There’s a truck with a natural wine bar inside parked up in Manchester city centre for the summer.
Run by a group of four friends determined to “take something that’s been on a pedestal for so long, and [kick] it the f*ck off”, this is no imposing wine store. Far from it.
This is a place where everyone is made to feel welcome, no matter how great (or small) their wine knowledge.
As the lads behind the concept tell us, “The bodega is here to defuse that wine stigma. If you want red wine with fish do it, if you want to eat a big mac with a glass of orange, get it.”
Inspired by their love of hip-hop icons like Action Bronson and the all-encompassing community culture of New York’s bodegas, Vin De Bodega has been running for just over a year.
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Image: The Manc Eats
After launching a popular online-only wine delivery service during lockdown, founders Rick Farthing, Jack ‘Gus’ Surplus, Eoghan Neburagho and Razz Ashraf began hosting pop-ups across the city at different venues.
Now, they’ve parked up a truck beneath Quay Street’s ABC Buildings for the summer – dishing out handpicked low-intervention goods every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm.
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All four have other jobs, having first started the Bodega as a passion project in 2020.
Between them, they have a mixture of hospitality experience – Rick and Eoghan have done nearly a decade in the industry, whilst we hear that Raz and Jack “haven’t had the pleasure of putting an apron on and doing a 12-hour shift frot of house.”
Image: The Manc Eats
Still, they insist that having a team on both sides of the spectrum allows them to see things from different angles – and we’re inclined to agree. It’s no bad thing.
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They told The Manc: “We select the wine that speaks to us. Not just the taste, but where it comes from, how it’s made, and who it’s made by. Not every wine we choose will appeal to everyone, but we’re confident in our taste.
“Wine’s known for being expensive (like expensivem expensive), and that alone adds to this ‘elitist’ view.
“I guess, when it comes to the Bodega, we try our best to keep the products on our level, what we’d say about this juice that’d make it appeal to us, and our friend groups, and their friend group”
And on the subject of how New York has influenced their concept, they add:
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“We have all traveled out there and experienced the bodegas and how they operate, from the characters that pass through to the cheap meals that the block depends on. We just felt like Manchester and New York culture have a lot in common with each other.
“New York culture has always influenced us, from the music, the fashion and the food. But, the community culture of a bodega is like no other. It’s a neighbourhood institution where everybody is welcome, and that’s what we wanted the bodega to be.”
Adding that, for now, they’re not particularly fussed about launching a brick-and-mortar concept, they say that they’re on the lookout for more pop-up opportunities going forward – so watch this space.
You can find the Bodega truck at 21-23 Quay St, Manchester M3 4AE every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
News
Elbow teams up with Co-op Live to donate equipment to Manchester grassroots venues
Thomas Melia
Bury band Elbow have joined forces with Manchester’s biggest indoor arena, Co-op Live, in aid of supporting local grassroots venues.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.
A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.
Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.
“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.
“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”
Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps
In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.
Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.