The huge group of siblings behind two of Manchester’s best drinks brands are teaming up to open a new bar, with 11 Central set to launch in Salford very soon.
The bar will form part of the new Central Bay site at MediaCityUK and comes from the teams behind Seven Brothers Brewery and the Sisters Distillery.
11 Central will take its name from the fact that all 11 siblings are joining forces to create a new watering hole for Salford.
The bar will have a mix of food, drink, live music, bar games and waterside views across a 2000sq ft terrace.
On the menu you will, of course, find Seven Brothers Brewery bees, brewed just a few miles away near where the McAvoy brothers – Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg – were raised.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’ll be a microbrewery on site too so that customers can enjoy exclusive limited-edition beers made just metres from the bar.
The four sisters behind the Sisters Distillery will be bringing their full range of award-winning flavoured gins, plus artisan tonics, to the menu too.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’ll be distilling sessions at 11 Central for gin enthusiasts who want to learn the craft of making gin.
Seven Brothers was founded in 2014 after the McAvoy siblings were inspired by their dad’s home-brewing in their cellar at home (how that man had time for inspiring hobbies while raising 11 children is a miracle).
Seven Brothers Brewing Co was founded by seven brothers.
Since then, they’ve gone on to open bars and beer houses at Middlewood Locks and MediaCityUK in Salford, in Ancoats and in Liverpool, as well as at Manchester Airport’s new T2 Departure Lounge.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keith McAvoy, CEO of Seven Brothers Brewing Co, said: “We’ve been excited to open our doors at 11 Central since announcing our plans earlier this summer, and we’re proud to add another great venue to our list of beerhouses and bars that give drinkers the chance to experience SEVEN BRO7HERS beer and now SISTERS gin all in one place.
“With this new venue we’re combining a mainstream beer offering alongside craftsmanship from our brewery and gin distilleries and offering an unexpected take on drinks classics, which will hopefully be something that visitors come back to us for time and time again.
“The venue offers more than just drinks and food and is a great entertainment space with music and acts as well as a huge terrace that’s perfect for grabbing the last few bits of sunshine this year!
“We’re also able to offer a gin tasting experience at our new venue, that makes this bar more than just a destination for an after work drink or a place to grab a cocktail, and instead those that want to understand how we create and blend flavours can take the gin experience on site and explore gin with our expert team.”
Stephen Wild, MediaCity Managing Director said: “11 Central is a fantastic addition to our new independent food and drink destination Central Bay and we couldn’t be more proud to see Seven Bro7hers’ successful expansion journey within MediaCity.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Starting out with the original tap room just off Broadway, they then launched a thriving beerhouse in the heart of MediaCity and now this wonderful new microbrewery, gin bar and pub concept for the people of Salford to enjoy.”
11 Central will open on Friday 17 November with dancers, live music, magic, and DJs across its launch weekend on the Saturday and Sunday.
They’ll give away 150 free drinks on Friday to the first 150 people to sign up and register their interest at 11central.co.uk.
Everyone who signs up will also be entered in to a competition to win a £50 bar tab, a meal for two and a gin experience for two as part of the 11 Central launch celebrations.
First look – Manchester’s magical Christmas karaoke cabins are back in town
Daisy Jackson
Everyone’s favourite festive pop-up, Bar Hutte, is ready to open in Manchester for another year of karaoke, festive drinks and live music.
The beloved wooden huts and twinkling fairy-lit spaces have reappeared, ready for their grand opening on Thursday.
Now with two sites in the city centre, Bar Hutte promises a vibrant festive atmosphere and loads of events running all the way through to the new year.
The alpine pop-up brings a taste of the apres-ski experience to two corners of Manchester – the waterside space at Kampus and Great Northern Square.
At Bar Hutte Kampus, the beautiful gardens will be made even more magical with the arrival of snug wooden karaoke huttes and an apres-ski bungalow, filled with cosy furnishings and glittering lights.
There’ll be a full schedule of Christmas movie nights, including Love Actually and Office Christmas Party, where you can relax with a mulled wine or fizz and popcorn, plus Kids Movie Mornings with family friendly festive hits like Polar Express and The Grinch.
On 21 November, Bar Hutte Kampus will host Ginger Hunter’s Sparkling Chalet Chic Drag Night, with festive bingo, games, and karaoke.
Nell’s Pizza is servedBar Hutte’s siganture ski shotsBombardino, hot chocolate and a Baileys martini at Bar Hutte
You’ll also be able to join in with freestyle painting workshops and wreath making sessions in the run-up to Christmas.
