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Taurus Life
Having unpacked and freshened up it was off in the Canal St. direction to “clear the dust”, stopping en-route to book a table at the Mongolian restaurant. We had a drink in a couple of bars and ended up in The Taurus. For some reason I’d not been in on my previous visits; I now know to my cost. Even by Canal St. standards The Taurus is probably the friendliest bar/restaurant I’ve been in. Not just us, everyone is made to feel welcome and special. Being an “out and about” transvestite I soon started regretting not bringing any female clothes with me, but hey it was an us weekend!! Sara had told me to pack enough for a night or two out, so my fault not hers. Whilst we were having our 2nd drink (or was it the forth?) Sara set me a challenge. While she was at work the next day (Friday) I should buy everything I needed to grace Manchester with my female presence. One drawback was a suitable wig. No problem, the guys behind the bar and Roberta, a Tgirl we’d just met, pointed me in the right direction. The following morning, Sara went off to work and I hit the streets. Four hours later and a bit of a dent in my credit card, I was suitably kitted out. Having seen how nice the food was in the Taurus, we’d booked a table for the evening, so after a drink in the room whilst getting ourselves glammed up, we made tracks. Once again a really friendly welcome, (different staff from the previous night) and a relaxing atmosphere. For some reason Sara seemed on edge and was, by her standards, drinking fairly quickly. Also she’s normally keen to eat after one or two drinks, but tonight she was happy to have a few. Being a smoker I disappeared outside on a regular basis and each time I returned I could feel an awkwardness about Sara’s conversation, but put it down to her busy day and being tired. Off I go for a smoke again, but this time on my return, between where Sara and I were sitting, an ice bucket containing a bottle of Champagne and two flutes were on the bar??????????? Simon, the barman, pointed out to me that mine contained a note. I unrolled a scrap of till roll and written on it was “Darling I love you loads, WILL YOU MARRY ME”. I immediately said YES and we were greeted by cheers and applause. Unbeknown to me, Sara had confided in the staff (Iain and Simon) and Roberta, that as it was February 29th she wanted to propose. They helped with how best to do it and the Champagne plot was hatched. However, Sara was not confident of what my answer would be and was nervous to say the least. It transpired that each time I went for a smoke she downed a large G&T for Dutch courage. Getting me to buy my female outfit was also part of her plan; she wanted me to be en-femme when she proposed to show she absolutely accepts my cross-dressing. We never did eat. We carried on with the Shampoo with a promise we’d return Saturday, then stumbled back to the hotel. I bought her an engagement ring on Saturday and we managed to stay sober enough to eat at the Taurus (The food was delicious) Roberta took a couple of pics on her mobile and we had a good fun night. We’ve now set the date (August 23rd 2008) and decided that, as we’ve both been married before, to do the Registry Office and a small group of mainly family and a few close friends, then throw a party on the Sunday before jetting off into the sunset. Oh, I’ve had to concede that Sara wears the dress that day (lol) but I shall glam up for the party. Both Sara and I would like to express our gratitude to Iain
, his staff and the regulars for the warmth they showed us on what
turned out to be a very special weekend. We regularly receive letters of thanks from our customers. Here is a small selection:-
We would like to express our sincere thanks to you and all your staff who helped to make the meal for our Civil Partnership Ceremony a success. The meal was lovely and everyone involved was professional, helpful, and courteous. We are so pleased we chose Taurus as the venue for our very special day. We would especially like to say thank you to Ricky. What a star. From the moment he took our booking we knew we had made the right choice. He was so helpful, organised, and professional in the way he dealt with all our requirements. He helped us plan the meal, the seating layout, made suggestions, and he was always approachable. He gave us confidence that we were in very capable hands, which was a great relief as the day drew nearer and we had several other aspects of the day to organise. The food was fantastic, the table was well laid out, and the choice of background music was also fitting. Several of our guests commented to us how well the meal was presented, from the menu choices available to the helpfulness of the staff. It is a testament to how professionally Ricky did his job that everyone enjoyed the meal at Taurus. We appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into making the meal part of such a memorable day for us. Thank you all so much, and especially a big thanks to Ricky. Dear Iain, I was in Taurus on Saturday with my mum and family... my mum who is not feeling 100% left her handbag on the back of her chair. She didn't realise this until about 11:30 that evening. I called Taurus and asked if they had seen it or if any one had handed it in. Your staff were friendly, reassuring and calming Luckily for my mum someone had found the bag and handed it in, with nothing missing. I called to collect the bag the following day, and once again your staff were friendly and supportive. They came out to see my mum. They would not accept a gift of a drink, but I would like to pass on my thanks and praise to your staff who were brilliant. Many, many thanks for your efforts to make our Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil that bit more comfortable. Everybody enjoyed the food and drink (of course!) and were impressed by Taurus's inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Please thank all the management and staff on our behalf - we'll see you again soon. With love, Felix and Dave of MORF. X X Hi Iain, Polly & all the staff, A very big THANK YOU for helping make our 21st Party such a success. All the Volunteers at Icebreakers. Dear Iain and Mike. About 22 of us turned up in the end. And a good time was had by all :-) -And in fact, your staff had to add 2 extra tables. You never know, one day we maybe using the basement private room. As usual, the food, service and atmosphere was excellent. Can you
