The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is already into its second week and off to a flying start in Manchester.
Under Eat Out To Help Out scheme, which was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of the UK government’s #PlanForJobs, visitors will receive a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, when dining-in at participating venues on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout 3rd – 31st August.
This unmissable offer – which can be used on more than one occasion and will see participating establishments simply remove the discount from customers’ bills – is available on food and non-alcoholic beverages, but does not include takeaway purchases.
The scheme is designed to encourage people to dine-in and support their favourite local hangouts.
Plenty of Manchester’s independent eateries have signed on to take part in the scheme, but if you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat in the city centre without having to leave your pup at home, then the team at dog food company tails.com have compiled a list of 12 dog-friendly restaurants taking part in Eat Out to Help Out this month.
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North Tea Power
Northern Quarter
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North Tea Power
Often talked about as serving some of the best coffee in Manchester, North Tea Power is super dog-friendly.
Dogs are welcomed inside with open arms, plus they don’t even mind if the little ones curl up on the bench next to you. Even better, they’ve also got a covered outside area on the rows where you can sit if you have an extra large furry friend or the tables inside are taken.
For bookings and more information, visit the North Tea Power website here.
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Takk
Northern Quarter
Takk
One of the Northern Quarter’s most popular hangouts, Takk are experts at everything from coffee and tea, to light continental dining, wifi, seating and cakes – the latter made by the brilliant Trove bakery. Plus, it’s also dog-friendly too, so you can take your four-legged friends along with you.
For bookings and more information, visit the Takk website here.
Common
Northern Quarter
Common
You’ll never be unwelcome with a dog at Common.
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With delicious food and drinks, this Edge Street hangout is the perfect spot for you and your pup to get some downtime. Common is known for its quirky artwork on the walls, which seems to change every time you go in, so you’ll always have something to admire whilst you enjoy your food.
For bookings and more information, visit the Common website here.
The Wharf
Castlefield
The Wharf
After a walk along the canal, there’s no better place to make a pitstop with your pub than at The Wharf.
Even if the weather takes a turn for the worse and you can’t sit in their amazing beer garden, you and your furry friend can head inside to the bar area, where food and drink is served all day.
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For bookings and more information, visit The Wharf website here.
The Pen and Pencil
Northern Quarter
The Pen and Pencil
With food and drink served all day, from brunch and burgers, to healthy smoothies, beers, wines, spirits and bespoke cocktails, it’s easy to see why The Pen and Pencil is such a popular Northern Quarter hangout.
It’s also super dog-friendly too, so you and your pup can enjoy the relaxed environment together.
For bookings and more information, visit The Pen and Pencil website here.
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Tariff & Dale
Northern Quarter
Tariff & Dale
Serving up classic cocktails and British Beer in a building that is steeped in true Manchester history, Tariff and Dale offers you a tranquil environment to relax and enjoy some modern British food from the grill and sourdough pizza from the wood oven.
If all this wasn’t enough, your four-legged friend is also welcome to soak up the history with you and will be greeted with a warm welcome by all the staff.
For bookings and more information, visit the Tariff & Dale website here.
Cottonopolis
Northern Quarter
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Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis is a lively warehouse-style venue with an Asian-inspired menu featuring tempura, katsu and steamed asian-style greens, and a bar that serves up every drink you can possibly imagine.
It’s also a great place to take your four-legged friends as your dog is invited to enjoy the complete luxury along with you.
For bookings and more information, visit the Cottonopolis website here.
Rudy’s
Ancoats & Peter Street
Rudy’s
Rudy’s is a relaxed, neighbourhood pizzeria that follows the traditions and artistry of pizza from Naples, and even better, your furry friend can join you while you tuck into an authentic and delicious pizza. The Ancoats location also features a newly-extended outdoor area, complete with canopy, meaning that you and your pup can sit comfortably outside and enjoy the atmosphere of Cutting Room Square.
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For bookings and more information, visit the Rudy’s website here.
The Refuge
Oxford Street
The Refuge
The Refuge is a public bar and dining room set in 10,000 square feet of breath-taking space at the iconic hotel on Oxford Street. Plus, four-legged friends are allowed in until 7pm daily, but if it’s not a busy night, you can usually get away with them staying a little later.
Check out the Winter Garden area, which is full of trees, sofas and fairy lights.
For bookings and more information, visit The Refuge website here.
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Cocoa Cabana
Ancoats & West Didsbury
Cocoa Cabana
Cocoa Cabana has gained a respected reputation for its artisan, additive-free chocolates, homemade cakes and chocolate afternoon teas. This place has it all, from delicious chocolates and a selection of cocktails, to a food menu with plenty of choice.
Your dog is also very welcome here and will even have a little friend for company in the form of resident dachshund, Frank.
For bookings and more information, visit the Cocoa Cabana website here.
The Font
New Wakefield Street
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The Font
Craft beer, cocktails and hearty home-cooked food is always on the menu at The Font.
There’s an outside terrace at the front and plenty of room inside for any size dog. Plus, they host regular events, ranging from pottery workshops, BBQs and dog-themed parties.
For bookings and more information, visit The Font website here.
Richmond Tea Rooms
Sackville Street
Richmond Tea Rooms
Inspired by the desire to enjoy an exquisite afternoon tea in the heart of the city centre, Richmond Tea Rooms’ award-winning ‘Alice in Wonderland’-themed dining experience is completed with freshly made sandwiches, cakes and treats.
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Your pup can enjoy this unique dining experience with you as the tea room is super dog friendly and will greet your four-legged friend with a water bowl and a treat.
For bookings and more information, visit the Richmond Tea Rooms website here.
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The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken its toll on industries of all shapes and sizes over these past few months, but supporting local/independent business has never been more important than it is right now.
