Happy New Year…
Between the post-Christmas comedown and the failed New Year’s resolutions, January can be a pretty depressing month. But whether you’re going dry or staying firmly off the wagon, there’s plenty going on in Manchester this month to help beat those January blues.
1. Play Beer Pong At Crazy Pedro’s (every Wednesday)
Play beer pong with Pedro! Famous for its wacky but delicious pizza toppings, Crazy Pedro’s is mixing things up every Wednesday night in January with a beer pong tournament.
2. The Greatest Showtunes At Deaf Institute (January 11)
Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that the musical has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years. And on January 11 Deaf Institute in Grosvenor Street will be celebrating all things musical with a club night dedicated to soundtracks from much-loved musicals, stage shows and Disney films. Click here for more information.
3. Comedy Night At The Frog And Bucket (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays)
The Frog & Bucket has seen a host of comedic talent pass through its doors, and its open mic night has helped to launch stars such as Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas, John Bishop, Jason Manford, Sarah Millican and many more. The club’s cabaret-style creates the best possible atmosphere for comedy and is the perfect choice for your night out, whether you’re part of a couple or a party group, with reserved tables and delicious bar snacks available. Come and see the hilarity for yourself!
- Mondays at Beat the Frog – This is the most unpredictable comedy night in the north. The show where you, the audience, are in control and you never know which future stars you will see.
- Thursdays at Thursday Night Live – The best value comedy night in the country. Five comedians from the national and international comedy circuit all for a tenner.
- Fridays at Friday Barrel of Laughs – Bringing you three top-flight national and international acts plus one of the Frog’s fantastic comperes.
4. Burn’s Night Whisky Tasting Experience With Three-Course Scottish Themed Supper (January 25)
The Burns Night tasting experience is perfect for those in need of a winter warmer. The event will take place at The Castlefield Hotel and will include a delicious range of Scottish-themed food, accompanied by a variety of different whiskies from around the world. Tickets are available here.
5. Music On The River: Swing and Rat Pack (January 19)
The showboat evening cruise will take place on the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal. Guests are promised a night of cool swing and Rat Pack vibes from Russell Shaun. Guests can expect renditions including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Tony Bennett, with some other classics such as Marvin Gaye and the odd request thrown in to keep the boat rocking. Drinks will be served on arrival and canapes will be served throughout the evening.
6. See The Manchester Giants (January 11)
Manchester Giants are managed by a group of basketball enthusiasts who offered ‘homegrown’ talent a chance to ‘go pro’ in their own city. Both dedicated and first-time fans are welcome at Giants matches and organisers have created a post-match autograph section where players will be signing autographs and posing for photos with all fans. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet professional sportsmen and something that isn’t prominent outside of basketball. Click here for more information.
7. Paintball Battle at Manchester Paintball Arena (January 5)
Gather your fellow comrades and prepare for the ultimate paintball battle! Enjoy a three-hour session including up to 8 paintball games fully supervised and organized by the best paintball marshals in the business. Join us at Manchester Paintball Arena, the largest paintball game zone in the UK. Get a free action photo of yourself and of your band of brothers while you experience the fun with no hidden extras. Ready? Aim. Paintball!
8 – 9. Pop Up Painting (January 22 and 30)
PopUp Painting invites you to unleash your creativity, drink in one hand, paintbrush in the other – No experience needed. Since 2013, the mission of PopUp Painting has been to bring art out of the classroom and gallery and into the places people meet on a day-to-day basis. Painters will be guided step by step by a practising artist, while they sip, paint and create their way to becoming an artist for the night! On January 22 the evening’s painting will be Toubie Jack‘s Manchester Skyline and tickets are available here. On January 30 the evening’s painting will be Winter Red Girl with the Balloon by Banksy and tickets are available here.
10. Ultimate Power Club (January 25)
Ultimate Power is, quite simply, an evening of the greatest songs ever written. A communal appreciation of colossal musical compositions from the titans of Power Ballads including messrs Collins, Loaf, Tyler and Jovi and many more. Organisers are promising revelers the best night of their life so leave your inhibitions at the bar and come to the promised land where pure balladic power will move you to your very core! Click here for more information.
11. Try A Vegan Sausage Roll From Greggs (from January 3)
Greggs has launched a vegan-friendly version of its most iconic product – the sausage roll. A spokesman for the baker said the Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll, which is in stores now, has been designed to mirror some of the sausage roll’s classic features, including 96 layers of light and crisp puff pastry, but with a bespoke Quorn filling. The Vegan Sausage Roll is on sale in 950 Greggs shops across the country from today January 3, and will be priced from £1.
12. Sing Along To Bohemian Rhapsody At Odeon Cinema (from January 11)
Bohemian Rhapsody is the extraordinary story of Queen’s lead singer and legendary frontman Freddie Mercury and his meteoric rise to super-stardom. The lyrics to the band’s biggest hits, including ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘We Are The Champions’ will be shown on the screen and audiences will be encouraged to sing along. Fever is giving film fans the chance to recreate the olden days with tickets for just £6.50!
13. Get Your Face On A Coffee At Frankie’s Toasties
We didn’t think one of our favourite lunch spots could get any better. But the people at Frankie’s Toasties have ramped up the novelty factor with a selfie coffee machine that lets customers have their photos printed on a cappuccino. Brighten a dreary morning with a ‘selfieccino’ or better yet, gift it to a colleague and frighten the life out of them. Customers can have a picture of their mug printed in coffee on top of their milk foam for £3.90.
14. Get Your Ticket For Mario-Inspired Go Karting
As racing experiences go, this one’s a Peach. In February, a real-life version of Mario Kart will be speeding to Manchester, aiming to bring you all the thrills and spills of the video game – though thankfully without the sheer, nightmarish terror of tackling Rainbow Road. The Mushroom Rally will get you dressed up as your favourite Mario characters, before letting you loose on a custom-built go-kart track where you’ll duel your friends for the title of best Italian plumber-turned race car driver. It’s not technically in January but tickets are available now and selling fast.
15. Watch all the new stuff on Netflix
New year, new Netflix! And the streaming site’s 2019 line-up looks amazing, with shows like The Crown, Mindhunter and Stranger Things all set to return. Click here to see what’s coming to Netflix in 2019.
Also published on Medium.