King of festivals returns to street
TWO DAYS OF FOOD, FLOWERS, MUSIC AND COCKTAILS
THE King Street Festival returns to Manchester city centre this weekend for two days of live music, food, flowers and cocktails.
Taking place today and tomorrow, the event is free to enter with King Street shops, restaurants and cafes all pitching in with in-store events and offers.
Guests can expect alfresco dining, pop-up bars, along with discounts from the street’s retailers.
The festival’s Cocktail Trail will be making a return, offering a range of summer cocktails created by King Street’s best bars and restaurants, priced at £5 each.
Cocktails include El Gato Negro’s King Street Cooler, Rosso’s Nectar of Manchester and Vimto Garden from Grafene, where Sipsmith’s Black Cab will also be parking up serving boutique gin.
For music lovers, Dave Haslam will be heading to the new Conversation Stage to share stories from his days DJing at the Hacienda.
The Manchester Flower Show, a popular and prestigious annual event dating back to the 1950s, will give the event some colour, following a 15-year hiatus.
Visitors can expect a floral paradise of pocket gardens, green installations and hanging baskets alongside a showcase of the very best cut-flowers and plants.
Inspired by the Manchester Flower Show’s ‘Vintage Manchester’ theme, the Festival Bandstand and Bar will be based on a 1950s street party complete with bunting, grass, park benches, a postbox, and a real 1950s coach parked up serving as the festival’s main bar.
From there you’ll hear some live jazz music from Dani Sicari and the Easy Rollers.
And ahead of the Bee in the City public art trail, which opens in Manchester on July 23, visitors can get a sneak peek at one of the huge, bee-shaped sculptures on Lower King Street from 10am – 8pm on both days.
There will also be some giant board games to play on Lower King Street - including chess and Jenga. For more information go to kingstreetfestival.com.