News of The Lass O' Gowrie Pub in Manchester

August 2010

The Lass makes national final for Best Entertainment Pub in the Morning Advertiser Great British Pub Awards!

Woooo! We’ve just heard we’ve won North West Entertainment Pub of the Year in the Morning Advrtiser Great British Pub Awards! Even better, we’re now through to the national final where we’ll duke it out for the title of British Entertainment Pub of the Year.

As Manchester’s sole representative in all national categories, we’re determined to bring silverware back to the city and we’ll be back on in September to let you know how we got on, no fear.

As the very apex of industry recognition, it really doesn’t get much better than this! Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to build on last year’s Manchester Pub of the Year success and to everyone who has supported our programme of events at the Lass.

For more information, you are urged to visit www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk.

Lassfest roundup

It’s August and we how we already already miss Lassfest! Highlights included a sell-out Doctor Who convention, Karima Francis, Iain Winterton’s amazing Baby Jesus Freak, a capacity gig from Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer, 4 Square and more. To see what you missed, check out the programme here

Thanks to Lisa, Lou and Col for working so hard to pull together a great programme of events over 3 glorious weeks and of course of generous sponsors Barefoot Wine, Cactus Jack, Greene King, Outstanding Beers, MAG and Malevillus Publishing.

And best of all - Lassfest will return in July 2011. For more info please go to www.lassfest.co.uk .

Stand-up comedy goes weekly at the Lass from September

Building on the immense success of Jokein’ and Lassfest, we’re delighted to announce that every Saturday night at the Lass will now showcase comedy – either in the Salmon Rooms or Velveted Saloon. Details of forthcoming events will be announced soon, so don‘t forget to check out our new interactive events calendar.

So remember; Saturdays in the new home of comedy at the Lass!

Vintage 78 DJ’s coming to the Lass on Friday nights from late August

Oh we’re looking forward to this. From Friday, 27th August for an initial residence of 4 weeks Matt will be entertaining us with an eclectic mix of rare 78 grooves, bringing you the cream of music from the 20’s to the 50’s.

A unique act, think the Big Chill meets 20’s flappers. Unmissable! For more information, please visit http://www.myspace.com/vintage78dj.

The Lass bags a starring role in the 2010 Manchester Comedy Festival

We hate to rest on our laurels in the Lass, so get ready for two weeks of comedy at the Lass as part of the Manchester Comedy Festival.

Running from Monday, 18th October for 2 weeks and overseen by the 1likefish and Lisa Davies, highlights of this jam packed feast include;

Sal and Steve Live at The Lass!
Mick Sergeant – Mint (winner of the Sitcom Trials at the Lass in Lassfest)
George Cottier
Eddie Hoo
Little Rhino Sketch show
Matt Tiller’s Awkward Situation
The W.A.R.T Show
The Bob Blackman Appreciation Society
Comedy Pub Quiz
El Fun
F**K the Police
Have You Seen Danny Pensive?
The Old Speckled Hen Comedian of the Year Competition
All of Time and Space...in 45 minutes
Free Range

Thanks in particular to our good pals at Old Speckled Hen who have generously agreed to sponsor the inaugural Lass Comedian of the Year competition!

Don‘t forget to check out our new interactive events calendar for times and ticketing. For more information, check out www.manchestercomedyfestival.co.uk and www.manchestercomedyforum.co.uk .

Lass homemade chutneys and jams now available to buy behind the bar

By popular demand, we’ve made available a small quantity of our celebrated homemade jams and chutneys for sale. Nat and her team have been busy coking up a storm in the kitchen, and with all produce sourced from our organic smallholding in North Wales, you’d be mad to miss out!

Blue Moon and Estrella Damm coming soon to the bar

Two great beers coming to the bar in August on draft. Blue Moon, in particular is a treat – an American wheat beer of extraordinary flavour. Make sure you give them a whirl.

July 2010

Vworp 3 reflections

Just a quick word of thanks to everyone who took time out to join us for our annual Doctor Who convention – Vworp 3 on Sunday, 18th July. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we’ve decided to do it all over again next year in July, so keep ‘em peeled for news as we get it.

In the meantime, you can get a taste of the day at www.kasterborous.com/vworp3 and see the briliant final panel of the day with Graeme Harper talking us through his favourite nine scenes of his time on the programme over at SCIPULSE.

Eurocon is nearly here!

Not long now until our weekend long retro video gaming festival arrives at the Lass! Yes, from the evening of Friday 3rd September to teatime on Sunday 5th, the whole pub will be transformed into a videogaming extravaganza the likes of which Manchester has never seen.

Although the event has officially sold out, it’s always worth asking about returns. For more information please visit www.eurocon.info

Arcade machine update

Never ends does it? This month, alas it’s Paperboy’s turn in fault hell but we hope to have that sorted for Eurocon. On the positive side though, Donkey Kong is back and we’ve picked up a 75 in one board allowing you to enjoy some of the greatest treats of the golden age of gaming on one table.

June 2010

World Cup at the Lass!

Is it REALLY 2 years ago since the amazing Euro 08? Crumbs, not long now until the World Cup!

Well, we’ve not rested on our laurels but have overhauled our AV with an outdoor TV, a HD projector, bigger screen, new projector for the Snug AND air conditioning for the Salmon Rooms. On top of all that, we've got some real treats in store, including;

In your own language option, with German, French, Italian and Portuguese commentary available for all your games.
Special match food and buffets from Nat's kitchen.
Piano singalongs.
Classic footy movie screenings.
New HD projector giving you a crystal clear piccie of all the action.
Retro gaming - the classic Taito Mexico '86 arcade games is up and running!
Outdoor telly, letting you recline, drink and smoke like the good old days.
Outdoor Wii footy, and;
Private hire options, including; reserve a table - Ł25.00 for up to 8 people. Includes 8 bottles of Carlsberg; and waiter service, 30 minutes before and throughout the match, reserve the Snug - Ł60.00 for up to 20 people, includes 20 bottles of Carlsberg and waiter service, 30 minutes before and throughout the match; or reserve the Salmon Room - Ł100.00 for up to 35 people – includes 35 bottles of Carlsberg and waiter service, 30 minutes before and throughout the match. Add a buffet for Ł5 per person.
Special World Cup Buffets from just Ł5.00 a head – check out here.

So don't give soulless corporate bloaters like Wetherspoons all your cash, come join us and your fellow connoisseurs at the Lass!

How we spoil you....

Vworp 3 – Details of this year’s Doctor Who Con at the Lass announced!

Yes, it's that time of year again and I'm thrilled to announce we're back for our third annual Doctor Who pubcon at the Lass O'Gowrie.

Taking place on Sunday, July 18th as part of our inaugural fringe festival in the Lass (Lassfest), our theme this year is 'six of the best'. Essentially, our assembled guests will take us on a journey through their six favourite things about their time of Doctor Who - beit a person, a character, a scene - whatever they fancy really. As it's us, you can bet we'll be using all the technology at our disposal and with our good pals at Kasterborous will be streaming and harvesting questions via twitter to boot.

MC'd by the great John Cooper, guests announced to date (subject to availability, fingers crossed) include Terrance Dicks, Andrew Cartmel, Dez Skinn, Rob Shearman and John Cooper performing his One Man Doctor Who for the first time ever with more guests to be confirmed in the weeks ahead!

Naturally, our fine pies and ale will be available throughout the day and with only 50 tickets being made available, the relaxed atmosphere you've all come to know and love will be retained, no fear.

Tickets cost Ł19.50 a head and are exclusively available online from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/83302.

New Buffet Menus Coming your Way!

Nat’s been spring cleaning the buffet menus so get set for better, bulker homemade goodies, including;

Homemade standard Buffet @ Ł7.00 per head.

Spicy Chicken Wings
BBQ Spare Ribs
Brie and Bacon Rocket Salad
Tomato Chutney and Cheddar Cheese Bruschettas (v)
Potato Salad(v)
Fat Chips(v)
Crudités and Pita Bread with humus, Chutney and Lemon Mayo.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese on French toast.

Lass O’ Gowrie Cooking Pots@ Ł5.00 per head (minimum people 10)

Choose from;

Chicken Curry served with Nan Bread and Rice

Beef Chilli served with Rice and Tacos.

Lamb Hot Pot served with Bread and Butter with Pickled Red Cabbage.

The new buffet is available as a handy PDF here. Please note - 48 hours notice is required for a cooking pot or buffet. Variations may be available on request. Email info@thelass.co.uk to make your booking or call 0161 27369432.

May 2010

Lassfest update

We’re still working on this, but it looks like we’ll be treating you to three weeks of arts, culture and entertainment from 12th July to 2nd August. More information to be released late June, but steel yourself for Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer, the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Dez Skinn, How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse and more.

Check out www.lassfest.co.uk from late June for more info.

Lass O’Gowrie voted in top 3 pubs by Manchester Evening News readers

Well, we missed out in the end but thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. Congratulations to Bury’s Pack Horse Inn!

Lass O’Gowrie FC Update

A creditable fourth place for the boys after a long season might not have felt like adequate reward for the League’s pacesetters for so long, but we’re proud regardless – especially when you consider the team is less than one year old.

Lass O’Gowrie Athletic General Manager Alan Roberts has done a brilliant job and we’re already looking forward to next year, including whispers of a second team!

The Lass STILL needs you! Please vote for us in the Observer Food Monthly Awards.

Just a quick note to ask people to help get us nominated in the Observer Food Monthly Awards. We're keen to see if we can get listed in the 'Best Cheap Eats' and 'Best Place to Drink' categories and as ever, every vote helps!

It is really very easy to nominate (much easier than with the Manchester Evening News) and takes a few minutes, max. As ever, if we win a big party for all beckons!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/observer-food-monthly-awards

Arcade Machine Update

Another month, another fault, but better than normal.

On the positive side, monitor snags on NARC and Quartet have now been fixed so they’re good to go. We’ve also picked up a multi-game board for one of the tables, giving you a choice of 72 classic games. On the negative side Donkey Kong and Asteroids remain in sick bay.

WART Show moves to the Third Sunday in the Month

Don’t forget, the WART Show – our brilliant sketch comedy show has now moved to downstairs in the pub on the third Sunday of the month from 7:30pm.

More info on this five star award winning show can be found over at http://www.citylife.co.uk/comedy/event_review/40128_, whilst you can join their fast growing Facebook Group over at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=79021890328

Computer Club now in the Snug, Last Tuesday of the Month

Just a quick reminder that we’re still here, but now in the cosy confines of the Snug instead of the Salmon Rooms. Enjoy!

Eurocon sells out in record time!

Amazingly, Eurocon – a dedicated retro gaming weekend has sold out in less than 2 weeks! Don’t lose hope though, as we understand that a limited number of tickets may be available on the door.

Other treats at this keenly anticipated retro gaming festival include an appearance by legendary Ocean cover artist Bob Wakelin and comedian Dan Willis performing his show 'Control Alt Delete: the funny side of computers, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival.

March 2010

New Menu launched!

We’ve given the menu a right good spring cleaning as the nights get lighter! Treats include our own bespoke chutneys and relishes, gourmet burgers, new pies and sandwiches as well as an incredible new value for money range of light bites for just Ł2.50 a head.

Even better, to tempt you lovely people back in we’re offering 20% off the menu from March 265th to April 8th. All you have to do is download this voucher, print it off and hand it in at the bar.

Download our current menu here.

The Lass Needs You! Vote for the Lass as your Manchester Evening News Pub of the Year

As many of you may know, the Lass is already Pub of the Year in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards. However, we’re also in the hunt now for the Manchester Evening News Pub of the Year and need your vote!

Detail on the initiative is in the below link, but basically the top 3 voted pubs will... get through to final judging so every vote helps.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1194997_name_your_pub_of_the_year

All that is required is to go to the link below, register for an MeN passport (making sure they get the date of birth in DD/MM/YEAR format and address and tick for non-spam) and click to vote.

