One of Salford’s newest openings, 11 Central, is serving up a decadent Sunday roast this Mother’s Day and the best part of all is, mums can eat absolutely free.
The way it should be, as far as we’re concerned.
The new addition to the recently renovated Quayside over at MediaCityUK has fast become a favourite amongst those local to the ever-growing Salford Quays.
Just next door from the equally busy Kargo MKT, which has already become a popular spot in its own right, the culinary creation and bar from natives SEVEN BRO7HERS and SIS4ERS DISTILLERY is now attracting even more people through the doors with their Mother’s Day offering.
As 11 Central remains a family affair, the team behind the Central Bay microbrewery and dining experience have decided to honour the McAvoy family matriarch, Freda, by serving up as many 11 Central free roasts for mums as they can muster.
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The one-time offer is available via reservations only and for tables of three or more people only.
Promising not only a big hearty roast with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy, there will also be a Sunday lamb-based special to mark the occasion.
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Better still, diners will be able to enjoy live entertainment alongside their roast, as well as soak up all of the atmosphere with a classic cocktail or craft beer from the brewing pros. And it doesn’t stop there.
What says ‘Love you, Mum’ this Mother’s Day like a free Sunday roast? (Credit: 11 Central)
To make the day extra special for mums, the on-site SIS4ERS micro-distillery will also be running gin-making sessions for Mother’s Day. Lush.
Serving mums from 12pm until 6pm, walk-ins are also welcome but will not have access to the deal, so if you want to score mama a free scran, make sure you book ahead.
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Keith McAvoy, CEO of SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO, said: “This Mother’s Day we will celebrate our mum who has instilled love, work ethic and the importance of family throughout our lives.
“We are very lucky to have her around as we continue our 11 Central journey together as a whole family, and so we invite everyone to come down and spoil their mum with us this Mothering Sunday.”
The best rooftop bars and terraces in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter whether it’s spring, pure summer heat, or even on a crisp autumn/winter’s day; whenever the sun breaks out in Manchester, part of our brain immediately turns to going for a pint – ideally on a rooftop bar, if possible.
Yes, beer gardens are great, but sunlight often gets blocked out by the rising number of tall buildings going up around the city centre.
Unless you’re up top in one of those buildings…
It’s not an absolute science, nor is it for everyone, but those of you who do like a few scoops up high on the odd occasion, here are some of the best rooftop bars and drinking terraces in Manchester.
The 10 best rooftop and ‘sky’ bars in Manchester city centre
1. YES
First up, whenever someone asks you the question, “Do you want to go and sit on a sun-soaked rooftop terrace with some bevs?”, the answer is simple: HELL. YES.
So many members of our team, both past and present, have called this their favourite outdoor drinking spot or bar in town full-stop, whether they spent their uni days here or love those cheap discounted Aperol spritzes every summer. Yes, it gets busy sometimes, but it’s for good reason – the place is mint.
2. Sora
Number two is more of a bar and restaurant, in truth, but we do love it a lot. Located above Malmaison’s Deansgate location – dangerously close to our office, by the way (like, literally next door) – Sora specialises in Pan-Asian-inspired dishes and drinks, including some very good sushi.
It’s well worth going along to try their ‘oriental afternoon tea‘ if you’re so inclined, but even if not, it’s just a very cool place to sip away.
Our third choice is one of Manchester city centre’s newest and fanciest additions, situated within the ever-growing St. Michael’s complex, developed by Gary Neville.
A number of recent openings have popped up in here, including Grind Coffee, which also benefits from the rooftop setting, but ‘Claude’s Skyview Bar’ inside Chotto Matte’s Manchester site is something very unique, indeed.
From the high end to the downright legendary for our money, in most people’s books, it doesn’t get much better than the likes of Terrace in the Northern Quarter, which has the benefit of having not only three floors but multiple outdoor areas and patios.
The best of the lot, however, is undeniably the rooftop area, which stretches nearly the entire square footage of the Thomas Street venue, and itself has multiple sections – each with a slightly different feel.
5. 20 Stories
Back over to the posher side of things now, and 20 Stories is one of those places that people literally travel into Manchester for to grab a great new profile picture with their tipple, and it is an undeniably Instagram-worthy venue.
With wonderful views across the city from No. 1 Spinningfields on Hardman Square, it’s an ideal suggestion for a classy glass of wine or fizz on a special occasion, though you’ll be far from the only one making the most of the vantage point.
