A corner shop serving canned cocktails is opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter today – and they’re giving away thousands of freebies.
MOTH, which sells premium cocktails in a can, is launching its first ever MOTH: Licence corner shop here in Manchester.
This convenience store with a twist will be serving delicious boozy beverages in a can, with live DJ sets and the chance to win prizes.
Inside the MOTH: Licence on Oldham Street, the walls are stacked with MOTH’s recognisable little black cans.
And they’ll be handing out 5,000 of them between 12pm and 9pm on a first come, first served basis.
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These refreshing, bar-strength premium canned cocktails are ideal for picnics, single-serve drinking, and shoving in your bag for whatever summer adventures you may be heading out on.
And MOTH: Licence’s arrival in Manchester coincides with the launch of their latest drink, the Passionfruit Martini.
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Made with real fruit juices and award-winning craft spirits always, the new addition to the line-up features tropical and vanilla flavours and packs a passionfruit punch at 14.9% ABV.
Inside the MOTH Licence corner shop in ManchesterMOTH are giving away 5,000 passionfruit martini cansInside the MOTH Licence corner shop in Manchester
In store there’ll also be the chance to scan-to-win prizes, plus several photo opportunities.
And they’ve teamed up with legendary sandwich shop Bada Bing just next door on a special sub, The Bossman, stuffed with lamb seekh kebab and salad.
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You can get a 10% discount at Bada Bing just by showing your MOTH can inside.
Rob Wallis, MOTH co-founder, says: “We’ve had a lot of fun bringing MOTH: Licence to life. It’s our MOTH twist on the corner shop – somewhere so familiar for so many around the UK.
“Giving away 5,000 free cans of MOTH: Passionfruit Martini – our premium version of the UK’s favourite cocktail – is the perfect way to toast it.
“The idea is simple: cocktails should be easy to enjoy wherever you are, whoever you’re with. MOTH cocktails are there to make your summer plans even more special.”
The MOTH: Licence corner shop is open at 125 Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter from 12pm, on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June only.
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 -
19th June 2025 