Doctor Who LIVE on the Big Screen – Saturday, April 3rd

It's the Eleventh Hour and you're all cordially invited to a screening of Matt Smith's debut as the Doctor in the Lass O'Gowrie, Manchester!

We've put on a few Who events now in the past few years (Vworp Vworp! A mini-con looking at the Doctor Who comics in October 2008 and NovelCon looking at the Who novels a few months ago) and are confident this one will be a corker, as we'll be using all our big screens and pub system to create a fantastic atmosphere befitting the end of an era. We'll also pop confidential on after! It's free to attend, however its' first come, first served. Under 16's are fine to attend, but must be accompanied by an adult. You'll also have the chance to enjoy our Magners Award nominated comedy night - Jokein at 8:30pm straight after, so it's a whole evening to enjoy!

Food will be available in the day (our pies are the stuff of legend), so people are encouraged to get in early to tuck in, secure a seat and relax. Piccadilly Station and Oxford Road Station are both within easy walking distance, with Chorlton Street Bus Station just as close and parking plentiful on the road outside the pub.

So, if seeing in Matt Smith in Greater Manchester's current Food and Drink Pub of the Year appeals, please feel free to come and join us. More information on the pub, as ever can be found at www.thelass.co.uk.

February 2010

New Menu is incoming on March 13th

Well, it’s that time of year again where we dust off the menu and give things a gentle shake. So, coming late Feb, Nat, Dee and Colin will be unveiling their latest creations for your delectation!

New pies, brunch, innovative snacks, homemade chutneys and more! Let us know what you think...

Weekend Brunch at the Lass is coming

Yes, from mid March we’ll be open for our tasty breakfasts from 10am at weekends. So, whether you’ve stopped over, can’t be bothered cooking or fancy something to line your stomach before the big game we’ll be here for you at the Lass.

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Returns to the Lass

They’re back! Yes, darlings of the Edinburgh Festival, the marvellous Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre return to the Lass on the evening of Thursday, 11th March in a double bill with old favourites the WART Show. And here’s the best bit – the gig is absolutely FREE (how we spoil you)!

The show starts at 8pm, although space is limited on a first come, first served basis so be in early to grab your seats for a top drawer evening of comedy and song!

Aside from a host of videos on YouTube, more information on the Socks can be found at http://www.myspace.com/scottishfalsetto whilst the five City Life star rated WART Show can be found over at their fast growing Facebook group http://pa-in.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=79021890328 .

Denier miss it!

Mr. B, the Gentleman Rhymer is BACK!

More great news, with perennial Lass favourite Mr. B returning to his northern seat for another set of his distinctive ‘chap hop’ sounds crafted for our delectation. A five star ‘Forever Manchester’ winner on his debut back in the Summer, his FREE gig (again, how we spoil you) will take place on the evening Thursday, 13th May and early attendance is strongly urged as we always pack out for this!

Aside from a host of videos on YouTube (including, my personal favourite; ‘let me smoke my pipe!’), more information on this legend of chap hop and all round ‘good egg’ can be found at http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer. Additionally, you are urged to join his fast growing Facebook group over at http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer .

Pip pip!

Quentin Reynolds Fantastic Psychic Game Show Returns....

Another welcome return this month!

Quentin Reynolds presents his one-man show The Psychic Game Show at The Lass O'Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB on Monday 15th and 22nd February at 8pm. Tickets are Ł5.

Presented in game show format, Quentin and his audience will explore the psychic and the paranormal, using intuition, hunches, psychometry and telepathy. The show promises to leave audiences both laughing and amazed, and there's the chance to win prizes too! Reviewing Quentin's show in The Irish Independent, Nick Kelly wrote: "If you're the kind of person who thinks that people like Uri Geller should be beaten with a sharp spoon, Quentin Reynolds show will have you reaching for the cutlery only so that you can eat humble pie." Experience a fun and amazing evening.

Advance bookings please phone 0161 2364452. Pay on the night. Reserved seats must be claimed by 7.50pm. More information on Quentin and his brilliant set can be found at http://www.psychicgameshow.com/ .

Doctor Who 2010 Premiere at the Lass?

Well with all the indications are that the new Doctor Who will debut on Saturday, April 3rd we’ll be hoping to show the episode live on our big screens as we did with the End of Time. Now obviously this will depend on a lot of things, not notably a confirmation of the date, the football and any timing implications for our excellent comedy night but this aside – rest assured we’re keen to do something to mark this new era!

You can enjoy the latest trailer for the new series and Doctor over at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpbmMhNe6aA

World Cup inches nearer...

Yes, we’ve not forgotten and as usual – you can expect only the very best from the Lass. Expect a return for our well received ‘in your own language’ initiative, with as many of the matches as possible shown in the native language of one or both of the matches, special food, open air screenings on the balcony, private hire options for the Salmon Rooms and Snug and themed entertainment to boot.

We can’t wait!

LassFest is coming your way in July!

We had such a blast with the Not Part of Festival last Summer, we’ve decided to do something of our own this year in its’ absence. Although it’s early days, expect theatre, comedy, screenings, our third Doctor Who convention, a comics con, music, an ale festival and much much more for the whole month of July.

We’ll be back to fill you in as soon as we have the details!

Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC Update

Still top of the league as we write, but a testing match awaits in the Cup with Moss Side. Keep up with us at www.masfl.co.uk !

Arcade Machine Update

Another month, another fault. Bomb Jack is fixed and up and running and Tiger Heli, whilst still intermittent seems to be largely OK. On the downside though, Donkey Kong has a fault with horizontal hold and I’ve still not had the chance to get the monitors sent off for our Neo Geo and Quartet.

Still, we do have a new arrival to report – the rare and decidedly 80’s NARC. A beast of a machine, and personal favourite from my youth in Llandudno, NARC was one of the first ultra-violent video games and a frequent target of parental criticism of the arcade game industry. The object is to arrest and kill drug offenders, confiscate their money and drugs, and defeat "Mr. Big".

More information on NARC can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARC_(video_game) . Don’t forget, Computer Club is held on the last Tuesday of the month at the Lass, whilst details on EUROCON – Europe’s finest and oldest retro gaming event due at the Lass in September can be found at http://www.eurocon.info/index.htm .

December 2009

Watch the final David Tennant Doctor Who adventure Live at the Lass on New Years Day!

It's the end of time and you're all cordially invited to a screening of the Tennant finale in the Lass O'Gowrie, Manchester!

Food will be available in the day, so people are encouraged to get in early to tuck in, secure a seat and relax. We're planning a special roast and our pies are legendary! Piccadilly Station and Oxford Road Station are both within easy walking distance, with Chorlton Street Bus Station just as close and parking plentiful on the road outside the pub. We've also had a look at the train situation at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ and they look plentiful on New Years Day (for instance, here's a selection from Liverpool http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/tt), so hopefully no worries on that front.

So, if seeing out Tennant in Greater Manchester's current Food and Drink Pub of the Year appeals, please feel free to come and join us. More information on the pub, as ever can be found at www.thelass.co.uk.

Christmas Opening Times

Just a quick reminder that the Lass will not be open every day over the festive period. After all, our elves need to recharge too! So, we’ll be open and closed as follows;

23rd December Open as normal (kitchen open)

Christmas Eve CLOSED

Christmas Day CLOSED

Boxing day Open from 5pm (kitchen closed)

27th December Open as normal (kitchen open)

28th December Open as normal (kitchen open)

29th December Open as normal (kitchen open)

30th December Open as normal (kitchen open)

New Years Eve Closed

New Years Day Open as normal (kitchen open)

2nd January Open as normal

In addition, limited Kitchen hours will apply for the first week of January. So, have a great Christmas and remember to come and see us in the New Year!

Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC Update

As we write, Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC are still top of the league. It’s a hard fought campaign but we feel the lads deserve it! The league table can be viewed in all its’ majesty at http://www.masfl.co.uk/leaguetable.pl?div=5206&age=all , and you can keep up with all the action at the official Lass FC website at http://lassogowrie.yolasite.com/news.php or at the official Facebook group.

EuroCon Website now LIVE

EuroCon 2010 may seem a long time away, but it’s only September 2010 when we’ll be inviting the cream of Europe’s gamers to the Lass for a dedicated retro video gaming weekend. The site has now gone live, so pop over to http://www.eurocon.info/ for all the latest developments.

Lass O’Gowrie Inducted into Elite UK “Head Brewers Club”

Very exciting is this. The Lass has been inducted into an elite group of real ale dreadnaughts, selected personally by John Bexton – Head Brewer of Greene King. Not only are we the only pub listed in the north west, but we are also one of only six in the whole north of England. Coming on top of our recent success in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards, it’s another feather in our cap!

So; what exactly is the Head Brewer’s Club? Greene King’s Head Brewer John Bexon, explains.

”It’s a collection of some of our best Greene King cask ale pubs – chosen by me and the quality team from our wonderful assortment of tenanted and leased pubs. They vary enormously in style, from fine food specialists to historic country inns to thriving community locals, but what they all have in common is a real passion for quality Greene King ale.

Good cask ale pubs are plentiful, but great ones are few and far between. The Head Brewer’s Club indicates a selection of the great Greene King pubs and the point is to highlight them for the benefit of pub goers and ale enthusiasts. When served in great condition, cask beer is the best drink in the world. It’s a fresh product, unique to the pub and just fantastic! Real beer, with its wholesome ingredients including malted barley, hops, water and live yeast finishes maturing not in the brewery, but in the pub cellar, so we brewers rely on the pub landlord or landlady to complete the brewing process and to achieve and present the perfect Greene King pint. The Club offers deserved recognition to the licensees who go that one step further when it comes to cask beer”

We can all drink to that!

More information on the Head Brewers Club can be found at http://www.headbrewersclub.co.uk/

Arcade Machine Update

Another month, another fault! Yes, Donkey Kong is fixed and well, although the Donkey Kong 2 chip has a fault (grrrr!). Also Tiger Heli has a fault now and the monitors for Quartet and a new Neo Geo machine upstairs have also developed faults. Not to worry, though – we’re getting them mended in January so I’ll be back to let you know how we’re diddling then.

October 2009

The Lass wins “Best Pub” at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards!

Well that was a bit of a shock if we’re being honest! But still thrilled nonetheless.

Yes, the Lass IS Pub of the Year 2009/10 as voted for by the lovely and wise judges from the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. The award was collected by the management team of General Manager Lisa Davies and Assistant Manager Natassia Measom from formerLass regular John Thomson and is a testament to the hard work put in by all over the past few years in restoring this lovely old pub back to her rightful place at the pantheon of Manchester boozers. We even opened the pub back up until the wee hours of the morning for a night that will be long remembered!

The official announcement was posted at http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.com/awards, whilst, here’s what the lovely folk at the Manchester Evening News had to say about it all http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1169615_cream_of_manchesters_food_and_drink_world_honoured

The story was also picked up by http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNwy6JWXnJaqiNwF6IHqi and even featured in the official match programme of QPR v Reading, reflecting out longstanding relationship with the R’s and their wonderful fans.

So; thanks to all who voted and showed faith in us. We promise not to let you down over the next year.

2009 Christmas Menus now available

Yes, it’s that time already, and unlike many of our competitors, this year's offering is real value for money for some of the best home-cooked fayre in the city!

We'll even crack out some board games for you at the close of proceedings. As usual, we are pleased to offer the Snug as a discreet and exclusive venue for parties between 12 and 16 and, as a first are now able to offer larger parties of up to 30 seated at the rear of the pub in our new be-draped saloon or in our brand new first floor function room, complete with private bar of required (additional fees may apply).

This year we have three menus available giving you flexibility and more importantly a quality budget offer.

First up is out three course Victorian Feast. Priced at Ł13.50 a head, this homecooked treat from Nat and her team features mulled wine, a choice of roasts or our own special veggie pie and sweet and savoury afters. Click here to download a handy PDF and booking form.

We also have a lovely Festive Buffet priced at Ł9.99 a head which is perfect for larger parties who want the freedom to drink and chat! Click here to download a handy PDF and booking form.

