Another month, another list of new bar and restaurant openings – and what a list it is.
With summer now in full swing and al fresco drinking and dining in full flow, it feels right that a new venue boasting Manchester’s biggest beer garden opens this month – with a rum bar boasting a whopping 64 different frozen daiquiri combinations, no less.
There is more to check out, too, with new Malaysian restaurant Kaya providing a melting pot of flavours on Chinatown’s Faulkner Street, and Altrincham food hall Chi Yip providing the Trafford market town with everything from traditional roast meats to bubble teas.
Add to that a new city centre wine shop and bar, a sun trap Northern Quarter bar with even more outdoor seating, new drive-throughs in Bolton for Greggs and Burger King, and a new restaurant in Prestwich from lockdown sandwich dealers San San, and we’re confident there’s a lot ot get excited about this month.
Keep reading to find out where to put on your list this July.
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Half Dozen Other
Half Dozen Other has been operating from inside Mackie Mayor but announced its closure at the start of 2022. / Image: Half Dozen Other
This new bakery in Manchester’s Green Quarter comes from the team behind popular city centre brunch spot Pot Kettle Black.
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The team here has been quietly making some of the best viennoiserie, bread and (our personal favourite) pretzel buns in Manchester for years.
Last year it took its first step into the limelight when it moved into the Northern Quarter food hall Mackie Mayor, replacing Wolfstreet Coffee with a fresh menu of bakes, French toast and savoury croissants.
Now, the team is preparing to open its first ever customer-facing store – meaning that before long fans will be able to pick up their treats to enjoy at home.
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TBC
Bunsik, Piccadilly Gardens
Image: Bunsik
Image: Bunsik
London’s viral Korean corn dog restaurant Bunsik has revealed it is heading to Manchester, with a new site set to open this month.
The new opening will mark the first northern venture for the hit eatery, which already has three popular London branches in Chinatown, Embankment and Camden.
Having already become iconic for their £4 corn dogs in the capital, the team is now making moves north with their first outpost in Manchester – promising to offer an even wider selection of its infamous corndogs when it opens its doors here.
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7 July
Chi Yip Food Hall, Altrincham
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
This new pan Asian food hall has just opened in Altrincham selling everything from traditional roast meats to bubble teas.
Offering a mixture of different Chinese, Korean and Japanese items, Chiyip boasts a roast meat and bakery counter offering a variety of Chinese baos and roast meats, like roast pork, roast crispy pork and roast duck.
Open now
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Kaya, Chinatown
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
This new Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown offers a kaleidoscope of flavors, with rice and noodle dishes like Nasi Lemak and Curry Laksa offered alongside traditional favourites kaya jam, toast and Kopitiam half-boiled eggs.
There is also an extensive drinks menu here, with cups of koi and kagal available as well as specialty cups of malty Milo dinosaur (aka Milo tabur) and homemade barley.
Open now
Canteena
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Steakhouse Canteena opens inside the recently closed Sale Foodhall site as the building takes on a new identity this July.
The new Canteena Bar and Grill will specialise in Irish Dexter and Brazilian steak, with plenty more ranging from carpaccio and duck curry to veggie and vegan-friendly dishes also on offer.
Diecast
This huge new venue comes from the team behind Ramona and The Firehouse, promising the city’s biggest beer garden, a giant open warehouse kitchen and an epic rum bar serving 64 different frozen daiquiri combinations alongside classics and other drinks.
Situated between Ducie St and Store St, food-wise expect pizzas, zesty Italian small plates, wood-fired piadino and Leno burgers.
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Elsewhere, party goers can marvel at Galleria – an immersive vertical stage party performance inside the venue where a network of vertical stages, stairways and platforms will create ‘one of the biggest immersive, art house, dance parties the city has ever seen.’
6 July
Taco Joint, Urmston
Well, it looks like there are even more new openings for Urmston after two new eateries arrived in June. This time, it’s The Taco Joint’s turn to make a splash.
