THE King Street Festival is back at the weekend (Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4) with a busy programme showcasing the manifold attractions of this iconic shopping address we ordinarily may take for granted.
You’s expect fashion and retail to take centre stage but the district’s increasingly vibrant food and drink presence is celebrated, too, along with the street food tailor-made for such an al fresco, family-friendly fest.
Treat yourself to a Cocktail Trail down King Street and try the exclusive range of speciality drinks available from Manchester’s top restaurants and bars. The trail will run from Rosso down to Crazy Pedro’s, showcasing cocktails inspired by King Street and Manchester city centre.
A spiffing summer experience is promised at Sipsmith’s Lawn Club hosted by Grafene as Pall Mall Court gets a makeover. With an artificial lawn, outdoor games (croquet, boules, swingball), picnic area and a pop up Sipsmith gin bar.
If you need to cool down, Ice-cream Creations with their cute little van will be on hand or stop by All Bar One’s pop-up outdoor Mojito Bar, where you can even mix your own at their cocktail making class.
Further refreshment comes from from the Bubbles and Bale Cocktail and Sparkling Wine Bar, which will be serving a range of sparklers and cocktails out of a Morris Minor Traveller, as well as soft drinks and bar snacks.
Rapha isn’t just one of the best biking brands around, it also makes great coffee and will be bringing its Coffee Camionette to King Street especially for the festival, just around the corner from its store on St Ann’s Court).
Some of the city’s best restaurants are here and playing their part in the festival – Grafene, already mentioned; El Gato Negro which offers some of the best Spanish tapas the city has to offer over three floors, will expanded its seating areas, to offer a charcuterie and food & drink demos, while Grill on the Alley will be serving 2 for 1 cocktails and 20 per cent off food while hosting live music entertainment.
Suri, the newest addition to King Street, will also be extending its seating in the sun for the festival, and serving customers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired sharing plates and Patisserie Valerie will satisfy any sweet cravings with afternoon tea for two for just £25.
Food aside, the festival, coordinated by Manchester BID, Manchester’s Business Improvement District, has introduced a host of new features for 2017, including an art garden and street sketching workshops, lawn games and a stylish crazy golf course. Head to Upper King Street where its parking bays will transformed into a series of pocket parks featuring activities including mini TED talks, classical music, pop up gardens and pizza making classes from Pizza Express.
Burger & Lobster are offering mini TED talks on lobster fishing, plus there’s music from the festival bandstand and guided history tours. All this before you start with the many activities and offers centred around the stores. For full information visit here.