Following Who’s The Goose’s 1st birthday event at Mint Lounge, on Oldham St. in the Northern Quarter, Skiddle.com have published a top-notch review of the night.

The night was headlined by Glasgow’s trending grime and trance artist, Russell Whyte, aka Rustie, and according to Skiddle’s review Mason’s in-house sound system truly did him justice…

“The chin-stroking contingent of bass music nights like tonight are notable by their absence. In part, Whyte has Mint Lounge’s colossal soundsystem to thank; no venue in town can translate both the depth and clarity of his album to big speakers in such a way: you’d struggle to find a venue of Mint Lounge’s size that simultaneously accommodates both the crunching bass and delicate melodies that make up the likes of ‘Death Mountain’.”

High praise I think you’ll find – and justified too! A Turbosound system consisting of 3-way 12″ TQ-445 speakers gives great fidelity to the sound and twin-18″ TSW-718 sub-bass units provide some impressive bass to back it up. Why not head down and find out for yourself at one of their many successful nights.

Due to open this month (July 11) The Pointing Dog restaurant and bar in Cheadle Hulme looks to set the standards in venue renovation.

On the site of what was ‘The Smithy’ pub the restaurateurs Ged Lynch and Neil Lawrence, who are responsible for the Felicini chain of Italian restaurants across the region, have completely transformed what was a worn out old drinking hole into a first-rate modern dining establishment.

The draw of the site was always the large expanse of grounds that came with the venue and they have expanded and extended the original building into some of this space, creating a multi-function dining and drinking space, whilst still retaining the open feel that the site held.

Use of natural materials throughout gives the venue an earthy, grounded feel with exterior wood paneling working and blending with the natural stone and timber used in the extensively landscaped grounds. Wood-burning stoves, stone tiles and exposed wood beams all create the feeling that this building has always been here, in this form, but the almost 360° floor-to-ceiling windows and light-filled glass-roofed dividing atrium let you know that this is definitely a modern-designed space.

Menus and opening date to come…

The Odd empire are currently putting the finishing touches to an extension to their original venue Odd Bar on Thomas St in the Northern Quarter.

They’re expanding upwards into the floor above their existing bar, giving them increased capacity and a great view out onto Thomas St itself.

Masons have been drafted in to extend their sound and video systems with the space being destined for use by DJs and a digital projector and screen also being installed for showing movies.

The current basement area is being taken out with the space being used to accommodate a larger kitchen and cellar to service the larger capacity of the venue.

The space is due to open in a couple of weeks time with some of the decor taking a Japanese theme, so come down and be one of the first to test out they’re new space and see what you think.

Dry Bar’s newly expanded and reopened basement, ‘Dry Live’, has just received a massive shot in the arm in the form of a huge Martin Audio sound system courtesy of Masons Sound.

Boasting an impressive line up of 4x Martin Audio H3H+ horn-loaded top boxes and 4x Martin Audio WS218X high output sub-bass units, this is a system that means business. Whether its DJs or live music, this is a system that can offer all the punch and growl that you’d ever need.

Not only that, but by utilising Martin Audio’s range of high-powered yet discrete, switch mode powered, Powersoft-engineered amplifiers, the entire system is run from just 4u of rack equipment, which sits quietly in the corner of their office. No large, hot and noisy amp rack here – just 27kW of power from 3u of amps!