An immersive 1920s-themed ‘wine and murder’ escape room is coming to Manchester later this year.
Called ‘Wine Escape’, it will combine theatrical murder mystery, ‘beat the clock’ games, a two-course dinner with plenty of wine (as the name implies), and late-night dancing when it opens inside the former Freemason’s Hall this Autumn.
Watching as part of a live show, guests will become embroiled in the drama of the Hawker Wine Estate and its wealthy owners, the Von James family, as they are thrown into the mystery and intrigue of the historic building around them.
Image: Manchester Hall
What starts off as an evening of celebration quickly turns dark, as lies, vengeance and deceit being to turn the party sour. From this point on, the onus is on guests to stick together and hold their nerve in order to beat the clock and make their escape.
The show, which is touring up and down the country until December, will move into Manchester Hall for two dates on October 14 and 15.
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Designed to have “a night out on the town” feel, guests are encouraged to dress up in the 1920’s style but whilst costumes are welcomed they are not compulsory.
Tickets include a two-course meal and a live immersive show performed by actors, followed by entertainment, games and then dancing.
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Image: Manchester Hall
Despite the name, wine is not included in your ticket price – however, there is a bar open on site selling wine, alongside other alcoholic and soft drinks. As for your meal, guests can expect to eat a chicken main and a chocolate-based dessert – although this is subject to change depending on suppliers.
Priced at £64.95 per person, a discount is available for NHS, blue light staff and students. Doors will open at 6.30pm with an intermission during the show, then final drinks and dancing finishing off the night around 10.30-11.30pm.
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To find out more, visit the Wine Escape website here.
Feature image – Manchester Hall
Eats
The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
Georgina Pellant -
27th July 2022 