Serving up Mexican treats like birria loaded fries, chunky burritos and crunchy short rib birria tacos with consomme on the side for dipping, the team will be based at the side of the Nags Head Pub starting from Saturday 8 July
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8 July
Rack Sandwiches, Sale
Stockport’s favourite sandwich shop arrives in Sale this month, as the team expands its reach with a second site hidden just off the High Street in a former barbershop.
Serving up all its sandwich favourites as well as a brand new brunch menu, think breakfast butties, brunch plates and grilled cheeses, plus sides of mini salt and pepper hash browns and streaky bacon croquettes.
Open now
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We Can Be Gyros at YES
This new arrival sees hearty Greek gyros with silly names like ‘Karen from Accounts’ and ‘Live Lamb Love’ take centre stage at Manchester bar and music venue YES.
Moving into the space formerly occupied by vegan favourite Donner Summer, gluten-free wraps are available as are tasty vegetarian and vegan options. Loaded plates, breadless alternatives, fries and a glut of homemade sauces also feature.
Open now
The Pearl, Prestwich
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Image: San San Mcr
Image: San San Mcr
This new neighbourhood restaurant comes from the same team behind Prestwich lockdown success story Sansan.
Having earnt their stripes dishing out smashing sandos during the pandemic, they’re now moving on to pastures new with the launch of The Pearl on Bury New Road this month.
TBC
Pray Tell
This new cocktail bar in Sale comes from the brains behind the excellent Riddles in Altrincham, aka Beth Ellison, and Paul Rooney of the market town’s famous football bar, Libero.
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Natural wine and locally-sourced craft beers will be plentiful in number, as well as cocktails embracing the more Italian, bitter end of the spectrum like negronis, spritzes and aperitivos.
TBC
Est Restaurant, Trafford Centre
Trafford Centre favourite Est reopens after closing for its first makeover in nearly 20 years.
A longtime staple of guests at the shopping centre, it is known for serving up rustic pizzas, classic pastas, vibrant salads and regional grill dishes.
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Open now
West Beverley
Brought to Altrincham by the couple behind the popular coffee shop California Coffee and Wine, this Beverly Hills-themed cafe, restaurant and bar is serving up the American dream on a platter.
With white picket fencing, statement wallpaper and bright pink walls, it’s offering a slice of sunshine in rainy Manchester serving from brunch to supper.
4 July
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Drive through Greggs and Burger King, Bolton
Diners in Bolton will receive two new drive-thru restaurants, meaning that locals will soon be able to enjoy their favourite sausage rolls and whopper meals without having to get out of their cars.
Whilst an opening date has not yet been confirmed developers have hinted it won’t be too long now.
The latest offering from the team behind Northern Quarter institue Evelyn’s, new bar Public will open on Stevenson Square this month.
Sandwiched inbetween The Quarter House and the square’s new ice cream parlour, Sweet, it will serve up cocktails designed by the team behind its underground cocktail bar The Daisy alongside plenty of pints for sun-soaked days.
A selection of small bites, noodles and sandos will also be on offer, inspired by the Lower East Side’s late night bars and the bustling energy of NYC’s Chinatown.
TBC
Juice Box
Image: Juice Box Store
Image: Juice Box Store
This cool little wine shop and bar has already made a name for itself up on Burton Road, now it’s making its way into town with a second site.
Taking over the former Neon Tiger on Bridge Street, expect top-quality wines to drink in or take away plus ‘fancy snacks’ in the form of caviar-loaded crisps, charcuterie, pickles, Gordal olives and more.
TBC
Noodle Alley
A new opening in Chinatown, this little eatery specialises in Schezuan cuisine with a large focus on noodles – as you might expect from the name.
Open now, you’ll also find plump dumplings and steaming bowls of soup, rice dishes and plenty more besides.
The Old Fire Station
A project that has been nearly three years in the making, this month Salford’s old fire station officially reopens as a new microbrewery and bakery.
