Cape Stockton Heath – Cackles in the Cape.

Hello!

First things first, I would like to announce that Party Princess is expanding! You can now find my blogs on AllAbroadUK and Visityourlocal. Very exicting.

The nights have been getting darker, wetter, colder and overall down right depressing. It got  to the point last week where I declared “Enough is enough, I’m bored of the winter blues, I need some laughs and a glass wine”  A few hours later a very interesting email popped up in my inbox entitled “Comedy night at Cape Bar, Stockton Heath” 3 hours of comedy performed by 4 regulars from  Manchester premier comedy club The Frog and Bucket. Not only that but it was all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Can’t turn down an offer like that really can I?

Stockton Heath is a cute little town sat closely to Warrington (Nearest train station was Warrington Bank Quay). Very cosy bar, smaller than the other “Cape” bars I’ve been to in the past but had a great warm atmosphere to it. I can say with absolute certainty that the staff were some the of the most attentive, welcoming and fun loving group of people I have witnessed in a pub. The Manager – Mike is a lovely chap and his friendliness and humour really wears off on his staff. Three cheers to him.

Mike (Centre Right) and the gang

Katie Mulgrew - Ex teacher turned funny lass.

8pm rolled around and the comedy acts started arriving. The MC for the night was ex supply teacher Katie Mulgrew, described as “The fairy at the top of the tree” and set the mood and tone of the night. If her opening act was anything to go by, I was in for a great night!

Left to right - Mike, Will, Katie and Macmillan Sponsor

Next up we met Mike Newall and Will Duggan – Both shared their views on life, relationships and current events.

Finally, the cherry on the top was the fabulous Mickey D an Australian born comedian with a unique blend of satire and dark humour and shared his views on living in England and gave us all a lesson on how to deal with drunken hecklers. There always one crowd who think the comedian is there simply to perform to them and them alone.

The night was a huge success for Macmillan cancer support and was a great cure for my winter blues. Would really recommend anyone in the Warrington area to check out Cape and next time in Manchester I will popping into the Frog and bucket if the 4 acts were anything to go by and would return to Cape in a heart beat!

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  First class service
Atmosphere and decoration:  Giggly…teee heeee
Facilities:  great big pink mirrors!
Talent Radar:  Will Duggan wasn’t too bad! x
Fun Factor: 100%
Perfect for: Giggles, lots of laughs, large group parties.
In 3 words: Tears of Laughter.

Check out other reviews for Cape at Inapub, Onionring and Stockton Heath visitor centre

My Alibi in Manchester

Hello to my beautiful subjects!

Last week I ventured up to Manchester again alas on a work mission not a party trip which is never as fun, but when life gives you lemons….ADD VODKA! Tee hee.

Given I work for a website, it’s pretty important that I have access to the internet…well tell that to our IT manager, I couldn’t log on to the Wi-Fi and after an hour of procrastination and with my in-tray piling up by the hour, I hauled ass and tried to find a free Wi-Fi spot.

I found a nice little bar/coffee stop/restaurant on the corner of Portland Street, very close to the town hall square called The Alibi. The warmth hit me as soon as I walked in and this was a welcome break to the freezing winds outside.

Logging into the Wi-Fi was so easy and so quick; I was very grateful but not so grateful when I saw my email inbox.  I was going to need some serious motivation tunes and some coffee. I could have kissed the barmaid when I saw that they served Costa coffee, so 2 Americano’s later I was in full swing and finished my workload in record time which gave me an hour or so the chill out and enjoy the rest of what The Alibi had to offer.

I really liked the decorations, there seemed to be lots of areas, by that I mean, at the back of the bar were several semi-circle booths with low lighting and atmospheric wallpapers, the middle of the bar were higher tables perfect for perching on a stool with an equally tall cocktail. (The cocktail menu did look pretty awesome)  The front of the bar was filled with smaller tables, benches and gazebos. I liked the idea of bringing the outdoors inside and gave the bar a nice air-y feel to it.

The stairs were lined with oversized vintage pin up posters. I LOVED the posters; I will have to get my hands on some of those for my flat I think. The VIP area was also upstairs which had a great view of the rest of the bar.

