Eats

Northern Quarter bar to give away free cocktails throughout September

We've had some good nights in here — sounds like there's more to come.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th August 2024

Manchester cocktail spot Tiki Hideaway is poised to launch a brand-new drinks menu and to celebrate, they’re giving away free drinks throughout the month of September, plus the chance to win a sensational top prize.

Honestly, if you thought a free cocktail or two sounded good, wait until you hear this.

The Northern Quarter spot, tucked in the basement just underneath Mean Eyed Cat last autumn, has quickly become a bit of a hidden gem here in the city centre and now they’re set to make things even more interesting with his new promotion.

As part of the new ‘Ticket to Paradise’ giveaway, Mancs can score themselves a complimentary cocktail by signing up to their new website.

mean eyed cat sister bar
tiki hideaway northern quarter
The cosy underground spot in Manchester you can grab free cocktails next month. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Known for its Polynesian-inspired interiors and ever-reliable party vibes, Tiki Hideaway’s new cocktail menu is delivering unique twists on global flavours whilst also making sure to honour everyone’s favourite timeless Tiki classics.

ADVERTISEMENT

New additions include the El Diablo, which uses El Jimador Blanco Tequila alongside ginger and blackcurrant; ‘Tradewinds’, combining Havana Club 3 Year Rum and Appleton Estate Signature Rum with apricot, lemon, and coconut and historic South Pacific drink, and the curiously named ‘Doctor Funk’.

That’s genuinely just a small taste of what’s to come. With prices starting from £11, there are a total of 10 new drinks to choose from and there genuinely is something for everyone. The Island Inspirations drinks are even available for £10.50 each or two for £15. A belting deal.

ADVERTISEMENT

But as mentioned, the real eye-catcher here is the chance to win a Tiki night out in the Hideaway’s VIP Coconut Cabana space, where you’ll also be given up to £500 to spend behind the bar.

Turning the bar into a roped-off paradise perfect for private hire spaces or big bookings, allowing for the winner and friends to try out the new menu and discover new cocktail favourites, you simply have to sign up from 30 August for your guaranteed free cocktail to be entered into the prize draw.  

free cocktails manchester bar NQ
manchester tiki bar
new menu
Credit: Escapism Bars (supplied)

Spotlighting two particular standouts, mixologist Calum Anderson said: “‘The Blackstrap Daiquiri’ from our Island Inspiration section is a truly unique cocktail unlike anything else on our menu.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Usually, a Daiquiri is a very light and fresh drink. This version turns that completely on its head by using black spiced rum with black molasses syrup and root ginger to create a rich, heavy, and spiced Daiquiri variation.

“On this menu, I love the ‘House Grog’. It’s the perfect mix of high-quality, overproof rum, tropical flavours, and island spices. This really epitomises what Tiki culture and drinks mean to me, as well as having some fascinating history.”

Whatever kind of tipple takes your fancy, the team are pretty confident you’ll find it at Tiki Hideaway. You can make the most of this offer strictly from Friday, 30 August until the end of December, so don’t wait around!

tiki hideaway northern quarter
Tiki Hideaway Manchester will be dishing out free cocktails from 30 August until the end of September.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Supplied/The Manc Eats/The Manc Group

Eats

Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Almost Famous closing Withington restaurant

The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.

A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.

However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.

In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.

Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).

Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.

“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.

“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”

almost famous withington
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Read more:

They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.

Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.

It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”

RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.

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

Featured Images — The Manc Eats/The Manc Group

Eats

Cutting Room Square’s first-ever Indian restaurant set to take over former Rigatoni’s site this month

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester foodies, strap in because it’s something big because a brand-new Indian restaurant is coming to the heart of Ancoats later this month.

Indian Affair, the family-style restaurant that has already seen great success on Barlow Moor Road over in Chorlton, is now set to take over the former Rigatoni’s site (previously Sugo Pasta Kitchen and then Sud) which closed back in May.

Not only will this exciting new opening be Affair’s second location as their reputation around Greater Manchester grows but it will also be the first-ever Indian restaurant to pop up on the ever-bustling Cutting Room Square.

