We popped our heads into the brand-new Black Cat Club, a new competitive and social gaming bar from the team behind tapas favourites El Gato Negro and Canto right here in Manchester.
Opening its doors this month (Saturday, 16 March) from a stylish Brown Street den, previously home to the old Habas site, the maiden Black Cat Club is set to combine a small plates dining experience with entertainment and activities like shuffleboard, darts, table football, music and more.
With El Gato just down the road on King Street and Canto over Ancoats’ Cutting Room Square remaining two of the best places for tapas anywhere in the city centre, we were already pretty excited to see what the set-up was going to look like in person.
Safe to say that now we’ve had a glimpse of everything and taken a head-first dive into the food, we cannot wait for this place to launch. They’re also helping usher people in with a very enticing offer on the gaming side, but we’ll get on to that.
First announced last month, it is the games and interactive elements that are the star of this sister concept, promising to deliver the city’s first ‘immersive shuffleboard experience’, with four SHUFL tables and seven FlyBy dart stations and more at the heart of this competitive socialising bar.
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Although the combination might sound a bit left-field at first glance, with tapas and small plates all about sharing and creating a more social way to eat, it actually makes perfect sense when you stop and think about it.
Speaking of the food, there is a very healthy spread to choose from on the menu: buttermilk chicken bites with curry mayonnaise, corn ribs coated in paprika and garlic; salt and pepper ribs, Cajun chicken nachos, crispy cauliflower with sweet spicy chilli sauce and more.
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If you’re after slightly bigger portions to keep to yourself after you’ve just been humiliated by your mates at the oche, you can also choose from some very good loaded pizzas, ‘burgers and buns’, hot dogs with caramelised onions, fish finger butties, dirty fries and tasty wraps for meat-eaters and veggies.
As you can see, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on, both in terms of the menu and interior — which itself is like a crossover between a popular darts bar, a contemporary European drinking spot with lots of musical aesthetics, and the obvious dining room elements from their award-winning parent restaurants — but this place is also about having a tipple with friends.
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The menu is just extensive when it comes to drinks, with ice-cold pints, wines, spirits and a classic cocktails line-up featuring some of Black Cat‘s signatures: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ (a sweet combination of Discarded Banana Rum, Licor 43 and pineapple), the refreshing ‘Yuzu Spritz’ and a zesty ‘Sevilla Southside’ — now that is a little bit of us right there.
We can’t think of many prettier settings for a drink, some scran and tipsy shenanigans than set against the backdrop of original Manc brickwork inside a repurposed wine cellar, merged with green and copper hand-painted wall art, marble finishings, art deco fittings and booth seating for big groups.
That’s another big draw for this place too, by the way. Black Cat Club will be offering premium sports viewing experiences, showing all major UK sporting events with the added perk of table-top service — you only need to tap a button to order some food or an ice-cold beer.
Also housing a private space in the back, bookings can be made for up to 20 guests at a time for special events and big sports screenings, which is perfect timing seeing as Euro 2024 is just around the corner.
Last but not least, Black Cat has just revealed that to celebrate their official opening date on Saturday, 16 March (bookings are live as we speak) they will also be offering 50% off all gaming throughout March. Say no more.
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If you’re interested in going along to give a try and score yourself a discount on your games of choice on your way in, you can book for Black Cat Club HERE or by calling 0161 470 9375.
Wilmslow Street Fest returns for a trio of sunny dates later this year
Danny Jones
Down the road in Cheshire and just beyond the reaches of Greater Manchester, the Manc-adjacent market town of Wilmslow is once again hosting a big street festival this summer.
The stylish suburb might be a short trip out of 0161, but this popular and now annual celebration is well worth the journey.
Following a smash-hit inaugural event last year, Wilmslow Street Fest is back for 2025 and what we’re sure will be an even more successful second series of dates.
Consider our train tickets booked already.
Credit: Wilmslow BID (supplied)
Set up by Market Co. in association with Wilmslow’s Way Better organisation, which is funded through the Wilmslow BID (Business Improvement Districts) and aims to develop the town centre with local business at the forefront, it’s part of a wider programme of events and activities each year.
