Whoops and cheers ring out across the bustling Stevenson Square, packed with revellers waving their arms on a sunny Saturday. Many rush over with their mobile phones taking photos and videos as if a major celebrity has walked into the Northern Quarter.
But no, there is no visiting VIP here, this is the reaction when the rather extraordinary-looking Manchester Party Bike trundles into view around the city centre. I'm on board for the first ride of the day on a sun-soaked Saturday in Manchester and what a joy it is.
It's quite incredible the reaction there has already been to this adapted vehicle - where ten of us pedal away while Manc party tunes ring out - from the onlooking public. Some may have seen similar party bikes in other European cities in recent years, but this is the first time such a thing has come to Manchester.
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But hey, who needs Berlin, Belfast or Magaluf as a backdrop when we've got the sun beating down in Manchester? And the packed streets of the Northern Quarter to entertain us on our leisurely pedal?
The MCR Party Bike is the brainchild of two Manc entrepreneurs - Stuart Smith and Shane Steenson. Having both run bars in Spain for several years, they had seen how popular the party bike concept had been in other cities and thought it was high time to bring it to Manchester.
They've only been operating for the past few Saturdays in the city centre, but already the reaction has knocked their socks off. The MEN first reported on the bike earlier this week, and after that article Stuart laughs: "I haven't slept since".
They've now got bookings right into August for the bike, as pals delight in the idea of cycling around the city streets while sipping on their bring-you-own booze. The concept itself is pretty simple - you jump onto one of the eight adapted cycle seats on the milk-float-like structure, and there's a convenient wooden ledge with a hole where you can stick your plastic pint pot.
You can take your own drinks but, naturally, are encouraged to drink responsibly and if you've had too much before you head on board you won't be allowed on. The structure is steered by either Shane or Stuart who are the responsible driver on board throughout the day and they are the ones in control of the brakes!
There is also space for two at the back for those who may not fancy, or feel able, to pedal along with the rest of the group. You need a minimum of six people on board to get it powered up on the journey - although having had a go on Saturday, I can confirm it's relatively easy peddling along.
Indeed, on my trip given there was 18 legs all pedalling away at once I thought we might have built up a bit more momentum. Yet hilariously we never got to a speed to match, say, a passing baby buggy to be honest.
It was all part of the laugh of it all though. And what a laugh. I don't think any of us stopped smiling on our journey - and what a joy it was to look out on the streets of Manchester and see so many people smiling and waving back at us too.
Even as a bus overtook us, the faces of all the shocked passengers on board was worth the £10 ticket alone. Then as we trundled on to the hectic Great Ancoats Street for a short section of the journey we laughed some more as everyone from taxis to white van men beeped and waved as we continued our frantic pedalling.
The soundtrack on board also helped give it all a suitable Manchester party flavour. On our trip we had the likes of James' Sit Down, The Inspiral Carpets' This is How It Feels to Be Lonely, Oasis' Champagne Supernova, James' Laid... the bangers just kept on coming as we made our way slowly, so slowly, around the Northern Quarter streets.
The journey itself heads on a short loop around the Northern Quarter, starting on Hilton Street next to the Corner Boy bar, through Stevenson Square up to Great Ancoats Street and back down Oldham Street. There's a couple of pit stops along the way too to rest legs and recharge the plastic cups if required.
On my journey, I joined a party of friends from Liverpool and Warrington who welcomed me into their revels for the occasion. Daniel Brazier, 29, from Liverpool said they decided to give it a go as a "warm up" to their day of celebrations in the city centre.
He said: "It's only a short trip so it's like a warm up for the day and a bit of a laugh. It puts everyone in the party frame of mind for the rest of the day."
Paris Ventour, a Coronation Street scriptwriter, was also on board and praised the feelgood vibes. He said: "There’s so much pain and suffering in the world, but on this bike, there’s none of that."
Well, quite. Although I have to admit I did bash my knee a bit as I furiously cycled along at the front of the bike - trying not to let the rest of the side down of course.
The MCR Party Bike trips can be booked at hourly intervals from 1pm to 8pm on Saturdays only at the moment, through their Facebook page. Both Stuart and Shane have day jobs through the week, so for the moment this is just a passion project in their spare time.
But with such huge interest in the bike already they haven't ruled out increasing the trips over the summer months. Stuart says they are continuing to look at ways to adapt and improve the bike - having just added seat rests on the backs of the bike seats when I headed out on Saturday.
Stuart, 51, from Monton, and Shane, 33, from Mossley, had previously told me that it was "like they'd won the Oscars" when they drove the bike into Stevenson Square - and having seen it for myself they were not wrong. It's what has made it such a joy for the pals to do this.
Stuart smiles: "Honestly seeing people smiling and waving is just the best feeling. We are so happy people are loving it."
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