| Pride
Of Manchester award for |
| Best
Album by a Manchester Artist in 2007 |
With
1835 members submitting votes in this category, voting was tight
with 19 different albums picking up nominations. Salford tenor,
Russell Watson certainly won the most votes (431
in total) however votes were split between the two albums he released
in 2007 ('Outside In' and 'That's Life'). Many voted for Shayne
Ward's second album 'Breathless', although the overall
winner was also the critics choice, Puressence's
amazing album 'Don't Forget To Remember', which, had it sold as
many copies in one week as the number of votes received in our awards,
would have reached the top 40. |
|
1st)
Puressence - Don't Forget To Remember (279
votes received)  |
|
Even
though the NME described 'Don't Forget To Album' as 'tunes of industrial
chart strength', it was a travesty that the fourth album from the
Failsworth indie stalwarts failed to reach the Top 40. A master
class in sweeping anthemic indie, with the outstanding vocal talent
of charismatic front man James Mudriczki, earned the band justified
comparisons with Keane, Snow Patrol and Coldplay as well as many
sold out dates across Europe. Described by many as the highlight
of 2007, comments included... |
"Impossibly
infectious - I love this album and keep going back for more. It
puts my faith back in British music." - Andy Rourke (The
Smiths) |
"My
album of the year." - Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) |
|
 |
2)
Russell Watson - That's Life (259
votes received) | |
The
Salford tenor took a change of direction with this, his fifth studio
album, a collection of classic songs in which he truly encapsulates
the magic of the golden era of music. Delayed because of his first
brain tumour, it reached UK no.4 in March. [listen]
[buy
CD] [download]
|
 |
3)
Shayne Ward - Breathless (222
votes received) | |
The
X Factor winner from Clayton returned to the scene, reaching no.2
in December, with his second album. Predominantly composed of ballads
and uptempo, RnB-influenced pop, it included the no.2 hits 'If That's
OK with You' & 'No U Hang Up'. [listen]
[buy
CD] [download] |
| |
| Other
albums shortlisted from the 1835 votes received... |
|
|
1835
votes received in total from members in this category |
| |
|
|
| Pride
Of Manchester award for |
| Best
Movie with a Manc Connection in 2007 |
| Whilst
2007 saw a staggering number of films produced with a Manchester
connection, the runaway winner from the 16 movies which picked up
votes, was also the only true Mancunian film. Following the story
of one of Manchester's most influential rock icons, it was set in
both Macclesfield and Manchester (although largely filmed in Nottingham
as the buildings there reflect Manchester in the 1970's far better),
the amazing Ian Curtis biopic, Control, picked
up 30% of the 1852 votes received... |
|
1st)
Control (561
votes received)  |
Anton
Corbijn's black-and-white biopic about Joy Division frontman Ian
Curtis is set in 1970's Macclesfield and Manchester was described
by most British film critics as "the best film of the year"
and broke Manchester's Cornerhouse Cinema's Box Office record on
its release in October. |
As
well as being up for Best British Film at this year's BAFTA's, Control
has also won many more awards, scooping five at the British Independent
Film Awards (including Best Film), three director awards at the
Cannes Film Festival, two at the Chicago Film Festival, two at the
Edinburgh Film Festival (including Best New British Feature), the
award for Most Popular Film at the Melbourne Film Festival and the
Critics Award for Best Film at the Hamburg Film Festival amongst
others. |
It
will rate alongside the likes of 'Hobson's Choice', 'A Taste Of
Honey', '24 Hour Party People' and 'Raining Stones' as one of the
greatest Manchester movies ever. [click
here to buy] |
|
2)
Bourne Ultimatum - starring Albert Finney (437
votes received) | |
Pendleton-born
Albert Finney stars as Dr. Albert Hirsch, the CIA specialist who
supervised Bourne's behavior modification training, in this world
wide blockbuster, the third in the Jason Bourne series. Paddy Considine
also stars alongside Matt Damon. [click
here to buy] |
 |
3)
Hot Fuzz - starring Steve Coogan & David Threlfall
(176
votes received)
| |
Steve
Coogan plays a short cameo as a Police Inspector in the £40
million grossing blockbuster whilst David Threlfal also appears
as a Martin Blower, a local resident who dies a violent death, in
this hilarious police action comedy. Paddy Considine also stars.