At the Santa Claus Club, kids will have an hour of karaoke fun and hot chocolate, plus the chance to meet Santa Claus himself.
Expect winter warmer drinks like Bombardinos and the Bar Hutte ski shot, festive cocktails, and classics like mulled wine and fizz.
And all of that is fuelled by giant pizza slices from Nell’s, who’ll be slinging out slices and whole pies from their restaurant next door.
Bar Hutte has popped up at KampusUpstairs at Bar Hutte KampusBar Hutte has popped up at Kampus
Across town, Bar Hutte at the Great Northern will be a go-to party spot, with 14 cosy huttes under a heated stretch tent, with live singers, DJs, pizza made fresh on site and an exciting drinks menu.
Callum Winsper, operations manager at Bar Hütte, says: “We’re so pleased to bring Bar Hütte back to Manchester for another year.
“Our festive karaoke hüttes, lively courtyard and schedule of family events have become a holiday favourite in the city, and we’re proud to continue this tradition.
“We’re excited to return to both locations, Great Northern and Kampus, and we look forward to welcoming everyone – whether with friends, family, or colleagues – for another memorable Christmas season.”
Bar Hütte at Kampus opens on 14 November, while Great Northern Square opens on 15 November. You can make a booking HERE.
Viral bakery Half Dozen Other set to open new site this December
Thomas Melia
Famed for their incredible sweet treat pastries and fresh bread offerings, Half Dozen Other are preparing to open a brand new cafe and bakery in December.
Founded by ex-Rugby players Jon Wilkin and Mark Flanagan, who’ve both competed for the St. Helens team alongside a whole host of different clubs throughout their astonishing careers.
The pair also own Manchester coffee shop Pot Kettle Black, an establishment which has earned its stripes as a frontrunner in the city centre cafe scene.
Half Dozen Other opened a new bakery last summer, painting the Green Quarter landscape with a splash of coral pink thanks to their brightly coloured warehouse plot – and now they’re expanding again.
This bakery is opening their second site at Circle Square, the new Bruntwood Scitech development which is also home to Onda and Federal.
The esteemed bakery will also be accompanied by a whole host of foodie favourites like Detroit Slims and Hello Oriental who all currently reside in the same neighbourhood.
Some of the incredible bakes and creations by the team over at Half Dozen Other.The bright coral pink site that started it all for these Manchester-based bakers.The lovely food and drink options by Half Dozen Other to feed your appetite.Credit: The Manc Group
Not too long ago, Half Dozen Other collaborated with Indian restaurant Dishoom to launch their tasty ‘Chai custard tart’ creation.
The sweet treat specialists supply their delicious bites to many Manchester famous eateries including some of the city’s favourites like San Carlo and Tast Catala.
At the new site, they’ll be serving baked-fresh-daily ‘classic bakes, modern takes’.
November has been a very busy month for the Half Dozen Other team as they’re halfway through running their specials of the month including a Pistachio Croissant, PBJ Cookie and a vegan Tarte Tatin Croissant.
With so much going on including ever-changing new products and its brand new Oxford Road development, the bakery is teaming up with speciality coffee brand Ozone to offer £1 coffees every day in December.
Jon Wilkin said: “We’re obsessed with creating things that didn’t exist yesterday.
“Our bakers are already working their magic while Manchester’s bars are still thumping, committing to a mind-bending graft against the clock to ensure your morning toast is worth getting out of bed for.
“Some people count sheep to fall asleep, we count pastries to stay awake. It’s our obsession, an obsession that’s growing. Speaking of growth, we’re pretty chuffed to be opening a bakery shop in Circle Square on Oxford Road. Come at us!”
Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood SciTech commented: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Half Dozen Other to the Circle Square community.
“This is a brand founded on passion, craft and innovation and one we know will thrive within our vibrant neighbourhood, which is fast becoming a city centre hot spot for hospitality innovators.
“As well as freshly baked artisan treats we are excited to be bringing a new artisan bakery to Circle Square and we can’t wait to see what the team create at their new home.
“Half Dozen Other will be joining the likes of Onda, Detroit Slims by Ramona, Firehouse & Diecast, Federal and North Taproom and will complement this exciting mix perfectly.”
Sweet tooth lovers and bread aficionados can count themselves lucky as by next month, they can add a stop at Half Dozen Other at Circle Square on Oxford Road to their morning commute serving pastries, bakes and coffees from 7am.
Daisy Jackson -
31st October 2023 
