Hidden inside a Manchester city centre apartment complex there is a stunning wine bar serving up some gorgeous vintages alongside thoughtfully put-together small plates.
Called The Beeswing, it has been open for over a year but its hard-to-find location means it’s still flying way under the radar.
Accessed via a secret lift in the middle of the Kampus waterside garden – overlooking both the canal and Manchester’s gay village – inside you’ll find a well-run bar and kitchen serving up a carefully selected list of wines alongside a mostly vegetarian menu of sharing plates.
Inside, it’s all sleek gray walls and exposed light fittings with a large suntrap terrace that we’re sure drinkers will be clamouring to once the sun deigns to poke its head out again.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Owner Anna is a real veteran of the wine scene, having worked at the likes of Blossom St Social, Reserve and Hanging Ditch over the years, as well as running her own wine bar at Hatch before the pandemic hit.
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Serving up wines by the bottle and the glass as well as special wine tasting flights, which give customers the chance to sample any three wines from the menu for £15, owner Anna acknowledges she is well versed in the Manchester wine scene but says the most important thing is ‘knowing which wines aren’t sh*t’.
On her carefully put-together wine list, you’ll find a zesty orange Pet Nat Curtido and a ripe and fruity red Dao Cota, both from Portugal, alongside crowd pleasers such as a low intervention Circumstance South African Sauvignon Blanc and elegant Champagne Lallier Grande Réserve Brut.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
On the food menu, meanwhile, discover a fragrant (and perfectly presented) carrot tartare with orange puree, crispy marinated tofu with raw salad, and munchable mini fish koftas served with dill and samphire.
Elsewhere, further plates include the likes of Merguez sausage on flatbread with yoghurt, a spicy chilli jam and finely cut cucumber ribbons, alongside roast new potatoes with oregano, crispy onions, salsa verde, aioli and harissa.
Well worth seeking out, this is currently one of the city’s best-kept secrets – but we don’t expect it will stay that way for long.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Manchester
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? named biggest UK studio album EVER by Official Charts
Danny Jones
You’re damn right: Oasis continue to be MASSIVE as new figures from the Official Charts Company have confirmed that (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? has clocked in as the biggest UK studio album of all time.
The Britpop icons and history go hand in hand.
Yes, according to the latest numbers by our domestic chart-crunchers, only two other albums surpassed Oasis‘ second LP – and they’re both greatest hits collections.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 22 July, just over a whole year on from those reunion world tour shows at Heaton Park. How fitting.
Starting off by channelling Liam Gallagher energy and quipping that “Oasis vibes are in the area”, they go on to explain the colossal cumulative record.
“Oasis claim one of the biggest honours in British music history, they write, “as (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is named the UK’s Official biggest studio album of all time, according to new Official Charts Company data.”
Combining UK sales of the record – both physical and digital over the years – along with modern streaming statistics, the sophomore outing from the Britpop giants has amassed approximately 6.2 million UK chart units. Staggering stuff.
Last year’s Live ’25 shows have no doubt helped give an added boost to their metrics, but it’s still gargantuan stuff from the local band.
Yet another incredible stat not just for the Burnage boys but the Manchester music scene as a whole.
2026 looks to be just as big a comeback, by the looks of things.
In case you were wondering who beat them out in the race for the top spot, they were pipped to the post by Queen’s Greatest Hits and the same again from ABBA, two worthy opponents to take third place after.
You can see the rest of the list in full right HERE.
Oh, and Definitely Maybe also made the list, too, coming in at number 39 – making that two in the top 50 even amongst all the compilations.
It feels like last July all over again, doesn’t it? And if now isn’t the perfect time to stick on the title track, we don’t know what is.
Actually, sod it – we’re sticking the full thing on…
Georgina Pellant -
20th April 2023 
