The About Page
(or my experiences in Manchester during my times with digital web companies)
Usually in the About section/page is a short blurb about the person, but I’ve decided to go a different route. I’ve elected to talk about some of the different places I’ve been to in Manchester on outings with companies I’ve worked for and maybe throw in some stories too. I’ve also included the dates here as I was trying to remember if Dusk Til Pawn had bottles of whiskey on the back self and Googled the place. I came across the Trustpilot reviews and seen some negative ones, so it’s a case of “your experience may vary” if you decide to visit any of the places mentioned.
Coffeepot Digital based on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton
Job title: SEO Executive
Date: 2014
A few times there were occasions where we’d have lunch at Electrik bar, where light drinking would occur. I’m a bit of a lightweight, so I got a new appreciation of black coffee. But that wasn’t the only place we tried in Chorlton, there was a bar called The Bar (now known as Chorlton Tap) that once had a chef who would cook a choice of 3 options – a meat dish, a fish dish and a vegetarian dish. These dishes would change daily and it was the first time that I couldn’t decide between the fish dish and the vegetarian one. The food was really nice no matter what I got. It was also the first time where I had FOMO (fear of missing out) when I saw the other dish, despite really enjoying my own choice. Around the same time a new place had opened up nearby, the staff at the bar had some animosity toward the chef and we decided to check them out. Unfortunately the both times we went, the new place took far longer to serve the food. I don’t recall us visiting that place again.
In the Chorlton office, I don’t recall many times we did go out for after work social but on the times we did, there were visits to places like Turkish Delight and Panicos on Barlow Moor Road, near what used to be called, “the 4 banks”. Both were great for that takeaway kebab – my go-to being the halloumi kebab!
Coffeepot Digital’s new office in The Hive, Manchester
Job title: SEO Executive
Date: 2015 – 2017
This was the first time I went to The Crystal Maze Experience, situated close by to the Science and Industry museum. I’d heard about it and I was a fan of the show, apart from the Ed Tutor Pole runs, but it was something that I thought I’d never be able to go to. It was a great night and was something that I definitely did go back to.
We did do a few more work socials this time around, one of the favoured bars being Dusk Til Pawn – a prohibition themed small bar in Stevenson Square. One occasion I recall either a discussion about a Coffeepot themed cocktail and/or a test trial one. Looking back at one of the pictures of that night, with the possible test drink, I’m not sure who was more drunk. The camera or the operator?
As a side hobby I do a bit of game development and Manchester hosted their first game jam at The Hive, called JAMchester. It was a weekend event starting on Friday night. The owner of Coffeepot suggested that I used the office to sleep in as a way of saving money. We had a nice couch there, the office was secure and the windows were about 60 – 70% “frosted” making it hard to see in. It was a bit of a weird experience when you heard revellers going home for the night, going right past your office window and I’m at ground level but again it was secure and the weekend was a great one.
Mosquito based on Lever Street, near Piccadilly Gardens
Job title: PHP Developer
Date: 2017 – 2021
Around the run up to Christmas time/December, Mosquito would do a half day event where we’d get together as a company to do a fun activity and then get ready for the Christmas meal. The first year was The Crystal Maze Experience – by this point I’d already done The Crystal Maze twice, so I was happy to go again. I think this was the occasion where the “guide” broke character when he saw my Aliens t-shirt and we briefly geeked out a bit. The 2nd year was one of those Escape the Rooms type of places, which I think was in the Northern Quarter. It was good and I’ve never done something like that before. The last year, before the company joined with CTi Digital, was combat archery by The Archertype in Ardwick. This was a lot of fun, running around and trying to avoid being “shot”.
One special mention is a cafe I would frequent, near the office, called Foundation Coffee House. On the occasions I’d get a coffee from coffee shops, I usually go for a mocha. However, when I asked the staff at Foundation, I got a weird option: normal, dark or white chocolate. Being a fan of dark chocolate I chose that, but the bitterness of the dark chocolate with the bitterness of the coffee didn’t sit well in my palate. The next time I asked for white chocolate. That quickly became the favourite as the flavours mixed very well together. So next time you’re there, make sure to try the white mocha!
CTi Digital based in Ancoats, Manchester.
Job title: PHP Developer
Date: 2021 – 2024
CTi Digital organised a company pool tournament at 7 Sins near Stevenson Square. I’d not played pool in a while and I was kind of looking forward to it. I prepped by playing some online pool to remind myself of the positioning of certain shots as well as where you hit the cueball to get effects like backspin etc. On the night I decided to stay sober to help with focus, except, I got knocked out on the first game by potting the black on a rebound shot. So after that I started drinking whilst playing a couple more games with the person I’d lost against and did manage to win. I also beat the overall winner of the pool tournament in a friendly game. I do wonder if there’s a sweet spot whilst drinking where your playing improves enough that you’re not spending too much time second guessing and just having that drunken confidence to just go for it.
Networking Events – Manchester Hospitality Network
Job Title: Freelance/Contract Web Developer
Date: 2024
I’ve been going to a few networking events since I’ve started freelancing. Most are usually hosted at one place but Manchester Hospitality Network always has something different each month. I started going in March with the first event hosted at Be at One on Deansgate right at the back of the building. There was quite a few people there offering services for hospitality, such as, christmas crackers producers, upholstery, neon sign makers etc, as well as people from the hospitality sector itself.
The second event was at House of Fu on Portland street, near Fab Cafe. It had karaoke rooms, tables for beer pong and an area near the bar for people to chat. Speaking of beer pong, that reminds me of a time when I was with Mosquito where I first played it on one of the outings. It’s a fun game but having to drink the half and half of beer and cider as a forfeit? Ewww.
May’s event was in Manchester’s Arndale, in one of the new leisure spots called Urban Playground. It has an impressive indoor mini golf setup and the food did include veggie burgers. The only downside was being charged over £6 for a pint.
I was away for the July event but August brought me to Maya on Chorlton street. It’s a nice little bar with toilets that have disposable hand towels (I don’t mean the paper kind).
The last event I’ve been to (at the time of writing this) was the September one hosted at Raft in the Spinningfields area of Manchester.
