Popular Manchester burrito bar Changos has changed its name

Sam Ridgway - 8th January 2020

Eats

Acclaimed Manchester cocktail bar named one of UK’s best quietly closes its doors

Emily Sergeant

Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group

An acclaimed Manchester cocktail bar that was formerly named one of the best in the UK has quietly closed its doors for good.

Tucked away beneath the former set of Coronation Street in the Old Granada Studios complex, and hidden in the basement of Manchester‘s historic 1800s Bonded Warehouse at St. John’s, Project Halcyon Distillery officially opened its doors in 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic delays – with the intimate venue going on to become a city favourite.

The acclaimed, Speakeasy-style bar drew inspiration from Prohibition-era Chicago, focusing on ‘halcyon days’ of calm and luxury.

It included an on-site distillery used to create bespoke ingredients for its seasonal menu, and beyond cocktails, even featured a so-called ‘Stillroom’ for masterclasses and had private, curtained room dedicated to absinthe, with traditional fountains, called ‘Salon Vert’.

Project Halcyon has quietly closed its doors for good / Credit: Project Halcyon | The Manc Group

But despite its success over the years, and even earning a place in the coveted Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK list on several occasions, Project Halcyon has officially – but somewhat quietly – now closed its doors for good.

“Project Halcyon has poured its last cocktail,” the venue said in a statement shared to Instagram.

“It was with sincere regret that due to unexpected challenges at the ownership level we must close our doors for the foreseeable. Though we say goodbye, the memories live on.

“Thank you to everyone who shared in our craft, our community, and our story.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Project Halcyon (@projecthalcyondistillery)

After the news broke on social media, Project Halcyon’s Instagram post was flooded with dozens of comments showing support for staff members, and remembering the venue as one of their favourite cocktail bars in the city centre.

The nature of some of the comments also prompted Project Halcyon to issue a follow-up statement below addressing concerns over money owed to workers and other partners, adding: “We sincerely hope that anyone who may be owed by the owners of Project Halcyon – past and present team included – receives what they are owed.

“We are not deleting comments and have no interest in doing so. We also cannot control how Instagram manages comment threads. This page is run by the team, not the owners.”

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Eats

Viral chicken shop Wingstop is opening inside the Manchester Arndale

Daisy Jackson

Wingstop is opening in Manchester Arndale

Wingstop, the chicken shop famed for its vast range of wing flavours and sauces, is opening another spot in Manchester city centre.

The brand will be taking over the old Yo Sushi site in the Manchester Arndale, which shut down just last month.

It’ll mean there’ll be two Wingstop locations within a few minutes’ walk of each other, with another takeaway already well-established on Piccadilly Gardens.

Wingstop UKI has found viral fame with people taste-testing its wide range of hand-sauced chicken wing flavours, ranging from garlic parmesan all the way up to the eye-watering ‘Atomic’.

As well as chicken wings, it serves delicious tenders and burgers, all cooked to order.

There are also a range of sides, including loaded fries, sweet potato fries, and cajun fried corn, plus dips like ranch, honey mustard, and blue cheese.

Wingstop is also famed for its thick milkshakes – which are a necessity if you order your chicken down the spicier end of the scale.

Established in Texas in 1994, Wingstop rose rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the US.

The brand launched in the UK market in 2018, and into Ireland last year, and now operates more than 85 locations.

Wingstop is opening in Manchester Ardnale — Wingstop is opening in Manchester Arndale

Wingstop will be moving into the 5,928 sq ft unit upstairs in Manchester Arndale, just opposite Next.

Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Wingstop to our vibrant F&B offer; an addition we’re sure will resonate with our younger visitors.

“With the additions of popular restaurant chains like Wingstop, coupled with the arrival of new retailers such as Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga, Pro:Direct and Sephora, we are strategically creating a destination where people across the North West and beyond want to spend their time.”

Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, said: “Wingstop will join Manchester Arndale’s varied F&B mix, including Popeyes, Sides, Hotel Chocolat, Joe & The Juice and Café Nero.

“In-demand operators like this help create energy and momentum that allows the brands across the scheme to thrive, driving increased footfall, longer dwell times and a more compelling offer for visitors.”

Featured image: The Manc Group