The Manc is #BuzzingToBeBack – find out more about eats in Manchester here.
Eats
A massive bowling, games and entertainment bar is coming to Manchester next year
Danny Jones
A popular bowling and table games bar that has already proved a hit in Liverpool is coming to Manchester for the very first time next year.
If you’re from the North West, PINS Social Club may not be a new name to you; nevertheless, this will be its Manc debut, with the location not only their first beyond Merseyside but just their second site to date.
As the name would suggest, PINS is primarily about bowling and socialising, but there is plenty more going on at this social club as you’ll find out soon enough.
Scheduled to open in late spring 2026, Manchester and our nearby neighbours in Liverpool are about to strike up a firm party partnership.
CGIs of PINS Social Club Manchester (Credit: Supplied)
Selecting the shifting face of Sunlight House for the space – already home to the likes of Schofield’s Bar – the 25,000 sq ft unit will span three whole floors, offering a next-generation social and entertainment experience in one of Manchester’s most stunning buildings.
A Grade II-listed, Art Deco structure, Sunlight House is undergoing a major £35 million refurbishment, with ‘grade A’ offices set to take up a significant chunk, but it’s soon set to house the latest PINS venue.
Sitting on Quay Street, just off the main Deansgate strip, the busy Peter St corner, and adjacent to Spinningfields, PINS Manchester is springing up right in the midst of arguably the city’s busiest stretches for nightlife.
Promising not only bowling, darts, and table games like pool, shuffleboard and beer pong, but karaoke, live music and all the biggest sporting events on the box, PINS Social Club really does aim to be a one-stop shop for all your needs on a night out.
For instance, their food offerings will run all the way from breakfast through to the late evening, and PINS Manchester is also set to feature a main stage on the ground floor for “electric half-time shows”, with the gaming mezzanine looming just above.
Not only is this going to be PINS’ biggest venue yet, but it’s well and truly on track to be one of the biggest hospitality openings coming in the next 12 months.
Headed up by MD Daniel Kelly, who has also been helping run the resurrected Almost Famous brand here in Manchester, the team knows all about this city. Speaking on the announcement, Kelly said: “Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture, and community – everything that PINS is about.
“This new venue will be our biggest yet, offering a bold and exciting social space that’s purpose-built for entertainment, competition, and ultimately, having a great time. We can’t wait to bring our concept to Manchester’s incredible social scene. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”
Julien Buronfosse, Managing Director at Karrev (the estate company who have leased the building to the business) added: “The PINS offering is diverse, dynamic and will provide tenants and the local community with an unparalleled leisure experience.
“We wanted to work with an operator that understood our vision of breathing new life into a historic building, contributing to the new era that Sunlight House is entering. The building has ambitions to be much more than Grade A office space, with a specific emphasis on community building. The addition of PINS to Sunlight House will contribute greatly to that.”
Consider us here at The Manc GroupVERY excited for this one.
As you can see, they’ve got plenty of room to work with. (Credit: Calmafftaylor via Wikimedia Commons)
Featured Images — CGIs (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons
Eats
Didsbury favourite Rustik adjust plans to close after overwhelming support
Danny Jones
Didsbury favourite Rustik recently announced that they would soon be closing, seemingly for good, after more than a decade, but after a fortunate twist of fate, there looks to be a sliver of hope, and like they could be staying open after all.
The beloved neighbourhood cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but the independent Irish eatery confirmed that they were due to shut down permanently by the end of last month.
Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.
To no surprise whatsoever, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution, which has also helped lead to a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
Updating their followers via social media on Monday, 13 October, Rustik wrote: “We Need You More Than Ever […] We know it’s been quiet since we closed our doors — and honestly, it’s been a tough time behind the scenes.
“So many of you reached out, checked in, sent kind words, and we’ve felt every bit of that love. Thank you. Truly. When we said goodbye, we weren’t sure what the future looked like. But due to unexpected changes and plans falling through, things have come back around… and now, we’re reopening.
“It’s not easy to say this, but like so many in hospitality right now, it’s tough. We know we’re not alone in this — many small businesses are facing incredibly difficult decisions. But instead of closing the chapter, we’ve decided to give it one more shot. With everything we have.
“So, we’re reopening this Wednesday, 15 October, with a brand new brunch menu and the same Rustik heart you’ve always known. For now, we won’t be open in the evenings — but that might change. What matters most is that our doors will be open again, and we can welcome you back.”
Not only is this obviously brilliant news, but Burton Road favourite is also offering guests a 20% discount off the menu until Halloween (31 Oct) – their way of not only encouraging new customers to come through their doors, but also as a thank you to all their loyal patrons over the years.
Again, the return of late dining and their usual full programme of nighttime events still looks uncertain, but for now, they’ll be “serving coffee and brunch Wednesday to Sunday, 9am–4pm, and hoping to see as many familiar (and new) faces as possible.”
They signed off by adding: “This is a fresh start, but we can’t do it without you. If you’ve ever loved what we do, now is the time we need you most. Your support, your presence, even just sharing this with someone who might pop in – it means everything. With love, gratitude, and a little bit of hope — The Rustik Team.”
This positive turn of events comes just a few weeks after what fans thought was the endgame for the West Dids community cornerstone.
Posting across all of their accounts on 17 September, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.
Expressing their gratitude after the best part of a decade in the south Manchester suburb, they touched upon the post-COVID recovery period, rising business rates, supply chain costs and many of the same challenges that other hospitality venues have cited as reasons for the initial decision.
“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.
We sincerely hope the talk of closing proves to be merely a blip and that this next chapter signals the start of an incredible new era for Rustik, and as for you local foodies, we urge you to meet the further call for support and visit them during this crunch period.
Emily Sergeant -
10th August 2020 
