The owners of Northern Quarter favourites Dough and Apotheca have unveiled exciting plans for two new premises around the corner on Lever Street in The Hive building, next to the old Police Museum. Opening in Autumn, Bakerie will be a high quality wine bar, baking its own bread on site. From winter, there will also be a tasting store around the corner, selling everything found in the bar to takeaway. ~ 31 Aug
To celebrate the city's fightback from the looting, The Northern Quarter will host a free two-day music festival next Saturday and Sunday (3 & 4 Sep), featuring more than 30 acts over three stages. From 12pm - 9pm, there will be four pop-up bars and Afflecks Palace will hold a vintage market with roads closed to traffic and picnic tables and food stalls available, similar to The Royal Wedding Street Parade. 26th Aug 2011
The average cost of a pint of lager in the UK now sits at £3.08 according to the British Beer & Pub Association. Bitter is cheaper at £2.69, around 10p more than last year. Despite the additional cost, consumption has risen slightly (0.6%) with 8.4 litres supped per person per year, the same level as ten years ago and one of the lowest in Europe with only Sweden, Italy, Finland, Greece, Holland and Ireland drinking less. Britain's tax rate on beer and wine is the second highest in the EU (fourth highest on spirits). 26th Aug
Drinks manufacturer Halewood International has introduced a ready-to-drink rum mixed with spicy ginger. Aimed at 18-25 year old men, Lazy Jack's is an alternative to bottled lagers, ciders and sweet-tasting alcopops.
Halewood have also expanded their Crabbie's alcoholic ginger beer range with Crabbie's Black, a new stronger variant targeted at a slightly older male audience. 26th Aug
Targeted at both men and women, Irish cider maker Magners has introduced a new range of flavoured ciders. Magners Specials are a mix of Magners Original cider and Magners Pear cider with added flavours like rhubarb, honey and infused spices. Comparable to the more sugary Kopparberg and Rekorderlig ciders from Sweden, they will be available in three bottled blends: Pear & Ginger, Spiced Apple & Honey and Spiced Apple & Rhubarb. ~ 16th Aug
Heineken is to launch a two-thirds pint glass, or a 'schooner' as it's affectionately known in Australia. The Heineken, Amstel and Tiger branded glasses will hit Manchester's bars in November after the Government's new Weights & Measures Legislation comes into force on 1st October. It's hoped that the move will boost sales of draught beer. Amongst other brands, the Dutch giant also brew Fosters, Kronenberg 1664, Strongbow, John Smiths and Bulmers. Danish giants Carlsberg have announced they'll follow suit with their Staropramen, Mahou and Poretti lagers. 14th Aug
Bacardi has launched a new smoky spiced rum called Bacardi Oakheart, targeted at male drinkers. Available from September it will be promoted with an 'Oak and Coke' campaign. Bacardi claim that Oakheart will fill a gap in the market for a smooth spiced rum with a distinctly masculine, smoky edge, appealing directly to guys that know life is about the experiences they share with friends." ~ 12th Aug 2011
The De Vere group have sold Warrington-based gin distiller G&J Greenall to its management team for £7.5m. The company, which celebrates its 250th anniversary in September, produces more than 50% of the UK's own label gin and vodka, together with its own Greenall's Gin and, under licence, Bombay Sapphire. De Vere itself grew out of the old Greenall's brewing company before selling its brewery and pubs division in the 1990s. With the sale of G&J Greenall, and that of catering company Searcys last year, they will now concentrate solely on their hotel group." ~ 9th Aug 2011
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has followed up the launch of his new Governor Ale, which is brewed by Middleton's JW Lees, with a hazy cider version. Produced by Westons of Herefordshire, the 4.8% ABV cider will be available in draught and bottles from the end of September. The Governor is named after Marco's family greyhound, which was rescued by his father and went on to break the track records at Stainforth, Doncaster and Keighley. The logo is of San Marco, the lion of Verona, after which his Italian mother named him. It will be available in Punch Taverns." ~ 5th Aug 2011
Bla Bla, a new live jazz lounge and Italian restaurant has opened in the building made famous by Courtney's Wine Bar at Parsonage Gardens. ~ 25th Aug
Malmaison has sold its Manchester hotel to Legal & General and will lease it back over 70 years at £6m a year. Four other properties were also sold in a deal that will reduce the company's £272m debts. ~ 20th Aug
Opening September, Tim Bacon's latest project is set to be a uniquely eye-catching venue in Spinningfields, just a few doors down from his Australasia, Alchemist, Olive Press and Marmalade outlets. The Oast House will offer an exclusive and cosmopolitan range of ales and some of the world's finest wines. Live music, a cheese & meat deli counter and a BBQ, not to mention the incredible 19th Century style building and courtyard, should offer an incredible contrast to both the architecture and bars that surround it. ~ 18th Aug
Pin-up, a 1950's-themed portable temporary venue, featuring four full-size ten pin bowling lanes, a cocktail bar and a fully catered American burger diner, hits Spinningfields from Sep 16th until Nov 6th. ~ 17th Aug
Bar 5 opposite Sandinista, off St Anne Square, is set to reopen. The venue is probably best known for its time as The Conservatory, the most fashionable bar in town at the time. ~ 17th Aug
Noho on Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter have submitted plans to expand into the premises vacated by Babycakes Clothing nextdoor. ~ 14th Aug
The shortlist for The Great British Pub Awards has been announced with the hundred or so pubs named including Manchester's Lass O'Gowrie (Best Entertainment Pub), its next door neighbour Factory 251 (Best Live Music Pub), and The Mark Addy (Best Gastropub). The Pack Horse in Bury has been nominated (Best Community Pub), The Joshua Bradley near Stockport (Best Managed Pub) and The Bulls Head in Knutsford, (Best Turnaround Pub). The winners will be crowned in London on 8th September. ~ 12th Aug
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