Finally, in recognition that times are hard we are pleased to introduce our new Pauper’s Christmas menu. At just Ł5.95 for two courses of wholesome Lass O’Gowrie Christmas goodness (including our gorgeous Turkey Blanquette, Hodge Podge or Winter Veg Stew), crackers an all, you SHALL go to the ball! Once more, click here to download a handy PDF and booking form.

Dates are getting snapped up quick, so don't delay! And yes, that includes Mad Friday...

Mr. B and the WART Show FREE DOUBLE BILL on Thursday 29th October!

This is seriously NOT to be missed – a five star bill at the Lass. For free! On the 29th October we have a double bill extravaganza, with the W.A.R.T Show, hosted by Lee Fenwick and Peter Slater, this character comedy night show cases all the amazing characters that Manchester’s comedians have to offer. Check out their 5 star award winning review over at http://www.citylife.co.uk/comedy/reviews/16787_the_w_a_r_t_show_review.

Following that, we’re thrilled to welcome back the fabulous Mr. B – Gentleman Rhymer. High priest of chap-hop, if you've never heard of this colossal talent, he's a true one off - check out the following to see where we're coming from.

http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer

And, of course Mr. B’s 5 star award winning turn from Summer 2009 at the Lass. http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/event_review/42763__mr_b_the_gentleman_rhymer.

From 8pm. Early attendance essential!

EUROCON 2010 is coming to the Lass O’Gowrie

Very exciting is this. From Friday 3rd September – Sunday 5th September, the Lass O’Gowrie will be hosting EUROCON – one of Europe’s longest established retro gaming weekenders. Currently being staged in Vienna in October 2009, we’re thrilled to be bringing the 10th (and we hope biggest and best) Eurocon to Manchester.

With Manchester being the birthplace of the modern computer and the Lass doing her bit with our vintage arcade games and monthly Computer Club gaming nights we feel honoured by the challenge of hosting such a great event, and look forward to welcoming the cream of Europe’s gamers to our humble pub!

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre to headline Jokein’s 2nd birthday on Saturday, 7th November

Crumbs – where does the time go? On Saturday, 7th of November “Jokein” (our award nominated monthly comedy night) will be celebrating its 2nd birthday. So in accordance with the big celebration we’ve delved deep into our book of contacts to deliver a cracking line up for you!

Mc’d by the brilliant Colin Connor, our lineup includes the excellent Joe Lycett, Marcus Shufflebottom (who was fabulous in our Summer Open Spot competition), old pal Charlie Ross whose interactive show is not to be missed and best of all - the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre.

Who, you say? Only the most novel act you’ll ever see, it’s no exaggeration to say that once you’ve seen the Socks, you’re hooked for life. Don’t believe us? Check out http://www.myspace.com/scottishfalsetto . Genius!

We’ll also be celebrating our Pub of the Year Award that night, so a great night awaits...

Arcade machine update

Just a quick update. Donkey Kong is now fixed, well and back up and running. We also have a multi-game cab to keep you all amused over a pint or two. Best of all though, we’ve ordered the rom chips for Donkey Kong II – a US unofficial product that expands Donkey kong brilliantly as, as far as we know it – available nowhere else in the UK to play!

Check out http://www.arcadeshop.com/konghs_dk2/kongmultikit.htm for more info. How good is that?

Science Festival at the Lass O’Gowrie

Just a quick word on a couple of brilliant events we’re hosting as part of Manchester’s excellent Science Festival this October. In addition to being part of an interactive pub crawl and staging a special quiz, Friday 30th October from 6-7pm sees us hosting the intriguingly titled Drunk in Time.

Not the much awaited second volume of Tom Baker’s autobiography we hasten to add, but rather an opportunity to broaden your cultural horizons with a trip to the pub as you join historian James Sumner on a light-headed stagger through scientific understandings of alcohol since 1600.

Now that’s what we call science!

Check out http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/whatson/calendar/ for more info.

New for November – Quentin Reynolds Psychic Game Show

This is something brand new for us, we must confess!

Reynolds presents his one-man show The Psychic Game Show at The Lass on Monday 9th, 16th and 23rd 30th November at 8pm. Presented in game show format, Quentin and his audience will explore the psychic and the paranormal, using intuition, hunches, psychometry and telepathy. The show promises to leave audiences both laughing and amazed, and there's the chance to win prizes too!

Reviewing Quentin's show in The Irish Independent, Nick Kelly wrote: "If you're the kind of person who thinks that people like Uri Geller should be beaten with a sharp spoon, Quentin Reynolds show will have you reaching for the cutlery only so that you can eat humble pie."

Advance bookings please phone 0161 2364452. Pay on the night. Reserved seats must be claimed by 7.50pm. Tickets are Ł5. More details and directions: http://www.psychicgameshow.com .

NovelCon reflections

So our second Doctor Who PubCon has been and gone – this time, looking at the wonderful novels that taught so many of us impressionable kids of the 70’s and 80’s to read. We were pretty pleased with things from our perspective (despite the usual technical hitches – grrr!) and it was a delight to see so many brilliant story titles randomly generated (I liked the Red Taxidermist of Mars, but you can’t argue with the Sheer Tights of Pegasus either) and the big book of Fanw**k so brilliantly realised by John Cooper – our MC for the Day.

However, perhaps the best overview of the day is from prolific blogger Christian Cawley of the shire of Kasterborous, who had this to say of the day.

“Following on from the success of 2008’s Vworp Vworp Doctor Who comics event, the Lass O' Gowrie in Manchester was this year host to another intimate and friendly event – NovelCon, on October 11th.

Concentrating on the adventures of the Doctor in the Target, Virgin and BBC Books ranges, NovelCon boasted a range of guests that included new series scriptwriter Paul Cornell and classic series script editor Andrew Cartmel, not to mention BBC Books writers Simon Guerrier, Daniel Blythe and head honcho Justin Richards. Also in attendance were Peter Anghelides, Dale Smith, Martin Day, Paul Magrs, Steve Lyons, Mark Morris and Mark Michalowski.

Having enjoyed PubCon 1: Vworp Vworp in October 2008, I decided early on to make the trip from the North East wing of Kasterborous Towers all the way down to Manchester to take part – I had been invited to chair a panel featuring Paul Cornell, and it was a good opportunity to catch up with organiser Gareth “Professor Peach” Kavanagh and Kasterborous designer Anthony Dry who would also be attending.

With a few family related influences taking a priority, it turned out that travelling to NovelCon would be more than a train ride to and from Manchester (although holding the event on a Sunday had also precluded that mode of travel). In the event my wife and I turned the trip into a weekend, stopping at relatives on the way and treating it as a welcome break from the day to day grind back at home.

That’s right, Ceri came to her first Doctor Who event – and I’m still astonished to say that as a non-fan she wasn’t bored. I can only put this down to the quality of the guests and the engaging subject matter; the readings went down well, particularly Daniel Blythe's excerpt from Autonomy.

Following the intelligent and in depth form of the previous comic event, NovelCon featured a series of panels each with a particular topic for discussion. Subjects included canonicity of the range, continuity, the role of the novels during “the wilderness years” and so forth, and each panel was greeted with enthusiasm and good humour by both the guests and the audience. Panels were chaired by comedians Charlie Ross, John Cooper and landlord Gareth Kavanagh, plus yours truly.

As you may have read here on Kasterborous, on Paul Cornell’s blog or elsewhere we had intended to stream each the panels online via the ustream.tv website as well as provide a live Twitter feed. Sadly problems were encountered and although some viewers got vision AND sound (wow!) it wasn’t a huge success. Although the Twitter feed worked largely without a problem, the video streaming failure lead to Twitter being put on the backburner. There is every chance that this experiment will be tried again in future however, hopefully with a lot more success!

Praise has to go to Gareth Kavanagh and his team of foxy barstaff who have once again provided a great venue for the event; Gareth in particular has juggled running a business and studying with organising this event (and I daresay many others) and his efforts should be greatly appreciated and lauded by anyone who has been to one of these “pubcon” events.

Finally, huge congratulations to everyone involved with The Lass O'Gowrie - they won Manchester Pub of the Year the next day! If that doesn't convince you to pay a visit to the next Doctor Who themed event, nothing will...”

More on Christian as ever can be found at http://www.kasterborous.com/news.asp?ac=11&id=2962

New Menu for Autumn launches

New season, new menu from Nat and Davina! So it’s a new pie, welcome back to old favourites like our famous Hotpot and some new treats like our wholesome homemade stew.

Click here to view a PDF of our current menu. Don’t forget; our food is available seven days a week! Reservations and pre-orders can be made by email or by phone 0161 273 6932. Daily specials always available!

Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC update

It’s still going well as we speak. Still undefeated in the League and deservedly top of the table as I write in late October. But as we all know, leagues aren’t won in October and some tricky ties await – especially with the impressive Motown.

However, you can still keep up with how we’re doing at the official site over at http://lassogowrie.yolasite.com/ and over at the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=88019183805&ref=ts .

Official Lass O’Gowrie Facebook Group launches

Oh and finally, why not pop in and say hi at the official new Lass O’Gowrie facebook group over at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=185511564553&ref=ts?

September 2009

Lass O’Gowrie shortlisted for Pub of the Year in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards!

We've just found out my pub, The Lass O'Gowrie been nominated for best Pub in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards. Needless to say, we're the underdogs but every dog has its’ day! So, if like us you love the Lass - you can help us out by voting for us - http://www.foodanddrinkfestival.com/awards, or posting a review at either http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/11/1144/Lass_OGowrie/Manchester (don't forget to stick it to the morons who hate the computers on the walls, mind) or http://www.qype.co.uk/place/153967-Lass-O-Gowrie-Manchester.

Help strike a blow for good pies, footy, decent ale, art, comics and free retro gaming we say. And please circulate this request as widely as possible (alongside a lovely PDF of Colin Brockhurst’s brilliant Vote the Lass PDF - every little helps!

NovelCon: A one day event celebrating the Doctor Who Novels at the Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester, Sunday, 11th October

Join us for a day of ale, chat and debate about one of the world’s greatest literary heroes – the Doctor. With a host of authors along for the ride, dive headlong into a celebration of these bold full-length science fiction novels; stories too broad and deep for the small screen, which would take the TARDIS into unexplored realms of time and space.

We did one of these last year on the Doctor Who comic strips (Vworp Vworp! See here for more http://www.paulcornell.com/search/label/Lass%20O%27Gowrie) and this one promises to be just as much fun and as informal as ever.

Weighty topics we will be debating include ‘guns v frocks’, ‘BBC v Virgin’, ‘past Doctors - what's the point?’, ‘roots of the TV revival - begged, borrowed and stolen?’, ‘bigger and broader - are the books the real home of Doctor Who?’ and ‘a question on canonicity - was it all a dream?

We have a superb list of guests confirmed to date (subject to work commitments) including Paul Magrs, Mark Morris, Mark Michalowski, Steve Lyons, Paul Dale-Smith, Andrew Cartmel, David McIntee, Daniel Blythe, Justin Richards, Simon Guerrier, Martin Day, Trevor Baxendale, David McIntee, Paul Cornell and Gary Russell.

We’ve had a lovely custom flyer designed by Colin Brockhurst (http://www.colinbrockhurst.co.uk) which, brilliantly depicts all the authors in suitable poses. Download them front and back to see if you can guess who’s who!

Tickets cost Ł14.00 a bargainous head and are available only from wegottickets online at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/54747 . The day will run from 10am - 6pm at the Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester on Sunday, 11th October. Kids are welcome, but under 14’s need to be accompanied by an adult.

Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC off to a flyer

Well, I’d say overall you can’t moan at the start we’ve had. Won the majority of our friendlies (including victories against several Premiership outfits I might add!), a 7-2 whupping of our close city centre neighbours and MFDF Pub of the Year rivals – the Briton’s Protection and beaten on penalties in the semi-final of the Diamond Cup by the eventual winners (Paul Heaton’s Hardly Athletic). Not bad for a team that didn’t exist 4 months ago!

