There’s a new Joy Division-inspired bar in Manchester city centre, and as stunning as it is, it’s attracting A LOT of the same jokes.
Disorder opened on High Street last week, taking the former Walrus bar and turning it into a sleek restaurant and bar.
Its new look includes a mural of Ian Curtis himself, painted by the legendary local street artist Akse-P19.
There’s also a green neon sign nodding to Joy Division’s 1979 album Unknown Pleasures, beautiful green tiles and brown leather furniture.
When our food and drink editor popped in for a sneak peek, she said it was reminiscent of the ‘glory days of Northern Quarter bars, how they used to be maybe ten years ago – in the very best way with drinks and food upstairs and a party waiting to happen down below.’
So far so good – so what exactly is everyone’s problem?
It initially seems to boil down to the Asian fusion menu, which features items like Japanese sandos, loaded skewers, and tostadas.
Inside Disorder in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Disorder in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Which probably weren’t part of Ian’s staple diet back in the late 1970s, admittedly, and a lot of people have made comments of the sort.
One person commented on our Facebook post: “Nothing says Joy Division more than loaded fries and Gyozas.”
Someone else said: “Yeah cos whenever I listen to Joy Division it always makes me think of Asian Fusion…”
And another comment was: “Ian Curtis couldn’t get enough of smash burgers and gyozas. Lived on a diet of them by all accounts. A fitting tribute to them.”
One clear Joy Division fan said: “I fully expect this to close after 4 years and become a New Order bar. Then close and split into 3 different, but not very different bars.”
And a gold star for this person, who said: “The most annoying thing about this is they haven’t bothered with even a single pun on the menu…
“Heart & Sole. Flambé of the Lords. From Safety to Gruyère. Love Will Tear ‘n’ Share Us Apart. New Prawn Fades. A Means to an Egg. Etc etc.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
Manchester dessert and sandwich stars Gooey are set to open another city centre site
Danny Jones
0161’s world-famous dessert stars, Gooey, are set to open another city centre site – their third in Greater Manchester and soon-to-be fifth overall.
Known for their incredible cookies, doughnuts, brunch, legendary French toast and plenty more, Gooey made their first foray out of their hometown with a Liverpool location last year, and are now set to consolidate their Manc base even further.
Set to open in a prime piece of real estate, the latest Manchester Gooey store will be opening in a sizeable empty unit over on Circle Square, right next to the Asda Express and in the heart of the student living and leisure complex.
Benefitting from being easily seen from along the bustling Oxford Road Corridor, you can expect this place to be packed to the rafters from the off on day one.
The signs are already in the window.That unreal French toast dripping in syrup.Credit: The Manc Eats
There are few details on what the new arrival might have in-store beyond all the brand favourites at this early stage, but each Gooey store shop does have its own charm.
From their original bakery and cafe over in the Northern Quarter, to the three kiosks in Ducie Street Warehouse, The Trafford Centre Selfridges and over on Merseyside’s iconic Bold Street, they all offer something a little different.
As for any hints at the launch plans, fans are yet to be given an official opening date, but you best believe you’ll be the first to know the second we do.
In case you’ve never tried or even come across the indulgent and fast-growing independent business before, another popular part of their menu is the bits between bread.
Touching on the upcoming addition, Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood SciTech – the team behind Circle Square’s ever-expanding offerings – said: “Gooey is an incredible local brand who are continuing to grow, evolve and innovate, with ever more exciting desserts.
“They will make a fantastic addition to the Circle Square community, and we look forward to seeing the impact they make in the coming months.”
In case you wonder how much we love this place and just how excited you should be about another one landing here in the city centre, sometimes we just put together random appreciation posts for that one, aforementioned butty alone.
Local foodies will also be buzzing to hear that they’re not the only calorific cult favourites that are bringing more to our mouths in 2025.
First, it was Brewski, followed by American Pies; then it was Foldies, and now the beloved culinary brand is launching yet another new concept here in Manchester.
There’s a ‘not snobby’ cheese tasting evening coming to Manchester this autumn
Thomas Melia
An evening dedicated to celebrating all things cheese is coming to a Manchester city centre pub this autumn.
Leeds-based cheese company Homage2Fromage launched its cheese-focused company back in 2011 as a monthly service highlighting all the delicious dairy offerings.
Since this, Homage2Fromage has gone on to host incredible events and activities, including an all-you-can-eat cheese festival right here in Manchester back in 2023.
Now, the cheese fanatics return with a brand-new event titled ‘Extreme Cheese’, where it’s bringing lots of creamy and crumbly varieties to local Manchester city centre pub, The Wayfarer.
You can expect to sample eight dairy delights, with some expected to be ‘very strong’, as the company adds ‘fromage not for the faint-hearted’, so if you like your cheese strong, then this one’s for you.
Homage2Fromage host cheese tasting experiences across the country including Manchester / Credit: Supplied
This cheese provider offers tasting experiences up and down the country, including prime spots in the north like Halifax, Harrogate, Leeds, and Sheffield.
The newest cheese-inspired event is set to be no different, with an itinerary packed regarding all things cheese.
You can grab a drink on arrival, and as soon as you hear ‘CHEESE’ the tasting begins, followed by scoring and, most importantly, an informative chat where you learn all about this dreamy delicacy.
For those who are cheese aficionados, the company even lets you host your own cheese event and provides everything you could ever need – including that golden flavour-packed good stuff.
If you’d rather put your hosting skills to one side though, and just simply tuck into some of the best cheddar varieties there is, then you can do just that at this upcoming cheese testing evening this autumn.
Homage2Fromage is bringing an exclusive cheese tasting evening, ‘Extreme Cheese’, to Manchester city centre at The Wayfarer on 24 September, and you can find tickets HERE.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Daisy Jackson -
24th February 2023 
