In one of the coolest new openings coming to Manchester this month, a bar where you can pull your own pints opens in the city centre on Monday, 7 July.
Oh, and wine – you can pour your own wine too, because we all know how best to measure.
The self-service concept is one that immediately caught our attention, especially as we’ve always fancied our chances of pouring a perfect beer despite having never taken a single step behind a bar in our lives, and it is simply called The Tap House.
Set to span two floors with tons of outside space and a long line of taps for you to choose from, The Tap House will be specialising in local breweries and hard-to-source brews, spotlighting the best of the best from around the region.
With a total of 24 beers, along with 16 wines from their sister site, Another? over in Nottingham, this ‘two bars become one’ concept is a real first for Manchester and will pioneer the self-service scene in the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
Better yet, they’ve secured a pretty exciting name to help line customers’ stomachs whilst they’re pulling their own pints and sipping on their wine of choice, as Fat Frank’s will also be serving up pizza by the slice as the perfect accompaniment.
In a move to rival the almighty Nell’s, you can also order full-sized 22″ pizzas as well if you’re sharing or, you know, just a greedy little menace like the rest of us.
ADVERTISEMENT
They’ve also hit a good price point it seems as well, pints ranging from £5.50 upwards, wine starting from £5.80 and a slice of Fat Frank’s Pizza from £4.50.
The Tap Hosue is set to open to the public on Monday, 8 July and is just the latest in a recent trend of new openings on Circle Square, with North Bar, Federal and viral pasta spot Onda.
Co-owner Tom Benjamin described things perfectly ahead of launch day: “Perfect pints you can pour yourself. Delicious pizza by the slice. Wine you’ll love and adore”, adding, “We’re excited to finally open the doors and see The Tap House concept come to life here at Circle Square.”
You’ll definitely find us down there trying to pull the perfect pint for ourselves and if you’re a wine-lover, it’s worth noting that these guys aren’t the only ones offering self-service in Manchester. Great minds think alike.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Danny Jones -
7th July 2024 