But that’s all gone now and the season kicks off for real for our lads on Sunday, 13th September and first up are the Old Ashburnians AFC. The match is played at Turn Moss, Chorlton (pitch 5) and kick-off is at 11:15am.

But don’t feel left out. There’s not enough community in the city centre is you ask us, and Lass O’Gowrie Athletic is 100% for and of the community. Training is led by the management team of Allan Roberts and Colin Connor, and held at the Platt Lane training complex on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings (match schedule permitting). We’re always on the lookout for players of all abilities, whether you just want to train or play – we’ve got room for you!

Thanks as ever to Allan and Colin for keeping the show on the road, and we’ll be back in to update you all from time to time. Why not pop in to say hi to the lads at the Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC Facebook group over at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=88019183805&ref=ts .

More information on the Manchester Amateur Sunday Football League can be found at http://www.masfl.co.uk/, with our league table available for (hopefully) pleasant viewing at http://www.masfl.co.uk/leaguetable.pl?div=5206&age=all

Mr. B - the Gentleman Rhymer and his unique brand of ‘Chap Hop’ returns to the Lass – 29.10.09

You loved him! You demanded an encore! We agreed.

Yes, hot on the heels of his five star award winning gig in July, Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer is returning to the Lass on the 29th October 2009. Expect more of the same brilliant chap-hoppery and some brand new tracks to boot!

Not sure what the fuss is all about? Check out this 5 star review from City Life!

http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/event_review/42763__mr_b_the_gentleman_rhymer

More info on the Gentleman Rhymer (including a taste of his genius tracks – we love lets smoke the pipe personally!) can be found as ever at http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer and over at http://www.facebook.com/pages/MrB-The-Gentleman-Rhymer/97952090306

Christmas is a comin’

Crumbs, that’s come round fast again? Yes, the Lass O’Gowrie’s Christmas feast menu and our new festive buffet will be launched in late September so watch this space. Nat and Davina have been busily putting the finishing touches to this year’s offer so expect some Victorian and traditional treats.

Last year the premium dates all booked up in record time and we’re expecting things to be no different this time round. Remember, we have a variety of spaces available, including Vegas on Medlock, the Snug, Velveted Saloon and the Salmon Rooms all available for use. Details on our spaces is available here.

We got even more spirits than normal! The Pathfinder Paranormal Society sign up to the Lass

Depending on who you speak to, there’s something spooky at the Lass. We’ve had members of staff swear blind there’s a ghost, whilst others are unsure. However, given the vast age of our lovely old pub, it’s got to be a possibility so with that in mind, we are delighted to welcome the Pathfinder Paranormal Society to the Lass as regular guests.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, run from 8pm ‘til 10.30pm and, are completely free of charge to attend. The group was founded in February 2005 and its main goal was to investigate the paranormal with like minded, serious people. And serious they are about their work too, and have on occasion been called into locations to clear places of bad spirits and negative energies!

They’ve already undertaken a preliminary investigation late one night which has uncovered a host of spirits, suggesting the Lass is one haunted pub! They promise to dig deeper over the next few months, so we’ll keep you all informed.

More information on the Pathfinder Paranormal Society can be found at

http://www.pathfinderpi.co.uk/index.php?sid=5b96b22ac5f7ca23a35ae91b8818f64c

Console Combat Success and EUROCON 2010 Coming to the Lass

Well that was fun. A dedicated retro video gaming weekend at the Lass in the depths of Summer! The programming outside had to be seen to be believed!

Thanks to all that made the pilgrimage. Some info on the event, for posterity can be found at http://www.consolecombat.co.uk/ with some fabulous pictures available for your viewing pleasure over at;

http://www.stairwaytohell.com/sthforums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2229&p=18441#p18441 http://www.stairwaytohell.com/sthforums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2229&p=18191#p18191

And in a great bit of news, the Lass will be hosting another gaming event next October in the form of EUROCON!

For those who don’t know, Eurocon is a annual convention for the classic game enthusiasts who gather together for playing, selling, trading, chatting, socializing, laughing and drinking beer (or wine or...). A typical Eurocon weekend will usually include gaming contests, a sale and trade session (also open to the public) an auction, a quiz, a "show and tell" session (where a collector talks about a centerpiece of their collection) and more.

More info on the 2009 Eurocon in Austria giving a taste of what to expect can be found at http://www.eurocon.info/ . Don’t forget for those who still need their retro fix – free arcade games are here to enjoy at the Lass every day, whilst our free monthly retro gaming night – Computer Club is held on the last Tuesday of every month!

Lass O’Gowrie Productions Sweep the Board in the Not Part of Festival Awards

For those who were there, you’ll know that this July saw something very special at the Lass; namely, 3 weeks of plays, performances, music and comedy as part of the brilliant Not Part of Festival (http://www.notpartof.org). For those not in the know, the Not Part of is, in their own words Manchester’s most inclusive edgy arts festival which provides the people of Manchester with access to up and coming acts from the worlds of art, theatre, music, readings, chap-hop and more.

By our estimation, we provided nearly 25% of the total performances of the programme. But it’s not about quantity, but quality we hear you say! Well, we had plenty of that too.

In fact, out of the five City Life 5 star reviews awarded (and duly rewarded with a Forever Manchester Award), four were for productions staged at the Lass. These included, the incomparable Mr. B the Gentleman Rhymer (a genius exponent of Chap Hop, returning this 29th October to the Lass, check out http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer for more detail), the W.A.R.T Show (superb character sketch comedy from Peter Slater and Lee Fenwick staged on the second Thursday of every month at the Lass, we might add! Check out ), Kate Rothwell’s Good Hidings and Meanwhile –a debut play from the supremely talented Colin Connor.

City Life reviews for this brilliant quartet and many more of the marvellous performances from the Lass are available below.

Thanks again to Lisa Davies and Colin Connor for making this happen. Roll on the next one, we can’t wait!

I Love Bikes - Film Nights at the Lass

Following our successful screenings of the final stages of the Tour de France, the good people at I Bike MCR have come up with a brilliant concept. Screening of bike movie classics in the Salmon Rooms over a convivial half!

For those who don’t know, I Bike Manchester is a group of cyclists that basically love to ride. They don't do this for a job, nor do they get any funding other than bits to pay for equipment etc. for our events. They organise for themselves, for each other and by organising stuff they want to do we hope that others who like what they see will join us and organise with us stuff that they like to do too.

The seeds of this great idea simply lay in suggestions from members about how great it would be to snug up someplace and watch bike films with a beer? Well now every month people have that opportunity, what's more they can help choose the films!!! The Lass O Gowrie not only have delicious ales but they also have a snug room upstairs with a big screen that we can watch well ace films on for FREE. Everyone Welcome

The dates for the screenings are:

Monday 5th October at 7pm: BELLEVILLE RENDEZVOUS

Even if you have already seen the film "a single viewing can barely do justice to this richly detailed and often playfully macabre adventure." (BBC Film Review)...come and watch it again!”.

If you haven't seen it: "This animated adventure from Sylvain Chomet is a graphic delight and a triumph of invention. Effortlessly combining slapstick, character quirk and nos."

"Its plot involves the diminutive, club-footed Madame Souza preparing her orphaned grandson, Champion, to be a world-beating cyclist by personally supervising his arduous training regime. During the mountain stage of the Tour de France, Champion is kidnapped by black-suited men from the French mafia and whisked across the Atlantic to the city of Belleville. (Belleville is an amalgam of New York, Quebec and Montreal, and is stunningly designed by art director Evgeni Tomov.)"

From then on it will be the first Monday of the month:

Monday 2nd November: Breaking Away - "The Italians are coming!" Dave, nineteen, has just graduated high school, with his 3 friends, The comical Cyril, the warm hearted but short-tempered Moocher, and the athletic, spiteful but good-hearted Mike. Now, Dave enjoys racing bikes and hopes to race the Italians one day, and even takes up the Italian culture, much to his friends and parents annoyance. While meanwhile, the 4 friends try to break away from their townie, Indiana reputation while fighting with nearby college snobs.

Monday 7th December at 7pm: The Flying Scotsman - In my opinion one of the best films ever made. The Flying Scotsman is a feature film based on the remarkable true story of Scottish cyclist Graeme Obree. In 1993, and as an unemployed amateur, Obree broke the world one-hour record on a bike of his own revolutionary design, which he constructed out of scrap metal and parts of a washing machine

Monday 4th January at 7pm: La Course en tete (1974) - The Greatest Show on Earth - This brilliant documentary film shows the majestic beauty that is the Giro d-Italia Eddy Merckxs Molteni boss wept like a child in the arms of his beaming star who later on in the year went on to win cyclings magical triple crown when he won the Tour de France and the World Championships Experience the riders anguish and joy/the organizers difficulties and the adoring tifosis passion With stunning cinematography this epic film goes inside the Giros heart and soul from its opening sequence of the Pope blessing the riders through to the majestic power of Merckx Be amazed by his awesome battle with Gimondi to win his fifth Giro by a mere 12 seconds to equal the record held by Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi La Course en Tete - This outstanding film follows Belgian cycling star Eddy Merckx at the peak of his career through Europe's best races.

The I Bike Manchester guys also plan to be screening local shorts before the film, so if you have a bike related short film (less than 5 minutes) then please get in touch at http://www.ibikemcr.org.uk.

More information on the screenings can be found at http://www.ibikemcr.org.uk/?q=Bikefilms.

Lovely New Flyers!

We’ve gone and redesigned our logo and flyers.

Ena Sharples IS the Lass we say!

Pick of the litter, arguably is this fabulous recreation of a Spectrum cassette inlay which seems appropriately celebratory for our brilliant retro-gaming night on the last Tuesday of the month – Computer Club.

For more information on the brilliant designer behind this work – Colin Brockhurst go to http://www.colinbrockhurst.co.uk

New Menu en-route

Autumn is coming, and with it comes our seasonal menu tweak. Expect something in place by late September packed with all your seasonal faves, including hot pot!

Arcade Games Update

Well, it’s all change again. Bomb Jack has been and gone due to a catastrophic monitor failure and Donkey Kong remains in sick bay, although we have a European expert looking at the board in late September and hope to have good news soon after! Still, on the positive side, we are expecting delivery of a brand new videogame in September. Watch this space...

June 2009

Lass to play a major role in Manchester’s July ‘Not Part Of Festival

It’s like Christmas Eve over here! We’re very excited about this one.

As I’m sure some of you might be aware, the Not Part of Festival (www.notpartof.org) is, in their own words Manchester’s most inclusive edgy arts festival. Running alongside Manchester’s celebrated International Festival, the Not Part of Festival is a fantastic event which provides the people of Manchester with access to up and coming acts from the worlds of art, theatre, music, readings, the one and only Dez Skinn (see below), chap-hop and more. Right up our street in fact!

The full programme runs from 2nd - 17th July and, as you’d expect the Lass is in the thick of it, with something on 11 out of 17 days, the majority of which are free!

So; what do we have for you at the Lass? Well – let’s see...

The full programme can be downloaded at http://www.notpartof.org/NotPartofBrochureFinal.pdf with updates available always from www.notpartof.org and at www.thelass.co.uk.

Special thanks to our own Lisa Davies for all her effort in pulling together a brilliant set of events. Roll on July...!

Friday nights are Barbie nights at the Lass!

If you’re wandering past the pub on Friday nights, we GUARANTEE you won’t be able to resist popping in for a burger and a pint! Yes its BBQ time at the Lass every Friday evening!

Nat and her team have been busily cooking up some fabulous treats for you to enjoy, so why delay? With luck, we’ll also have music for you too – with luck the fabulous Nick Holmes Band whose chilled funky sounds are just perfect for an after-work chill-out on Vegas-on-Medlock.

Dez Skinn and Mr. B at the Lass

Organised by the team behind last October's brilliant Doctor Who Comics PubCon - Vworp Vworp!, the Lass O'Gowrie is proud to present an Audience with Dez Skinn on July 8th from 6:30pm, in conjunction with Quality Communications.