With a range of different beer styles brewed under the moniker Lark Hill Brewery, plus a new brunch menu, wood-fired pizza offering, and all things caffeine provided courtesy of Blossom coffee roasters, there’s a lot to look forward to here.
Things to do and try in July
July specialsatMaray, Manchester City Centre– This July, Maray is serving up some summery specials that are worth popping in for.
Sample za’atar and lemon chicken partnered with lemon and saffron, created by exec chef Alex Navarro, and the new Maray Blac Negroni from Maray Manchester head bartender Jack Siddal, which sees the bar partner with the Spirit of Manchester Distillery to bring a special take on the white Negroni.
Timberyard at Higher Ground, Manchester City Centre – On 23 July, Higher Ground welcome their friends Timberyard back to Manchester for a special collaborative lunch.
Chefs Joseph Otway and Jimmy Snaps will cook a set sharing menu for £68pp, celebrating the finest summer bounty from Cinderwood Market Garden and Jane’s Farm Shop. Wines from Timberyard’s cellar will pour throughout the afternoon, as part of a special list put together for the event,
Manchester Craft Beer Festival, Manchester City Centre -The Manchester Craft Beer Festival will take place at Depot Mayfield with three sessions across the weekend, 6pm to 11pm on Friday 21st July, 11.30am to 4.30pm and 6pm to 11pm on Saturday 22nd July 2022.
Tickets are available via https://manchestercraftbeerfestival.com/tickets/ Each ticket includes entry to the festival, festival pours of any beer from any brewer, a full music lineup, access to the people that make the beer themselves and a free beer-tasting glass.
Bloody Mary Sundays at Henry C, Chorlton – On Sunday 2 July Chorlton cocktail bar Henry C will be serving up a new menu of Bloody Marys with a whopping nine variations on the classic, plus seafood snacks such as Fried Prawn Buns with Bang Bang sauce and Smoked Haddock Croquettes as well as classic Cumbrae Oysters with all the trimmings.
Midori Supper Club at Needham Hall, Didsbury – On Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July attend an intimate Japanese supper club in Didsbury with seven courses spanning okonomiyaki pancakes, chilled summer ramen and cheese and spring onion dumplings from Midori.
The Daisy bar takeover at Hawksmoor, Deansgate – On Thursday 20 July from 5pm, subterranean NQ drinking den The Daisy take over Hawksmoor’s bar with a drinks list showcasing Manchester’s best independent suppliers. Wild Spirit gin and Pod’s Pea Vodka will feature, as will wines from Nordic Muse and Ad Hoc.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Eats
The lost but still much-loved Greater Manchester food and drink spots that Mancs miss the most
Danny Jones
Unfortunately, these days, it feels as if we read about another place closing across the Manchester boroughs almost every week at this point – in fact, many of you might find out about those very closures right here on The Manc.
But, like anyone, we often just sit thinking back on some of our favourite bars, restaurants, takeaways and more that have sadly closed over the years.
10 of the most missed restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs in and around Manchester
1. Danish Food Centre
Starting off with the one we saw the most in the comments is the Danish Food Centre on the shopfront of the Royal Exchange on Cross Street, before sadly closing during the mid-1980s.
Exactly what it sounds like, this old Scandinavian spot first opened back in 1965 and was even known for a traditional sarnie known as ‘The Danwich’, as well as an interior lounge dubbed ‘Copenhagen Corner’.
That being said, many people used to nip here on their dinner break, to meet friends for lunch and a brew, or even to buy things to take home. It was eventually shut down by the Danish government, and we still envy those who got to experience it; still, without the original, we’d never have the likes of KRO Bar.
2. Horts/Ronnie’s Cafe Bar
Another one that popped up plenty in the long list of replies was Horts that used to sit on St. Ann’s Square and the attached Ronnie’s.
The former was more of a wine bar and the latter your standard cafe, but together, they were an ideal city centre favourite that served locals day and night.
By the late 80s, both had sadly disappeared, but people still reminisce about “the grand piano sat under a gorgeous glass dome” and how much they “loved the comfy leather Chesterfield sofas.”