[click
here to buy] |
| |
| Other
films shortlisted from the 1852 votes received... |
|
|
1852
votes received in total from members in this category |
| |
|
|
| ManchesterTheatres.com
award for |
|
Best Theatre Production in 2007 |
With
many of the 1715 votes cast for Best Theatre Production coming from
UK Theatre Guide members, the scope of the nominations was always
going to be huge. Nearly every theatre in Manchester picked up nominations
with twelve different shows at The Lowry being nominated, five at
both the Royal Exchange and The Palace, four at the Opera House
and two at The Library Theatre and RNCM. Delirium
at the MEN Arena, A Midsummer's Night Dream at
Heaton Park and The Pianist at the Museum of Science
& Industry also received plenty of votes. Results of the voting
saw a clear winner however... |
|
1st)
Monkey - Journey To The West - Palace Theatre |
(276
votes) |
Chen
Shi-zheng stage adaptation of the 16th Century Chinese novel 'Journey
to the West', won widespread acclaim during it's world premiere
at the Palace Theatre in June and July. |
Featuring
music by Damon Albarn with designs by Gorillaz collaborator Jamie
Hewlett, 'Monkey' was conceived and directed by Chinese opera specialist
Chen Shi-Zheng. Co-commissioned by the Manchester International
Festival, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and
the Staatsoper Berlin, it was a high-octane, 90-minute rock'n'roll
circus, performed in Mandarin and featuring over 50 Chinese acrobats,
martial arts experts and contortionists. |
Whilst
the story dated back to the Tang Dynasty manuscript, 'Monkey - Journey
To The West' was more influenced by the cult 1970's Japanese TV
show. [click
here to buy the book] |
16% of all members who submitted nominations in ths category made
Monkey the 'Best Manchester Theatre Production in 2007. |
|
2)
The Producers - Palace Theatre |
(182
votes received) |
Peter
Kay's performance, as Roger De Bris, in Mel Brook's hilarious musical
version of his famous 1968 film, ensured a sell-out for the full
3 months visit to Manchester. The musical won widespread acclaim
as well as breaking box office records. ManchesterTheatres.com (together
with ManchesterComedyGuide.com) sold over 21,731 tickets for The
Producers [click
here to buy the film] |
|
3)
Whipping It Up - The Lowry (132
votes received) |
Richard
Wilson starred in this superb piece of political comedy at The Lowry
in November. Together with the quailty of the play itself, the One
Foot In The Grave star won critical praise for his performance as
the Tory Chief Whip. [click
here to buy the book] |
| |
| Other
shows shortlisted from the 1715 votes received... |
|
|
1715
votes received in total from members in this category |
| |
|
|
| ManchesterComedyGuide.com
award for |
|
Best Comedy Show in Manchester 2007 |
Whilst
1795 members voted for 34 different comedy shows or stand-up performances,
there was a clear winner for Best Comedy Show in 2007. It probably
comes as no surprise that Peter Kay's 3 month stint in Mel Brook's
hilarious musical, The Producers, picked up over
15% of the vote... |
|
1st)
The Producers - Palace Theatre |
(276
votes received) |
Peter
Kay's camp performance, as Roger De Bris, in Mel Brook's hilarious
musical version of his famous 1968 film, ensured a sell-out for
the full 3 months visit to Manchester. The Producers won widespread
acclaim as well as breaking Palace Theatre box office records. |
The
musical also became one of our most successful shows with over 21,731
tickets being sold by both ManchesterComedyGuide.com and ManchesterTheatres.com,
the equivalent of eleven full houses at the Palace Theatre during
it's 3 month run! |
Peter Kay didn't actually feature until almost an hour of the show
had passed, and he probably only appeared on stage for no more than
30 mins, however 'The Producers' was much more than just the 'Peter
Kay show'. It was an hilarious musical and, as a result, won more
of our member's votes than any other comedy show in 2007. [click
here to buy the film] |
|
2)
Bill Bailey - MEN Arena |
(134
votes received) |
The
Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Q.I. star enjoyed 3 sell-out nights
