HERE at Taste of Manchester, already draped in Royal Wedding Day bunting, we’ve been contemplating awarding a medal to the Manc establishment most committed to celebrating Harry and Meghan’s Windsor nuptials on Saturday, May 19.
Front runner appears to be Store Street Exchange which, like so many other venues, is covering all televised bases by keeping its big screen on for the FA Cup Final later.
Or in Store Street’s case screens. Besides the one in their ‘Library’ as it offers Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea there’s a further live relay on the newly revamped terrace alongside the wedding barbecue.
The private dining area, ‘The Library’, is being decorated specially for the big day. Guests who book in advance will be the special tea on on Royal Wedding china in front of the telly between 11:30am until 5pm.
The “Royal Tea” costs £17.50 and includes a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade cakes and freshly baked scones, served with clotted cream & strawberry jam. Plus, choose from a selection of teas or freshly brewed coffee, or a specially selected cocktail for £25. A glass of Prosecco for each guest will be served on the house.
Children’s Afternoon Tea is also available from £9.95. If you can’t make the big day, the “Royal Tea” menu is available throughout May – served daily from 2pm to 4pm.
The Royal Wedding Barbecue (12pm to 8pm) offers a burger for just £8.95 and the chance to sip one of Store Street’s summer cocktails. After which for Manchester United v Chelsea JW Lees’ beers come into play.
Store Street’s hotel home, the Doubletree by Hilton next to Piccadilly Station, is also getting in on the act, offering visitors on the day a complimentary limited-edition version of their signature DoubleTree cookie. offering guests an extra special welcome with a limited-edition version of their signature DoubleTree cookie. It will be topped with specially made elderflower and lemon icing, inspired by the Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake.
Store Street, Exchange, One Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn Street, Manchester, M1 3DG. 0161 242 1020.£17.50, to book call or email [email protected] to book. No booking is required for the Terrace.
Meanwhile, for those of you whose favourite prince is Victoria’s Teutonic consort, there’s a wunderbar garden party at the flower-bedecked Albert’s Schloss. Understated as always, the Schloss tell us: “From 9am our doors will open for guests to indulge in a myriad of treats to mark the occasion, including, Royal Wedding Breakfasts, Silver Service, Royales & Spritzes, High G & T and Quintessential Kronuts & Cruffins. What’s more, we’ll be screening the grand ceremony in full on das big screen from midday. A thoroughly debauched Royal Knees Up we’d say! Grab a seat at the wedding table here. Oh Ja!”
Or you can head for the rooftops. Boutique hotel Great John Street is hosting its own Royal afternoon tea on its terrace, featuring a glass of champagne on arrival and a spread that includes an array of finger sandwiches, egg mayonnaise and cress open sliders and smoked salmon mini bagels, papaya mousse with orange jelly, chocolate profiteroles, victoria sponge and almond cake. All served at a street party trestle table with a top view of the televised nuptials.
Great John Street, Manchester, M3 4FD. 0161 831 3211. Noon to 4pm. £40 from Eventbrite
Much, much higher, Cloud 23 bar at the Hilton on Densgate is hosting a Royal bottomless brunch and afternoon tea with live big screen coverage starting at 10am. For £35, guests can choose two dishes from a menu including eggs royale, florentine or benedict and pancakes or waffles, washed down with tea and coffee and free-flowing bellinis, G&Ts and Bloody Marys for two hours. After which the focus switches to the Royal afternoon tea with a best of British twist, including coronation chicken wraps, egg and cress sandwiches, Welsh rarebit tarts, Pimms trifle, scones, and a lemon, poppy and elderflower cake– all this plus free-flowing champagne for £45. The coverage will also be screened in the hotel's Podium restaurant, where diners can enjoy three courses and a bottle of prosecco to share for £25 per person .
Hilton, 303 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ. 0161 870 1670. From 10am. £35 to £45, booking advised.
If a cocktail is your Royal Wedding Day tipple of choice get yourself down to Refinery in Spinningfields. They’ve created the Meghan Sparkles – a twist on the on the classic Prickly Bramble, made with Ketel One vodka, lemon, blackberries, blueberries, prosecco and violet liqueur. Everyone at The Refinery on the day be entitled to a free Meghan Sparkles on arrival. Otherwise they cost £8.95 each throughout May.
Refinery, G1 XYZ Building, 2 Hardman Boulevard, Manchester M3 3AQ.
If serial G&Ts are royal prerogative book for the Gin Society’s weekend juniperfest in Bolton Town Hall. Full ToM preview here.
Finally, let’s not forget beer – and do True Brits ever? Salford brewery and taproom Seven Bro7hers is celebrating the Royal wedding with a street party. Alongside the regular bar offering there'll be guest beers and ciders, a mini cocktail bar, a dedicated gin bar from its sibling Sis4ers distillery and street food stalls. Plus live music and DJs throughout the big day. Naturally, the screen will also show the FA Cup Final later
Seven Bro7hers, Daniel Adamson Road, Salford, M50 1DS. Noon-11pm. £10 including a pint of beer, free entry for children.