Manchester bar Cottonopolis announces closure after eight years in the Northern Quarter

One of the Northern Quarter’s staple bars and restaurants has announced its closure today.

Cottonopolis, which has sat on the corner of Newton Street and Dale Street since 2015, will not reopen after its busy festive period, owners have confirmed.

The Asian-inspired restaurant and bar has already shut its doors for good – but there’s a new concept planned for the space.

The historic Grade II-listed site will undergo a full renovation and relaunch with a brand new food and drink offering in early 2024.

Owners Nick and Hayley Muir have made the decision to close Cottonopolis after eight years, believing it has ‘reached the end of its journey in its current guise’.

They say the restaurant, which served Japanese food and high-end cocktails, will be replaced by something ‘something just as fresh’.

The Cottonopolis team are also behind The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats – so we’ve got high hopes for whatever is next in the Northern Quarter.

That 200-year-old pub had been derelict for years before Nick and Hayley took it on and transformed it into what’s already been recognised as one of the best gastropubs in the UK.

They’ve yet to confirm what direction the Cottonopolis site will go in, but are promising an ‘exciting new concept.

Nick Muir, director, said: “Cottonopolis has become known as a staple part of the Northern Quarter bar and restaurant scene, we believe we’ve reached the end of our journey in its current guise.

“It’s been great, we’ve thrown some great parties, hosted weddings and worked with fantastic brands but we want to do something just as fresh. Like when it first came onto the NQ scene. It feels like the right time to bring an exciting new concept.

“We’ve already been hard at work with our team behind the scenes to develop our next adventure, which will bring a new quality place to eat and drink to the NQ, with the same exceptional standards we’ve become known for at Edinburgh Castle.

“We’d like to thank all of our guests for their loyalty over the last eight years, and we’re looking forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you.”

Further details will be revealed later this month, with plans to reopen to the public early 2024.

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Featured image: The Manc Group