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There’s a Brexit Escape Room in Manchester and it’s scarily realistic
Leave or Remain?
Whichever side of the Brexit debate you’re on, the one thing I think we can all be united in is the fact that the whole process has been a complete unremitting disaster, which has not only divided the country, but also made us an international laughing stock. Merry Christmas!
With much of the debate just seeming to centre around people on both sides trying to shout or condescend their opinion into the brains of people with a differing view, a bit of a light-hearted escape from the whole thing sounded fun to me. An escape room, to be more precise.
Alternate Escapes, one of the residents at the new Pollard Yard, located on Pollard Street next to Wellington Mill – a hub for creative independent businesses housed in repurposed shipping containers, run by a company called Meanwhile Creative – offers themed escape room challenges. The current theme is The Battle of Brexit and there are new themes in the pipeline for 2020.
Ben Fowler, the man behind Alternate Escapes, explains: “The escape room is about giving people the chance to take a fairly exhausting, serious topic, and enjoy it in a far more light-hearted and satirical way”.
Before you start you have to pick a side: Remain or Leave. We picked Remain, and you have a quick introduction in a separate cabin to go over the rules.
The set up being that our host is our campaign manager, and he has surreptitiously gained access to our rivals HQ for a short time and in the true spirit of real life Brexit, our objective is to try and gather sensitive, confidential information to besmirch our rivals by seeding their grubby secrets out to the press.
It’s not really a case of escaping per se, but if you get all the secret documents, you succeed in destroying your rivals credibility, and ultimately win your chosen Brexit outcome. Or you fail, and they win.
It was at this moment I made a decision. When I was younger, if there was a big football game approaching, I’d often play the game virtually on Fifa beforehand, deciding that whatever the outcome on Fifa would be the outcome in real life in some sort of inexplicable cosmic quirk, with myself at the centre of the universe.
That’s what I decided would happen with Brexit, 100%, without question. Whatever happened in our Battle of Brexit escape room would manifest in real life.
Naturally, being an escape room, they haven’t made it easy. In order to get our hands on confidential documents we have to work out access to various cupboards, drawers, cabinets, lockers and rooms by following a series of cryptic clues dotted around, with our campaign manager watching over from our HQ and able to provide clues on a screen occasionally, for which you’re notified by a little gong sound.
One such gong during our session was to dissuade one of our team Danny from trying to hack into a tablet, which we weren’t quite ready to use at that stage as we hadn’t discovered the clue to do so yet.
While Danny didn’t quite manage to hack into the rival’s profile, he did somehow manage to log out of it completely and, impressively, hack in to the Alternate Escapes chap’s girlfriend’s personal profile, which we quickly were notified wasn’t part of our game, leaving us having to un-hack and re-hack back in when we were ready. It was some serious espionage.
I’ve done a couple of escape rooms before, with mixed success and experiences, and this one was well put together, good fun, and actually quite tough. It’s a simple-looking layout at first, but the complexity of it builds out as the game progresses.
We had waves of being pretty prolific, then hitting a roadblock, with each new discovery greeted with a collective cheer. With actual seconds to spare, we managed to get the last clue and succeed in getting all documents, meaning that we won.
Therefore, the cosmos has spoken, the outcome of Brexit will be Remain.
Then again, if the universe was as aligned around me as I like to think, England would have won every major football tournament since about 1998 based purely on my Fifa endeavours, so I won’t hold my breath.
To find out more info visit the website here.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
Boom Battle Bar has got it all!
If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot.
Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).
Manchester’s Finest Group
They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.
There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.
Get yourself booked in HERE.
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The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out
Everything you need for an incredible day out
Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.
The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up.
From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.
Manchester’s Finest Group
They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season.
‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.
In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication.
Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.
Manchester’s Finest Group
Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded.
They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out.
Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.
What's On
MTV to take over Manchester for 2024 EMAs with week of events
The MTV EMAs are coming to Manchester for the first time ever
MTV Music Week is coming to Manchester later this year, to showcase the best of our emerging artists and favourite venues.
The event will take place across some of Manchester’s most loved venues between November 5th and 9th, and will feature homegrown artists, performances and industry workshops.
It’s all leading up to the 2024 MTV EMAs, which will be taking place at Co-op Live on November 10th.
MTV franchises will take centre stage, including MTV Push Live, Club MTV and YO! MTV Raps.
Dead Pony
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Our music scene in Manchester is the stuff of legend and we’re known the world over for our brilliant musicians and iconic venues.
“MTV Music Week will be a great showcase for our city and the stage is set for an incredible Manchester music takeover.
“A boost for the industry, our economy, and fantastic opportunities for some of our best homegrown artists as well as unforgettable performances for audiences to enjoy. We’re excited, can’t wait.”
