For the first time ever, The BRIT Awards 2026 are coming to Manchester in a historical debut at Co-op Live later this month (28th February).
While the BRITs will be partnering with Mastercard for the occasion, Hennessy will be joining in as Official Cognac Partner to celebrate the sound, spirit and communities that shape British music.
From intimate clubs to global stages, Hennessy has sat at the heart of music culture for over 250 years; not as a sponsor, but as a lyric, a ritual and a shared creative language. It has been poured in studios and written into verses across generations, from the jazz pioneers who shaped modern sound, to its deep roots in hip-hop, through to defining today’s cultural moments as the official global presenting sponsor of Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour.
This deep-rooted relationship with music culture resonates powerfully in Manchester, as the city that continues to shape sound and style. From the Haçienda and Factory Records to Madchester and today’s thriving independent scene, Manchester has produced artists from Oasis and Joy Division to The 1975 and Aitch.
As The BRIT Awards arrive in the city for the first time, the moment honours a musical legacy that mirrors Hennessy’s own: ever-evolving and driven by creative communities with a longstanding commitment to championing emerging artists and music culture.
To mark the BRITs' Manchester debut, the celebrations will extend far beyond the Co-op Live arena and into the fabric of Manchester’s nightlife, celebrating music where it is lived, discovered and shared.
Mollie’s Studio IV will become a speakeasy-style hub from 16th February to 9th March, featuring a live house band performing Britpop classics in the week before the ceremony.
Off The Square will bring BRITs energy to the city’s nightlife, including a standout DJ set from BRITs nominee DJ Pied Piper alongside DJ Silk on 28th February. Both venues will serve bespoke Hennessy cocktails, making them must-visit destinations for music and cocktail lovers alike.
Across the city, additional Hennessy activations will run throughout February, including:
- Hotel Gotham – bespoke Hennessy cocktails, with BRITs-themed live music evenings on 19th & 26th February
- Speak In Code – Exclusive new Hennessy cocktail featuring quince wine, dandelion & pear
- Wood&Co – bespoke Hennessy cocktails with BRITs-themed DJ on 21st February
- Dusk Till Pawn – bespoke Hennessy cocktails with BRITs nominee DJ set on 20th February
- Bunny Jacksons & Bunnys Karaoke NQ – Hennessy cocktails available, including the brand’s cognac take on a Margarita (the Henny Rita); BRITs-themed karaoke night on 27th February
- Federico – Month-long special Hennessy and Moët cocktail
- Stray – Exclusive Hennessy cocktail throughout February, with further activity to be announced
- Bar Shrimp - Exclusive Hennessy Highball with BRITs inspired DJ sets in the lead up to the awards
"Hennessy has long lived alongside music culture," said Julie Nollet, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy UK.
"From the studio to the stage, our cognacs have been referenced in songs, shared at pivotal moments and enjoyed across scenes for generations.
"As The BRIT Awards with Mastercard arrive in Manchester for the first time, we’re proud to celebrate a city whose creativity and energy has shaped British music, and to be part of a moment that brings the industry together."