For those of you who don't know, aside from being the founding father of Doctor Who Weekly, Dez Skinn is a true British comic book and magazine legend.

Headhunted away from editing the UK MAD Magazine and House of Hammer for Warner Bros, he became editorial director for the UK arm of Marvel Comics, where he reported directly to Stan Lee and launched Doctor Who Weekly and Hulk Comic, among other titles. After leaving Marvel, for his own company, Quality Communications, he founded and edited the comics anthology Warrior which went on to win 17 Eagle Awards, introduce V for Vendetta and revive Marvelman/Miracleman. He then launched the comics trade magazine Comics International, which he published and edited for the following 16 years.

Dez was undoubtedly one of the stars of our Vworp Vworp! con at the Lass back in October, and we're genuinely chuffed to have Dez join us for a chat. Somewhere between the Jor El and Gene Hunt of comics, he's a one off is Dez. His Tom Baker and Alan Moore tales are worth the admission money alone!

Interviewing duties will be mainly handled by Who art supremo Adrian Salmon - aided and abetted by Gareth Kavanagh, so expect plenty of time on Dez's famed Hammer House of Horror comic from the 70's, Doctor Who Weekly, Warrior and more.

Tickets cost a bargainous Ł6.00 a head, with doors open from 6:30pm with the evening likely to end by 9pm at the latest. As an added treat, Dez will be followed by a free gig from the legendary Mr. B - Gentleman Rhymer. If you've never heard of this colossal talent, he's a true one off - check out the following to see where we're coming from.

http://www.myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3iLYxt8HtQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoVBc...eature=related

Tickets are available from the Pub in advance (just ask at the bar), or online via http://www.wegottickets.com/event/51874 or direct from Quality Communication's Ebay shop at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1.

Please note; numbers for Dez Skinn are strictly limited to 30 attendees, so when we're sold out - that's it!

Update; Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC

Things have been really motoring since we last let you in on Lass FC. The coaching team of Alan Roberts and Colin Connor have been working hard building a squad of willing and able players, and the indications are we have some great talent indeed!

Having settled on the Name of Lass O’Gowrie Athletic FC, we’ve applied for membership of the Manchester Amateur Sunday Football League. Check out www.masfl.co.uk to have a butchers at our new home!

Alan and Colin have now got the bones of a damn good squad with 20 brave souls now training every Sunday at Manchester City’s state of the art indoor training facility at Platt Lane. We’ve also started acquiring all the bits and bobs we need (nets, corner flags, balls, practice kit) which should mean a few friendlies with luck in the next few weeks.

Official kits should be with us come July, including a great new logo. Oh and with luck, a team picture not long after.

Anyone that wants to join, we’re always on the lookout for new talent. Give us an email if you fancy it!

“In your own language” update; UEFA U21 Championships and FIFA Confederations Cup

Starting with the excellent U21 championships, thus far, we’ve not been able to access quite as many foreign language feeds as we’d hoped. However, as things stand in early June, the following games will be shown in the following languages (obviously, if things change we’ll advise via our in-house posters).

Available languages

15/06

Grp B

England

18:15

Finland

English

15/06

Grp B

Spain

20:45

Germany

English, German

16/06

Grp A

Sweden

18:15

Belarus

English

16/06

Grp A

Italy

20:45

Serbia

English, Italian

18/06

Grp B

Germany

18:15

Finland

English, German

18/06

Grp B

Spain

20:45

England

English

19/06

Grp A

Sweden

16:00

Italy

English, Italian

19/06

Grp A

Belarus

18:15

Serbia

English

22/06

Grp B

Finland

20:45

Spain

English

22/06

Grp B

Germany

20:45

England

English, German

23/06

Grp A

Serbia

20:45

Sweden

English

23/06

Grp A

Belarus

20:45

Italy

English, Italian

Obviously, language availability for the semis (Friday, 26th June) and the final (Monday, 29th June) will depend on participants, but we’ll be more than chuffed if we can recreate the excellent atmosphere from last Summer’s brilliant Euro 2008.

Of course, should Engerland make it to the Semis, I wonder whether they’ll be led as magnificently as one Mike Bassett....

Another treat in store for June is the FIFA Confederations Cup - a tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. The traditional curtain-raiser to the World Cup, it is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (CAF, CONMEBOL, UEFA, AFC, OFC, CONCACAF), along with the World Cup winner and the host country (South Africa), to bring the number of teams up to eight.

As with the U21 Championships, we plan to show all the games where possible (and where demand dictates) in the native language of as many of the competitors as possible. Again, although limited at present we will do our utmost to improve the situation as (hopefully) more broadcasters come onboard.

					Available languages
14/06	Grp A	South Africa	16:00	Iraq	English
14/06	Grp A	New Zealand	20:30	Spain	English
14/06	Grp B	Brazil	16:00	Egypt	English
15/06	Grp B	USA	20:30	Italy	English, Italian
17/06	Grp A	Spain	16:00	Iraq	English
17/06	Grp A	South Africa	20:30	New Zealand	English
18/06	Grp B	USA	16:00	Brazil	English
18/06	Grp B	Egypt	20:30	Italy	English, Italian
20/06	Grp A	Iraq	20:30	New Zealand	English
20/06	Grp A	Spain	20:30	South Africa	English
21/06	Grp B	Italy	20:30	Brazil	English, Italian
21/06	Grp B	Egypt	20:30	USA	English

Again, for your diaries the Semis are played on the Wed 24th/Thurs 25th June, with the Final being held on Sunday, 28th June.

Console Combat and Homebrew Coding Geekend update – 25th/26th July

Just a quick reminder that tickets are now on sale for our inaugural, dedicated retro gaming weekend pubcon.

For two days in July, the pub will be transformed into retro gaming central, with numerous classic arcade machines, computers and consoles playing host to a variety of competitions. We're also planning a group trip to the Videogame Nation exhibition at the nearby Urbis museum on Sunday morning and hosting the Homebrew Coding Geekend, a meeting of some of the sharpest minds in the homebrew programming and independent game developer community.

Click here for a list of systems that will be available to play on.

Click here for details of competitions being organised.

Click here to buy tickets and see the list of attendees.

Click here for more information about the Homebrew Coding Geekend.

In a first for this kind of event (we believe), we are also throwing our doors open to the homebrew coding community in the form of our Homebrew Coding Geekend – held the same weekend.

This get-together of coders and other creative minds will take place in the Salmon Rooms on the first floor of the Lass on 25th-26th July 2009. The purpose of the event is to provide an open, friendly environment where retro coding tips and ideas can be exchanged.

The agenda is fairly open, but some of the things that we think might be worth covering at the Geekend include:

• Demonstrations and recommendations of both "modern" PC-based development tools (e.g. IDEs, Assemblers etc) as well as "classic" utilities (e.g. Sprite editors)
• Hints and tips on how to squeeze the most out of a particular platform (e.g. undocumented instructions, video-chip tricks, maximising RAM)
• Brainstorming sessions for the development of new games
• The examination of some unreleased game blueprints, with a view to whether they can finally be implemented.

Ultimately it will be left to you, the attendees, to determine the scope and direction of the Geekend. So if you have any topics that you'd like to see covered, feel free to send a 'Geekend Enquiry' using the Contact Form on this website. (Note: entry to the Homebrew Coding Geekend is free but you must reserve your place in advance by completing the Application Form on this site. There's no obligation to attend both days and it's expected that Saturday will be the busier of the two).

As if that wasn’t enough, the Lass will be offering a selection of special deals during the event, including:

• Your first drink FREE! (included in ticket price, restrictions apply *natch, but does include some alcoholic drinks!)
• Discounted drinks offers throughout the weekend
• 20% off our splendid menu over the course of the weekend
• Special Curry Menu on Saturday evening.

All this for a MEASELY Ł4.50! For those of you yet to make your minds up, the website is up and running and over at http://www.consolecombat.co.uk/ with tickets only available online at http://www.consolecombat.co.uk/tickets.html .

The Ashes and Twenty20 World Cup are on their way to the Lass all through June, July and August

Having just taken over the pub in the Summer of 2005, we have warm memories of the Ashes at the Lass. So rest assumed, thanks to those little loves at Sky we’ll be showing the whole thing in glorious technicolour with all the trimmings.

Some Ashes dates for your diaries then;

• 1st Test: Wednesday 8th July – Sunday 12th July (Cardiff)
• 2nd Test: Thursday 16th July – Monday 20th July (Lords)
• 3rd Test: Thursday 30th July – Monday 3rd August (Edgbaston)
• 4th Test: Friday 7th August – Tuesday 11th August (Headingley)
• 5th Test: Thursday 20th August – Monday 24th August (The Oval)

We’ll also be showing the ICC World Twenty20 between June 5th and the 21st. Group stage fixtures (as well as other dates for the semis and final) available at the Lass include the following.

Friday 5th June	England V Holland	5:30pm
Saturday, 6th June	New Zealand V Scotland	10:00am
	Australia V West Indies	2:00pm
	India V Bangladesh	6:00pm
Sunday, 7th June	South Africa V Scotland	1:30pm
	England V Pakistan	5:30pm
Monday, 8th June	Ireland V Bangladesh	1:30pm
	Australia V Sri Lanka	5:30pm
Tuesday, 9th June	Pakistan V Holland	1:30pm
	New Zealand V South Africa	5:30pm
Wednesday, 10th June	Sri Lanka V West Indies	1:30pm
	India V Ireland	5:30pm
	Super Eight
Thursday, 11th June	D1 V A2	1:30pm
	B2 V D2	5:30pm
Friday, 12th June	B1 V C2	1:30pm
	A1 V C1	5:30pm
Saturday, 13th June	C1 V D2	1:30pm
	D1 V B1	5:30pm
Sunday, 14th June	A2 V C2	1:30pm
	A1 V B2	5:30pm
Monday, 15th June	B1 V A2	1:30pm
	B2 V C1	5:30pm
Tuesday, 16th June	D1 V C2	1:30pm
	D2 V A1	5:30pm
	Semi-finals
Thursday, 18th June	Winner Group E V Runner up Group F	5:30pm
Friday, 19th June	Winner Group F V Runner up Group E	5:30pm
Sunday, 21st June	Final	3:00pm

British and Irish Lions at the Lass

It’s looking like a surprisingly good Summer of sport now we look at it, what with the U21’s, Confederations Cup, 20:20, Ashes and – of course the British and Irish Lions. And, as ever all the games will be on at the Lass!

Here’s what we’ll be showing.

Saturday, 30th June	Royal XV V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Wednesday, 3rd June	Golden Lions V British & Irish Lions	6:10pm
Saturday, 6th June	Cheetahs V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Wednesday 10th June	Sharks V British & Irish Lions	6:10pm
Saturday, 13th June	Western Province V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Tuesday, 16th June	Southern Kings V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Saturday, 20th June	South Africa V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Tuesday, 23rd June	Emerging Springboks V British & Irish Lions	6:10pm
Saturday, 27th June	South Africa V British & Irish Lions	2:00pm
Saturday, 4th July	South Africa V British & Irish Lions	3:00pm

April 2009

Champions League Semi-Final and Final packages released

Due to popular demand, we have decided to make our Snug available for private hire for the semis and final.

Equipped with a big screen projector and 5.1 surround sound, our cosy Snug is the perfect place to enjoy the big game in one of Manchester's most atmospheric venues. Great for corporate entertaining or just you and your friends, for Ł95.00 our package includes guaranteed exclusive use of the Snug as a private viewing suite for up to 18 people for an hour before, during the game and for an hour afterwards to let you catch your breath! The price also includes nibbles, a complimentary Becks on arrival and dedicated table service throughout the game so you won't miss a single minute!

We may also make available our larger Salmon Rooms for private hire with bar and seating for 30, including 5.1 sound and big screen should demand be sufficient. Price on application, naturally...

Please phone or email for more details.

Salmon Rooms now available for business meetings from just Ł10.00 an hour

Just to give people an extra incentive, the Salmon Rooms are now available for business meeting hire for a ludicrously reasonable Ł10.00 including all equipment hire charges. So, if you want to treat the team to a fully kitted out meeting space with a difference and eschew the dear do that is the hotel cartel of Manchester, give us an email.