Time for a nice middle ground in the form of Atlas Bar over on the corner of the Deansgate-Castlefield interchange, which has been sitting pretty on its little perch for three decades now.
While it may not be high up in the sky, the canopied terrace on the cosy balcony out the back, complete with outdoor heaters, benches in direct sunlight, as well as comfy cushioned seating under the retractable cover, might just be one of the best all-seasons drinking spots of this ilk. Always has been.
7. King Street Townhouse Hotel
Heading back across the city now and over to King Street Townhouse, the stunning hotel and spa operated by THG sits as somewhat of a best-kept secret on the back of Booth St, and one of the reasons it’s such a hidden gem is that stunning rooftop terrace.
It may only be small in comparison to some other rooftop bars in Manchester, but that’s part of what we think makes it special. Whether you’re there for a full stay, a treatment, or just a drink, this is where you should tie a ribbon on it.
Next up, once again, we’re going for an entirely different vibe with this one, and another admittedly more student-centric hangout, but Brickhouse Social is nevertheless a very fun place to grab a pint up high.
They cover several floors these days, including the Kable nightclub down in the basement, but their rooftop terrace is also one of the best value-for-money bars in Manchester city centre. Catch you at ‘The Greenhouse’ sometime soon.
Over to our Amy’s favourite beer garden/outdoor drinking spot, which just so happens to be Beeswing elevated right above the Nell’s over at Kampus.
Sitting just across the water from Canal Street and the bustle of Gay Village, this one feels like arguably the perfect blend of handy central location and lively atmosphere, while still feeling tucked away enough for you to enjoy a quiet moment.
Last but not least, we have to speak a little bit about the still relatively new ‘Ivy on the Roof’ experience over at the famous bar and brasserie over in Spinningfields, where footballers and countless other celebrities dine, drink and dance every week.
As for us lot, let’s be honest: we’re the real ones that make places like this truly tick all year-round; there’s also the slightly more intimate ‘Skylight Terrace’ room, which offers another sanctuary up and away from the rest of the glitz and glamour of the restaurant.
Finally, before we leave you, we couldn’t wrap this up without mentioning the long-standing Cloud 23 bar sitting the same number of storeys up in the former Hilton skyscraper, now simply known as The Manchester Deansgate Hotel.
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You could argue that the Beetham Tower bar is the one that started it all here in Manchester, offering that kind of panoramic view over drinks long before virtually anyone else in the city. Most of you don’t need telling that it’s there, but we thought it’d be rude not to give a nod to one of the OGs.
Now, it goes without saying that this is by no means an exhaustive list, and if you think there’s somewhere that’s been criminally overlooked, feel free to give us some stick in the comments.
There’s something novel about rooftop bars that we’ll simply never tire of, and with Manchester’s skyline growing and getting taller and taller all the time, you can expect more and more of them to pop up in the coming years.
A glimpse at Manchester’s newest restaurant and bar, opening soon with beautiful skyline views
Daisy Jackson
A beautiful new 14th-floor food and drink destination is coming to Manchester in the coming weeks, home to both a new restaurant AND a new bar.
This will be the latest addition to Manchester’s Treehouse Hotel, which opened last year transforming a huge building at the end of Deansgate.
Now the hotel is unveiling the final chapter of its opening, with a new elevated dining and drinking offering, with beautiful skyline views.
Up first will be rooftop restaurant Sistermoon, a new project from acclaimed chef Sam Grainger (you know him from Madre, among others).
Sam will be working alongside Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (Electric Chair, Volta, Freight Island) on Sistermoon, a Southeast Asian BBQ concept inspired by his time cooking with a local family in Thailand.
Also opening way up here on the 14th floor will be The Nest, a new signature bar with panoramic views of Manchester that will be a destination for late-night drinks and social occasions.
Treehouse Hotel is opening a new 14th-floor restaurant and bar
And at the very top of the hotel, The Hideout will open as an intimate rooftop lounge and event space designed for private hire.
The final phase of the hotel will also see nine premium suites open, from huge Presidential Suites to interconnecting rooms – expect walk-in wardrobes, kitchens, and skyline views.
Treehouse Hotel is already home to 224 playful guest rooms, the award-winning Pip restaurant, the private Flix cinema, and Playground gym.
Sistermoon, The Nest, and The Hideout will open on 11 June – you can sign up to find out more HERE.
Danny Jones -
5th March 2024 