at the MEN Arena in November as part of his Tinselworm tour, mixing
music with stand-up in his own trademark fashion. |
|
3)
Justin Moorhouse - The Comedy Store, The Lowry, Opera House
& others (129
votes received) |
The
Mancunian stand-up, Key 103 DJ, and Phoenix Nights star made numerous
appearances on the local comedy scene in 2007 with highlights being
his 'One Night Stand' at The Opera House (November) and his 'Who's
The Daddy Tour' (The Lowry in September). |
| |
| Other
shows shortlisted from the 1795 votes received... |
Mrs
Brown's Last Wedding - Opera House (106
votes received) |
|
1795
votes received in total from members in this category |
| |
|
| ManchesterBars.com
award for |
| Best
Bar in 2007 |
From
the 3,506 votes cast by ManchesterBars.com readers throughout 2007
and also those submitted by members of PrideOfManchester.com and
UKTheatreGuides.com, 248 different bars, pubs and nightclubs picked
up nominations with the final shortlist being very close. Many of
the votes were certainly concentrated around independent European-style
bars offering real ale and import beer, with the likes of Odd,
Cask,
Temple, Corbieres and Trof
picking up a huge sway of votes. Even the cocktail bars pulling
in most votes fit the category of 'small independents' with the
excellent Bacchanalia,
Socio Rehab, Tribeca, and Mojo
all having an emphasis on quality drinks aimed at all comers.
It's unlikely you'd be turned away from any of the top 10 bars for
wearing the 'wrong' shoes or being the 'other' side of 30. One things
for certain, we can't wait to do a pub crawl taking in all of the
Top 10 nominees. Anybody fancy joining us? |
|
|
Despite
being 3 years old and, more recently, spawning Odder across town
on Oxford Road, it's the original Odd Bar that has picked up most
readers' votes for Best Manchester Bar in 2007.. |
One
of Manchester's most bohemian bars, Odd helped transform the Northern
Quarter way back in 2005. It's successfully remained one of the
best bars in town with it's very unpretentious attitude, great imported
beers and food that’s as quirkily fabulous as the decor. The
jukebox boasts many superb Manchester tunes plus you can give your
suggestions to the friendly bar staff and they'll try and add your
CD's to the machine. |
Still one of the warmest, friendliest and most individual bars in
this part of town, Odd seem to understand the concept of what Manunian
drinkers are looking for and it's perhaps no surprise that they
polled more votes than any other bar during 2007. [click
here for more info] |
|
|
Receiving
only a few votes less than Odd was this very popular, laid-back
European-style bar near the Hilton Tower in Castlefield. Boasting
probably the largest import beer collection in Manchester, there's
an outside patio garden and one of the best Manchester music jukeboxes
in town. Cask is a little gem, a favourite of locals, football fans,
business people and celebs alike. [more
info] |
| |
3)
Socio Rehab |
| |
Other
bars shortlisted from the 3506 votes received... |
|
|
With
over 150 cocktails and some excellent wines, outside seating and
a 3am license, certainly one of the best bars in town. [more
info] |
|
|
Plush settees, traditional Thai sunken seating and wonderful table
service from waitresses in traditional dress. [more
info] |
 |
|
One
of Manchester's funkiest cocktail bars, Room boasts a plush interior,
fantastic cocktails and a great atmosphere. [more
info] |
| |
Corbieres
- Mojo - Temple - Tribeca |
| |
3506
votes received from readers and members in this category, during
2007 |
| |
|
|
| ManchesterBars.com
award for |
| Best
Pub in 2007 |
From
the 3,506 votes cast by ManchesterBars.com readers throughout 2007
and also those submitted by members of PrideOfManchester.com and
UKTheatreGuides.com, 64 different pubs picked up nominations with
the final shortlist being very close once more. Each of the top
10 nominees offer something different and we'll certainly be taking
in a lazy Sunday pub crawl visiting each. Fancy joining us? |
|
|
Winning
the title of Manchester's Best Pub in 2007 by the narrowist of margins,
is this very popular hidden gem which dates back to the 1880's.