A real hotbed for good food in the city and culinary competition on its own, landing a lot on the square is no mean feat and if you’ve seen their food already, you’ll how exciting this is.

indian affair restaurant chorlton
what happened to rigatoni's manchester?
Credit: Indian Affair (via Facebook)/The Manc Eats

Owned by loving couple, Harshit and Natasha Chopra, the new Indian Affair venue is the first of its kind for the area, focusing on Indian small plates and thalis.

Their flagship restaurant in Chorlton only opened back in October 2022 but quickly became a hit with the locals and is sure to have the same success over in Ancoats – after all, as a city famous for the Curry Mile, it’s fair to say we’ve got a lot of love for the Indian cuisine.

Commenting on the announcement, Harshit said: “We always dreamed about opening a city centre restaurant. We’ve been totally blown away by the love for our Chorlton site and are extremely grateful to those who’ve visited and made it a success. 

“As a family, we enjoy spending time in Ancoats, exploring the restaurants and Sunday markets. Cutting Room Square has a community like no other, we felt it was the perfect space for a modern Indian restaurant.”

With a menu inspired by the couple’s favourite flavours from home back in Delhi, every dish will be hand-selected by the husband and wife duo, with thalis options – a selection of smaller plates served on an Indian-style round platter – aiming to offer guests a bit of everything, be it vegan, veggie or carnivorous.

Indian Affair also encourages guests to dine family-style, prioritising socialising, sharing, and tasting a bit of everything on the table just as much as enjoying your own meal.

Credit: Indian Affair Chorlton (supplied)

Small plates range from £5-13, with favourites including chicken tikka samosa, spinach fritters drizzled with yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutney; chargrilled lamb chops, as well as tandoori king prawns in garlic and garam masala. 

In addition to offering traditional Delhi-inspired offerings, the team has also curated dishes with more of a modern twist, including chicken and paneer bao and malai artichoke. Oh yeah, they’re clever these lot.

The menu also features classic biryanis, fluffy freshly cooked naans, parathas and rotis from the clay oven tandoor, alongside a wide selection of rice, salads and chutneys to choose from.

Better still: exclusive to the new Ancoats restaurant only, the team is also launching a new lunch menu featuring filled naan rolls, further contemporary Indian takes on loaded burgers and bao buns – all of which will be priced from £8.00 and served up with crispy masala wedges.

Sure to be a hit with the locals, for sit-in and takeaway, you’ll also be able to pick up a paneer tikka or lamb seekh rolled up inside one of those lovely garlic naans, packed with fresh onion salad, mint and coriander chutney. Hungry yet?

Or, if you fancy a proper good burger that’s a little bit different, the butter chicken burger is the passionate pair’s favourite new addition to the menu and not one to be missed. And to wash it all down, Cobra will be served on draft, met with wines, alcohol-free options and a great selection of cocktails. 

Mouthwatering stuff. (Credit: Supplied)

Read more:

Safe to say that just like co-owner Natasha, we’re very excited about this one. She added: “Our small plate concept has been a great success in Chorlton. We know the demographic in Ancoats enjoy sharing food whilst socialising, so we hope the menu will be popular.

“We’re excited to try out our new lunch menu with Indian twists on your favourite lunch classics. We’re looking forward to welcoming you all very soon.”

Indian Affair promises to showcase North Indian cuisine, inspired by Delhi’s diverse flavours and home-style cooking at its very best, whilst also reflecting both the traditional and modern sides of the city and their growing home here in Manchester.

Cutting Room Square’s newest arrival soft open on Monday, 16th September with bookings available from Friday, 20 September. See you there real soon, and we hope you’re in the mood for sharing – because we sure are.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Featured Images — Supplied/The Manc Group

More Eats

Manchester pizza legends Nell's confirm plans to take over former Croma site

City Centre

Beloved Manchester pizzeria Nell’s to give one lucky person FREE pizza for a year

Free Sunday Middle Eastern roasts at Maray Manchester

Eats

Maray’s Middle Eastern-inspired Sunday roasts are returning to Manchester – and they’re FREE for one day only

A tequila and mezcal festival is heading on Manchester. Credit: Suplied

Eats

A huge festival dedicated to tequila and mezcal is coming to Manchester this month

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches