What's On
A boozy prison-themed cocktail experience is happening Manchester
Fancy a cheap and fun night out on the town?
A boozy theatrical prison cocktail experience, named Alcotraz, is happening in Manchester.
That’s right, an immersive boozy prison and cocktail experience with live actors is coming to town. If you’re a fan of Orange Is The New Black, Prison Break, Boardwalk Empire, or just love to do something a bit different, this themed bar could be right up your street.
Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar will see you banged up in a cell-like room wearing an orange convict jumpsuit and sipping on smuggled-in alcohol with your mates — or inmates rather!
Highlights include being able to successfully smuggle liquor behind bars and into the hands of serving inmates while exchanging banter with the crooked prison guards — but mind the warden doesn’t catch you! This is a unique theatrical experience that combines quality cocktails, live actors and an impressive set design while you enjoy personalised drinks with your gang.
The website description reads: “Alcotraz Cell Block Three-Four promises to be one of the most unique cocktail bars in Manchester. Once convicted, inmates are taken into an exciting world of mischief as they are instructed by a notorious bootlegging gang on the inside to smuggle-in liquor to be used to make delicious, bespoke cocktails.
“You won’t find a set menu of drinks here…after all, it is prison! The ‘serving’ inmates will deliver a range of tailored cocktails every night based on the liquor you smuggle in and your tastes.
“As new inmates, expect to see your contraband liquor combined with liqueurs, bitters and hominid syrups to make bespoke, contemporary and classic cocktails perfect for your time behind bars.
“Be as creative as you can with your attempts to smuggle-in liquor. Alternatively, the crooked Guards are on your side and have a system for hiding contraband. Just make sure The Warden doesn’t catch you.”
Tickets are priced from £39.99 for the Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar, including a 1hour and 45 minute ‘sentence’ in the prison.
Alcoholic drinks are not provided so remember to bring your own booze to this bar. All mixers, juices, fruit and syrup to accompany your own alcohol will be provided.
Alcotraz Manchester is located at 1A Watson St, Manchester M3 4EE, United Kingdom, M3 4EE. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
(This is a strictly over-18s-only experience and visitors may be required to produce ID).
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