Serving cask ales and daytime food, you'll find 4 pool tables upstairs,
a video jukebox, rooftop beer garden, occassional live music, bedrooms
and an excellent function room. |
Located
close to the Town Hall, the Old Nag's was also frequently used in
the filming of Cold Feet, acting as Pete and Adam's regular after
work meeting spot. |
Being close to both the Opera House, Library Theatre and Bridgewater
Hall, it's possibly no surprise that The Old Nag's Head picked up
a fair portion of the votes from UK Theatre Guides members. [click
here for more info] |
| |
2)
Briton's Protection |
3)
Sam's Chop House |
| |
|
| Other
pubs shortlisted from the 3506 votes received... |
|
|
A
Northern Quarter gem popular for it's live music and 9 real ales,
including 2 milds and a Winter Ale that's served all year round
[more
info] |
Grand
Central - Mr Thomas's Chop House - Peveril Of The Peak - Rain Bar
- The Salisbury - Sinclair's Oyster Bar |
| |
3506
votes received from readers and members in this category, during
2007 |
| |
|
|
| ManchesterBars.com
award for |
| Best
Cocktail in 2007 |
From
the 476 votes cast by ManchesterBars.com readers throughout 2007
and also those submitted by members of PrideOfManchester.com and
UKTheatreGuides.com, 58 different bars picked up nominations for
their cocktails with the final shortlist being extremely close once
again. It would appear that prices didn't put people off voters
from some cocktails. Our favourite, the Brazilian 501 champagne
cocktail at Bacchanalia,
widely recognised as being 'Manchester's bar tenders' favourite
bar', missed out on the top 3 spot despite only costing £6.75,
whilst many of the other bars nominated charge upto £11 for
a cocktail and then add an extra 10% service charge. |
|
1st)
Cloud 23 - Ena Sharples |
The
Hilton's Cloud 23, or 'Sky Bar' as it's known as to many out-of-towners,
picked up most votes for best cocktail with their Ena Sharples in
turn being the most popular. Cloud 23's Sally Cinnamon and The Hacienda
cocktails also picked up a large number of votes. |
| |
2)
Socio Rehab - Mojito |
3)
Opus One - One In A Million |
| |
|
| Other
bars shortlisted from the 476 votes received... |
|
|
Sagatiba
Cachaca, fresh lime juice and champagne make up this cool cocktail
at 'the bar tender's bar of choice.' [more
info] |
|
|
This
ethical cocktail contains Snow Leopard Polish vodka, which contributes
15% of all sales towards the Snow Leopard Trust [more
info] |
| |
Harvey
Nichols 2nd Floor Bar - Second Floor Serve |
Manchester
235 - Caipirinha
|
Mojo
- Mojo Blue |
Prohibition
- Day At The Races |
River
Bar at The Lowry - The Voice |
| |
476
votes received from readers and members in this category, during
2007 |
| |
|
|
|
| Pride
Of Manchester award for |
|
Members' Favourite Restaurant in 2007 |
Each
member of the Pride Of Manchester and UK Theatre Guide mailing lists
were invited to vote for their favourite restaurant in 2007. To
prevent any cheating from establishments, each member was requested
to vote for five restaurants. 458 members returned 2290 nominations
for 143 different restaurants in the Manchester region. The most
popular being... |
|
|
Choice
was the runaway winner of the Member's Favourite Restaurant Award,
scoring an impressive 7% of the votes. It was also the most popular
restaurant for online bookings made through Restaurants Of Manchester
during 2007. |
The
excellent multi award-winning restaurant and piano bar in the beautiful
Castlefield canal basin, offers many local dishes with a fine-dining
twist, all produced with the finest local ingredients. |
Choice was also the restaurant used in Coronation Street when Peter
Kay's character, Eric Gartsde, took Shelley on a diner date with
the character pointing out "it's won awards this place"
before easing her concerns about it being too posh by adding "we've
just as much right to be here as them and our money's just as good
as theirs. Not that I'm a socialist, mind. I don't want you thinking
that. Anyway, let's just keep politics out of it tonight. And religion.
