Promising Mancs a taste of the deep south, Louisiana’s famous chicken chain Popeyes has revealed it is opening in Manchester city centre this year – and now we have an opening date.
The restaurant chain – known for serving fried chicken dishes with sides like red beans and rice, Cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun-style gravy, Cajun rice, macaroni & cheese, southern-style biscuits, and coleslaw – is opening a new location on Piccadilly Gardens.
Famed for its signature 12-hour marinated chicken, its most famous dish is the viral Popeyes Chicken Sandwich made with added Southern biscuits and gravy.
Akin to a more buttery, savoury scone, the Southern biscuits melt in the mouth and offer a buttery, flaky addition to the signature shatter crunch burger.
Elsewhere fans will also be able to get their hands on a brand new breakfast menu, with dishes including the Big Breakfast Roll (a sausage patty, egg, streaky bacon, and American cheese in a soft bun), a variety of sausage, bacon, egg and cheese muffins, cajun hash browns, and its famous Louisiana buttermilk biscuits served with cinnamon sugar or Nutella.
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Image: Popeyes
Image: Popeyes
Formed in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami, the new Manchester store marks the brand’s 15th opening in 2023, and the chain’s 32nd opening since landing in the UK in 2021.
The new Manchester restaurant will be located within Piccadilly Gardens at One Piccadilly Gardens and will seat up to 67 people for dine-in, with additional seating outside for al fresco dining (when the sun shines).
Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes® UK, said: “We are thrilled to announce that a new Popeyes restaurant will be opening in Manchester later this year.
Popeyes, but make it festive. / Image: Popeyes
Image: Popeyes
“The city has been a key location for us since we first landed in the UK, and we’re looking forward to bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the iconic Piccadilly Gardens.
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“Our most recent openings have been some of the biggest to date, not just in the UK but for Popeyes globally.
“After many requests for a Popeyes® UK in Manchester, we are confident that the new restaurant will be just as popular and can’t wait to announce our opening week plans soon.”
Popeyes will open in Manchester on Thursday 26 October.
Inside One Eight Six as Manchester cocktail bar finally reopens two years after devastating New Year’s Eve fire
Daisy Jackson
One Eight Six, the Manchester cocktail bar that was destroyed in a blaze on New Year’s Eve, is finally ready to reopen.
The stunning subterranean bar and live music venue has been closed since the very early hours of 2022, when a fire broke out shortly after the midnight countdown.
Terrifying CCTV footage at the time showed balloons across the ceiling catching fire and around 170 people fleeing the blaze.
It’s since been confirmed that the cause of the fire was real pine Christmas trees that were fastened to the ceiling, set alight by celebratory sparklers inside the bar.
Ever since that fateful night, One Eight Six has been quiet – until now.
The popular Deansgate bar is finally ready to quite literally rise from the ashes, having undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Its interior was completely destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire, but has been reborn better than ever before.
Customers will again enter the bar through a barbershop at street level, with in incredible twisting neon light feature hanging from the ceiling.
The stage is set for more late-night live music at One Eight Six in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupCustomers enter One Eight six through a barbershop on Deansgate. Credit: The Manc GroupOne Eight Six’s original interior was destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire. Credit: The Manc Group
Then after heading down the stairs you’ll find yourself in an art deco speakeasy, with the stage set for live music until the early hours.
Huge curved velvet booths in shades of pink and red will provide guests with a luxurious night out setting.
One Eight Six has installed opulent black marble floors and glowing light arches too – not to mention a giant ‘One Eight Six’ sign in mirrors.
Walls and pillars have been covered in even more mirrors to reflect the huge mirror ball and stage lights.
Founder Dean Mac said: “After nearly two years, we are finally allowed to be back on our feet giving the people of Manchester what they have been waiting so patiently for.
“Thank you again for sticking with us and supporting our journey this far. This new chapter of ONE EIGHT SIX will be better than ever. Same vibe. Same location. Just a whole lot sexier…”
It’s all looking pretty luxurious – just like before.
One Eight Six will officially open its doors this weekend on Deansgate, with bookings live here.
Namaste Nepal – West Didsbury favourite reveals new look and even more phenomenal curry
Daisy Jackson
Namaste Nepal, one of the best restaurants in West Didsbury – if not all of south Manchester – has undergone a big refurbishment, with new menu dishes to boot.
The family-run business has become a local institution over the last 15 or so years, famed for its comforting, authentic Nepalese food.
For the first time since it opened, Namaste Nepal has had a full-scale cosmetic transformation to become a modern – but still cosy and welcoming – neighbourhood restaurant.
You’ll now find green suede, gold, and marble, in amongst the Nepalese artefacts on the shelves.
Namaste Nepal is known for its menu of curries and street food which takes influences from India and China.
One of its hero dishes is its handmade Momocha dumplings, which are stuffed with lamb mince and topped with a classic peppery, spicy sauce.
There are platters of mixed shashlik, the meat slow-cooked in the tandoor oven; fiery traditional Chwela; and Kantipur Methi, where Tandoori chicken and minced lamb are mixed together.
Curries range from the mouth-numbingly spicy (looking at you, vegetable naaga) to a crowd-pleasing Makhan Chara (aka butter chicken).
There’s plenty to keep vegetarians well-fed, from saag paneer to aloo gobi.
Namaste Nepal has been spicing up our lives since 2005 and is well and truly standing the test of time.
Georgina Pellant -
31st July 2023 
