Ginesis at Chetham’s Library

Polly Checkland Harding

Book now

Ginesis

Chetham’s Library, Manchester
26 October 2016

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Book now

They’re a smart lot on the Manchester Science Festival team – for what better way to spike people’s interest in science than with alcohol. This year’s programme sees the return of Ginesis, a fascinating (and libatory) investigation into mother’s ruin, bunter’s tea, Vera Lynn… otherwise known as gin. Lead by the indecently knowledgeable Charlie Hooson-Skyes (who wrote our guide to the best gin bars in Manchester and is otherwise known as The Lady Sybil), Ginesis explores the biology of taste, the chemical processes behind the making of gin and how our past affects which tastes we enjoy – with plenty of tastings along the way.

Learn what garnish goes best with which gin, discover rare (and wonderful) distillations, and explore the world of tonics – Ginesis has it all. Alternatively, if you’re more of a fan of the peat and smoke of whisky, there’s also a Whiskyology session, also at Chetham’s Library (and may we kindly refer you to our guide to whisky bars in Manchester?).

Where to go near Ginesis at Chetham’s Library

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Manchester
Museum
National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar

Head to this tiny Italian eatery for an authentic slice of Naples. It majors in mozzarella and the stuff here is a revelation: light, flavoursome, with oily, oozing pesto.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Event venue
Federation House

Federation House in Manchester is a pop-up project space that provides opportunities for artists, artist groups and artist development agencies.

Manchester
Restaurant
Skof by Tom Barnes

We visit Skof, Manchester’s most raved-about new restaurants, mere hours before 2025’s Michelin Guide announcement.

Manchester
Music venue
The Stoller Hall

The baby in the family of Manchester’s concert halls, The Stoller Hall greatly enhances the city’s already enviable live music provision.

What's on: Exhibitions

Culture Guides

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A busy image created using generative AI. The image depicts a man at the centre with grey hair and rosy cheeks, surrounding him are fairies that appear to be created in his own image with multiple limbs and unique bodily proportions. Around them are hundreds of vials, microscopes and dated scientific equipment.
Exhibitions

Spring has sprung a wealth of great exhibitions in the North West, from intimate photographic shows to huge installations.

Theatre

Closer, riskier, more immediate. Our small-scale theatre picks stretch from unsettling fables about nationhood to the inner workings of a mind trying to hold itself together.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Fatoumata Diawara by Alun Be.
Music

This month’s live music picks move between ambitious new work, grassroots celebrations and a few memorable settings.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring has arrived, bringing with it al fresco dining and a rush of high-profile food and drink-related events in Manchester.