While the majority of us only spend a couple of years at a time in our roles, old Queenie has been getting up and going to her office (the plush Windsor Castle) for 70 years on the trot now, which is quite the feat indeed when you consider the fact that she is now a respectable (and pretty mobile!) 96 years old. It’s worthy of a celebration, in fact, given that she is, of course, the shining jewel in our country’s crown. Getting the party started in style, many of Manchester’s favourite venues will be donning red, white and blue this June bank holiday, with plenty of fun, Jubilee-themed events in store for Mancs to enjoy. Without further ado, here’s our guide to some of the best Jubilee events happening in Manchester.
1. Celebrate with your dog at Moxy’s Pooch Party
Moxy’s Pooch Party is making a grand return, this time, with a Jubilee twist. It’s set to be an incredibly fun affair for both dogs and their humans, with British-inspired cocktails, fancy dress, doggy ice cream and puppucinos as well as tasty human treats from Hey Little Cupcake. Find out more here.
2. Party at Manchester 360º: John Digweed at Manchester Cathedral
Experience a party like no other in the medieval church that is Manchester Cathedral – to a live soundtrack supplied by successful British DJ and record producer John Digweed, who’ll be on hand to perform a three-hour set for the evening. Alongside fantastic music, expect stunning projection mapping, light shows and an incredible Funktion One sound system which are sure to have you glued to the dancefloor all. night. long. Get tickets here.
3. Get in the royal spirit with The Ivy Spinningfields afternoon tea
Celebrating the Jubilee with an afternoon tea that’s fit for a Queen, The Ivy Spinningfields will be pulling out all the stops this coming bank holiday, with a limited-edition menu of Royal-themed cocktails, and a Jubilee spin on the beloved Chocolate Bombe dessert. The afternoon tea will be packed with show-stopping cakes, classic British sandwiches a proper English scones. The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom St, M3 3HG.
4. Escape to an adults-only circus
Fancy something a little different this coming bank holiday? Cirque du Vulgar is returning to Manchester, bringing back tons of daredevil stunts, risqué routines and ‘outrageous’ comedy acts that, quite frankly, are not suitable for the kids. Leave the kids at home for this night out under the big top… Get tickets here.
5. Enjoy a Jubilee-themed street party at The Refuge
Not lucky enough to have a community street party planned? The Refuge has your back. Taking place on their al fresco terrace on June 3rd, guests will be able to get into the proper British spirit, with tons of classic British party food (with a posh Refuge twist, of course), live music, cocktails and so much more. Get tickets. The Refuge, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Oxford St, M60 7HA.
6. Relax with a classic movie at this summer drive-in cinema
Chilled one on the cards for the Jubilee weekend? The old Camelot theme park has been transformed into a huge outdoor drive-in cinema, with plenty of food and drinks up for grabs and, of course, tons of classic films on the roster. This Jubilee bank holiday, expect hits such as True Romance, Mamma Mia! and Encanto gracing the big screen. Get tickets here.
7. Take part in a hilarious game of bingo with Pong & Puck
Kicking off the Jubilee back holiday on June 2nd, Pong & Puck will host an incredibly fun night of bingo, hosted by the hilarious drag queen, Miss Ginger Hunter. Sashaying into the Great Northern for one night of Jubilee-themed fun, guests will be able to enjoy a funny game of bingo, alongside Prosecco pong, cocktails, crown making competitions (because obviously!) and a fun quiz. Get tickets here.
8. Sup some of Manchester’s best beers on a craft beer tour
Up for a boozy one? This 3.5-hour tour is perfect for those looking to get a little more acquainted with Manchester-brewed beers, stopping off at some of the best spots in the city, including the Beatnikz Republic bar where the journey begins. Find out a bit more about the beers and get to taste them for yourselves at each stop on the tour. Get tickets here.
