The massively popular Grandpa Greene’s ice cream parlour has branched out – to a public loo.
The much-loved dessert bar and cafe has been based down by the canal in Diggle for well over a decade, its success growing year on year.
Who could forget the early lockdown days, when half of Greater Manchester flocked to Saddleworth hungry for the simple novelty of buying an ice cream?
Now there’s a new string to the local business’s bow, as it’s taken on and transformed a former public toilet building in Uppermill.
They’ve added a smart conservatory with retractable roof to the original structure, swapping out bogs for a sunny bistro.
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There’s plenty of comfortable booth seating in here, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over King George V Park and the kids’ play area.
Greene’s Bistro is dog-friendly and very kid-friendly (with the added bonus of wine and cocktails for the parents).
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As well as classic cocktails you’ll find special concoctions themed around its weekly musical nights, like a Blue Lagoon for Mamma Mia and a watermelon spritz for Dirty Dancing.
While Grandpa Greene’s is best-known for its sweet treats, at Greene’s Bistro there’s a big focus on lunches and brunches – and they do a sterling job of both.
The beef brisket baguette at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc GroupA selection of small plates from Grandpa Greene’s bistro. Credit; The Manc Group
There are chunky warm baguettes, filled with braised beef and melted cheese, or pulled cajun chicken and Emmental.
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You can order parmesan fries loaded with 12-hour beef and peppercorn sauce, or with salt and pepper fried chicken.
Adorable little hash browns are available loaded with truffle and parmesan or a sticky salt and pepper glaze (you’ll be fighting for the last spud, they’re so addictive), while other small plates include halloumi fries and truffle fries.
For cheese addicts there are are mozzarella and pesto gnocchi croquettes which will leave you with cheese strings hanging down your chin, and a molten baked Camembert with slices of baguette for scooping.
A bright yellow smear of zingy lemon aioli comes topped with crispy squid and slithers of chorizo, and there are also piles of sticky popcorn chicken with a honey sriracha sauce.
Pancake stacks at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc GroupBoozy coffee shakes. Credit: The Manc GroupGigantic sundaes with Grandpa Greene’s ice cream. Credit: The Manc Group
This being a Grandpa Greene’s establishment, you know that desserts are going to be some of the best in the country.
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Greene’s Bistro features a menu packed with loaded pancakes (the chocolate Oreo ones are a must) as well as ice cream sundaes so enormous you have to carry them with two hands.
There are boozy dessert-inspired coffees, thick milkshakes made with Granda Greene’s renowned ice creams, and of course you can just grab a scoop in a cone to walk around the park with.
The glow-up from public toilet building to this brilliant new Uppermill restaurant is pretty remarkable – well done Greene’s Bistro.
How Greene’s Bistro looks nowThe toilet block before it became Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill
A huge new Irish bar has opened in Manchester city centre (yes, another one)
Daisy Jackson
There’s another new Irish pub in Manchester city centre, this time on one of our busiest nightlife strips, Peter Street.
Katie O’Brien’s has officially thrown open the doors to its enormous two-storey venue, taking over and transforming the former Peaky Blinders bar.
Inside, there are three bars pouring both Guinness AND Murphys, a huge elevated stage on its own mezzanine level, which will host live musicians seven nights a week, and walls packed with decor transporting you to the Emerald Isle.
The makeover they’ve given this massive unit really is quite something, creating all sorts of cosy corners and snug areas where you can nurse a pint of stout.
Faux fireplaces, leather booth seating, and low ceilings all set the tone for a relaxed pint in the snugs.
Or if you want something a little livelier, head to the heart of the bar, where you can dance the night away to the live entertainment above your head.
Manchester’s Katie O’Brien’s is set to be their largest Irish bar yet, with existing locations all over the UK, including in Leeds and Sheffield.
Their rapid expansion has now brought them to the heart of Manchester, where they’ll be neighbouring bustling nightlife spots like Albert’s Schloss, Manahatta, and Impossible.
Katie O’Brien’s has opened on Peter StreetIt’s taken over the old Peaky Blinders barCosy snugs in Katie O’Brien’sIt serves both Murphy’s AND Guinness
The venue has taken over what was once the Peaky Blinders bar, which shut down back in March.
The previous occupier had themed its venue and menu around the hit gangster show, with cocktails named after characters.
They wrote at the time: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we unfortunately have to announce the closure of Peaky Blinders Manchester with immediate effect. On behalf of our entire team, we are truly thankful to every guest who has stepped through our doors since opening in 2018.
“We are devastated it has had to end this way, but grateful for the journey. Thank you so much for your continued support over the years. It’s been a blast, Manchester!”
Katie O’Brien’s is open now on Peter Street in Manchester.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots is opening its second location
Daisy Jackson
A brunch spot with queues down the street, and an edible Labubu French toast on the menu, is opening a second location this summer.
Bruncho has revealed plans to expand from its home on Deansgate and take on the Northern Quarter.
The all-day brunch cafe is set to move into the huge unit left empty by the shock closure of Feel Good Club.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
The viral Labubu French toast at Bruncho in ManchesterA breakfast spread at Bruncho
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Paul Shakeshaft, Head of Property Management at CERT, commented: “We’ve found the ideal tenant to join the Hilton House community. Bruncho provides a new focal point for the building and for the community.
“They’re a fantastic operator with big plans that bring the right fit and the right atmosphere to the building and neighbourhood.
“Signing Bruncho brings Hilton House back to full occupation, including a full refit in just seven months, underpinning our neighbourhood vision for our commercial properties, and their continued success and appeal far beyond their completion.”
Bruncho will open their second Manchester cafe in the Northern Quarter this June.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd February 2024 
