A brand new alcohol-free bar, just the second anywhere in central Manchester, has opened up in an unlikely spot over in the Northern Quarter.
Rather fittingly named Hinterland, NQ’s new zero-alcohol bar – the first of its kind to open in the bustling food and drink district – has found its home in the back or rather the basement of the Manchester Buddhist Centre on Turner Street.
Delivering an innovative space that provides a sophisticated and serene environment where the focus shifts from alcohol to authentic, meaningful social interactions, they’re stripping back the pretence of drinking to remind people that you don’t need a pint to feel comfortable engaging with one another.
Created by Stephen Jeffreys, who struggled with alcohol addiction for some time, he says that “Hinterland is about creating a space where people can develop meaningful friendships and have deep conversations without the need for booze”.
Taking cues from his own relationship with getting sober, the aim is to create a welcoming, inclusive environment that supports not only those in recovery but also anyone who just fancies a good time without getting intoxicated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reflecting on his personal journey to recovery, he was quick to note the scarcity of social options for those seeking to socialise without being surrounded by alcohol in the modern world.
“When I later on started struggling with depression and anxiety, I would resort to alcohol as an escape from these difficult emotions”, says Jeffreys. “Because alcohol was so socially accepted and ubiquitous, I didn’t realise how problematic my behaviour would end up being.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve noticed that it’s not just people with a problematic relationship with alcohol who want to skip the booze. There are lots of people who wish they could have a space to hang out with friends on a Friday night without having to get wasted. Hinterland is there for all of those people.”
Tucked away in a NQ back-alley, you’ll find a whole new approach to the bar experience. (Credit: Tom van Berkel)
Although you can still enjoy wines, beers and cocktails only in an alcohol-free form, the new Northern Quarter bar is also serving up teas, coffees, cakes and various social events to come in the near future.
Hinterland is also a community interest company (CIC), meaning all of their profits are donated directly to charities and causes they care about, meaning that are not only offering an outlet to those looking for something beyond drink but are helping support the sober movement and local community even further.
ADVERTISEMENT
They’re even hosting a launch party this Saturday (22 June) with “a night of conversation, drinks, and good vibes” to welcome in the new crowd, along with anyone hoping to cut out alcohol or that might be at the very least ‘sober-concious’. You can grab your tickets HERE.
Hinterland, Manchester’s newest alcohol-free bar, is open from 11am-11pm, Tuesday-Saturday and 11-5pm on Sundays – give a try.
Other alcohol-free bars like Kampus’ LoveFrom are pioneering the sober drinking scene in Manchester.
Featured Images — Hinterland/Tom van Berkel (supplied)
Eats
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
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.
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.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot 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!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
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.
Danny Jones -
19th June 2024 
