FROM Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s jaw-dropping series of venues for its upcoming Hidden Banquets series to any number of innovative pop-up opportunities the city loves its ‘secret spaces’.
Now the autumn’s most eagerly anticipated new venture, The Refuge by Volta, has come up with its own revelation deep in the heart of its home, the refurbished Palace Hotel – and it’s throwing a FREE party there in advance of its September opening.
Of course, Pride Weekend is the perfect excuse to unveil the iconic Refuge Building’s ‘Secret Street’. So expect much merriment across Saturday August 27 and Sunday August 28, hosted by legendary Unabomber DJ duo Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (above in the bar).
They are the curators brought in to launch – on September 14 – The Refuge by Volta, a creative lobby, public bar and dining room space drawing inspiration from their acclaimed bar/restaurant Volta in West Didsbury.
So the weekend’s massive party will be the perfect preview Refuge preview as the the beautiful street (above) will be transformed into a vibrant, 250 capacity party space accessible from Whitworth Street, and hosted by the flamboyant collective, Cha Cha Boudoir.
The ‘Come As You Are’ line-up features Ruf Dug, Krysko and naturally the Unabombers. Other DJs include: Aficionado, Jamie Bull, Trash-o-Rama, Meat Free, Jon Da Silva, Paulette, Now Wave, Gina Breeze, Will Tramp, JonJo Jury and Drunk At Vogue.
The food menu looks equally tasty: locally baked flatbreads featuring a trio of toppings – black dal; beetroot with smoked feta, dill and hazelnut; lamb shawarma, moutabal and pomegranate.
These were some of the dishes ToM tasted in a special food previews.Here's our verdict.
Luke Cowdrey said: “Manchester Pride is a one big party and we wanted to open up our amazing street with the same feeling of inclusive not exclusive, come as you are. We have partied in basements, boats, Victorian Mansions and now in our very own street. We all love undiscovered spaces and the street is pretty special.”
‘Come As You Are’ street party is from midday to 10pm on both days and entry is free. Volta at The Refuge, Palace Hotel, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HA. 0161 2281111.
