The Warner after party was attended by the likes of AJ Odudu, Nick Grimshaw and Vogue Williams
Calling one of the lavish events held after the BRIT Awards in Manchester an afterparty would perhaps undersell it a fair bit as it started hours before the ceremony itself.
Music label Warner, who have artists like PinkPantheress, Ed Sheeran and Liam Gallagher on their roster, began their celebrations on Saturday (February 28) in true style, naturally, by hopping on board an 1940s upholstered train known as a favourite of the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Pullman Train, travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, was boarded by the likes of Beth Ditto, Geri Halliwell’s daughter Bluebell Horner, Nick Grimshaw, Jaime Winston and Liam Gallagher’s eldest son Lennon Gallagher in time to make it to Co-op Live for the big ceremony.
Held in Manchester for the first time in its history, the awards featured performances from the likes of Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Mark Ronson with Dua Lipa with big winners on the night including Sam Fender, Noel Gallagher and Rosalia. When it came to to the Warner afterparty, held with Hennessy, a lavish and extravagant event was held at Cut and Craft on Mosley Street in the city centre, which is based within a Grade II* listed former banking hall.
Tailored to a 24 Hour Poodles Party theme, aimed at bring British eccentricity together with Manchester’s clubbing legacy, featuring a five-metre-tall poodle installation at the entrance, the inside of the venue was turned into an extravagant poodle parlour with oversized poodle inflatables, marble finishes, glam bots, and a special poodle-motif carpet which had been put in specifically for the event. Topping off the dog theme, there were archival images of cultural icons with their dogs, including Davie Bowie and Winston Churchill.
The likes of Dua Lipa, Gene Gallagher, Vogue Williams, The Good Wife actress Cush Jumbo, Saltburn actor Archie Madekwe, comedian Munya Chawawa, and TV presenter AJ Odudu, who wowed in a bejewelled bodice were in attendance at the event. Throughout the night, Groove Armada, G2, Dua Lipa’s brother Gjin Lipa with Tommy Gold, and Romeo Beckham’s DJ girlfriend Kim Turnbull took turns on the decks for special sets at the lavish invite-only bash featuring immersive lighting and laser displays.
The bar also featured a hedonistic basement club from Manchester collective Suns of Acid, made up of Happy Mondays star Bez’s sons Arlo and Jack. Bez was also in attendance at the event, alongside other stars including Megan McKenna, Kojey Radical, Celeste, Jamie Laing, Beth Ditto, Ms. Banks, Talia Storm, Montana Brown, Sheila Atim and Amber-Rose Gill.
Barry Can’t Swim, Corinna Brown, Nick Grimshaw, Rachel Chinouriri, Daniel W. Fletcher, Tinea Taylor, James Blunt, Corbin Shaw and Elizabeth Hurley’s model son Damian Hurley were also spotted attending the luxurious party. Lennon Gallagher was also spotted at the event alongside girlfriend Isobel Richmond as they soaked up the atmosphere.
Alongside a drinks menu of Champagne and bespoke Hennessy cocktails, guests were treated to a selection of exclusively-created canapés, including a Lancashire hotpot croquette with lamb jus aioli, Bury black pudding mac n cheese with mustard aioli and shaved horseradish, a buttered brioche crab roll and parmesan and truffle polenta with fillet tartare topped with caviar. Following the event, the venue will reopen to the public on Monday (March 2).
Darioush Shahidi, operations director at The Cut & Craft, said: “Hosting one of The Brits official after parties at The Cut & Craft is a dream come true for us all. We’re honoured to be hosting such an important event within our first year of opening. The city feels electric. It’s such an incredible accolade for Manchester to be the host city, and we feel so lucky to be part of the celebrations.”
In addition, other afterparties were held across the city to mark the first time the prestigious music ceremony was held in Manchester in its 46 year history. Hosted by Jack Whitehall, this year’s trophy, designed by Matthew Williamson, also featured a nod to Manchester with a design inspired by the city’s worker bee mascot.


