Caravan, one of London’s most popular all-day restaurant destinations, is finally ready to open its doors in Manchester for the first time.
Caravan is a hotly-anticipated eatery famed for its brunches, sourdough pizzas, coffee and cocktails, which has been slowly taking shape in the St John’s neighbourhood.
The huge new space is now complete, offering room for up to 170 diners plus a cocktail bar, a private dining room and a full working roastery producing some of the freshest coffees in the city.
There are massive floor-to-ceiling windows that will open all the way on sunny days, adding to the brand’s New Zealand cafe culture roots.
Caravan in Manchester has been decorated in neutral colour palette with loads of texture – brick tiles, natural wood, rattan lampshades, rust-coloured leather banquettes, and stone-coloured crockery. It’s beautiful.
ADVERTISEMENT
A central bar is well-stocked with wines and spirits for their list of cocktails, including their delicious tiramisu martini, made with caravan espresso and salted caramel syrup.
The restaurant’s ‘well-travelled’ all-day menu features dishes like jalapeño cornbread with chilli butter, sourdough pizzas, and healthy (but hearty) grain bowls.
ADVERTISEMENT
Open seven days a week, there’s also a full brunch menu that includes Korean-style buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi pancakes, and, of course, fry-ups.
Co-founders Chris Ammermann, Laura Harper Hinton and Miles Kirby, all native New Zealanders, launched Caravan back in 2009 and are finally ready to bring the Antipodean favourite up north.
Caravan Manchester will officially open on Tuesday 20 August.
In pictures – Caravan opens first Manchester restaurant
A full spread of its all-day menuCaravan is ready to open in St John’s, ManchesterA tiramisu espresso martiniCheese and kimchi on toast at Caravan in ManchesterCaravan cocktailsPoached eggs and whipped yoghurt with flatbreadSmacked cucumber and jalapeno cornbread Caravan cocktailsSmacked cucumber and jalapeno cornbread Caravan cocktailsA Bloody Mary with Caravan’s own spice mixCaravan’s famous jalapeno cornbread. Credit: The Manc GroupCaravan is ready to open in St John’s, Manchester
Huge Manchester street food event postponed amid severe weather
Daisy Jackson
A big food festival that was set to take place in Manchester this weekend has been postponed due to the severe storm warning.
GRUB at The Club, which is set to celebrate 11 years of the street food heavyweights, was meant to be taking place at Fairfield Social club this weekend.
The brilliant GRUB team had planned two nights of great food and DJs to celebrate their birthday, with free birthday cake for the first 50 people through the door on Friday night.
But as Manchester is battered by basically more rain than we’ve seen all summer, organisers have made the decision to postpone the event for now.
Remember when it felt like Manchester would always be sunny, dry and warm? Those days are over, my friend.
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today, then a forecast that features a bit more rain than we’d like for a bank holiday.
GRUB have said that this severe storm forecast has made it ‘impossible’ for the event to go ahead as planned, as they prioritise the safety and enjoyment of everyone on site.
They’ve said that the event will be rearranged to take place in September, with the exact date announced very soon.
GRUB posted: “Due to the severe storm forecast this week we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event. The safety and enjoyment of our guests, traders and team always comes first and this weekend’s weather makes it impossible for us to go ahead as planned.
“We’re gutted. This one meant a lot to us and we know it did to you too. But GRUB At The Club is not cancelled! It’s coming back in September and we cannot wait to do this properly. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date announcement coming very soon
“The launch of FSC’s brand new pizza menu is also being pushed back. But not for long! That one’s coming very soon and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.
“Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’ll see you soon.”
Keep an eye on GRUB’s Instagram for the rescheduled dates.
Award-winning cocktail bar in Manchester announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
Red Light, a Manchester cocktail bar that’s been named as one of the best in the UK, has announced its shock closure.
The beautiful bar on the cobbled Little David Street has said that ‘this Pride will be our last’, with the doors set to close for good on Sunday.
Red Light opened its doors at Kampus in 2023, an inclusive space with great drinks, events, and DJs.
The bar was the brainchild of Deana Ferguson, an adopted Manc originally hailing from Belfast, who created a cosy, welcoming space with a fantastic martini.
But now, the Red Light team have announced that they have just days remaining in their home.
They wrote that ‘sustained financial headwinds’ are partly to blame, along with the challenges presented by operating a late-night venue in a residential area.
Red Light in Manchester has announced its closureThe beautiful bar is on Little David Street at Kampus in Manchester
In a heartbreaking statement, Red Light wrote: “For so many years, this bar has been more than a place to drink. It has been a home, a dance floor, a refuge, and a place where people could find friendship, freedom, love, and themselves.
“We are immensely proud of the community that has grown within these walls, and grateful to every person who has been part of it.”
The statement went on to thank the DJs, performers, neighbours and friends who ‘made this bar what it was’.
Red Light added: “We want our final Pride to celebrate everything we have created together. Come raise a glass, fill the dance floor, and help us give this place the joyful, unapologetically queer farewell it deserves.
“We hope to see you over the weekend, for one last Pride together.”
Daisy Jackson -
13th August 2024 