Also up there in the trio of most-mentioned places below the post was the legendary Dutch Pancake House – no, not the one that rears its head at the Manchester Christmas, but at least you can still look forward to your annual fix.
The one we’re talking about was the busy corner of Elisabeth House (now 1 St Peter’s Square), which served a giant menu of sweet and savoury pancakes.
We lost it in the 2000s after developers bought the building, and lots of people are still angry about it.
Number four is Blinkers French and Bistro, which held that border between Salford and Manchester, and was owned by Cheshire-based millionaire, Selwyn Demmy.
The Wilmslow-born businessman may have been known for his famous ‘Hunter’s Moon’ in Wilmslow, but he was also the man behind the bar, restaurant and club which used to be on King Street West.
Before that, it was called the Le Phonographe, and it’s also not to be confused with the modern-day Blinker Bar now serving up top-notch cocktails over on Spring Gardens. By all accounts, it was a real ‘if you know, you know’ kind of gaff…
Next up is the old Grinch bar and grill, which used to be on Chapel Walks just off Cross St, and sadly closed back in 2016 after more than two decades.
More than a few Mancs said they “loved” either visiting and/or working here back in the day, and another cited that “their fried chicken was amazing”.
There’s plenty still open around there these days – including the likes of 10 Tib Lane, New Wave Ramen and the ever-reliable Town Hall Tavern – but evidently, there’s still plenty that really miss it. These days, it’s a pretty good Korean place called Annyeong.
6. Dry Bar/’Dry201′
This next one is a location that does still exist and is technically still a very busy bar most evenings, weekends and sunny afternoons if you can get a seat in the window.
However, many will argue that nothing quite compares to the old Dry Bar, a.k.a. Dry201/’FAC 201′, over in the Northern Quarter.
Nowadays, it’s home to the new and improved Freemount, which moved from its previous venue on Oldham Street; nevertheless, countless people still recall the watering hole in “the original format” as one of the best bars in town.
Their social presence still exists. (Credit: Dry Bar via Facebook)
7. UCP
One we’ve heard tales of now and again over the years, but still slightly wince whenever we hear the full name. In case you’re unaware, UCP is an abbreviation of United Cattle Products, which was the name of a company that had a big presence here in Greater Manchester.
To be fair, it was a pretty familiar brand across the region and the North as a whole, but their flagship four-storey shop over at Market Street/Pall Mall was the go-to place for lots of meat products.
We’ll say it, one of the main things people would go there to seek out was that word that still makes lots of people squirm: tripe – but remember, for generations this was a very common ingredient in various meals and for some, still is.
8. Croma
Ok, this one is more of a recent one that we’re sure lots of you still remember like it was yesterday, because in relative terms to most of this list, it kind of was.
Croma in Manchester city centre shut in 2022 after the pandemic, their Didsbury restaurant closed by March 2023, and the Chorlton site followed suit just last year.
However, we still maintain we’ve had some of our best pizza nights in these places.
For our/your penultimate pick, a fair few people noted Henry’s, which also lay claim to being Manchester’s ‘first’ cafe bar back in the day – that, of course, is still up for debate.
The group behind this brand opened up a venue in our city centre back in 1986, near Parsonage Gardens, but only made it to 2007 despite remaining fairly popular for a long time.
It went on to be replaced by another chain in Revolution; however, they are also closing locations all across the UK. Gutting.
It was arguably better known in London, such as in Mayfair. (Credit: Ewan Munro via Flickr)
10. Cornerhouse
Last but not least, the legacy of the Cornerhouse cinema needs no explanation, really, but there’s a lot to be said for the lasting love lots of people had for their memories made in there and the joint bar next door, quite literally spitting distance away.
Still sitting like a bittersweet reminder on the (you guessed it) corner leading up to Oxford Road Station and Whitworth Street, the theatre itself is home to little more than gig posters and an ever-changing rotation of murals these days.
However, you will be glad to know that the bar and visual arts centre across the road is still Manchester Metropolitan’s Arts, Culture and Media Hub, so it’s still alive in some fashion.
