Eats

Manchester institution Font, famed for its £1 cocktails, is closing for good

After 22 years, this much-loved institution is no more.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 7th January 2023

One of Manchester’s best-loved and most long-standing bars, Font, has announced it is closing its doors for good.

The beloved institution on New Wakefield Street is famed for its bargain cocktails, which start from £1, and has been a favourite for local students for decades.

But devastatingly, the bar – which has survived the 2008 recession as well as all the horrible trappings and challenges of the pandemic – is set to close for good today.

Font announced the news to its legions of fans last night, and there are many. Just about anyone who’s been a student in Manchester will have fond memories of this colourful little bar.

They wrote that the cost of living crisis has taken an ‘insurmountable toll’ on the business and thanked everyone who’s passed through the doors over its 22-year reign.

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The Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Their post on Instagram read: “Farewell Font Manchester. With sorrowful hearts we regret to announce The Font Manchester is closing for business. Our last day will be tmrw eve, Sat 7th Jan, 4pm – 1am.

“Unfortunately the impact of COVID, followed by the cost of living crisis has taken an insurmountable toll and while this is tough news for sure, we feel comforted by the memories of the last 22 years and the countless awesome times we’ve had here!

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“Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to all our staff, customers and friends past & present, your support has meant the world.

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“All bookings will be contacted in time. Plus if you have any remaining credit on your app you can still spend it at @thefontchorlton who will remain open.

“So friends, feel free to head over tmrw night, share your memories & raise a cocktail for dear Fonty.

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“From all of us at Team Font, we love & adore you xx.”

Speaking to The Manc late last year, Dan Rinaldi, general manager (who has worked at Font for 15 years) described what the bar scene in the city was like when it first opened in 2002.

The Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
The Font Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

He said: “The bar scene in Manchester was loads smaller. The Northern Quarter was maybe just Common, Trof had literally just opened, and maybe Odd? The Ancoats of now didn’t exist. The scene was so limited in some ways.”

Font found its niche in creative cocktails – dreamt up by the various bar staff who have worked here over the years – a fun atmosphere and its affordable prices.

Font Manchester’s final service will be today, Saturday 7 January.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Japanese-Brazilian hybrid, SakkuSamba, is putting on a special Valentine’s menu

Danny Jones Danny Jones SakkuSamba Valentine's Day

For anyone who hasn’t made it down to SakkuSamba, not only are you missing out but you might have also just found the perfect place to take your special someone this Valentine’s Day.

If you haven’t heard of this unique Spinningields restaurant before, SakkuSamba is the Japanese-Brazilian hybrid where surf and turf meet in an intimate and stylish setting.

From the moment you walk in to see the pink-hued lighting and floral surroundings, you immediately feel like you’ve been transported to a different world. And what better way to be greeted into that world than with a rose and a glass of fizz? Say no more.

That’s right, as part of their Valentine‘s offer, the menu not only kicks off with you being presented with a rose by the ever-welcoming staff, which you can then hand to your partner as if you planned the whole thing especially for them (we won’t say a word), but you also get a glass of prosecco on arrival too.

Credit: The Manc Group

SakkuSamba’s Valentine’s offering runs from 13-15 February and promises their unlimited dining experience as well as a special sharing dessert. You can book a lunchtime meal for £42.50 or secure yourself an incredible dinner for £55.50.

In case you’re wondering what makes it ‘unlimited’: part of what makes their dining experience so unique is how expansive their menu is, bridging across two beloved but equally varied cuisines.

Lucky for you, you’ll be able to order pretty much everything they have on it through a simple tablet on your own table, meaning you can spend even more time just the two of you on your special night.

As for the limited edition Valentine’s dessert, SakkuSamba’s Manchester restaurant will be creating its very own special sharing dessert and that’s all we’re allowed to tell you about it — all we know is that it’ll undoubtedly be delicious.

Credit: “

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It isn’t often you find a place that serves up both high-end sushi and proper steak cooked in keeping with Brazilian tradition, among numerous other big and varied flavours.

Better still, they have a seriously appetising drinks menu for you to get stuck into. After all, it’s Valentine’s, it’d be rude not to treat yourselves to a tipple.

You can book you and your significant other in for a special Valentine’s menu and all-round wonderful dining experience HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — The Manc Group

Eats

Caribbean-inspired bars launch bottomless ‘Galentine’s’ dinner with non-stop cocktails

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Whilst some people are probably looking forward to Valentine’s Day this month, we expect that a fair few others are struggling to muster much enthusiasm at all.

It’s fair enough. If you’re single then Cupid’s holiday can feel somewhat isolating, to say the least – which is why Caribbean-inspired restaurant and bar Turtle Bay has decided to give ‘equal billing’ to singles this year with two back-to-back bottomless dinners.

In what it’s calling an ‘inclusive celebration of love’, the restaurant has revealed it will be hosting two boozy dinners this month – one for singles on 13 February, and a second for couples on Valentine’s Day itself.

Featuring non-stop cocktails, prosecco and Red Stripe beers, plus two or three dishes each from Turtle Bay’s Caribbean-inspired menu, the bottomless dinners will celebrate love in all its forms.

Image: Turtle Bay
Image: Turtle Bay

Priced at £43.50 for two courses or £48.50 for three, both bottomless dinners will all start at 5pm and take place for two nights across Turtle Bay’s various Greater Manchester sites.

Dish options include the likes of jerk wings and salt fish fritters to start, followed by the likes of baby back ribs, jerk chicken and organic jerk tofu.

Elsewhere, you’ll find West Indian curries like its Trini curry chicken, as well as classic comfort food dishes such as Chef Collin’s mac and cheese with jerk chicken or curry goat hash.

Read more: A new artisan bakery is opening in a railway arch in Manchester

There’s also plenty for veggies and vegans, with curry aubergine, the MotherClucker burger, the halloumi Buddha bowl, and the No Moo burger all on offer.

As for cocktails, indulge in the likes of the Dessert Island (dark rum, Tia Maria, cold brew and salted caramel); Tobago Tea (white rum, vodka, tequila, gin, triple sec, grapefruit, mango and lime); Jamrock Punch (gin, passionfruit, strawberry, apple, grapefruit and lime) and the Tingwray (Wray & Nephew, white rum, grapefruit and lime) over the course of your booking.

The Oxford Road has been refurbished and redecorated ready for the party season. / Image: Turtle Bay
Image: Turtle Bay

Those who fancy heading down can book into its sites on Oxford Street, in the Northern Quarter, or in Salford Quays.

Read more: The new bars and restaurants opening in Manchester this month | February 2023

To find out more and book, visit Turtle Bay’s website here.

Feature image – Turtle Bay

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