Details on our available spaces, as ever is available as a handy PDF download at

Carter USM’s Jim Bob at the Lass on the 30th April – not long now!

Most exciting this! It’s a return for our old mate Jim Bob to the Lass and it’s a treat not to be missed. If you’re of that certain age and know yer stuff, you’ll fancy this. Tickets are a measly Ł10.00 a throw and are available behind the bar or online at http://www.wegottickets.co.uk/event/40746 (booking fees may apply).

Come join us!

More info available at www.jim-bob.co.uk

Following last year’s brilliant EURO 2008 at the Lass, we bring UEFA’s U21 Championships “In Your own Language”!

Despite scepticism from some quarters, last Summer’s England-less Euro 2008 was nothing short of brilliant at the Lass, with everyone really getting behind our simple and elegant “in your own language” initiative. We loved it so much, we’re up for more with this Summer’s UEFA U21 tournament.

Simply put, even though England are participating we pledge to show every game in the native language of at least one of the teams wherever practical, be it German, Italian, Finnish or Serbian – if we can show it, we will. This may be in the Snug, the Salmon Rooms or in the case of matches where demand is sufficient – the whole pub.

Spread the word, and please feel free to get in touch if we can be of help with anything.

Initial dates for your diary include;

15/06	Grp B	England	18:15	Finland
15/06	Grp B	Spain	20:45	Germany
16/06	Grp A	Sweden	18:15	Belarus
16/06	Grp A	Italy	20:45	Serbia
18/06	Grp B	Germany	18:15	Finland
18/06	Grp B	Spain	20:45	England
19/06	Grp A	Sweden	16:00	Italy
19/06	Grp A	Belarus	18:15	Serbia
22/06	Grp B	Finland	20:45	Spain
22/06	Grp B	Germany	20:45	England
23/06	Grp A	Serbia	20:45	Sweden
23/06	Grp A	Belarus	20:45	Italy

New Events on-route

Just a quick note on some of the treats coming your way over the next few months. More info as we get nearer the time, but to tantalise you – here goes.

First up is Console Combat, our own dedicated retro video gaming and coding event in association with Byte Back. Held over the weekend of 25th - 26th July, this promises to be a fabulous feast of gaming, homebrew coding, drinking and more. More info as it comes in, but if you love Computer Club (our monthly retro gaming night held on the last Tuesday of the month) you’ll totally dig this.

More info as it emerges at http://www.byte-back.info/consolecombat/.

Equally exciting is a follow-up to last year’s brilliant Vworp Vworp Doctor Who in the Comics convention. Planned for Sunday, 11th October this event will follow the same relaxed format as VV but will this time focus on the Novels of Doctor Who, taking in the Targets, the quite brilliant New Adventures that are widely considered to have formed the template for RTD’s Doctor Who, the BBC Books and beyond. Keep checking back, as we hope to unveil guests, ticketing and lineups soon!

We’re also thrilled to be a part if the brilliant Notpartof festival this July.

Running 2-18th July and created in response to the Manchester International Festival, Not Part of is Manchester’s very own edgy urban fringe festival and a worthy compliment to MIF. We’ll be announcing our full lineup in early May, but expect a full programme.

One of the people you can almost 98% expect to be there is our great mate Dez Skinn for a special ‘evening with’. The Jor-El of British comics, Dez was one of the stars of Vworp Vworp back in October, and with a host of wicked tales and a CV that includes contemparies like Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Pat Mills, Steve Dillon and titles like Hammer House of Horror, Doctor Who Weekly, 2000AD and Warrior how can you refuse?

More info is available at http://www.notpartof.org/ .

Peter and Lee have morphed into The W.A.R.T Show. Bigger and better, with some stunningly funny stuff and a bigger team this show is a must every second Thursday in the Salmon Rooms.

We love it, especially the Charles Bronson angles..

Another comedy group gaining in acclaim is Mouth Kandi. We were blown away by their inaugural show in early April and just can’t wait for what’s next! This one packed out and we had to turn people away, so get in early when the next dates re announced (likely to be late June, Early July).

Members of Mouth Kandi are also keen to help us get our own Movieoke night off the ground this Summer, and we love the thought! Movieoke, for the uninitiated according to the sage-like wikipedia is “is a form of entertainment in which an amateur actor or actors perform along with a muted DVD in order to give voice to the character in the film. The film is projected onto a screen behind the actor and onto an alternate monitor which provides subtitles and action cues. Movieoke is a popular form of performative and interactive entertainment which began in a screening room/bar in New York City in early 2003, and has since spread to other parts of the world.”

Naturally, we plan to give it our own Lass ‘take’, but we can’t wait! You just wait til you see our Dirty Harry in the Style of Sir Larry!

Last, but by no means least are our long harboured plans for Friday night Karaoke in the Salmon Rooms. Perfect for winding down after a hard day’s graft, the compare we have in mind will keep you on your toes. Keep an eye out for the first one!

Lass FC update

Thanks to everyone who put their names down to play in our fledgling team Lass FC. We hope to be in the Sunday League come August, although there is a lot to do in the run up (including fundraising!) keep em peeled for the team photos and updates in the run up.

Press round-up

Just couple of things to enjoy this month. First up, Lass co-owner Gareth Kavanagh was extensively quizzed on the state of the pub sector by the Manchester Evening News;

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1097790_last_orders_for_pubs

Don’t worry, we’re not panicking yet! And if anyone asks, that’s a pie in the picture.... Equally , if not more pleasing was the four star review we received a few weeks earlier from City Life’s bar critic Alex Eyre;

http://www.citylife.co.uk/pubs_and_bars/reviews/16191_lass_o_gowrie___one_of_city_s_great_survivors

As ever, great to see Betty’s Best selected as the drink of the week. We’re struggling to keep this ale in stock, such is it’s popularity! Thanks, as ever to both writers for their candour and support. We hope to live up to your expectations throughout 2009!

New artists on display at the Lass – Bob Wakelin, Martin Geraghty, Lee Sullivan and more Ade Salmon

New season, new art on display.

First up are some splendid prints of the seminal work of Bob Wakelin. Taken from his heady days with Manchester’s own Ocean Software, Bob’s work defines the golden age of Spectrum and Commodore software and is a brilliant addition to our existing displays – notably Donna’s work of www.arcade-art.co.uk .

Check it out (including details of how to buy fabulous digital prints) at http://www.bobwakelin.com/ with typically frank comments from Bob on his work over here at http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/art/wakelin/ .

A new treat for comic fans is two pieces of Martin Geraghty’s Lunar Strangers, from way back in 1994. A top bloke is Martin and his work largely defines the 90’s Doctor Who comic art, so take the chance to drink in these surreal pages featuring a marauding pair of space cows.

We’re also pleased to welcome more pages from the prolific pencil of Lee Sullivan. Taken from the brilliant Mark of the Mandragora and the convoluted, but fun Emperor of the Daleks this is some of Lee’s best work and we’re really pleased to have it up for your enjoyment.

More info on Lee is available, as ever at http://www.leesullivan.co.uk/

Finally, it’s a great pleasure to display more of the brilliant Ade Salmon’s work, this time taking in a 2001 Master solo story in its entirety. Sheer poetry!

Check out Ade’s recent work at his brand new blog - http://adriansalmonart.blogspot.com/

New menu launched

Eagle-eyed customers like you may have noticed that we’ve given our menu a little tweak to reflect the changing seasons. So, out goes hot pot and Ham, Egg and Chips ‘til next winter and in comes more special pies, a gorgeous ploughmans, the insanely popular natchos and a veggie wrap.

Click here to download a PDF.

Book Club

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki MurakamiIs is the selected novel for May. Mental note to oneself; Book Club is a really fun, friendly get together to chat the text of choice held in the Snug on the first Monday of every month from 7:30pm.

Information about this and future Book Clubs can be found at http://bookclub.meetup.com/1364/

Lass staff get stuck in

Just a quick word to thank the Lass’s management team of Lisa and Nat for their hard work in March cleaning up the River Medlock just outside the Lass. These two put bigger organisations to shame frankly, rolling up their sleeves and filling two containers with all the crap they hefted out. But reward was soon to be found with a family of Ducks and a pair of geese quickly taking up residence. So please, no more fly tipping guys. We want the River to stay as it is!

February 2009

Carter’s Jim Bob returns to the Lass + Tim Ten Yen

We’re very pleased about this! Thursday, April 30th sees us welcome back our old pal Jim Bob – best known as half of iconic 90’s duo Carter USM. Last year was a sell out and we expect no less this time round. With support provided by Tim Yen Yen, tickets cost a mere Ł10.00 (excluding booking fee) and are available from http://www.wegottickets.co.uk/event/40746

For more information why not bob over to www.jim-bob.co.uk

The Quiz returns!

You demanded it. We agreed. The quiz is BACK in its spiritual home of Thursday evenings from 8:30pm. Do battle as usual for our big cash prize, pints, wine and our intriguing special prize for the team that comes in 5th. Expect a picture round, anagrams, Lisa’s excellent ‘say what you see’, music round and general knowledge.

Every Thursday from 8:30pm.

City Life rank the Lass amongst their pick of the pubs for 2008

Very pleased about this. The Lass was one of only three city centre pubs named as Paul Ogden of City Life’s pub of the year. Here’s what they had to say about us;

“Another pub which has re-invented itself over the past few years is The Lass O’Gowrie. The Charles Street boozer now serves good, tucker and has an ever-changing variety of ales. It also has its beer-soaked fingers in many pies to help encourage the punters through the doors – music and comedy nights, a book club, computer games evenings and one of the coolest smoking areas in the city.”

You can enjoy the piece in all its majesty at http://www.citylife.co.uk/pubs_and_bars/news/11987_paul_ogden_s_pubs_of_the_year

Lass links up with Conwy Brewery

We’re delighted to announce we’ve tied up a deal with Conwy Brewery which will see us regularly stocking their exquisite ales on a regular basis from February. It’s something we’ve been very keen on for quite a while and finally, it’s happening!

Look out for this marvellous ale to grace our bar for the 6 Nations and definitely, for St. David’s Day, alongside the ever excellent Great Orme Brewery ale, custom Welsh pies from our kitchen and some special sausages from Edwards of Conwy. We hope to get Gwynne - the head brewer down for some tastings in February, so if that’s of interest – please let us know.

More information is available at www.conwybrewery.co.uk .

Dave Porter’s Outstanding Brewing Co to produce ‘Betty’s Best’ – the Lass’ own house ale

It’s something we’ve been thinking of for a while, but never got round to. However, following fruitful discussions with Dave Porter’s Outstanding Brewing Co, we are delighted to announce that late February will see the debut of our own Lass Ale – ‘Betty’s Best’.

And what an ale she is! Named in honour of our wonderful, tireless cleaner Betty Guy, this little belter is 3.6% in strength, golden and with a distinct tang, this graceful ale would grace any bar she touches. But, it’s ONLY available at the Lass so if you’re not here – forget it!

Stay tuned for news of the launch as Betty cuts the ribbon and the ale flows freely!

More information is available at www.outstandingbeers.com

Say it with pies; Valentines at the Lass

Fed up with being ripped off? Love the sport? Why choose! This year, we are proposing to do something different for Valentines aimed at ‘proper’ non-pretentious couples. For just Ł17.95 all in, a couple can enjoy our home-baked Steak and Red Wine sharing pie with mash and fresh vegetables, all served up with a 4 pint pitcher of real ale. 1st come 1st served, naturally as numbers will be very limited...

We bought at hat! It’s our first wedding at the Lass

Just a quickie. January 27th saw a first for the Lass, as we were privileged to host Fiona and Andy’s wedding do. The place looked amazing, whilst the Greek food prepared by Nat and her team was sublime – particularly the Kleftico! So, if anyone else out there fancies a wedding do at sensible prices with great food in one of Manchester’s finest pubs - get on the phone to us pronto!

