We’ve already told you about some wonderful winter village pop ups and special events happening across Manchester, but December has brought even more fantastic things to do. Our local producers, restaurants and bars have come up with loads of creative ways to have some festive fun. Not only that, but there are some great opportunities to buy interesting and uniquely local gifts. Eat, drink, buy and support local. Jeff Bezos can do one this year. Here’s what’s happening this month….
Alternative Christmas Markets with Indie Traders
Manchester Union Brewery has partnered up with Alphabet Brewing Company to host a series of alternative Christmas markets at the breweries’ home on North Western Street. The markets will run each Saturday from 12 - 6pm in the run up to Christmas (4 December, 11 December, and 18 December.)
With different indie traders on show each week, visitors will have the opportunity to buy the perfect gifts and treats. There’ll be a huge variety of assortments available from worldwide foods, drink, clothing, make up, and ceramics. Theses new markets will showcase the best of creative culture from the city.
Spotlight stalls include Witch King’s bohemian fresh fruit rum liqueurs, Wallace and Son’s catering; Rise Mcr’s renowned sourdough pizza, and Heaven Bakery’s delicious treats. Organic, handmade products include Bee Happy, a vegan-based home fragrance company, Vlysk Colours, repurposed hand painted glass homeware, Last Ember, generously hand-poured candles, and Talith Walker Designs, contemporary handmade embroidery art.
Both breweries will also open up the tap rooms for daytime drinkers, offering fresh lagers and beers brewed just meters away along with mulled ciders and Christmas snacks.
More details can be found on the breweries social pages: @mcrunionlager & @abctaproom.
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Salford Rum’s New Christmas-themed pop-up
The Salford Rum Company is opening a pop-up Christmas-themed bar - aptly named Bar Rumbug - which celebrates Greater Manchester spirits and craft beers. Launching on Thursday 2nd December at Salford Rum’s forthcoming Dirty Old Town Distillery and rum garden at Arch 33 on Viaduct Street, the pop-up bar will be open throughout the month from 12pm – 12am, Wednesdays to Sundays.
The pop-up, adorned with graffiti by local artist Urbie, will feature serves by Salford Rum as well as local brands and breweries including Pomona Island, Cloudwater, Seven Brothers, Track, Shindigger and Squawk.
Salford Rum – which makes an original spiced rum, a dark spice and a honey rum – was created as a passionate celebration of the history, heritage and people of the Salford Docks in Greater Manchester throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's. An era whereby the city’s Salford Docks grew to be the third largest port in the UK, Salford Rum takes its flavour inspiration from the rums, fruits and spices from the Caribbean which were landing on British shores for the first time in that bygone time.
Find out more and check out photos by following @salfordrum on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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The Public Spirit’s Festive Drinks Trail
Local purpose-led rum brand, The Public Spirit (read more about them HERE) has partnered with some of Manchester’s best venues to create a city-wide festive drinks trail called ‘The 12 Serves of Christmas’, all to raise money for a great cause. The Public Spirit is unique in its mission of giving meals to people in Manchester and they’ve teamed up with local restaurants and bars who have created special festive drinks with a charitable edge. Every drink sold will give money to local homelessness and poverty prevention charity The Mustard Tree, who have three hubs across Manchester and Salford, and provide one meal for a person in need, so you can be sure you’re drinking good in more ways than one.
Expect winter favourites such as rum hot chocolate, mulled wine, espresso martinis and other festive creations – all featuring The Public Spirit’s award-winning silky smooth rums - across twelve incredible venues to keep you in good spirits throughout December, with the specials running throughout the month.
Co-Founder Naomi Flaherty said: “It’s the time for giving and good spirit, so what better than enjoying incredible drinks and helping others while doing it. Over the festive period The Public Spirit has committed to donating at least 2,500 meals for people in the city with every bottle they sell giving four meals."
“It’s so exciting to work with these fantastic venues and hopefully it can help us to smash our target. We can’t wait to try them all!” adds co-founder Olly Walker,
All of the serves will feature The Public Spirit premium blended rums and their range includes their Golden Aged Rum and Original Spiced Rum. Both rums are a blend of five handpicked aged rums meticulously sourced from across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America – where they are aged for up to five years. The Golden Aged is the amber glow in its natural form while the Original Spiced has added salted toffee and spices.
Some of Manchester's favourite bartenders have worked The Public Spirit rum into decadent winter creations. for ‘The 12 Serves of Christmas’ including:
The Jane Eyre, Ancoats
Nam, Ancoats (Read more about them HERE)
Cocoa Cabana, Ancoats
Elnecot, Ancoats
Mecanica, NQ
Reserve at Mackie Mayor, NQ
La Collina, NQ
Feel Good Club, NQ
Haunt - Peter Street
Motley – Deansgate
Speak in Code
Ad Hoc (Read more about them HERE)
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Like this? Read: OUR GUIDE TO SEASONAL POP-UPS AND FESTIVE REASONS TO VISIT MANCHESTER THIS WINTER