Are you Catholic? Never mind. I don't want to know". [click
here for more info] |
|
|
The
superb Thai restaurant above Sam's Chop House on Chapel Walks has
certainly received the most page views on Restaurants Of Manchester
and it's fine surroundings with traditional Thai service have undoubtably
made it one of the best restaurants in Manchester. Extremely good
value for money, it was a popular choice among members' votes. [click
here for more info] |
|
|
The
superb restaurant above the Chapel Walks cocktail bar is certainly
one to watch. Serving British dishes with a Mediterranean twist
it's quickly becoming recognised as one of the best bars and restaurants
in Manchester and collected many members' nominations. We love it
- obviously you do too! [click
here for more info] |
| |
|
| Other
restaurants shortlisted from the 2290 votes received from 458 members... |
|
|
Superb
steak restaurant with specialities including Kobe beef, lobster,
ostrich, suckling pig and oysters amongst many fine cuts of meat
[more]
|
|
|
A
very worthy if somewhat surprise entry to the shortlist, The Modern
only opened in December however still received 58 votes. [more]
|
|
|
Excellent
traditional Italian restaurant that attracts A-List celebs and the
entire United & England squads to it's unlikely setting in Swinton.
[more]
|
Akbar's
(103
votes)
- Don Giovanni's (69
votes) -
The French (60
votes) -
Restaurant, Bar & Grill (60
votes)
|
| |
2290
votes received from 458 members in this category |
| |
|
|
|
| Restaurants
Of Manchester award for |
| Best
Restaurant in 2007 |
From
over 3,000 reviews submitted to Restaurants Of Manchester throughout
2007, the best restaurants in the region were deemed to be... |
|
|
With
the exception of Akbar's, we received more reviews of Chaophraya
than any other restaurant in 2007. reports were consistent throughout
the year and the superb Thai restaurant above Sam's Chop House on
Chapel Walks was deemed to be the only city centre restaurant scoring
higher than four stars from our complex review system. |
The
fine surroundings and traditional Thai service were deemed to make
it the best restaurant in Manchester, especially for the price. |
Comments from our trusted reviewers included "out of this world
food", "world class food at incredibly low prices",
"amazing decor", and "excellent restaurant".
[click
here for more info] |
|
|
The
second best restaurant in the region, according to readers' reviews
submitted during 2007, also serves Thai cuisine. With the new multi-million
pound Thai restaurant, Vermillion also recently opening, the standard
has certainly been raised for other Manchester restaurants to follow
suite. One visit to Whitefield's Thai Lounge, only 15 mins from
the city centre by tram, proves just how much the local South East
Asian contingent have reshaped the Manchester restaurant scene for
the better. Well worth making the short journey! [click
here for more info] |
| |
3)
Akbar's |
| |
|
| Other
restaurants shortlisted from the 3051 reviews submitted during 2007... |
|
|
Superb
restaurant serving British dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Quickly
becoming recognised as one of the best in Manchester [more
info] |
|
|
Excellent
multi award-winning restaurant and piano bar in the Castlefield
canal basin, offering many local dishes with a fine-dining twist
[more]
|
|
|
Excellent
fine dining restaurant situated in the Circus Casino on the corner
of Portland Street & Oxford Street. [more
info] |
|
|
Excellent
traditional Italian restaurant that attracts A-List celebs and the
entire United & England squads to it's unlikely setting in Swinton.
