A Manchester bar that launched a crowdfunder in a bid to keep stay open during the winter period is now offering drinks for as little as £2.50. Alvarium in the Northern Quarter announced the crowdfunding campaign last month saying the money would "'go long way into making a dent in the crippling debt".
Now, the bar on Dorsey Street has launched a cheap drinks deal on Friday nights, with some of its most popular bevs priced at less than a fiver. The bar will be serving up bottles of Mahou beer, a 175ml glass of Temperanillo, Temp Rose or Viura, and a range of festive-cocktails ranging from Cinnamon and Orange Spritz, Santa's Little Helper and Winter Berries.
The bar, which stays open until 1am on Fridays, launched a extended happy hour during summer, which saw it offer two bottles of San Miguel for £5 and two cocktails for £10. Their current menu includes wine, beer, festive-themed cocktails spritzes.
Read more: Manchester bar launches crowdfunder to save business and chance to win £3k drinks tab
Taking to Instagram to announce the news, the cocktail bar wrote: "INTRODUCING THE FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL. Due to the success of last weeks party with @mcrfinest to promote our happy hour running all night long, we’ve decided why not take it one step further… and continue our £2.50 (YES, £2.50) Friday Night drinks.
"All Friday, every Friday we’ll be serving selected drinks for £2.50. No need to book, just head down, booze up."
In April, owner Braddan Quayle slammed the council's decision to revoke the pedestrianisation of roads around his bar - a scheme introduced during the Covid-19 to help hospitality - and asked them if he could move tables and chairs outside ahead of summer. Currently, their in the middle of crowdfunding campaign, which is offering a number of prizes including a £3,000 bar tab.
Looking to raise a total of £50,000, Alvarium explained the money will "go a long way into making a dent in the crippling debt" that they had take on to survive through Covid. The cash raised will also go towards repairs that need to be carried out to the plumbing and electrics, and to give the bar some "much needed TLC".
Taking to social media at the time, the owners wrote: "It’s been a tough 2 years for us here at Alvarium. After Manchester City Council swept the rug out from under our feet by taking away our road closure, making summer exceptionally difficult for us.
"We love Alvarium and we hope you do too, therefore we’re asking for your help. Our prize draw is offering one lucky winner a £3,000 bar tab to be redeemed in Alvarium, but not only this we are also offering a luxury stay right on the border of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales."
Commenting on the bar's post from mid-November when they launched the crowdfunder, a spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “During the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic laws were brought in by the Government which allowed the Council to expedite road closures and provide temporary licences for premises wanting to trade outside. This was vital in allowing the Council to expedite planning and licensing law in order to save countless businesses that would not have been able to trade due to Covid restrictions.
“However, the temporary powers granted to the Council were revoked by Parliament and can no longer be used more expeditiously support businesses who want to install outdoor seating that required a road closure. General applications for road closures and permanent outside seating licences would have to be directed to the Council’s Highways Department, as was the case before the pandemic."
READ NEXT:
-
All the new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in Manchester this December
-
Manchester institution Yang Sing reveals reopening plans a year after closing its doors
-
Gino D'Acampo confirms Manchester location for vast new three-floor super-Italian
-
Inside the Stockport tapas bar with a secret 'cave' and some of the best paella in town
-
Ten Greater Manchester restaurants shortlisted for the British Curry Awards
