Like it or not, Christmas 2018 is on its merry way so you might as well sort out the important stuff first. That’s right, the Christmas party. Be it for your close friends or entire office we’ve rounded up the best places to do Secret Santa in our Manchester Christmas Party guide.
1. Meaty all you can eat-y: Fazenda in Spinningfields – from £29.20pp
A Brazilian concept, Fazenda, offers cuts of meat, grilled over open flames. Passadores (waiters) carve the meat from a metal skewer onto your plate. For the festive season there are two special cuts of meat on the menu as well as a dessert sharing board. This all you can eat feast, with unlimited access to the buffet bar is £29.20 per person at lunch and £40.50 in the evening with a glass of Jeio Prosecco.
The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AP, Tel: 0161 207 1183. www.fazenda.co.uk
2. Spanish style at El Gato Negro – £40pp
El Gato Negro is my favourite restaurant in Manchester for their food is full of bold flavours that keep you coming back for more. Enjoy a set sharing menu this; for £40 a head enjoy classics such as Padrón peppers, salt cod croquetas, and chargrilled lamb skewers. Group bookings are available for seven to 12 people with sittings at noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm. If you need to book for more people then don’t worry, there is the option of private hire for 30 people or more.
52 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LY, Tel: 0161 6948585. www.elgatonegrotapas.com
3. Christmas with a modern twist at The Refuge (our 2017 Xmas party, pictured) – £varies
Any event at Refuge and The Principal hotel promises to be spectacular – and the ootions are mind boggling. Host your party in The Ballroom where up to a thousand people can dance the night away, or book the opulent Directors Room a more intimate occasion with 60 guests. The menu is big on festive flavours with a twist, offering three dishes per course and includes salmon rillettes, sage and onion stuffing crusted cod and desserts such as Christmas pudding flapjack with panettone ice cream.
Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA, Tel: 0161 288 1111. www.phcompany.com
4. Euro classics at Albert Schloss – £20/£35pp
The Schloss party menu (£35 per person) is filled with hearty delights such as spiced winter squash soup, braised short rib of beef and sticky toffee pudding. For a more casual meal book their ‘smorgasbord’ which includes mini kaiserwurst, turkey goujons, and alpine pizza for £20 a head. Both menus are available for groups of nine or more from 12th November to 24th December 2018 with a £10pp deposit.
27 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5QR, Tel: 0161 833 404. www.albertsschloss.co.uk
5. Try a martini making masterclass at The Fitzgerald – £25pp
Party like it’s 1922 at The Fitzgerald in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. This prohibition era style bar is the perfect place to host an office Christmas party and an excellent excuse to get dressed up. Choose from the Martinis and Mistletoe Masterclass (£25 a head for six to 16 people) where you’ll learn to make a martini Jay Gatsby himself would be proud of. Book before 31 October 2018 and you’ll receive a £40 MAD gift voucher as a thank you.
11 Stevenson Square, NQ, M1 1DB, Tel: 0161 228 6629. www.thefitzgerald.co.uk
6. Early or late to Christmas, Ibérica has you covered – £30-£65pp
Christmas at Ibérica runs from 5 November 2018 to 25 January 2019 – so don’t worry if you’ve not yet booked. Choose from four menus (ranging from £30 to £65 per head), all of which are for eight or more guests and include a complimentary class of Cava for everyone. If you celebrate early (5- 30 Nov) you will also receive a free bottle of wine per four people.
14-15 The Avenue Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF, Tel: 0161 358 1350. www.ibericarestaurants.com
7. Modern comfort food with a few surprises at Grafene – from £39.50pp
Modern British is the focus at Grafene and the Christmas menu follows suit. Enjoy classic comfort in the form of smoked salmon, beef and trifle, for £39.50 per person. An intriguing set menu promises five courses ‘with surprises’ and half a bottle of wine for £60, while their showstopper is a Christmas Day menu where you can choose from options that include turkey with all the trimmings, and beef with horseradish and Yorkshire puddings.
55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4QL, Tel: 0161 696 9700. www.grafene.co.uk
8. Dim Sum Christmas at Tattu – from £40pp
With Tattu’s indoor orchard lends itself to the dramatic – so holiday decorations are bound to be spectacular. Enjoy a set menu for nine (or more) from £40 per person in and enjoy dim sum, and modern Asian dishes in sumptuous surrounds.
Gartside Street, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3EB, Tel: 0161 819 2060. www.tattu.co.uk
9. Christmas brunch from The Anthologist – £varies
The Anthologist offers something to all. Enjoy a Merry Morning brunch party, or prebook the ‘Holiday Treats’ nibbles menu (for 10-400) including pigs in blankets and chilli king prawns. Festival cocktails include Golden Gift (Prosecco, elderflower, crème de cacao, and lemon juice).
One St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3DE, Tel: 0161 509 5085. www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
10. Theatrical setting for Christmas at The Rivals Bar – – £varies
The Rivals bar at the Royal Exchange Theatre is a joy. Open from noon until 10pm it is the perfect place for an understated Christmas drinks party. If you’d like some food to go with your aperitif then you could do worse than indulge in some of their cleverly thought out bar snacks, such as their vibrant pea fritters with salsa verde.
Royal Exchange Theatre Saint Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH, Tel: 0161 615 6666, www.royalexchange.co.uk
- Words:
- Lily Carden
- Published on:
- Sat 10 Nov 2018