We (well, I*) couldn’t wrap up this round-up without paying tribute to one of the best places this city has ever seen, let alone just NQ.
It might not be right at the top of your dream revival list, but we’re sure plenty of you will agree that, for a period of time, CBR+B was the place to be.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Dry Bar (via Facebook)
Eats
The ‘secret’ cash-and-carry near Piccadilly that’s selling amazing Italian food for less than the supermarkets
Daisy Jackson
We all know the pain of finally settling on what you want to eat for dinner, only to Google a recipe and discover a list of ingredients that your local Tesco definitely won’t have in stock.
‘Where the f*** am I going to get guanciale from at this hour?’, you think.
Well, just a stone’s throw from Manchester Piccadilly, you’ll find a cash-and-carry that’s an Aladdin’s cave of Italian food – and a damn sight cheaper than a supermarket, too.
Amato is a name you might recognise, with their grey vans regularly trundling around Greater Manchester delivering top Italian produce to all your favourite restaurants.
But you don’t need a wholesale membership to take advantage of their massive range of pastas, sauces, drinks, meat, cheese, and just about everything else you can think of – or to make the most of the prices either.
Amato has given up a small section of its 20,000 sq ft warehouse to be a retail space, where you can pick up everything from fresh filled pasta to truffle oil.
There’s also a selection of produce from beyond Italy, like Kewpie mayonnaise and gochujang.
Part of the huge warehouse operates as a retail spaceBob Amato started the business more than 30 years ago
And they’ve honoured the prices given to wholesale clients too, with smaller retail sizing, meaning you can pick up affordable produce without needing to bulk-buy (or lug home a 25kg bag of flour).
The business was launched by Bob and Deloras Amato more than 30 years ago, getting top Italian ingredients to chefs across the North West.
But the retail side has really taken off since the Covid pandemic, Bob explains.
“It’s a bit of a secret place,” he says, “As we don’t tend to advertise it too much.”
It all began (as so many local businesses did) back in 2020.
He says: “During the pandemic, as we’re a wholesaler, we realised there was a big demand for flour, which we had plenty of. People were crying out for flour and we had absolutely tonnes of it in 25kg sacks.
A whole range of little pasta – or pastinaOne of two aisles dedicated to Italian pastaPasta shapes you won’t find in a supermarket
“So we got some of our staff to come in and to repackage it in smaller packages that we could sell to retail customers.
“From that, people weren’t allowed to go out and they wanted to make pizzas and pasta, so they wanted tomatoes and mozzarella and pepperoni and other products.”
As a customer now, you can pick up things like tinned San Marzano tomatoes, harvested in the foothills of Mount Vesuvius; fresh burrata from Puglia (or frozen, if you want it to have a slightly longer shelf life); and traditionally-cured meats like guanciale, speck, and prosciutto.
Essentially, there’s everything you need to make a hearty Italian feast from scratch, or you can grab a bag of homemade pesto and pasta, made fresh on site, from the fridges for an easier dinner.
Bob and his team are encyclopaedias of information about the food produced all the way across Italy, knowing the back story of every one of their 1,500+ products.
Cured meat including guancialeTrays of cannoli You can also pick up fresh filled pasta at Amato
He tells us about why pasta shapes get their name, like Schiaffoni, which loosely translates as ‘slaps’ because of the sound they make when they plop onto the plate.
Bob also explains the reason that Scamorza comes in a snowman-like shape, with the cheese being strung up by its ‘neck’ to dry and age.
He chats us through all the different flours, and why you would use which in your pizzas; why good tinned tomatoes are worth seeking out (cheap ones are like ‘bullets’); and that you should always bring your burrata up to room temperature.
Even as we’re checking out with our armfuls of pasta, the staff member serving us is passing on tips for a perfect amatriciana sauce.
Amato is open from 7am daily (except Sundays), and if you’re stuck on what to make for dinner, pay Bob and his team a visit.
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2023 
