The idea of a ‘secret bar’ is pretty much dead these days, with the rise of social media revealing any and all hidden gems across Manchester.
But a brand new bar that’s opening its doors this weekend has done its level best to keep an air of mystery about it.
Dear Sailor has kept its Instagram account private, only accepting follow requests from a select few.
It’s teased details like its inspiration (prohibition-era jazz speakeasies in Tokyo), and its menu (championing flavours of South-East Asia like yuzu and shiso), along with blueprints of the bar design.
It describes itself as ‘The whisper of the town’.
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But otherwise, there have been no press releases, no star-studded parties, and no sneak peeks. It’s not even listed on Google Maps yet.
That’s all about to change, with Dear Sailor ready to host its launch weekend from Friday 24 November.
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Dear Sailor is ready to open in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupDear Sailor has a covered outdoor drinking area. Credit: The Manc GroupDear Sailor’s bar area. Credit: The Manc Group
And despite its efforts to keep things under wraps, it’s aroused a fair bit of interest over the last few weeks.
For as much as Dear Sailor might be trying to arrive in Manchester with an air of mystery, it’s in a prime location with plenty of footfall.
It’s opening its doors directly across from Sexy Fish in Spinningfields, taking over the former Wolf Street Food space off Spinningfields Square.
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The space divides into two areas – a covered outdoor terrace with long banks of seating (they’ve built a large extension, with a wooden cube now jutting out onto The Avenue), and the main bar space.
It’s been completely transformed with a towering, illuminated bar at one end and a golden wave of fabric hanging overhead.
The walls inside are painted with blue waves while a brown leather banquette twists all the way around the bar.
Another unusual feature about Dear Sailor is its list of house rules, which forbid any name-dropping, any loud behaviour, and hats.
The view from the terrace through to the Dear Sailor main bar. The bar will open this weekend. Credit: The Manc Group
‘Gentlemen’ are also not allowed to approach ladies inside the bar, with women encouraged in the house rules to ‘lift your chin slightly and ignore him’.
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Dancing on the furniture is allowed as long as you take your shoes off first, and punters are asked to leave the bar quickly and silently.
One of Dear Sailor’s rules also states: “Do not bring anyone unless you would leave that person alone in your home. You are responsible for the behaviour of your guests.”
Dear Sailor is open in Spinningfields now and bookings are live here.
Dear Sailor in Manchester’s full list of house rules
No name-dropping, no star f*cking.
No shouting, or other loud behavior.
No fighting, no play fighting, no talking about fighting.
Gentlemen can remove their hats. Hooks are provided if necessary.
Gentlemen will not introduce themselves to ladies. Ladies, feel free to start a conversation or ask the bartender to introduce you. If a man you don’t know speaks to you, please lift your chin slightly and ignore him.
Do not linger outside the front door.
Shoes off when dancing on the furniture.
No sports wear/caps.
Do not bring anyone unless you would leave that person alone in your home. You are responsible for the behavior of your guests.
Exit the bar briskly and silently. Please make all your travel plans and say all farewells before leaving the bar.
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.