Spinningfields Ice Rink is back – with the new Moose Bar

MANCHESTER's only outdoor ice rink returns to Spinningfields on Friday 18 November, transforming the city centre into a winter wonderland. The rink has moved to Hardman Square for 2011 and this central plaza will host open-air skating and - new for this year - The Moose Bar.

The special menu will include sizzling meat platters and six fondue options – the perfect food to tuck into on chilly lunchtimes or evenings. 

You'll have the chance to take in holly arches, fairy lights and the delectable aroma of mulled wine and spiced cider as you wander through the avenues and squares of Manchester's newest quarter. It sounds like the perfect way to get into a Christmassy mood, particularly with the new Moose Bar.

Inspired by Alpine cabins and off-piste-chic, decoration that includes Chesterfield sofas will make it hard to shake that festive feeling while snacks and hot meals are set to be provided by the Street Food Collective, the same team who won the city over with their stall on Albert Square as part of the Food and Drink Festival.

The special menu will include sizzling meat platters and six fondue options – the perfect food to tuck into on chilly lunchtimes or evenings. The whole family are more than welcome to come along, making sharing a sweet or savoury fondue a special occasion whenever you get the chance.

National Cocktail finalist, Jamie Jones, is the mixologist in charge at the bar. He is one of the country's finest bar tenders, so you can expect special concoctions such as hot cocktails and festive drinks, including secret recipes for mulled wine and spiced cider. There will also be freshly roasted coffees, speciality teas, hot chocolates, juices and soft drinks to try. You don't have to buy a skating ticket to get in either.

The rink is particularly special. It's being run by the team behind the Spinningfield's recent ‘Pin-Up Bowling Lanes’ and after the success of last year's winter extravaganza, it has been voted the 3rd best in the UK. The company in charge of keeping the ice crisp is Cousins Entertainment. As the UK’s leading provider of ice rinks, they look after the ice for hit TV Show Dancing on Ice - so skaters couldn't be in safer hands. The rink is an impressive size too, able to accommodate up to 200 skaters at any one time.

Giving you the chance to get into the seasonal vibe, an afternoon or evening skating session can be combined with a drink at the bar, a celebratory meal with friends, or shopping in Spinningfield's new Avenue district. Here, you can pick up gifts and new looks from All Saints, Ted Baker, Mulberry - and many more of the city's best designer brands.

To find out more about the Spinningfields Ice Rink including special events and offers, click here. There is a separate website for the Moose Bar too. Click here for more.

Spinningfields Ice Rink and the Moose Bar open Monday 18 November 2011 until Monday 2 January 2012 and it's open daily (with holiday closures) from 9am to 10.45pm. Standard tickets for adults cost £8.50, £7/50 (concs), children aged 8-12, £6, aged 4-7, £5 and a family ticket is £24. There are further discounts for groups. Visit the website for full details and holiday opening times.