Manchester food and drink events this summer
Our guide to the best food and drink events in Manchester this summer, including Manchester Loves Cocktails and the Gin Society Festival. Plus, beer and street food action from one of our favourite breweries, Blackjack.
This round-up of food festivals and events is your guide to the best of this summer's food and drink in Manchester and beyond. If you're hosting or promoting a food festival or event, or just reckon we've missed something out, drop us a line at jess@theskinny.co.uk!
Manchester food and drink in July
The Manchester Picnic
Part of Manchester’s One Big Summer Weekend celebrating the arrival of the school summer holidays, The Manchester Picnic pitches up in Exchange Square for a weekend of street food, live music and craft.
On the menu you’ll find Tibetan Kitchen, Wallace and Sons, The Otto-Men, Fire and Slice, Al’s BBQ Shack and natural artisan ice cream from Matilda’s, all soundtracked by DJ sets from Pasta Paul, Howling Rhythm and Thom Docking (Drunk at Vogue), gospel choirs, African drumming and more. It's sponsored by the Co-op, who will be serving tasters from their new summer range from an Airstream caravan. 22-24 Jul, Exchange Square, 11am-6pm, free
Central Manchester CAMRA Beer Festival
Celebrating the many great breweries of Greater Manchester, the Central Manchester CAMRA Beer Festival takes over the People’s History Museum with a host of local brews as well as beers, ciders and perries from across the country, and continental beers from Europe. From just £2 entry (or even less, if you’re a CAMRA member), this is one of the cheapest beer festivals of the summer. 28-30 Jul, People’s History Museum, times vary, £2-£4
Blackjack Brewtap
Blackjack's brewtaps have always been a favourite of Manchester's ever-busy food and drink calendar, promising a relaxed weekend of beer, food and tunes. Along with four cask and 12 keg beers, you can also usually expect street food from local traders along with DJs and live music, all yet to be announced. 29-30 Jul, Blackjack Brewery, times vary, free
[Hawksmoor]
August's food events in Manchester
Manchester Loves Cocktails
Trying to get everyone to drink better, not more, Manchester Loves Cocktails doffs a cap to the city’s legion of dedicated bartenders with a seven-day festival bringing together some of our favourite venues. With tasting events, parties, masterclasses and £4.50 cocktail deals across the city, expect good stuff from the likes of Hawksmoor, El Gato Negro, Epernay, Cane and Grain and Gorilla, while party bars like Mojo and Hula keep spirits high. 8-14 Aug, various venues, times and prices
Holy Crab Pop Ups
Holy Crab may not have been on the street food scene for long, but they’ve fast established a rep thanks to great branding and innovative snacks you never knew you were freaking missing, such as gin and tonic oysters and avocado and grapefruit pops (!).
Among dates at Manchester Jazz Festival, Magic Rock Food and Drink Festival and regular stints at Levy Market, this summer they’re popping up at Proof in Chorlton and Kosmonaut in the Northern Quarter with their famed seafood snacks. Go along and find out why they're ones to watch; tasting is believing. 6 Aug at Proof; 20-21 Aug at Kosmonaut
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Billing itself as the Northwest’s biggest and best of its kind, Bolton Food and Drink Festival kicks off this August following last year’s 10th anniversary bonanza. Great British Bake Off winner and all-round nice gal Nadiya Hussain makes her debut, while MasterChef presenter and restaurateur John Torode, chef Michael Caines (not that one) and BFDF favourite James Martin add to the celeb factor alongside wine buffs Kate Goodman and Oz Clarke.
On top of that are family-friendly science demos, a gala dinner and more than 150 market stalls sprawling across Bolton town centre. 26-29 Aug, various venues and times, free (some events ticketed; from £8)
[Photo: Didriks]
September's best food events
[Steak at Hawksmoor]
Action Against Hunger meal at Hawksmoor
Fancy hitting up the Hawksmoor private dining room (which, by the way, is a freaking delight) for an all-inclusive six-course dinner featuring the likes of scallops with white port and garlic, Tamwork pork belly ribs, fillet or rib-eye steak with sides and perhaps the most amazing sticky toffee pud you'll ever encounter? This guy's not only for you; it's also for charity. At £100 it's more than a bit of a blow-out, but as every single penny goes directly to international humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger, you'll feel blessed that your gluttonous ways finally have a good purpose to fulfil. Plus you'll get to wash that pride down with cocktails, wine and whisky, all included.1 Sep, Hawksmoor, 7pm, £100
Gin Society Festival
Raise a glass to the beautiful world of botanicals with the Gin Society Festival, which takes over the regal setting of Manchester Cathedral with a holy trinity of gin, street food and live entertainment.
A standard single gin, mixer and garnish will cost £5, while some gin cocktails may cost a little more; whichever you choose, you'll be supping from your festival Spanish copa glass, which is included in the ticket price.
And if you can’t wait until then, there’s also a warm-up event on 6 Aug at St James & Emmanuel Parish Centre in Didsbury (6.30pm, £7.50). 2-3 Sep, Manchester Cathedral, times vary, £6.50-£7.50
[Shipley Country Park. Photo: MrkJohn]
The Big Derbyshire Food Festival
If you’re up for venturing out to the Peak District this summer, make your way to the 700-acre
Set alongside the lake, the festival will feature food, drinks, crafts, entertainment, competitions and family-friendly activities, which can all be enjoyed while overlooking the stunning Derbyshire countryside. 4 Sep,
[Islington Mill]
Manchester Vegan Beer Festival
Fat Gay Vegan joins forces with the vegan-friendly Pitfield Brewery (yup, beer isn't always vegan; isinglass and gelatin innit) for a weekend of guzzling at the Manchester Vegan Beer Festival. Mother May I and V Revolution will be supplying the vegan munch, and there will also be cider, wine and soft drinks. 17-18 Sep, Islington Mill, 12pm, £4