access to emergency services until there was a queue of at least ten firemen.
Police have issued an image of a dog and its owner after the animal mauled another dog to death in front of shocked Bank Holiday families outside the Oast House on the afternoon of 6th May 2013. Daisy, an 18-month-old toy Yorkshire Terrier, who was on her lead at the time, sustained fatal injuries after being horrifically mauled by the other dog, believed to be an Akita-type breed, which was not on a lead. Following the attack, the owner put his dog back on its lead and they both walked off towards Bridge Street. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The owners of Hula Tiki Lounge are to open new Northern Quarter tea rooms on the two floors above the popular Stephenson Square basement bar. Rosie Lee Tearooms will soon be openly daily until 10:30pm in the unit formerly occupied by fashion lable Fit To Dance.
Not content with having just The Alchemist, Australasia, The Oast House, The Long Bar, Artisan Kitchen & Bar and Manchester House (not to mention the Olive and Grill On The Alley just across the road), Knutsford's Living Ventures open their seventh Spinningfield's establishment on July 1st. Grand Pacific Bar & Garden will be in the old unit vacated by their shortlived Peppermint Bay, behind the Armani store. With a canopied outdoor garden, a staircase will attach it to Australasia below and the new Pacific Rim themed long cocktail bar will serve bar snacks and sushi, direct from Australasia's menu.
Manchester 235’s beautiful Fusion Bar, which closed earlier this month for refurbishment, has announced that, when it re-opens on the 28th June, it will be called Vega Lounge. The lounge which is named after a star in the Northern Hemisphere, and inspired by Las Vegas, will boast a new food and drink menu, which will include The Vault – a cocktail presented in a working safe.
English Gin distiller Hayman's is set to mark its 150th anniversary by relaunching its gin range. The emphasis will be on the company’s history as a family distiller since 1863, making it the longest serving Gin distilling family in England. The range will be given a new bottle design based on a 1947 bottle found in the family's archives, with a new Victorian-inspired logo. Hayman's London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin, and Sloe Gin will be rebranded immeditaely with their 1850 Reserve Gin and Gin Liqueur to follow later.
This year's Manchester Pride parade starts outside the Hilton Deansgate at 1pm on Saturday 24 August. It makes its way up Deansgate before turning right opposite Kendals and cutting back towards the Town Hall down Cross Street. From here, it makes its way down Princess Street to the Gay Village. You do not need Big Weekend tickets or wristbands to watch the parade, however, you will need them to get into the area around Canal Street afterwards.
UK festival goers will get the chance to visit the new Jaegermeister 'Deep Freeze' ice bar, which will be appearing at 25 music events across the country including Kendal Calling, Bloodstock, SlamDunk and Leeds. Visitors will be given special capes as they enter the bar, which will be chilled to -10°C and includes ice-covered walls, ice sculptures, a maze, interactive photo wall, VIP area and free wi-fi. Jaegermeister is the third best-selling liquor in the UK with over 180 million shots sold last year, 90% of which were in Jaegerbombs (Red Bull & Jaegermeister), something they are keen to distance themselves from.
WKD, the popular pre-mixed vodka alcopop have announced two new flavours, WKD Orange and the apple flavoured WKD Green. Both are currently available exclusively in Yates's but will be available nationwide from July and backed by a 'Green With Envy?' poster campaign. They will permanently replace the short-lived WKD Core apple cider.
There's yet another new bar to hit the Northern Quarter. Eleska’s Bar and Restaurant is set to open in the beautiful Eleska House on Dale Street, one of the buildings used in the filming of Captain America ~ 27 Jun 2013
Scottish brewer Brewdog are offering £4m worth of shares to drinkers at £95 per share. Their Equity for Punks share scheme raised £2.2m in 2011 and offers investors a lifetime discount in their bars ~ 21 Jun
R'House on Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter has closed down less than six months after opening. The owners, the same people behind the neighbouring Crown & Anchor, Lola's and Lammars, will be reopening it as the refurbished and toned-down Shack~ 19 Jun 2013
The owners of Brewdog have moved into the spirits market with the launch of Wattdickie, a 35% ABV distilled beer ~ 14 Jun
Spinningfields will play host to the pop-up Aperol Spritz Social bar from 24th June to 7th July ~ 11 Jun
Another bar in Chorlton is up for sale with Nook & Cranny your's for just £55,000. The current lease runs until 2020 ~ 6 Jun
The former Casa D'Arte ladies fashionwear store on the corner of Dale Street and Newton Street in the Northern Quarter is soon to be transformed into Cottonopolis Food & Liquor~ 4 Jun 2013
Kosmonaut in the Northern Quarter have expanded their dining area with the opening of a new 80 seater American style diner ~ 3 Jun 2013
St Anne Square will host the Craft & Cake Market between 6th and 9th June which will include a Mediterranean style bar ran by Little Spain, a stall familiar to visitors of the Christmas Markets ~ 3 Jun 2013