The full line-up for MTV Music Week:
Tuesday November 5th
MTV Gonzo on Tour | Rebellion | 7.30pm – 10.30pm
“MTV Music Week kicks off at alternative music venue Rebellion with the epic indie and alternative music show MTV Gonzo on Tour. Bringing together some of UK’s best emerging indie rock bands and artists under one roof, the night will feature a line-up of exciting breakthrough artists including post punk trailblazers Dead Pony.”
Wednesday November 6th
MTV Push Live | Soup | 7pm – 10.30pm
“Ready to introduce fans to the hottest new breakthrough artists across Manchester’s thriving music scene, Wednesday will see MTV Push Live head to the award-winning live music venue, Soup. Featuring a co-curated line-up from Manchester music initiative Beyond the Music, the night will include unmissable performances from LARKINS, Phoebe Hall and more. The event sees the continuation of MTV Push and Beyond the Music’s partnership, which is set to kick-off with a team-up at Beyond the Music’s annual festival in October. At the festival, attendees will enjoy an MTV Push Live stage, plus MTV-curated panels.”
MTV x Ramona Radio Rave | Ramona | 7pm – 12am
“On the same night, Ramona will welcome some of Manchester’s hottest emerging dance music talents, with sets from Chunky, Ms Dee and Sno as part of a Ramona Radio MTV Takeover.”
Phoebe Hall
Wednesday November 6th – Friday 8th
MTV EMA: 30 Years | Aviva Studios, home of Factory International | 10am – 8pm
“For music fans looking to reminisce and take a trip into the MTV EMAs’ legendary history, the MTV EMA: 30 Years exhibition will run at Manchester’s arts and culture venue Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. Featuring images from all past editions of the MTV EMAs, curated from Getty Images’ archive, the exhibition celebrates the artists, performances and pop culture moments that have created a cultural legacy for generations of fans across the globe.”
Thursday November 7th
MTV Push Live | Band On The Wall | 7pm – 11am
“MTV Music Week continues with MTV Push Live at Band On The Wall, hosted by the electrifying Manchester DJ duo Shimrise. Delivering an evening featuring the city’s most exciting breakthrough talent, fans can expect a series of unique performances from alt-pop musician Nxdia, singer-songwriter Nina Cobham and R&B Soul artist Rumbi Tauro.”
MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy | New Century | 7pm – 11pm
“MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy arrives at New Century for a night of uplifting drum and bass, inspired by the UK’s student basement club culture. The pair, who first formed the band during COVID, were last year included in MTV Push’s Top 10 Artists list and made the longlist on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023. Piri & Tommy’s latest track ‘99%’ marks the group’s first release in a year.”
Shimrise
Friday November 8th
Yo! MTV Raps: NQ Rated | Freight Island | 7pm – 11pm
“The show that first gave rap and hip hop a global stage, YO! MTV Raps comes to Freight Island for an exclusive YO! MTV Raps x NQ showcase. A must-see live music experience, the Manchester label behind the acclaimed Northern rap scene has partnered with MTV to host a line-up including headliner Nemzzz, 163Margsand more.”
Saturday November 9th
MTV x Homobloc Brunch Royale | DieCast | 12pm – 3pm
“Those looking for the perfect Homobloc pre-party need look no further, as the storied LGBTQ+ event teams up with MTV for a mega brunch party at DieCast. Expect a spectacular show featuring special guests and led by some of Manchester’s most celebrated Queens Banksie & Lil, and a battle on the catwalk from Ghetto Fabulous presenting Black Peppa, Coco Canell, Shanika Sunrise & Verry Cherry, soundtracked by Gaydio’s Jackie P & Gina Breeze.”
MTV x Homobloc | The Roof Terrace at Depot Mayfield | 4pm-11pm
“Continuing the Homobloc celebrations, MTV is also hosting The Rooftop at Manchester nightlife institution Depot Mayfield featuring stage collaborations with local LGBTQ+ parties Homoelectric and Make Me Feel. Artists appearing across the roof terrace stages include Nicky Siano (Studio 54), Prosumer, ShyOne, Grove b2b Tash LC, Ruby Savage and local favourites Meme Gold and Kath McDermott, plus a fabulous collection of queens.”
Club MTV Presents: salute | Hidden | 10pm – 4am
“A pivotal city in the dance music revolution, Manchester’s cutting-edge dance scene is renowned across the globe, and what better way to close the week-long city takeover than with a night that celebrates one of the city’s most exciting emerging DJs, plus mega headliner salute. Named ‘Best Club’ in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards in 2023, Hidden has become a staple in the Manchester clubbing scene and the premier destination for electronic fans.”
You can grab tickets HERE.
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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party
The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out