9. Let your hair down at La Discothèque’s Disco Queens Brunch
Another British institution other than the Queen? Bottomless brunch. Boasting a live cabaret inspired by disco queens such as Diana Ross, Donna Summer and Chaka Khan, La Discothèque will bring tons of delicious bottomless drinks for 90 whole minutes, alongside a picnic basket packed full of British treats for you and your mates to enjoy. Get tickets here.
10. Celebrate at Band On The Wall
Trevor Nelson is set to host a special Jubilee bank holiday party this June 3rd, bringing classic 80s, 90s and 00s soul, RNB & hip hop as part of his old school Soul Nation event. If you haven’t checked out the recently refurbished venue just yet, this is the perfect opportunity. Find out more.
11. Party through Bank Holiday Sunday with The Oast House
The Oast House is hosting a free music festival every bank holiday weekend, including Jubilee weekend. Taking place on the bank holiday Sunday, June 5th, guests will be able to soak up the al fresco vibes, alongside live music, delicious street food, hanging kebabs and more. Head down early if you want to grab a table! Find out more.
12. Enjoy a regal party in the garden at Worsley Park
Found in a luxurious setting in lovely Worsley, the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel will host a lovely garden party on June 4th, in celebration of the Queen’s 70 years of service. Expect a sparkling afternoon tea while soaking up the sun (hopefully!), with classic cakes, pastries and sandwiches on offer. Get tickets here.
13. Celebrate all weekend long at Ducie Street Warehouse
Ducie Street Warehouse is going hard for the upcoming bank holiday weekend, with events and parties planned across the entire weekend in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee. Starting early on Wednesday evening, guests can enjoy a Reform Radio takeover, with plenty of disco, house, soul and afrobeat in-store to get into the long weekend spirit, before enjoying nightly DJ sets, a drag takeover on Friday 3rd June from 9pm, a ‘big disco brunch’ on Saturday 4th June complete with bottomless cocktails and Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as a ‘Recharge & Reset’ brunch on the Sunday. Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, M1 2TP.
14. Enjoy Chippy Tea kebabs and themed cocktails at Bab
Bab is launching some seriously tasty specials for the Jubilee weekend, putting a fantastic British spin on their Turkish inspired ‘babs. Inspired by the classic chippy tea, guests can expect beer-battered cod (or plantain for the vegans), alongside chunky cheaps, minted peas and refreshing lemon mayo. The special menu will be accompanied by an array of British-inspired gin cocktails, too, including the ‘Fit For A Royal-Tea’; complete with gin, sugar, egg white and lemon, ‘A Cordial Invitation’, including gin, elderflower, lemon and tonic, and the ‘JuBERRYlee’, with strawberry gin, framboise, berries and soda. Bab, 14 Little Lever St, M1 1HR.
15. Enjoy a garden party on the terrace at 20 Stories
Manchester’s highest bar and restaurant will be celebrating in style on June 2nd, bringing a ‘right royal’ party to the city skyline. Expect a quintessentially British afternoon tea as part of the English-inspired garden party on their terrace, accompanied by a live DJ who’ll be bringing the bank holiday vibes. 20 Stories, NO. 1, 1 Hardman Square, M3 3EB.
16. Stuff your face in the name of the Queen at Cottonopolis
Celebrating all weekend long, Cottonopolis will be bringing food and drink specials, immersive performances and live DJs throughout the entire bank holiday weekend, alongside fun brunch events and a Sunday 7-course feast, with plenty of delicious food specials set to be revealed soon. Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, M1 2AE.
17. Get lost in endless blooms at the Manchester Flower Show
The Manchester Flower Show is set to return for 2022 next month, this time, inspired by all things regal. Taking place between between June 2nd and June 5th, guests will be able to enjoy stunning floral installations across the city, boasting red, white and blue flower displays, outdoor dining areas and even an afternoon tea trail. Find out more here.
