A new bar is set to open on Deansgate soon, promising an intoxicating combination of ‘cocktails, dreams and disco’.
This is Simmons, a wildly successful name from down in London, and it’s finally making its way up north to Manchester.
You can’t miss the location – they’ve slapped a gigantic mirror, daubed with neon pink writing, outside the site where the bar is being built.
Now the capital’s go-to party palace, Simmons will bring the ‘biggest happy hour’ in Manchester to Deansgate when it opens.
That means two-for-one cocktails, £2.50 spirit and mixers (or £5 doubles), £3 beer and wine, and £12 bottles of wine, plus cocktail teapots for £15.
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The Simmons happy hour runs until 9pm Sunday to Friday, while on Saturdays it’s two-for-one cocktails and £15 teapots until 9pm.
The brand is famed for its kitsch, colourful interiors, with hot pink neon lights, bold wallpapers, and always a disco ball.
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There are already 22 locations across London but this will be the first Simmons bar to open outside the capital.
An existing Simmons bar in London before it heads to Manchester. Credit: Simmons
On their website, Simmons says: “Hi my name’s Simmons, I’m well known for being the best bar group in London (and probably the world).
“I’m a late night cocktail bar offering you the perfect place for after work drinks or a cheeky dance, people like me because I look real good and sell nice drinks.
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“People say I am sexy and good looking but I just shrug it off and don’t let my ego get too big, no one likes a show off.
“I am located in lots of different places across London, I can be hired out for private parties and I have a notoriously eclectic musical taste; ranging from hip-hop, to disco, to funk, to 80’s, to 90’s to classic party bangers!
Simmons happy hour deals in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside another London Simmons. Credit: Simmons
“Come check me out, sip on a cocktail in a teacup and play on my SEGA Megadrive.”
Sneak peeks of the work taking place in Manchester show that the former Botanist site will be transformed with Deansgate’s biggest dance floor, surrounded by raised stages for dancing.
If you head down to Deansgate and scan the QR code outside the bar (or, you know, just click this link) you can secure your spot on the list for their free bar launch parties.
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Yeah, we said free bar.
Simmons will open this autumn on Deansgate in Manchester city centre.
Legendary chef Rick Stein praises ‘trendy’ Manchester restaurant on BBC Breakfast
Daisy Jackson
Rick Stein has just appeared on BBC Breakfast and given a massive shout-out to Manchester favourite restaurant Bundobust.
The celebrity chef was on the popular breakfast show to talk about his latest series, Rick Stein’s Food Stories, but made a special effort to celebrate this much-loved restaurant.
Bundobust was founded in Leeds a whole decade ago, but now also has two restaurants (including an on-site brewery) in Manchester too.
And Rick Stein is apparently a big fan, describing Bundobust as ‘really trendy’, The Hoot Leeds reports.
The 77-year-old chef and presenter was chatting to Charlie Stayt and Nina Warhurst.
He said: “One other place in Leeds actually, a place called Bundobust, where they’re serve craft beer and vegetarian Gujarati Indian food.
“I particularly like that place because it’s not like the sort of old-fashioned Indian restaurants with flock wallpaper and all that.
“It’s really trendy and a bit sort of…”
At this point Nina jumps in to help him with a suggestion of ‘Hipster?’
Legendary chef Rick Stein praises ‘trendy’ Manchester restaurant on BBC Breakfast. Credit: BBC BreakfastInside Bundobust Brewery in Manchester, which Rick Stein has just shouted out. Credit: The Manc Group
“Hipster is exactly the word!” Rick said. “It’s a word I don’t use much at my age.”
Bundobust has quickly spotted its star turn on BBC Breakfast (probably helped by hundreds of us sliding into their DMs).
Bundobust shared a clip of Rick Stein and wrote: “Catching hipster allegations on BBC Breakfast!! Almost spat out our chai. (It’s Rick though, we’ll allow it)”
The Indian restaurant opened a decade ago on Mill Hill in Leeds and its success has grown and grown, now also having two restaurants (and a brewery) in Manchester as well as a spot in Liverpool.
It’s the second time Rick has heaped praise on a Manchester restaurant, having previously said that Higher Ground is one of his favourites in the entire UK.
It’s a firm favourite for us here at The Manc – love you forever Bundo.
Lidl and Hunsnet are hosting a drag brunch in Manchester next month – and tickets are only £6
Emily Sergeant
Lidl has partnered with Hunsnet to host its first-ever drag brunches, and there’s one happening in Manchester next month.
Exclusive to just London and Manchester, the #LiveLaughLidl Drag Brunches are all sounding set to offer “a visual and literal feast” by bringing together two huntastic cultural icons in a showstopping spectacle to celebrate the supermarket retailer’s ties to the ‘hun’ subculture.
Greater Manchester huns can get a ticket to the one-off event in Manchester next month for a bargain £6.49, along with with a £20 deposit that’s returnable upon attendance.
Guests who attend the event at popular city centre venue, Impossible, will be lavished with all the delicious Lidl canapés, luxurious cocktails, and prosecco they could wish for, before tucking into a mouthwatering brunch course – with some of the options on the menu for mains being the ‘Got The Chi-Ick’ Fried Chicken Burger and the ‘365 Planty Girl’ Vegan Burger.
Lidl and Hunsnet are hosting a drag brunch in Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
After a slap-up meal, there will be a special performance hosted by Hunsnet, packed full of all the so-called ‘hundamentals’ needed for a proper good time.
There’ll also be Lidl-themed bingo to get involved with, some dazzling drag performances, celebrity appearances, and loads of cult-status ‘Middle Aisle’ prizes to be won, as well as getting to take a goodie-bag-to-go full of Lidl surprises home with you.
“We are absolutely delighted to partner with Lidl for the #LiveLaughLidl brunch drag series,” commented Gareth Howells, who is the founder of Hunsnet.
“As someone who heads down to my local Lidl to get a cheeky bottle of fizz on a Friday, it’s my most natural collaboration to date, so grab your girls and guys, and join me and a few very special A-list hun guests to eat, sing, and party.”
The #LiveLaughLidl Drag Brunch is happening at Impossible in Manchester on Sunday 20 October from 1:30-3:30pm, and tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday 27 September) at 9am for just £6.49, with a £20 deposit for return upon entry, available while stocks last.
Daisy Jackson -
27th September 2024 
