RUM PUNCH in the afternoon might be a treat reserved for your summer holidays. But here in the North, reggae lovers are enjoying the Caribbean flavour during the day, along with a whole host of other activities.
Held bi-weekly at secret locations, the reggae brunch is the brainchild of London-based events management company, Xclusive Touch.
VIBE
Along with a three-course Jamaican meal, resident DJs and special guests maintain the vibe with reggae, soca, calypso, reggaeton, bashment, Afrobeats, soul and ska hits.
Xclusive Touch directors, Van Squire, Julian Holder and Robbie Cave have tapped into an undiscovered market for reggae-inspired parties combined with good Caribbean food and a chilled vibe.
“We wanted to create something that wasn’t just purely for the social aspect, but to create an all-sensory experience,” said Van.
“We noticed that there was an emerging market for daytime drinking concepts with party goers more frequently wanting to eat when they’re out.
“With us all loving the carnival, Caribbean culture, it seemed natural to make that open and accessible to everyone. So, everyone can experience a little piece of that.”
Taking place in Manchester, London and Birmingham with scope for expansion further a field, the Brunch speciality has become increasingly popular, with guests enjoying the party atmosphere complete with dancing competitions and Reggaeoke – a Caribbean twist on karaoke.
Events manager Chè Howe said: “Everyone is genuinely really happy at the brunches. It’s such high-energy and quite positive. It’s like a small piece of Notting Hill Carnival in a room.
“There is a sense of solidarity among everyone and it’s almost like a big family party.” The brunches attract a mixed demographic with people of all ages and races attending from across the North West.
And as this new generation of daytime party-goers demand more, Che claims that they are responding by “expanding the reggae brunch specialities and themes”.
“In London we have a reggae brunch boat party,” he added. “It’s a party event on a boat where we serve bottomless rum punch and we have performers.
RANGE
“We also have a beach party at Brixton Jamm and that’s what we’d like to do in Manchester as we haven’t done any of that here.”
Guests choose from a range of different packages for the event.
They can enjoy the whole Caribbean experience with bottomless punch and a three-course meal or opt for the party only. In addition, there are birthday and hen and stag packages.
Food is provided by Manchester eatery, Dougy’s Caribbean Takeaway.
The family-run business has been established for almost 30 years, catering for many high-profile events in the city, as well as supporting local community initiatives.
Typical dishes such as jerk chicken with rice and peas are served up alongside less traditional menu choices, such as the vegetarian option of chickpea and pumpkin curry with Caribbean roti and pumpkin fritters.
Discerning reggae lovers who want to keep up with the action should take a look at the website reggaebrunch.co.uk. The events sell out quickly, so for future brunches on September 7 and 21 and October 5 and 10 be sure to act fast.
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