6pm came along and the bar slowly filled with people celebrating the weekend and I would agree The Alibi is the perfect place for a post-work drink or 3… or 5 or 6 and a spot of dinner. I ordered a bacon and tomato melt which normally come with chips but swapped the chips for extra salad – It is nearly party season. Well its always party season for me but sequin dresses never look good with a tummy full of chips.

Scores on the (royal) doors:  

Food and service:  All seemed very friendly.

Atmosphere and decoration:  different atmosphere and décor in each corner, loved it.

Facilities:  Liked the huge posters on the way to the loos.

Talent Radar:  Not too bad, possible hotties….

Fun Factor: would have been better if I had my party peeps with me

Perfect for: pre-drinks, Lunch time filler, free Wi-Fi, Yummy cocktails

In 3 words: Dark, atmospheric, sexy.

For other reviews visit Manchesterbars, qype and Viewmanchester or Citylife

Varsity Manchester

Hello – again, did you miss me?

When I was a weeh baby princess (about 17/18) I spent a LOT of time in Manchester, going to gigs, shopping, partying and generally hanging out and I have always wanted an excuse to go back and visit to see if the Manchester party spirit is still alive!

With my found memories alive and kicking I headed to Manchester for the Varsity launch of their new promo night “Reem On!” (http://www.facebook.com/Varsity.Man) Poor old Joey Essex, I bet when he started that show he didn’t know how popular his catch phrase would be. Well it’s made its way up north and Reem On is aimed at lassoing the students out of halls (which is just above Varsity actually) and show them a Manchester welcome.

This particular Varsity is at the top of Oxford road its where most of the student bars, gig venues and halls are based so it’s a great location to live if your one of the lucky students to live there.

Note the foozball table - I challenge you to a duel

I arrived to a see a nice healthy bunch of students wallowing in their hangovers and cooked breakfast. The smell was too much and I cracked with a bacon sarnie, pot of beans and a cup of tea, best way to start a Wednesday morning in my opinion.http://hub.varsitybars.co.uk/_assets/files/Barra-1858-Varsity-Menu-LOW-AW-LoRes.pdf Doesnt the menu look yummy!

As I’ve said I spent a good few weekends in Varsity but it sure has changed from then to now. The massive TV screens have gone, gone has the “old man style” décor and that nasty warm white wine smell has drifted on to pastures new. All the interior walls have been removed so it’s one huge open space which makes it look 10000000 times bigger than I remember it to be. To separate the pub out, open door frames have been put up in different parts of the bar and instead of a door, there are hanging plastic crystal style curtains or ribbons of bright coloured material. There are booths and sofas and mixtures of low and high level tables all with different styles of chairs – very creative.

After my breakfast I couldn’t help notice a MASSIVE gorilla looking at me from the other side of the bar. Turns out its one of the longer serving bar staff, and as a reward for all is hard work, he had been condemned to a day in a monkey suite (Think of the gorilla drummer from the Cadbury adverts) and after a chat and few diet cokes later I was in dragged along in a session of flyering/stickering along Oxford road near all the student halls, lectures rooms and around the other student pubs. As the theme for the night’s party was PC PLOD, a flashing policeman hat was plonked on my head and away we went!

Monkey had to make a quick phone call!

After a shower, make-up on, heels precariously placed and fed and watered I was back to enjoy my night! The place was buzzing, little slow to begin with but everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Overall I had a great time catching up with some old mates and revisiting my past. It was a night Joey Essex would have been proud of! Well reem babes, hope your jeal. If not I hope this video sways you http://www.facebook.com/VarsityBars?sk=app_154621764620492

I think he loves Varsity!!

Scores on the (royal) doors: 

Food and service:  How can you NOT love being served by a 6ft gorilla?
Atmosphere and decoration:  Really good referb’ they gone done a job!!
Facilities:  All clean, sparkly and comfy.
Talent Radar:  Not all too bad, little young for my liking. All a bit too drunk too. ‘hick’
Fun Factor: Lots of fun, nice venue, great staff, even better customers.
Perfect for: Hangover cure, quick pick me up coffee before class, shots at the ready!
In 3 words: Well Reem Babe’s

Don’t just take my word for it though! Check out other reviews at: http://www.whathappenedlastnight.net/manchester/bars/varsity%20manchester or
http://www.viewmanchester.co.uk/pubsandbars/varsity-manchester-info-31303.html

Me with the Manchester students