Most importantly, the festival is completely free to attend and designed to capture that community spirit at its highest: when the sun is out and shining bright – touch wood.
Based around a main hub on Wilmslow‘s Bank Square, natives and visitors from around the North West have not just one, not just two, but three different chances to enjoy the festivities.
And since you’ll be there all evening, you’ll be glad to hear there’s plenty of scran to be enjoyed. Expect Jamaican delicacies from Hungry Little Critters, a delicious Cheeky Swine Hog Roast, delights from the Thai Food Van and tonnes more. *Deep inhale*…
Cheeky SwineCan’t go wrong with a hot dogOr a burgerCredit: Supplied
And it doesn’t stop there – not even close: there’ll be crepes from Flippen Good and top-tier ice cream from Gingers Comfort Emporium (big fans), as well as all the drinks under the sun from Vintro Bar.
Besides eating and drinking your weight like we do in summer, there’ll also be plenty of free entertainment, including live music performances and DJs, stilt walkers and even a bubbleologist.
Yes, that is someone who blows giant bubbles.
Put simply, there’ll be something for everyone and having heard strong reviews from the debut event last year, we won’t be missing out on it this time.
Wilmslow Street Fest 2025 is taking place on Friday, 25 April, Fri 27 June and Fri 29 August 29th, all of which will kick off from 5pm and start wrapping up at 9pm.
Speaking on the upcoming sophomore event, Verity LeChapois of Wilmslow BID said: “We’re so excited to collaborate with Market Co. again to bring Wilmslow Street Fest back for 2025. These events are all about showcasing Wilmslow at its best – live music, great food and an unbeatable community vibe.
“Street Fest offers something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie looking to try something new, a music lover eager to hear live music from talented performers, or you’re simply looking for a great night out with friends and family.
“We’re hoping to build on the success of last year’s events and make them bigger and more successful than ever. Entry is free – bring your friends and family and join us in Bank Square for a fantastic celebration in the heart of Wilmslow.”
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied via Wilmslow BID)
Eats
Manchester’s newest Mexican restaurant is giving away 1,000 FREE margaritas to celebrate its launch
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s newest Mexican-inspired restaurant is getting ready to open its doors with an exciting giveaway.
In case you hadn’t heard, the former Sunset by Australasia bar and terrace in Spinningfields is being transformed into a colourful new Mexican spot called OCASA, and it’s set to open just in time for this upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.
The 80-seat sun terrace on The Avenue – just behind Australasia itself, which recently reopened after a stunning refurbishment at the end of last week – will take inspiration from the shores of Tulum, to the street food scene of Mexico City.
You can expect to see it serving premium tequila, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired food.
Manchester’s new Mexican-inspired restaurant OCASA is opening in Spinningfields this Friday / Credit: Supplied
Diners can look forward to plenty of music and entertainment, including mariachi bands, ice-cold frozen margaritas, and tableside guacamole, plus BBQ tacos fresh off the grill, Sunday feasts, and loads more.
Not to mention, it will also become the city’s ‘ultimate tequila destination’ with one of the country’s most extensive collections of premium spirits.
Oh, and if you go the launch day, you can also look forward to free margaritas too.
Running this Friday from 3pm through to 6pm, all with ‘no strings attached’, the first guests to arrive will be invited to enjoy an expertly-crafted frozen margarita, made with the signature Casamigos tequila, for completely free of charge.
You can kick off your bank holiday in style with an icy margarita on OCASA’s sun-drenched al fresco terrace, soaking up the city’s vibrant charm and spring sunshine… if it sticks around and shows its face, that is.
Alongside those free frozen margaritas, OCASA’s new menu will feature a mouth-watering selection of small plates all made for sharing while savouring and soaking up the atmosphere.
OCASA officially opens to the Manchester public on Good Friday (18 April), so if you want to be among the first to experience the city’s boldest new restaurant and bar, and claim your free frozen margarita of course, then get on down there from 3pm.
Danny Jones -
12th March 2024 
