Eats

First look – Manchester’s magical Christmas karaoke cabins are back in town

Make mine a bombardino

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th November 2024

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.

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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.

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Nell's Pizza is served
Nell’s Pizza is served
Bar Hutte's siganture ski shots
Bar Hutte’s siganture ski shots
Bombardino, hot chocolate and a Baileys martini at Bar Hutte
Bombardino, 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.

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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 Kampus
Bar Hutte has popped up at Kampus
Upstairs at Bar Hutte Kampus
Upstairs at Bar Hutte Kampus
Bar Hutte has popped up at Kampus
Bar 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.”

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Bar Hütte at Kampus opens on 14 November, while Great Northern Square opens on 15 November. You can make a booking HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Viral bakery Half Dozen Other set to open new site this December

Thomas Melia 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.

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“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.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester Indian street food brand Rola Wala to give away 10 exclusive ‘black cards’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A popular independent Indian street food brand is giving 10 hungry fans the chance to win free lunches for a year

It’s been 10 years since the first Rola Wala opened its doors in the UK, and to properly mark this decade-long anniversary, the brand will be celebrating its commitment to bringing authentic Indian flavours to foodies across Manchester with a massive giveaway.

Kicking off from the brand’s official birthday tomorrow (12 November), and running until Tuesday 26 November, 10 coveted ‘black cards’ will be up for grabs.

Following the huge success of its launch on Deansgate in our city last year, 10 winners will get to tuck into the brand’s special naan rolls for an entire year – with every person entering also receiving an exclusive discount on their next visit too.

Unfamiliar with Rola Wala? The brand’s ‘build-your-own’ concept allows diners to choose their own filling, and combine them perfectly with fresh salads, herbs, pickles, and chutney, while also pairing that with a range of unmissable sides – including crispy masala fries, Rola rings, cookies, and more.

Rola Wala founder, Mark Wright, described the past 10 years as “a flavour-packed journey”, adding that it’s “far from over”.

“We’re really excited to be celebrating 10 years of Rola Wala by giving back to our communities in Manchester with this huge giveaway,” Mark explained.

Rola Wala is giving away 10 exclusive ‘black cards’ / Credit: The Manc Group

“As we come into our second decade of business, we are entering a new era where we’re committed to combining our street food DNA with a vibey ‘fast hospitality’ food experience, driven by our passion and a relentless focus on quality service – shown by our launch in Manchester last year.”

Fancy being in with a chance of winning a ‘black card’ then?

To participate in the 10th anniversary celebrations, all you need to do is sign up for Rola Wala’s ‘Spice Club’ loyalty scheme from today until 26 November.

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From there, you’ll be guaranteed a discount on your next visit, and also get your name put into the prize draw for free naan rolls for a year.

Sign up here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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