Hold Fast, one of the Manchester’s best-loved bars, has announced its return to the city YEARS after its shock closure.
The legendary underground drinking den closed its doors at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and never reopened them.
But it’s now confirmed its relaunching its nautical-themed basement bar in just a few weeks’ time.
Hold Fast is tucked away beneath an old bowler hat factory in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
The nightlife hotspot takes its inspiration from the tales of Jules Verne, including Around The World in Eighty Days and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea.
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But most of us will remember it for being one of the city’s best nights out, with resident DJs and open mic nights (with a free drink for those brave enough to hit the stage).
When Hold Fast relaunches, it will include a bespoke secret cinema room and a range of retro Sega video games.
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Describing itself as a sailor’s drinking quarter, the bar will be dimly lit with ship lanterns and candles.
There’ll be a wide selection of craft beers and 15 cocktails on its drinks menu when it reopens.
Hold Fast has announced its return to ManchesterHold Fast in Manchester from the outsidePeople dancing in Hold Fast in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
The bar is being relaunched by Selina, which is also behind Wilson’s Social, The Corner Boy, Wilson’s Den and Creatures Comedy Club.
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Since announcing the news on their social media pages, Mancs have been expressing their excitement about the return of Hold Fast.
One person commented: “I’m seriously so happy, thought it was gone forever!!”
Another wrote: “Omg omg omg! Me and my mate came here loads! Watching home alone 2 in the kino room.”
Someone else posted: “Great news!!! Great bar this…………. Please get the DJ with the long hair back!! He always played absolute TUNES! Hip hop, funk, breakbeat etc! Best DJ in town for the few years you were last open!”
And another said: “Yay! My favourite place in Manchester!”
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Hold Fast will officially reopen in the Northern Quarter, Manchester on 29 November.
Joe & The Juice to open even MORE locations in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Joe & The Juice is set to launch yet more juice bars and coffee shops in Manchester city centre.
The viral brand used to have a spot in town within the former Debenhams building, but vanished from Greater Manchester when the department store folded.
But its comeback has been remarkable since reopening in town last year, with the number of Joe & The Juice locations now at an all-time high.
And there are even more on the way…
Bright pink hoardings have appeared on a corner unit on Princess Street, right off St Peter’s Square, teasing a new Joe & The Juice cafe in the city centre.
The unit has been empty for at least 10 years, despite being in such a prime part of the city centre.
Plans were also revealed last year for the Danish-based brand to open within the reopened Sunlight House on Quay Street.
Joe & The Juice is coming to St Peter’s Square in ManchesterJoe & The Juice on Cross Street
The new additions will bring the number of Joe & The Juices in Greater Manchester to five, adding to their existing portfolio of Cross Street, Manchester Airport T2, and the Trafford Centre.
The brand is known for its signature menu of juices, smoothies, health shots, coffees and matchas, plus its viral Scandi-inspired sandwiches like the Tunacado.
With more than 300 juice bars and coffee shops around the world, Joe & The Juice’s pink branding has become a familiar site globally since its launch in 2002.
An exact opening date for the new St Peter’s Square Joe & The Juice hasn’t been revealed yet, but the signs promise it’s ‘coming soon’.
Inside the new Manchester food hall opening in a Grade II-listed building
Daisy Jackson
The operators behind a brand-new food hall in Manchester city centre have shared a glimpse inside.
Work is underway to transform the Grade II-listed Ducie Street Warehouse into an enormous food hall concept, with 11 kitchens plus an outdoor terrace, mini cinema, tequila bar, and game rooms.
When it opens this summer, Manchester Street Food will also have a self-service beer tap wall and two stages, as well as a 75-cover private hire space.
Ducie Street Warehouse closed late last year to make room for the building’s new chapter, as the team behind Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) take the reins.
In new images shared today, original features like the arched brick ceilings and terracotta tiled floors will be retained, but the space will have plenty of colour added in the form of murals, painted pillars, and neons.
ESF is looking to expand right across the UK over the next five years, kicking off here in Manchester on the edges of the Northern Quarter.
The 15,000 sq ft internal space, just a stone’s throw from Manchester Piccadilly, will have space for 450 people inside plus another 180 on the south-facing terrace outside.
The games room at Manchester Street FoodThe 32-seat cinemaInside Manchester Street Food
A winter garden will host breakfast service, while guest traders will take over the terrace to keep the offering fresh.
The existing 32-seat mini cinema in the building will be retained in the new plans for Manchester Street Food.
Manchester Street Food is expected to generate 180 employee opportunities.
Ben MacMillan, ESF Managing Director, said: “Manchester has always been a city with incredible energy, creativity and a love of food, so bringing our concept here in this stunning venue is a natural and exciting next step.
“We want to create a space brought to life by local artists which celebrates the city’s culture and provides line up independent traders and brewers a city centre platform to shine.
“We’ve seen how much people embraced the spirit of ESF in Edinburgh and we know Manchester, with its energy and hunger for innovation will take it to another level. We’re incredibly excited about making the city our second home.”
Daisy Jackson -
7th November 2023 