18. Get stuck into food and drink pop-ups and all things British at Circle Square
Circle Square is finally here, and they’re set to start with quite the bang this Jubilee weekend. Ahead of the highly anticipated venue opening, guests will be able to enjoy food and drink pop-ups within Symphony Park, alongside an ever-Instagrammable Blossoming Big Red Bus that will make up part of the Manchester Flower Show. Expect freshly baked treats from Tahi, ‘queen’ bear ice cream cones from Hello Oriental, Jubilee inspired bubble tea, stilt walkers, live entertainment and so much more all day long next Friday, 3rd June. Circle Square, Oxford Rd, M1 7FS.
19. Get your mates together for a bottomless brunch at The Pen & Pencil
Enjoy a banquet worthy of a royal this coming Friday 3rd June, with a truly bottomless brunch courtesy of The Pen & Pencil. Costing just £45pp, guests will be able to enjoy three whole hours of both bottomless drinks and food, with tons of filling dishes to try and plenty of cocktails to indulge in on the day. Book by ringing up 0161 660 3303.
20. Unwind at the Selfridge’s Flower Show Square
Selfridge’s is teaming up with the Manchester Flower Show this weekend, bringing a beautiful place for Mancs to sit and take in the beautiful botanicals. In addition to an al fresco patio, guests will also be able to enjoy live performances, an outdoor bar, and even delicious street food curated by Eat Well MCR. Local vendors such as Hello Oriental, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and Gooey will be on hand to fill our tums, with freshly baked cookies and donuts, ice cream and tasty bao buns.
21. Enjoy an afternoon tea fit for a Royal at King Street Townhouse
Also taking part in the Manchester Flower Show, King Street Townhouse will serve up a delightful afternoon tea this Jubilee weekend, which will be inspired by both the Jubilee flower show and English country gardens. In addition to the afternoon tea, guests will also be able to enjoy some of the best British films at KST’s boutique cinema, including Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Mary Poppins, Paddington, The Gentlemen and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. Find out more here.
22. Get treated like royalty with your pooch at MOTLEY
Launching just in time for the Jubilee weekend, MOTLEY at Yotel Deansgate has launched their new ‘Pawtails’ menu, with plenty of drinks options available for your pooch to enjoy while you sup on cocktails. Think pawsecco, doggy bear and endless treats, as well as plenty of fruity cocktails for the humans to enjoy. MOTLEY, 115 Deansgate, M3 2NW.
23. Scoff Jubilee-themed truffles at afternoon tea at Cocoa Cabana
Ancoats’ pretty-in-pink chocolatiers has gone all out for the Jubilee, with plenty of royal-themed truffles and a divine afternoon tea in store for the weekend. Think plenty of British-themed sandwiches, alongside fancier treats such as tartlets, scones, cheesecakes, and truffles. Cocoa Cabana, 7 Murray St, Ancoats, M4 6HS.
24. Celebrate with Albert’s Schloss
Albert’s Schloss is the home of the party every single weekend, and the Jubilee bank holiday is set to be no different. We’re talking tons of live entertainment, including a royal addition of Baby Grand Slam, a celebration of Queen’s through the ages, a fun cabaret show and, of course, live jazz and gospel as part of their weekly Sunday Service. The menu will receive a regal makeover, too, with new specials including the Royal Coronation Chicken Bagel and plenty of royal-themed kronuts and cruffins. Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, M2 5QR.
25. A royal BBQ with Edinburgh Castle and Cottonopolis
Edinburgh Castle and sister restaurant Cottonopolis are teaming up for a Jubilee BBQ, with special permission granted to reopen their outdoor terrace. There, guests will be able to enjoy a fusion of the two beloved restaurants, including a Japanese-inspired grill menu packed full of tasty treats such as chicken yakitori, char sui short rib, salmon teriyaki yaki and more, alongside British desserts such as the Jubilee trifle, Eton Mess, scones and more. Edinburgh Castle, 19 Blossom St, Ancoats, M4 5EP.