We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are not nearly enough places in the city centre to go for a good Polish scran, which is why we love Platzki so much.
First opened in the city in 2018, initially it was housed back on the Mews but has since moved onto the main Deansgate strip, sandwiched between Alex’s Bakery and Bar Hutte.
Over the past four years it has developed something of a cult following amongst local foodies, who flock for its flavourful, traditional dishes, be they in groups or happily dining alone, all year-round.
And now the team has added another string to its bow with the addition of a brand new breakfast menu that nods to their chefs’ collective Polish and Ukrainian heritage.
Served on weekends only, it is the collective creation of chef-owners Lukasz Mazurek and Przemek Marcinkowski and their newest kitchen addition, Alona, a Ukrainian refugee who has newly arrived in Manchester.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Having fled the war in her home country alongside her fifteen-year-old son, Alona moved here a few months ago in search of some peace and stability and is now living in Stockport with her son and a local family who have taken them in.
A chef herself, she now works closely with Przemek and Lukasz. All three regularly share dish ideas and inspirations as they go, and as a result, they stumbled across the idea to combine their favourite breakfast dishes on a new menu. Trust us, it really is something special.
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We’re talking traditional Kielbasa (crispy fried Polish smoked sausage stew with tomato gherkin and mustard) loaded onto toasted sourdough and double pork schnitzels wedged into bagel-like baps and served with heaps of pickles, mushroom and traditional mayo vegetable salad.
Elsewhere, you’ll find fluffy egg and cheese omelette with tomatoes and spinach. chunky roasted pork neck baps with horseradish and sauerkraut, and Krokiet (crispy pancakes filled with Polish Black pudding with a fried egg on the side).
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
As for Alona’s contribution, there is just one Ukrainian dish: Syrniki. A dish that, from what we understand, is enjoy just as much at dessert as it is for breakfast, it comes as a plate of miniature, pillowy-soft cheesy pancakes plated up with a healthy dollop of mascarpone and reams of glistening cherries, still swimming in their juice. Divine.
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When we visit , it’s Manchester Pride weekend and the atmosphere in the city (and Platzki itself)is buzzing. The restaurant is full of pride flags, there’s a Pride shot offer on, and a large, giddy table behind us greedily curing their two-day hangovers with generous helpings of Kielbasa.
Sitting in the gorgeous plant-filled terrace dining room overlooking the Great Northern Warehouse, we’ve got the best view of the family Pride fun going on outside, with glamorous queens strutting past in full sparkles as we sip our morning coffee (or in my date’s case, a mango bellini and fruit juice smoothie, simultaneously).
Not only is Platzki in a prime spot for people-watching, it’s now also ideal for boozing a few bellinis and tucking into some traditional brekki dishes thanks to this latest addition.
Available from 9am-1pm every Saturday and Sunday, bookings are advised as it can get very busy.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
City Centre
The smash-hit daytime rave where you can still be in bed early is returning to Manchester
Clementine Hall
That’s right: Day Fever, the daytime rave designed to still get you tucked in at a reasonable hour, is coming back to Manchester city centre this year.
Following their biggest raft of shows across the UK and Ireland in 2025, the smash-hit night out that is very much aimed at those of us 30 and over – but fellow sleepy heads are obviously more than welcome – Day Fever are targeting big things in 2026.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and Reverend & The Makers frontman, Jon McClure, Day Fever has become a cultural sensation.
From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm – and let’s be honest, who can blame them?
The founders (L-R): Jon McClure, James O’Hara, Jonny Owen, Vicky and Chris McClure. (supplied)
Running from 3-8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
“It started as a WhatsApp idea”, says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’”
“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”
From here in 0161 and our mates over in Leeds, to Newcastle, Glasgow and many more, each Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.
There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”
For starters, just look at the turnout they got over Christmas:
They last popped up their second home of New Century Hall over the festive period, so it’s no surprise they’re coming back from.
Day Fever will be turning up the speakers at New Century once again on Saturday, 31 January, and we will absolutely see you there. Better still, the organisers have just announced additional shows due to phenomenal demand, including 7 March and 11 April here in Manchester.
Find the rest of their previously announced shows, as well as the extra dates for 2026, in full down below:
24 Jan, 28 February and 25 April – Glasgow, BAaD
24 Jan, 14 Feb and 21 March – Nottingham, Palais
24 Jan, 7 March and 4 April – Sheffield, City Hall
31 Jan, 7 March and 11 April – Manchester, New Century Hall
A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
Who’s ready for a night at the cottage?
We honestly can’t believe we finally get to say this, but a Heated Rivalry-themed club night – as in the ones we’ve seen going viral all over our TikTok FYPs – is finally coming to Manchester next month, as one popular local venue has decided to jump on the bandwagon and give us all what we deserve… a night at the cottage.
If you’ve been living under a rock and somehow haven’t heard about Heated Rivalry (you don’t have to have watched it, but we’d be shocked if you haven’t at least heard of it), it’s also affectionately nicknamed and known on the internet as ‘the gay hockey show’, which kind of does some it up really.
It’s a story of two elite ice hockey players, Canada’s Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Russia’s Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Storrie).
The two play for rival teams and countries in the MHL and begin a ‘relationship’ over a 10-year period, which they choose to keep a secret due to homophobia in the world of hockey, and also just not fully understanding their connection themselves.
The six-part Canadian series has gone viral since its initial release back in late November last year, and UK release earlier this month… in fact ‘viral’ is an understatement, it’s been critically and commercially acclaimed like nothing else has in the television space for a while.
Its undeniable success has also spawned club nights across the world, with the soundtrack blasting out of speakers at full volume and fan edits of the show playing on big screens behind the DJ.
A Heated Rivalry club night is coming to Manchester next month / Credit: Sky / Crave (Press Images)
And now, Manchester’s finally getting a taste of the action.
Popular live music and club venue Gorilla has teamed up with Throwback Events to announced that it’ll be hosting its own Heated Rivalry club night next month, and fans can expect DJs to play music from the show’s soundtrack, before it’s woven into a late-night mix of the greatest 00s and 10s pop/queer club anthems.
Plus, you’ll also see edits on the big screen too, making it like a proper night at The Cottage.
“Join us for a night inspired by the viral hit TV show and book, built around tension, proximity, and the kind of chemistry you can’t ignore,” the event’s description reads.
The Heated Rivalry Club Night is coming to Gorilla in Manchester on Friday 20 February from 11pm, right through to 3am, and tickets are on sale now – with early bird options also available.
And as an extra perk, NHS staff or anyone with a birthday between 13-27 February go free.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
