Category Archives: Uncategorized

My Manchester in 2017 – in pictures

The highs, the lows and the love that stemmed. Beautiful Manchester. .

Bowled over by the Hilton

Brought up by cricket-loving parents. I can boast that I was there at the infamous Headingley Test in 1981. I was barely stringing a sentence together given my young years what’s new? (Good one, me. Who just wrote that too. About me) … but I was there. And so with that grounding, I had noContinue reading “Bowled over by the Hilton”

The Tram Tribes – a Manchester subculture. 

The Manchester Metrolink. It has its knockers but I’m a fan and think, in general, it’s pretty good. Pretty good doesn’t include when it terminates early at Timperley or Navigation Road (Alty commuters, right?). But as a service, it mostly works. Whilst crowding and cancellations can drive you to the brink at times (or not, ifContinue reading “The Tram Tribes – a Manchester subculture. “

Brasserie Abode – bringing it home.

It was on a balmy night in Manchester when Brasserie Abode threw open its doors, banged on its bongos and welcomed Manchester into its loving, refurbished arms. If the recently rebranded bar and restaurant is anything like its welcome party, us mancs (born and honorary) are in for a treat. Last Thursday I got aContinue reading “Brasserie Abode – bringing it home.”

Manchester on my lunch hour

Manchester, you’re killing me man, you’re killing me. Your 50% off food this, and 50% off food that…well it’s February now so…deal with that. Manchester. Like a cliche, a glorious cliche, I was battling all the 50% off restaurant shenanigans as I resolved away, this January, and opted for the rare and untapped resolution thatContinue reading “Manchester on my lunch hour”

Palace Hotel – put on the red light 

The clock tower and red neon is synonymous with sweeping camera shots of Manchester. It used to be, anyway. Whistling Beetham Tower has taken over. And soon, its sister. Its massive sister. In fact red neon adorned buildings used to be the thing. My old employer and first love Granada TV and its lettering usedContinue reading “Palace Hotel – put on the red light “

The Blue Pig (I like it)

I have a friend. Let’s call him Beer (no I’m not metaphorically telling you I have a drinking problem, Beer is an actual man). Beer, I said (typed), give me three words to sum up your thoughts on The Blue Pig. I like it. Thanks, Beer, I said. Beer wanted to expand on this andContinue reading “The Blue Pig (I like it)”

Pen and Pencil – you don’t have to be Mad Men mad to go there…(you actually don’t)

February 2015, around the same time I arrived fashionably late to the party that was the iconic television drama Mad Men, I arrived early to this bar. Very early. After aimlessly circling a building in pursuit of this exciting new establishment I’d been reading about, some more googling led me to realise I was about 3Continue reading “Pen and Pencil – you don’t have to be Mad Men mad to go there…(you actually don’t)”

Home is where the art is

I’m often outraged by things. It’s my favourite go to emotion. Question Time – outraged, Making a Murderer – outraged, someone getting on the bus and passively aggressively closing a window without thought of whether already present passengers were happily enjoying the cold relief it was bringing – outraged. When I heard that the CornerhouseContinue reading “Home is where the art is”

All hail Tariff and Dale

Thursdays are my favourite day. You’ve gone through the drudge and tedium of the start of the week.  The creation of calling Wednesday hump day and celebrating its middle of the working week ‘ness’ does nothing for me. It’s still not the end of the week and produces nothing more than an internal struggle toContinue reading “All hail Tariff and Dale”

Hotel Football (bloody hell*)

First job is to clarify I’m not a red. I’m not even a blue. I’m a blue and white halves. Declaring yourself as an honorary manc is one thing. Should this be extended to declaring yourself to be an honorary Manchester United fan is simply just… I was going to say ‘glory hunting’ but IContinue reading “Hotel Football (bloody hell*)”

Lost in Tokyo – don’t send out the search party just yet…

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a cellar, basement, anywhere that involves a descent to a drink, bar. This is one of the latest to hit the Northern Quarter and had me at the title.     Three visits in and I’m sold. From the mix of intimate tables and booths (Lord am I a suckerContinue reading “Lost in Tokyo – don’t send out the search party just yet…”

Honorary Manc – Exploring the best Manchester has to offer so you don’t have to. Although you probably should.

I’ve been a lucky resident of the glorious city that is Manchester for nearly 20 years. Since I made my first move here in my first big grown up media job out of uni  in 2000 (remember when Deansgate Locks were good?), I’ve made it my business to gorge myself on this fantastic city. IContinue reading “Honorary Manc – Exploring the best Manchester has to offer so you don’t have to. Although you probably should.”