NEEDLESS to say, we’re a bleary-eyed bunch in the Confidential office today. Last night, Manchester’s ever fertile hospitality scene surpassed itself, with a hat-trick of launches. The booze flowed, the fairy lights glowed and the drunkenness showed as the bar trio celebrated with free fizz, free canapés...and even free Christmas jumpers.
MIRACLE ON EDGE STREET
First up was cheesy pop-up Miracle on Edge Street, which got people into the festive spirit (literally), with half price drinks from 5-7pm, disco tunes courtesy of The Pen and Pencil DJs and free Christmas jumpers for the first 50 in. ‘Garish is good’ at this Northern Quarter pop-up grotto, where a disco ball competes with fairy light drapery and wrapping paper ‘wallpaper’. And, with the cocktails erring on the strong side, there was tinsel-twirling and bauble-shaking aplenty: North Pole dancers indeed. After some Chrimbo kitsch? You can jingle all the way all the way to Miracle on Edge Street from 4pm to midnight (Wed-Thurs), 4pm-1am (Fri-Sat) until 23 December.
@NQMiracle, Edge Street, NQ - now open
THE REFINERY
Next up, keeping things suitably refined in Spinningfields (well… at the beginning of the night anyway), The Refinery made its Manchester debut with ample fizz, cocktail making classes and caviar canapes. Bringing more life to Leftbank, glamourous guests filled the shiny new all-day drinking and dining space based in the landmark XYZ building. There was wall-to-wall dancing in the plush new restaurant which has dining, brunching, coffee-ing and some partying on the cards as it settles into the bustling Spinningfields line-up. As the party got into full swing, The Refinery showed it also caters for mellow moments, as many guests took full advantage of the cosy outdoor terrace, complete with hot water bottles and blankets.
The Refinery, Leftbank, Spinningfields - now open
COOPER HALL
Over at Cooper Hall, a casual new basement beer hall in Northern Quarter's Sevendale House, guests received two drink tokens to use on arrival; taking a pew on salvaged furniture and leather banquettes to sup from a comprehensive range of European beers and IPA ales, alongside wines and cocktails. Live bands provided the soundtrack for the night, with genres spanning disco to guitar, as per future plans - which also involve monthly themed street food nights. Despite its 300-capacity, the place filled up quickly; indicative, no doubt, of Manchester’s insatiable thirst for a good pint.
@CooperHallMCR, Dale Street, NQ - now open
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