Fairfield Social Club’s Winter Pop-up

The Green Quarter gets bigger and better, and here’s a winter preview to show what’s in store. Next spring sees the launch of Fairfield Social Club – a multi-purpose site in Red Bank, next to Angel Meadows Park. Absolutely refuse to wait until then? Get your big coat on and head out there as the brains behind this – plus Grub, and various other excellent Manchester institutions – are hosting a winter pop-up, held across the first three weekends in December.

So, what’s in store? No less than two bars, a huge 250-seater event space and a secret garden showcasing some of the UK’s finest street food traders. Oh, and, for this pop-up, a Christmas Tree shop. A winter essential, for sure. No room for the ghost of Christmas Scrooge, there’ll be gift-wrapping stations tied to local charities, including Mustard Tree and Lifeshare. 

Drinks-wise, there’ll be a fully stocked Blackjack Beers craft beer bar as well as pop-up traders including Foundation Coffee who’ll be on hand to provide caffeine hits. Isit Kitchen will be in residence for the whole month slinging out barbecued goodness to warm your winter cockles. 

Alongside all the food, drink and Christmas trees, you can rejoice at the return of much-missed Manchester institution Oklahoma which will be doing what it does best – selling colourful unusual gifts, decorations and homeware, plus its new Oklahoma tote bags. Ben Saunders’ Manchester Queer Art Market will make a festive appearance, and the event space launches with a special version of peerless comedy night A Lovely Time (wonderfully rebranded as A Lovely Christmas Time) with Amy Gledhill & Friends. 

The whole thing kicks off with Gaz’s Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, where legendary local quizmaster Gaz Jones casts a satirical eye back at the year 2023. It’s free entry, but you’re best off booking in advance. There’s also a Reform Radio Day Party & Moodswings Fundraiser, with the Fairfield Social Club Christmas Social to close out proceedings on Saturday 16th December.