[more]
|
| |
Harvey
Nichol's 2nd Floor Restaurant - The French - Sapporo Teppanyaki |
| |
results
taken from 3051 reviews received from readers during 2007 |
| |
|
|
| Hotels
Of Manchester award for |
| Best
Hotel in 2007 |
From
reviews submitted by many of the 50,000 people who booked a hotel
room through Hotels Of Manchester in 2007, the best hotels in town
were deemed to be... |
|
|
From
reviews submitted by the 333 people who booked a room at the Arora
Hotel through Hotels Of Manchester in 2007, the Arora Hotel received
higher praise than any other hotel in town, including the city's
two 5 star offerings. The quality of the furnishings and the generous
size of the rooms was consistently mentioned in particular. [click
here to book] |
| Other
hotels shortlisted from the reviews submitted by Hotels Of Manchester's
50,000 customers who stayed during 2007... |
|
|
Funky
hotel and spa, popular with many celebs, including Take That during
their 12 hometown nights in December. [click
here to book] |
City
Inn - The Lowry - MacDonald Manchester - The Midland - Radisson
Edwardian - Victoria & Albert |
results
taken from reviews submitted by some of our 50,000 customers who
booked rooms in 2007 |
| |
|
|
| Hotels
Of Manchester award for |
| Best
Serviced Apartment in 2007 |
From
reviews submitted by many of the 50,000 people who booked accommodation
through Hotels Of Manchester in 2007, the best self-catering serviced
apartments in town were deemed to be... |
|
|
From
reviews submitted by those who booked a self-catering apartment
at Blue Rainbow Whitworth Street West (The Lock Building), it consistently
scored higher than any other serviced apartment in Manchester. Free
Wireless Internet Access, complimentary Continental breakfast, high
quality furnishings and it's close proximty to both the Palace Theatre
and Oxford Road were mentioned almost as much as it's value for
money. [click
here to book] |
| Other
serviced apartments shortlisted from the reviews submitted by Hotels
Of Manchester's 50,000 customers who stayed during 2007... |
| |
City
Centre Chic (The Edge) [book]
-
Great Northern Tower Apartment [book] |
| |
results
taken from reviews submitted by some of our 50,000 customers who
booked rooms in 2007 |
| |
|
|
|
| Pride
Of Manchester award for |
| Mancunian
of 2007 |
Despite
nine personalities receiving nominations, the award for the Mancunian
(or adopted Mancunian) of 2007 was almost a foregone conclusion.
An astonishing 61% of the 1,935 members who submitted votes recognised
Tony Wilson's contribution, before his untimely
death in August, in making Manchester the city that it is today.
|
There
is no doubt that his civic pride has had a direct or indirect influence
on every one of the other Pride Of Manchester award winners, including
the hotels, bars, restaurants and even self-catering apartments
who have been able to benefit from Manchester's status as one of
the most fashionable cities in the world. We're so indebted to Tony
as a website for giving us the same passion for our great city that
we've decided to name the 'Pride Of Manchester award for Mancunian
of the Year' in his name in future years. Future generations should
always be reminded of Tony Wilson's contribution to Manchester,
in the same way that he championed the important contribution that
everybody from Friedrich Engels and John Dalton to Ian Curtis or
Shaun Ryder had on the city. |
We bumped into Tony, whilst walking his dog by the canal in Castlefield
a few days before he passed away. A forlorn figure, he was obviously
very sick but his passion for Manchester, and his beloved Manchester
United, never wained to the end despite his bitterness at not being
able to obtain the drugs he needed to stay alive on the NHS. With
the historic railway bridges, canals and warehouses providing the
perfect back drop of the conversation, he reiterated the fact that
Manchester was the most important city on earth and always had been
as far back as the Industrial Revolution and the Suffragettes. His
contribution to keeping it the most creative city on earth will
always be acknowledged. We couldn't agree more. Thank you Tony,
we'll never forget you! |
|
|
The
music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, Factory
Records and The Hacienda nightclub. In 2007, Tony co-produced the
film, 'Control' and was a partner of the 'In The City' music conference
until he lost his battle with renal cancer on the 10th August, having
never paid for private health care because of his socialist beliefs.
On not being able to afford the drugs to help keep him alive he
said, "I used to say some people make money and some make history,
which is very funny until you find you can't afford to keep yourself
alive". The Union Flag on Manchester Town Hall was lowered
to half mast as a mark of respect for the man known simply as 'Mr
Manchester'. [buy
his autobiography] |
|