New artists on display at the Lass – Wilson, arcade games, models, abstracts and pop art!

New month, new artists on display. And what treats we have for you! Remember, most artwork is available to buy and – unlike most of our competitors, the Lass does not take a penny in commission. Everything goes direct to the artist. We just like to give you wonderful things to delight the eye!

First is the fantastic, arcade infused work of Donna – aka The Arcade Artist.

After graduating from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design with a BA (Hons) in Animation, an aptitude for patience in art (animation, frame by frame) and a love of retro gaming Donna founded Arcade Art, original art inspired by videogaming.

Donna loved experimenting with interesting techniques including Pixel Painting, Mosaics, Mixed Media, Pastels and Lino Printing. Her stunning work is available to purchase, apart from the larger Kong and Pacman pieces which sold even before it was properly up!

More information is available at http://www.arcade-art.com

We’re also delighted to showcase the work of Paul Wolfgang Webster, whose evocative black and white photography of Northern icons is amongst the best in the business.

Paul, for those of you who don’t know is a Manchester-based photographer specialising in portraiture. Having been tutored in printing techniques by the American photographer, George Tyce, he gained my degree in photography from Bradford University in 1996 and is currently studying for an MA at Bolton University. In a career spanning some twenty years, his work has been the subject of a number of exhibitions in the UK and the USA - including the Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester – as well as appearing in several leading publications such as the Guardian Magazine, NME and HFM.

Paul’s work on display focuses on Manchester Icon and late, Lass patron – Tony Wilson. Paul had the chance of meeting Tony Wilson in 1995 and asked his permission to photograph him as part of his Degree show. Tony Wilson agreed and they set a date at Factory Records, which still stands across the road from the Lass. These photographs are the result from that meeting, which Paul hopes will allow people to see a different side of “Mr Manchester”.

More information is available at http://www.londonart.co.uk/sales/view_art.asp?artistID=4876

With her earlier collection already one of our major talking points in the pub, we’re delighted to have even more Karen McBride goodness for you to enjoy!

Famed for her rock photography, Karen prides herself on paying as much attention to unsigned bands as she does touring with Scissor Sisters, and shooting stadium bands like Bon Jovi and Oasis.

Her clients include many big named artists, record labels and music venues. Her pictures can be regularly seen on the BBC Manchester website, In the City, Designer Magazine and The Tube. Also her work has found its way into Status Quo's 'RIFFS' world tour book, countless other publications ranging from CD covers to posters to Giant Billboards in the US for The House of Blues, T Mobile’s Tour Log book for the Robbie Williams Close Encounter Tour 2006 for which she was official Photographer.

So, what can we expect this time round? Well, Karen will be refreshing her shots already in situ as well as showcasing a completely new collection illustrating an evocative, intimate photoshoot with a Manchester based model. Oh, and as has been requested umpteen times – yes, prints of Karen’s work from Robbie to Liam will be made available to buy for the first time ever.

More info on Karen’s amazing work can be found at http://www.karenmcbride.com/

A new artist for you, we’re chuffed at having uncovered Daniel Dawson. By day, Daniel is a site manager but by night, he’s an artist of serious talent with an eye for pop art and abstracts. Those of you on the bookofface can check his stuff out on;

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=2&aid=18445&id=598967326

Last but not least is Erpen, another Lass debutant.

Erpen' are 'Dad and Lad' artists Anthony Pendlebury and Nathan Pendlebury. Anthony and Nathan go under the name 'Erpen' with all their joint ventures and projects. They are not a gallery, they are self-representing artists, however they do hope to build on the name in the future. The name 'Erpen' comes from and is dedicated to Eric Pendlebury, father to Anthony, who used to sign his paintings with 'Erpen'. Nathan and Anthony have exhibited and sold nationally and internationally. In 2007 the artists exhibited together for the very first time at both the Liverpool academy of Arts in a massive 2 man show 'Begin', and at the 2007 Manchester Arts Show.

In addition to being top fellas, their work is very easy on the eye and delightfully playful. And, of course coming your way in early March.

More information on the brilliant Erpen can be found at http://www.erpenstudios.co.uk/index.htm.

Vote for us! Lass pies up for British Pie Week honours

We love ‘em! You love em! So we thought it only fair that the public get to vote for us as the face of British Pie week. Up for consideration are our classic Steak and Black Sheep Ale Pie and veggie favourite Leek and Mushroom Pies.

Go cheer us on at http://www.britishpieweek.co.uk/

New menu en-route for March

It’s tweaking time again with Spring in the air (almost). Expect new dishes, great value for money and a few new pies from Nat and her team of Piesmiths...

Book Club on the march

It’s really growing like topsy this night, so well done to all! Death at Intervals by Jose Saramago is the book for March book club, held on the first Monday of the month (as usual) from 6:30pm in the Snug. Just read and pop down for a chat and a pint, simple as!

We’re free!

More value for money good news! Our cash machine is now free of charge to use, so no need to trudge through the rain to Oxford Road missing the game.

PubCon2 on way?

We’re still ruminating over it, but we hope to bring you a follow-up to Vworp Vworp this Summer. We’re keeping the details under our hats, but we hope to have something ‘novel’ to offer you from the worlds of Doctor Who.

Computer Club moves to the Salmon Rooms

Just a quick reminder that Computer Club is still going fine and strong on the last Tuesday of the month. The only change is, that it’s now in our roomier first floor suite – the Salmon Rooms! So come down and join us any time for a free evening of ale and retro video gaming!

November 2008

Christmas is coming. The goose is getting fat.

If you’re after a traditional, cosy Christmas then look no further than the Lass. We still have availability for our traditional Ł12.95 3 course sit-down meal or festive buffets (Ł9.00 a head) at time of writing, but that won’t be the case forever - so why delay?

To download a PDF of our Christmas Menu, please click here, and here for a copy of our Buffet Menu. To book, email info@thelass.co.uk or call 0161 273 6932.

Salmon Rooms function suite opens for business

Just a quick note to let you know that our new first floor function suite – the Salmon Rooms are now open for business.

New for 2008, the Salmon Rooms constitute a versatile combination of main room with plenty of natural light, reception area and landing. As such, they’re perfect for a whole host of uses – in particular; business meetings, private dining, seminars, private match viewings, screenings of film and TV, parties, weddings, celebrations and society meetings and classes of any description.

Facilities available for use within the Salmon Rooms include;

• Digital Projector and Projector Screen, with easy VGA connection to your laptop or PC
• Free Wireless Broadband Internet Connection
• Dedicated Laser Printer (additional fees apply)
• DVD/Video Player
• 5.1 Sound System, with IPOD dock
• Private Bar and Reception area (additional fees may apply)
• Dedicated Toilet Facilities
• Your own Retro-Arcade Gaming Cabinets, perfect for chilling out on a break
• Stage Lighting and Demountable Staging
• Large White Board and Flip Chart

Optimum Capacities;

	U-shape	20
	Meeting (non-boardroom)	20
	Cabaret	25
	Classroom	20
	Informal screening	30
	Drinks reception/buffet	40
	Sit-down meal	30

Don’t forget - the Lass has a whole host of spaces like the Snug, Vegas on Medlock and the Velveted Saloon with options for accommodating a range of activities, including business meetings, private dining, seminars, private match viewings, screenings of film and TV, parties, weddings, celebrations and society meetings and classes of any description.

We’re here to help! Click here for a summary PDF download of all our current spaces available for hire.

Thumbs up for the Lass from the Manchester Evening News (and confirmation that our pies are possibly the best in Manchester! But we knew that anyway.....)

We’re dead chuffed about this – a very nice piece extolling the virtues of the Lass and our pies by the wise and informed Paul Ogden, who was kind enough to make the Lass his Pub of the Week on November 9th.

Here’s a taster of what he had to say about our pies;

“this traditional boozer reckons it serves ‘the best pies in Manchester’. A confident claim, but one with which I cannot disagree after tucking into a chicken, mushroom and tarragon one (Ł7.50), with proper, thick pastry not a floating, tissue papery crust on a stew that you can easily find elsewhere.”

Click here to enjoy the review in its full majesty. The hard working Graham will be pleased when we let him know...

Compute Club is One

Effinnora! Where have the last 12 month gone, eh? Well, Computer Club- our fabulous monthly retro gaming night is 1 this November, and we promise a special night of cake and some new machines to enjoy in our salubrious new home – the Salmon Rooms on the first floor of the Lass. So come and see us on November 25th to raise a glass, tuck into some cake then thrash your pals at Mario Kart.

Mental reminder; Computer Club is held on the last Tuesday of every month, bringing you the cream of vintage consoles, arcade machines and computers absolutely, 100% free!

Vworp Vworp! Event feedback and towards the future....

Crikey, that was hectic! And it looks like everyone had a great day, by the look of some glowing blog reflections that we’re particularly chuffed with. We even managed to raise Ł328.00 for MIND via a charity auction of pieces generously donated by our guests, so well done chaps!

First up to comment was the gracious Paul Cornell (http://paulcornell.blogspot.com) – a fantastic guest who had this to say on the day.

"I was delighted to be part of last weekend's Doctor Who in comics event in the Lass O'Gowrie pub in Manchester. It was actually something of a new idea: close off a pub for the day, and devote the whole downstairs space to a very focussed event about a specific fan topic. The cosy venue, the joy of the participants, and the novel nature of what they were all talking about, plus the fact that the panels had been arranged in roughly chronological order with just about everyone involved present (although we maybe could have used someone who was around in the Tides of Time era), meant that it felt like a very thorough and celebratory day. Slides coming up onscreen to illustrate the panels helped a great deal. And where else could you pop into the snug of a pub and find Lee Sullivan and D'Israeli sketching away? And hey, my old mucker Scott Gray and the highly talented Roger Langridge have just brought their Fin Fang Four series to Marvel's digital comics:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/1008...FF-online.html

The Lass, judging from the Friday night, is also a very successful mainstream pub, the eccentricities of which (a room devoted to the art of Adrian Salmon, the Salmon Room as it's called) only add to its charm. Too many old friends to note, but huge thanks for the hospitality (and the pies!) to Gareth Kavanagh, the, erm, Doctor Who fan who owns a pub. Who would have thought it? He's planning other themed events, and I think they'll be very successful. If you're in the area, do pop along, it'll be worth your while any night."

In fact, anyone who missed Paul discussing the merits of the Two Doctors with my brother, Ian missed a rare treat (“what’s the problem? Its in Seville, its got Troughton, it’s got Sontarans, it’s in Seville...).

Next up was the great John Freeman (http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.c...&max-results=5 ), sharing his thoughts on the day...

"Slipping for this post into first person mode, I had a wonderful time on Saturday at Vworp! Vworp!, a one day event at Manchester's Lass O'Gowrie pub organised by landlord Gareth Kavanagh and his dedicated team, in partnership with the Manchester Literature Festival.

Dedicated to Doctor Who in comics, the day gave me a chance to catch up with the likes of founding Doctor Who Weekly editor Dez Skinn, writer and editors Gary Russell and Scott Gray, writers Paul Cornell and Ian Edginton, artists Lee Sullivan, Matt ('Isareli) Brooker, Martin Geraghty and Adrian Salmon, feature writer John Ainsworth, as well as touch base with many other creators drawn to the event including Matthew Badham, Leon Hewitt, Barry Renshaw, Brian Gorman, Ian Cullen and others.

Despite some minor technical problems and the usual over running any jam-packed day filled with people like myself who will insist on answering a question with 50 words when 10 will do, I think most people enjoyed themselves, the whole show ably held together by writer, actor and comedian John Cooper.

Dez Skinn's opening chat, in which he proudly showed off the 'dummy' of the first ever Doctor Who Weekly and then let fans read the original, type-written scripts of the first-ever Doctor Who Weely comic strip The Iron Legion by Pat Mills and John Wagner, was just one of many delights to the event, held in one of Manchester's best-known and best-loved pubs. Ever the memory man, Gary Russell (pictured left, middle) proved a welcome lynchpin to the event since he not only remembered much of what happened during his tenure as Editor of Doctor Who Magazine (unlike me!), with Lee Sullivan and Paul Cornell also providing many enjoyable anecdotes about past comic strip creation and the history of the Doctor Who comic strip, ably assisted by John Ainsworth.

