Eats

Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar

Courtside spritzes in a swing seat - I'm in.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th April 2025

Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month. 

The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather. 

And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black. 

The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel. 

There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.  

ADVERTISEMENT

In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats. 

The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering. 

ADVERTISEMENT
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
Inside Manchester's new padel club, The Pollen Club
Inside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen Club
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club

And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible. 

Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.

“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Find out more HERE. 

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.

You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.

With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.

But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.

To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.

If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.

The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.

Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.

Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK

If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.

“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.

Read more:

“And for those kicking-back in Platt Fields Park this Sunday, come grab a £4.20 box for when the munchies hit.”

Featured Image – Insomnia Cookies UK

Eats

Lina Stores – Italian deli restaurant serving homemade pasta and more is heading to Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Lina Stores in Manchester

Lina Stores has opened its very first restaurant in Manchester, taking its beloved mix of handmade pasta and deli food outside of London for the first time.

80 years after opening for the first time in Soho, Lina Stores has headed north to open a 150-cover restaurant.

Blending coffee shop, delicatessen, restaurant, and bar, the new space is styled in traditional Lina Stores shades of pastel green hues, warm timber woods, and terrazzo and timber flooring.

You’ll find bespoke marble tables, original vintage Bentwood chairs, dark green booth seating and opaline globe lighting inspired by the original Brewer Street delicatessen.

Diners will be spoilt with an Italian-inspired breakfast menu, featuring dishes like truffle scrambled eggs with toasted sourdough, Greek yoghurt with Italian Macedonia fruit salad, and a selection of breakfast panini.

At lunchtimes and dinner there’ll be antipasti such as ricotta and herb gnudi fritti with Calabrian chilli marmellata, and tuna crudo with capers, pink peppercorn and salsa verde.

Lina Stores Manchester will have the brand’s beloved pasta dishes, such as the 30-egg yolk taglioni with black truffle, and lamb sausage ragu pappardelle, plus new options like lemon sole and potato raviolo.

For secondi (because this is Italy darling, you can have two mains!) there are dishes like chicken Milanese and Luganega fennel sausage.

And for dessert, it’s set to be a feast of Sicilian cannolo (filled with ricotta, pistachio and chocolate) and tiramisu.

Lina Stores - Italian deli restaurant serving homemade pasta and more is heading to Manchester
Lina Stores – Italian deli restaurant serving homemade pasta and more is heading to Manchester. Credit: Rebecca Hope

In the open-plan delicatessen, you’ll be able to grab filling salads, freshly-made panini, and delicate cakes and pastries.

Shelves will be stocked with Lina Stores Collection pantry essentials, from olive oil to traditional biscotti.

And just next to that will be Bar Lina, serving classic and modern Italian cocktails for aperitivo hour until late at night.

Expect favourites like the bloody martini, Rinomata americano, and the basilico with gin, vermouth, basil and lemon.

The bar will have a versatile wine list from all corners of Italy, including the brand’s own signature collection.

Lina Stores Manchester will be located on Quay Street in the recently-refurbished Quoin building, right opposite the Opera House theatre.

Masha Rener, Head Chef of Lina Stores, said: “We’re extremely excited to be opening in Manchester this spring.

“The city feels like a natural home for us considering the area’s rich history, vibrant culinary scene and lively nightlife, and look forward to sharing our passion of great Italian food and produce with the Manchester community.

“Quay Street is the perfect location for us to do so, sitting right in the trifecta of Spinningfields, St John Street and St Peter’s Square.”

Lina Stores Manchester is open now.

Inside Lina Stores Manchester

Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester
Lina Stores in Manchester

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Eats

Wilmslow Street Festival 2025

Cheshire

Wilmslow Street Fest returns for a trio of sunny dates later this year

City Centre

Manchester’s newest Mexican restaurant is giving away 1,000 FREE margaritas to celebrate its launch

Tacos from GRUB

City Centre

A tasty festival celebrating all things tacos is taking place in Manchester next month

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches