TASTE of Manchester is a food and drink website, so ‘family-friendly festive raves’ should be outside our remit but we’re making an exception for a rather jolly affair invading Hatch this Saturday (December 8) courtesy of The Playhouse Project. Our excuse? The exceptional street food line-up and drinks offering for when you need a break from all that raving.
It’s the latest event at Urban Narnia at Hatch, the pop-up food and retail hub under the Mancunian Way on Oxford Road. Hatch has doubled in size and has been transformed into an urban winter wonderland complete with festive trees, snow flake festoon, twinkly lights and heaters.
The venue is open to the public as normal, but the main event is that Urban Narnia Family Festive Rave (2pm-4.30pm) is organised by the The Playhouse Project, a crew of ex ravers and DJs that are now parents. They’ll be rustling up this Christmas bonanza featuring bubble and snow machines, Christmas crafts, inflatables, giant balloons, glowsticks, face painting and a special DJ set by Lil' Fee. Bad Santa and the Naughty Elves will be providing their own brand of mischief to the proceedings.
It is a free event but attendees must register here.
Meanwhile, the humbug brigade from ToM will be working our way along the Hatch food stalls (and maybe purchasing the odd Christmas gift from the craft traders). Here’s the tasty line-up/
Japanese Junk and Cottonopolis NQ bar Cottonopolis present a special yuletide version of their street food brand ‘Japanese Junk’ (above). Check out heir Pork Belly Bao with peanuts, mustard and pickles, Katsu Chicken Burgers, Wagyu Kuro Burger and snacks like vegetable gyozas and prawn cracker nachos. They’ are also serving up a range of Christmas drinks with an Asian-inspired twist including a hot, mulled, spiced plum Sake. Hot Toddy and Hot Buttered Rum will provide more traditional festive cockle warmers and they’ll also be serving up wine, beers and G&Ts served with a range of homemade festive cordials.
Electrik Box This pop and drop version of South Manchester institution Electrik. This double decker bar, the gateway to Urban Narnia is adorned with the original “E” blown off Manchester Arndale in the 1996 IRA bomb. It’s been reclaimed by owner Luke Unabomber from 23 years in storage and now sits atop this new addition to Hatch. Expect craft beer, a specially created Christmas cocktail, wines, mulled wines and ciders.
Cayuco Independent street food heroes Cayuco produce vibrant dishes inspired by Panama and wider South America. Try their freshly made tacos.
T’Arricrii Sicilian brothers Riccardo and Romeo specialise in arancini of multiple varieties (with meat, fish and veggie options) plus juices made with Sicilian fruits and cannolos.
The Mac Shac Serving up glorious, cheesy winter-warmer goodness with various topping options.
Takk Nordic-inspired coffee bar and welcoming hang out space.
Ol Nano Brewery & Bar Hatch’s nano brewery and keg bar Ol will be serving up the bar’s own beers brewed on site, allowing customers to drink it straight from source alongside craft ales from across the north west and organic wine from Love + Labour.