thank all your staff for their hard work. Run Toto Run and Risa Hall at Taurus Dressed in polka-dot top, fancy hat and rock 'n' roll leather boots, Risa Hall strode on stage and calmly eased us into a set that was, at once, lyrically courageous, musically eclectic and moving compositions. 'Ethereal Waters' is her stand-out track, performed with genuine inspiration and complimented perfectly by her remarkable flutist, Vicki Martin. It’s not her only highlight though; 'Missing You' is filled with string, wood, red wine clarity and candlelit subjectivity. Overall, it’s a beautiful performance and one which guided a delighted audience gently into the surreal and delicate world of our next performers - as Run Toto Run (or Rachael Kichenside, as the world previously knew her). Run Toto Run (c) Laura Pearson Rachael has presence, her smile could melt the hardest of hearts, but more importantly, her music gathers up your emotions and carries you gently along with the most delightful of voices and the most eloquent of lyrics. It is hard to pinpoint any one particular moment or defining favourite, as the whole thing flows from instrument to instrument and from song to song like a Monet-painted haze. It is clever music which leaves you feeling recharged and ever so relaxed, so spellbound that it was almost enough to leave the audience as prisoners forever in the comfy sofas that adorned this fantastic basement venue. Only almost though, as the impetus to go out and buy Run Toto Run’s records – and experience this beauty at home – was just enough to awaken us from the dream. A
home from home
Alex Eyre Manchester Evening News. Friday 24/ 1/2008 (click here to read original article) IT'S January, you're skint and the weather's miserable. The last thing you want is to drag your dishevelled New Year finery out of the wash basket and head out for an expensive night at some fashionable new bar which, let's be honest, may or may not live up to the hype. No - instead of glitzy surroundings and pricey drinks, the thing to coax you out of self-imposed hibernation will be something a bit friendlier and lower key. In these trying times, when your credit card's stretched to the limit and the memory of your New Year's Day hangover is fresh in your mind, it's comfy couches, smiling faces and value-for-money food and drink that really appeals. Home from homes, if you will, and, luckily, Manchester has several of these boltholes. Every reader will have a favourite: Atlas, Odd, the original Kro, take your pick. For CityLife's part, our pick of the bunch is Canal Street stalwart Taurus: an independent bar that celebrates seven years in business this year. What makes it so special isn't the décor, which has a distinctly DIY aesthetic, but the service, which is impeccable. The bar team follow the example set by Taurus' welcoming owner/ operators Iain Scott and Mike `Polly' Pollard - themselves strong contenders for the title of Manchester's best hosts. Friendly, chatty, professional and fun, they also manage the holy grail of waiting staff: there exactly when you need them and not when you don't. Taurus' food and drink is far from cutting edge but it's good quality and reasonably priced. The cocktail list includes Long Island Iced Teas, Zombies and Mojitos. But the order of the day here is unpretentious fun, not modern mixology. And their tasty Strawberry Daiquiri (see right) is comfort food in a glass. Busy without being a madhouse, friendly without being over-the-top and a huge success without being arrogant - there's no better place to beat the late January blues. Risa
Hall and Aron Paul,
At long last I broke my two-month late summer drought of gig going (although there are plenty of gigs now in the pipeline for this autumn). My friend Risa rocks and that's a fact! With a new guitarist, Lol, her band's sound has been really lifted into something more upbeat and expansive. Risa has a great range of material - folk, jazz, rock, alt-pop, funk - you name it, she does it. Whatever the genre though, her songs are heartfelt and she sings them with style and panache - and always with an impressive stage presence. There were some great vocal gymnastics too in an Ella Fitzgerald-sounding number. I look forward to a cd one day Risa and it was great to meet up with some of your friends. The downstairs room at Taurus was a chilled place as was Risa's support - the excellent Aron Paul. With his cool voice and deft guitar playing, he made a big impact with his soul vibe helped along with the excellent mix of instruments in his band (bongos, electric bass and electric violin). A special mention must be made of his feisty violinist and her superb playing Taurus is a bustling
chill zone
Liz Mutch--Manchester Evening News. Friday, 24th March 2006 (click here to read original article) TAURUS has established itself as a great community resource in the Gay Village. With chameleon-like charm, it wears many hats for the Canal Street regulars and visitors from everywhere. Acting as a bustling meeting place, Taurus is a world away from the zen-like spaces of saccharin smiles and overwrought interior design that can alienate many potential customers. Taurus is an intimate place across two levels. The main bar is multicoloured and Mediterranean-influenced, with a mass of tables and chairs, fairylights adorning the ceiling and various pot plants. A seated level overlooks the canal and is perfect for people-watching, while towards the bar there are several Chesterfields to chill out on. It is a comfort zone and has the feel of a mate's sitting room. Downstairs is the Joseph Perrier Champagne Lounge, which is available for private functions, screenings and theatre shows, many of which are highly acclaimed fringe productions. Owner Ian Scott is dedicated to environmental improvements within both bar and the Canal Street community, and for that alone his attitude should be applauded. The bar recycles glass and cardboard and he makes a concerted effort to lobby others to do so. Initiatives Ian is also an enthusiastic advocate of local social enterprise, local talent and events. The bar has regular art showcases and at the moment Taurus are urging regulars to support the release of a Turkish political prisoner. Just in time for spring, a new restaurant menu has been launched, featuring a great selection of traditional and vegetarian meals. The quality of the food is above normal bar fare and certainly worth a sample. Ranging from seafood hollandaise for starters, to beef bourguignon or lasagne for mains, the menu is diverse and great value. Dine out on a Sunday and you can get two courses for £7.95. The charismatic Polly, front-of-house supreme diva, has his own happy hour 4-7pm daily when you can slurp away on cocktails for a mere £3 or order in the champers at £20 a bottle. There is also a selection of wine at £5.50. If you want something more from your bar than just glamorous good looks, then Taurus is bound to satisfy |
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What started as a business trip for my partner Sara ended in a life
changing experience!!!! Having to travel up from Newbury (Berks)
to Manchester to run a training course, Sara didn’t have to
bludgeon me into accompanying her. Manchester is a wicked place
to visit and having been to the last three Sparkle weekends, I decided
it would be silly not to make a weekend of it (one nights hotel paid
by the client).