A new affordable steakhouse is coming to Manchester this summer, taking over the former Blacks Outdoor Clothing shop on Deansgate.
Opening just three doors up from premium steakhouse brand Hawksmoor, it is called Flat Iron and, like its new neighbor, also hails from London – first opening in the capital over a decade ago
Launching to fame back in 2012. with accessible feather blade steaks served at £10, it has since expanded across London to a total of 12 sites. Now, it has got its sites on our fair city.
This move to Manchester will mark the chain’s first restaurant in the north of England, following another planned opening in Cambridge this July.
On the very simple menu, diners will find one steak option – The Flat Iron Steak – alongside various sides and sauces such as beef dripping chips, creamed spinach, crispy bone marrow garlic mash and truffled macaroni cheese.
Image: Flat Iron Steakhouse
Image: Flat Iron Steakhouse
Elsewhere, further side choices include a simple green salad and roast aubergine with tomato, basil, plus sauces like bearnaise, peppercorn, wild mushroom, and homemade smoked chilli mayo, with a short list of ‘Beef Specials’ including a smoked chilli cheeseburger, Scottish bavette and flat iron Sirloin.
Flat Iron’s other restaurants, however, often list steak specials from its butcher partners and its Shoreditch site even features a 15-foot-long roasting spit.
Founder Charlie Carroll spent nine months researching beef before the first opening, even teaching himself to butcher as part of that in-depth knowledge-seeking process.
During that period, he discovered that little-known secondary cuts from the very best beef could be exceptionally tasty but reasonably affordable, leading to what he terms the ‘democratisation of great steak.’
Speaking on that period of time, he said: “I didn’t know if my idea of great steak for everyone would get people excited. To my amazement, by the second week, the queue went down the stairs.
“There have been many twists and turns since then, with a huge community of committed individuals working together to try and achieve a common goal.
Image: Flat Iron Steakhouse
Image: Flat Iron Steakhouse
“Remarkable steak, accessible to all, passionate people and love. It’s where we started, where we are and where we firmly hope to stay.”
Due to open in Manchester later this year, proposed hours on Flat Iron’s licensing application suggest it could open from 10am to 1am Monday to Sunday.
To find out more and view the menu in full ahead of its launch in Manchester, visit the Flat Iron website here.
Featured image – Flat Iron
City Centre
Manchester’s very own Jamie Hutchinson announces new stand-up tour dates
Danny Jones
Manchester comedian Jamie Hutchinson has just announced arguably his biggest domestic tour yet, and despite plenty of gigs around the North, he’s playing just one hometown headline slot.
So you’d best be quick about grabbing tickets.
The local stand-up has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years, not only thanks to his regular gigging on the live circuit, but numerous standout podcast performances and, in short, by being one of the most amusing comic storytellers around – at least as far as we’re concerned.
Now set to embark on an extensive run of UK shows early next year, Jamie Hutchinson is getting back on the road with his latest material very soon.
Taking his new hour, Can My Mate Come, He’s Sound (see, even his titles are low-key genuinely funny) on tour, the crown prince of Gorton, a.k.a. ‘Mash’ himself, is playing venues up and down the country, including plenty here in the North West.
After all, he can’t drive, so best keep the long train journeys to a minimum, eh?
To quote Broadway Baby, who shared their positive words only recently, their newest project promises a “brand-new hour of unfiltered mayhem, questionable logic and emotional chaos held together by takeaway boxes and blind optimism.”
If that isn’t a glowing review, then we don’t know what is..
The Hot Water’s Green Room host and regular Have A Word podcast favourite delighted his crowds and newcomers alike with his record-breaking Waterslide tour, which ran from 2023 all the way into last year, and now he’s looking to repeat that same success. As it happens, multiple dates have sold out already.
With more than 700 tickets sold within the first hour of presale alone, it’s no surprise that the likes of Chorley, Chester (already gone) and soon both of his Liverpool shows are soon to be sold out.
As for his Academy One show on Sunday, 24 May 2026 – which is just about the biggest Manc venue he’s played to date – we expect it won’t be long before that one books up too.
We can always hope he tacks on extra dates on the UK tour, but if you’re a Jamie Hutchinson fan, you’re still best just making sure you secure your seat while you can. Grab yours HERE.
Let’s just pray he makes it home in time for his appointment with ‘Dr Catford’…
He’s yet to record a live taping of a special, but this is the kind of charming nonsense you can expect.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to Cathedral Gardens once again this festive season.
Skate Manchester has always been a festive staple of our city centre, and there’s also a flurry of other frozen events and activities planned for 2025 too – including the return of the Scare Skate for Halloween.
Following success in previous years, Scare Skate returns this spooky season, and families, friends, and festive fun seekers visiting the rink this season can expect Halloween-themed music, lighting, and themed props to ignite the fright factor.
After Halloween, the magic continues as the rink transforms into a festive wonderland.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is returning to the city centre this festive season / Credit: Supplied
Skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink.
You’ll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
The rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions tailored to meet the needs of all visitors, which includes dedicated quiet and toddler sessions designed for a more relaxed environment, along with discounted tickets and weekly events for students.
New this year is the Skate on and Skate off ‘Pit Lane’ available during skating for those needing a break and a hot chocolate or mulled wine, plus a VIP ticket option allowing for a fast-track entry into the rink.
Super early bird tickets are now available to buy / Credit: Supplied
Skate Manchester is also one of the most sustainable events in the UK, thanks to being partially powered by the grid.
“We’re proud to bring one of the top five largest ice rinks in the UK to Manchester once more, as part of our mission to create magical and sustainable winter events that will set the standard for winter attractions globally,” commented Rob Derry, who is the Director at Tamarisk Events, the company that coordinates the event.
“By being partially powered by the grid, Skate Manchester is one of the more environmentally responsible attractions of its kind, allowing visitors to enjoy the magic of skating with a lighter footprint.”
Skate Manchester will be returning to the city on Saturday 25 October and running right up until Sunday 4 January 2026, with super early bird tickets now available to get your hands on, and discounted family tickets and student night tickets also available.
You can find more information and to book tickets here.
Georgina Pellant -
27th April 2023 