Later, Scott Gray and Martin Geraghty offered their insights on the current Doctor Who strip. Other panels included one on animated Doctor Who such as The Infinite Quest, with Jon Doyle (two-time Bafta winning Animation Producer/ Director/Artist, and founder of Firestep, the studio behind that production and others) wowing the audience with a taster of an animated version of Patrick Troughton's first ever story, Power of the Daleks -- sadly a project that it is apparently unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Torchwood also proved a talking point, with the first part of Ian Edginton and Matt Brooker's Torchwood strip out now in the new issue of Torchwood magazine - Issue 10. Unfortunately, by that time I had to wend my way home, but other reports on the event with more detail of these panels are sure to crop up on the web soon.

As a guest, I always find such events a bit like a wedding reception – there's never enough time to catch up with everyone there except in passing or while you share the stage with them. But for me, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day catching up with old friends and sharing memories of some wonderful times working on Doctor Who Magazine way back when, with some of the most talented people I know in the comics business. As I said at the top - splendid chaps, all of them. Cheers! My thanks to everyone who organised the day and I hope there's another similar event at "The Lass" in the future."

Another guest sharing his thoughts on the day included the talented yet modest Matt Brooker – a.k.a D’Israeli (http://disraaeli-demon.blogspot.com/2008/10/vworp-vworp.html)

“Only a week late, I've finally managed to upload my photos from Vworp Vworp, the Doctor Who Comics Convention at the Lass O'Gowrie pub, Manchester. It was a terrific event, small-scale, allowing fans and guests to mix and chat in a very relaxed way (for more on this see Christian-Mark Cawley's report on kasterborousblog.) Ian and I got to do a panel on our Torchwood comic (out now folks!) and the food was delicious. Thanks to Gareth for hosting the event.”

Matt’s piccies of the day are available at www.flickr.com/photos/glasseye/sets/72157608313247841/

And just so you know it’s not just the guests who had a blast, here are the reactions of one Ian M Cullen in his blog (http://scifipulse.net/?p=2455 ) who attended the event.

“This weekend I attended the Vworp Vworp Doctor Who Mini Comic Convention at the Lass O”Gowrie pub in Manchester, which featured a host of big names from the UK Comics industry. One of the many guests was Gary Russell, who has served Doctor Who in many ways over the years across the board having edited and written for Doctor Who Magazine, worked on many of the Big Finish Audio adventures, written comics for the IDW Doctor Who series - and as script editor on Torchwood.

Overall the event for me was fantastic and although the above is not exactly what you’d call an interview, it was a pleasure to actually sit down with Gary and talk about a number of subjects. Sadly like with all these events I was spread thin and wasn’t able to talk to everybody. It was fun however meeting scifipulse contributor John Freeman though we both looked much different to what we looked like when we last met Cult TV in 2002.

I hope that we see more of theses events held in Manchester because I had a blast and learned a lot about the history of Doctor Who in comic strip form.”

And last, but by no means least we have some reflections from one of our brilliant interviewers – the one and only Christian Cawley – editor in chief of www.Kasterborous.com (http://kasterborous.blogspot.com/2008/10/vworp-vworp.html )....

“So the Vworp Vworp event at The Lass O'Gowrie in Manchester as part of Manchester Literary Festival has been and gone, and while I think of some words for a proper review of the day, a few things leap out at me.

First off though, apologies to all concerned - particularly Professor Peach himself Gareth Kavanagh - for getting to this so late. I fell asleep on the train back Saturday evening, halfway through jotting notes and woke up 5 miles outside of York with a drooly, inky face. Minutes before I passed out, a very pretty girl had been looking over at me, and must have been so impressed with the snoring wreck I'm sure I became. If that was you, ma'am, I'm sorry. I'm also happily wed, so quit with the eyes!

Intimacy and common purpose - that was the secret of Vworp Vworp!'s success. Chaps from DWM, Big Finish, some TV show in Wales, Torchwood comic strip and the fans that turned up were all there, clear as to what the day was about, and what they hoped to get out of it. The pub venue is far better than the hotel function room, there's no herding of guests and fans from one room to another, and I'm sure no one asked for an autograph for anything other than the charity auction.

I was sat chatting on occasion coherently and on other occasions vaguely to people whose work I've admired for some time, while I looked over at Kasterborous' own Anthony Dry having a chat with other "fandom names".

It's hard to get the balance you know, but on the whole, larger than life or not, these people are exactly that, people. Just like you and me but with a different profession, that doesn't make them gods or geniuses or whatever superlative you want to throw. It's just that they're adept enough at their roles to be very good and make a name for themselves.

It was truly wonderful company at The Lass, from the foxy barstaff to the assembled guests, and if you didn't go, you should have done, and you definitely must make the effort next time.”

Thanks again to all of you who gave so much to make this little event something special. Looking to the future it’s increasingly likely we'll be hosting a follow-up event at the Lass come the Summer, so look out for PubCon 2: the Novels taking in target, the New Adventures, BBC Books, Novellas, Spin-offs and the current crop in our customary relaxed surroundings. As ever, more as we get it...

Oh and BTW; the accompanying zine to VV hasn't been forgotten, just postponed while I catch up with my Masters - so look out for it early December.

October 2008

2008 Christmas and Festive Buffet Menus now available

Yes it's that time of the year again, and this year's offering is real value for money! Priced at just Ł12.95 a head, our 3 course menu offers some of the best home-cooked fayre in the city!

Dates are getting snapped up quick, so don't delay! To download a PDF of our Christmas Menu, please click here.

Following feedback from you all last Christmas, we are also delighted to offer a special festive buffet at just Ł9.00 a head for those of you who want to play things a little less formal. Again, to download a PDF of our Christmas Menu, please click here.

Final Lineup for Vworp Vworp! - our very own Doctor Who Comics Convention now released.

Just a quick reminder that tickets are still available for our very first one day Doctor Who convention, held as part of the Manchester Literature Festival.

As you all doubtless know, “Vworp Vworp! Comic Book Adventures in Time and Space” will explore the highs, lows, challenges and pitfalls of creating comics based on BBC’s Doctor Who and other popular television and movie characters. Running 9:15-5pm, in a nutshell we're looking to provide a relaxed, chilled pub based event in on of Manchester's oldest and most famous pubs. It's also scandalously cheap at just Ł9.00 for adults and Ł6.50 for concessions for a whole day's panels and entertainment with some of the biggest names in the British comics scene.

Tickets are available by phone on 0870 428 0785 or online at http://www.quaytickets.com/WhatsOn/E...x?EventId=2274 (booking fees may apply). Tickets will also be available on the door on the day, so feel free to bob along and see what all the fuss is about.

Writer, actor and comedian John Cooper will be our guest MC, with the following guests also appearing, subject to work commitments; Dez Skinn, Jon Doyle, Paul Cornell, Gary Russell, Scott Gray, Martin Geraghty, Adrian Salmon, D’Israeli, Ian Edginton, Lee Sullivan, John Freeman, John Ainsworth and Tony Lee.

Further details on the panels and shape of the day can be access here.

The Salmon Rooms – our brand new first floor function suite now open for business!

Great new is this! We’re delighted to announce that our new 1st floor function suite – the Salmon Rooms will be available to hire from October 18th onwards. We’ve worked hard to restore this previously unused part of the pub, and what we’ve managed is a great rustic space with all the high tech goodness and flexibility you’ve come to demand from the Lass. We’ll have detailed specs and prices up in the private hire section of the pub very soon, but expect a space suitable for business meetings, classes, performances, private parties, screenings, do’s and all manner of goodies.

The space benefits from a private bar, it’s own Victorian WC, digital projector, 5.1 sound, Ipod dock, DVD and VCR playback, a vintage arcade machine (naturally), stage lighting and more. It really is a gorgeous room with plenty of natural sunlight and we’re expecting it to be busy!

Expect more info – including some nice photos, as we get it.

The Lass’ own comedy night - Jokein’ is nominated for the National Magners Pub Comedy Awards

Congratulations to Lisa, whose brilliant in-house comedy night – Jokein’ has successfully reached the final of a nationwide competition searching for the best comedy pub and the country’s next comic genius.

The Lass O’Gowrie, represented by local funnyman Jimmy O’Neil, will now pit its comic prowess against nine other pubs from across the country in the Magners Pub Comedy Awards final at the famous Jongleurs Comedy Club in London on 14th October 2008.

A panel of judges, including Chris Hancox from Paramount Comedy and representatives from Magners Irish Cider and The Publican Magazine, will be awarding accolades for the ‘Best Comedy Pub’ and ‘Best Pub Comedian’.

If the Lass O’Gowrie wins the ‘Best Comedy Pub’ competition, a well-known comedian will put on an exclusive performance at the pub and if Jimmy O’Neil is victorious, he could find himself performing on stage at the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival next year.

Lisa Davies, General Manager of the Lass O’Gowrie and brainchild behind Jokein’ said: “We are very proud that our pub has been nominated for the final and are relishing the challenge that lies ahead. Our venue provides great entertainment and we are delighted to have been recognised in this way.”

Jules Macken, Brand Manager at Magners Irish Cider, commented: “Pub comedy has always been a driving force behind the national comedy circuit, with many successful comedians starting off their careers at their local. At Magners we have always had a strong association with comedy through our sponsorship of broadcast channel Paramount Comedy and The Glasgow Comedy Festival, Brighton Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We are delighted to extend this further by working closely with pubs to celebrate pub comedy in a way that nobody has done before.”

We’ll be back in touch to let you know how we get on in that there London, as soon as possible! Don’t forget; Jokein’ is held on the first Saturday of every month, and the next one – due November 1st is our first birthday, so expect a cake!

New Menu for October

It’s seasonal tweaking time again! So, welcome back to old favourites like our famous Hotpot and some new treats like our wholesome Veggie Stew.

Click hereto view a PDF of our menu.

Don’t forget; our food is available seven days a week! Reservations and pre-orders can be made by email or by phone 0161 273 6932.

New Buffet Menu now available

Just a quick reminder that our new buffet menu is now available. Costing just Ł6.00 a head, it’s perfect for the Snug or our new function suite!

Click here to view a PDF of our buffet menu.

New Sketch Comedy Night launches at the Lass

Building on the runaway success of Jokein’, we’re genuinely chuffed to welcome Peter Slater and Lee Fenwick’s amazing new sketch show – “Peter and Lee” to the Lass’ new function suite.

The lads will be performing new material every month on the first Thursday of the month, meaning your first chance to savour their material will be on the 6th November.

As ever, more as we get it!

Toast Haunted

Just a quick reminder that our next Toast Live event will be held on the 31st October – Halloween! The boys promise a spooky tinge to the evening, so keep an eye on www.toastlive.co.uk for the lineup!

Lass Owner to act as Judge in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Beer Challenge

Oh it’s a difficult job, but someone’s gotta do it!

Lass co-owner, Gareth Kavanagh has been selected as a member of the judging panel charged with the very serious matter of judging the Best Beer Brewed in Greater Manchester Contest, as part of this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival.

Lovely…

Lass O’Gowrie featured as a “best practice” case study in this year’s Publican Magazine Annual Real Ale Market Report

We’re very pleased indeed to have had our hard work and innovations recognised by our peers. You can read all about our achievements in bringing real ale to our honoured German regulars here.

Click here to view Archived News

23rd December	Open as normal (kitchen open)
Christmas Eve	CLOSED
Christmas Day	CLOSED
Boxing day	Open from 5pm (kitchen closed)
27th December	Open as normal (kitchen open)
28th December	Open as normal (kitchen open)
29th December	Open as normal (kitchen open)
30th December	Open as normal (kitchen open)
New Years Eve	Closed
New Years Day	Open as normal (kitchen open)
2nd January	Open as normal