400 wines, huge charcuterie boards, and a self-service wine machine – it’s pretty easy to see why Salut can comfortably declare itself the finest wine shop in all of Manchester.
This brilliant independent business is part shop, part event space, and part bar, and is about to hit its 10th birthday.
True to form at Salut, there’ll be special events to celebrate its milestone anniversary – but at Salut, every day can be a celebration.
In the summer, you can sit outside on the terrace and pavement seats in the sunshine, while in winter the bar turns cosy and glitters with twinkling lights.
Standing on a corner of Cooper Street and Fountain Street, just off St Peter’s Square, the beautiful two-storey wine bar is a firm local favourite.
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Inside, customers are greeted with a giant wall of wine, with more than 400 different bottles to choose from, from modern natural wines to luxury classics, as well as beers, spirits and softs.
You can pull up a chair and enjoy a glass of wine from the Salut team’s ever-changing by-the-glass wine menu, but the jewel in its crown really is the self-service wine machine.
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These tasting wine dispensers preserve and serve wine, and you can help yourself to a tasting measure, or a whole glass.
Mix-and-match sharing boards at Salut in ManchesterMix-and-match sharing boards at Salut in ManchesterThe self-service tasting wine machines. Credit: The Manc Group
You can head up to the bar and pre-charge a Salut wine card, then simply swipe, pick your own wine, and get to drinking.
The wines stocked in the machines are always changing, with the team regularly introducing vintages and unique wines so that people can taste something different without committing to a whole bottle.
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Between the machine and the by-the-glass menu, that’s more than 50 wines you can order by the glass.
It’s heaven for wine enthusiasts, curious drinkers, and those of us who are just a bit indecisive.
Then as for what to eat, Salut puts together huge cheese and charcuterie sharing boards, along with loads of snacks and small plates.
You can mix and match your own board with meat items like peppered pastrami, air-dried beef bresaola, Alpine speck, chorizo, and Serrano ham, plus cheeses like Nicky Nook blue, Alpencheddar, and Dewlay extra mature cheddar
The bar also hosts wine tastings in its private room upstairsOutside Salut wine bar in ManchesterYou can pour your own wine at the tasting machines
All that’s on top of a full menu of crisps, plus other snacks like hummus, spicy n’duja sausage, and mushroom pate.
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Boards are made with produce from local suppliers, like Companio focaccia and The Crafty Cheese Man cheeses, as well as the finest imported deli meats and cheeses.
Salut is a big fan of a special event, with wine tastings running year-round, like their upcoming Salut Over The Years evening in celebration of the bar’s 10th birthday.
It was all started by co-founders and husband-and-wife team Sara and Jon, who wanted to create a bar they wanted to drink in – somewhere Mancs could have a relaxed glass of wine in the city centre.
They set out to build an independent wine bar and shop with a laid-back European feel, describing Salut as ‘a no-nonsense, Mancunian attitude to drinking wine’.
The pair said: “When we first saw the Enomatic machines we felt that these could help us to create that environment – they are fun to use, you can taste wines you wouldn’t normally try without breaking the bank and you don’t have to trip over your tongue trying to pronounce Gewürtztraminer if you’d rather not, because you can just help yourself to some.
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“We really just feel that wine is really nice stuff and something that everyone should be able to enjoy.
“The dictionary definition of salut is ‘used to express friendly feelings towards one’s companions before drinking’ – there’s not much that’s better than that feeling and it’s why we’re called Salut.”
If you’ve not visited before, get this one on your bucket list, and pop into Salut for a glass, a bottle, a board, and a gorgeous evening.
The Didsbury Dozen loses one of its best as The Dockyard confirms closure
Danny Jones
The Didsbury Dozen has lost one of its strongest stops as the much-loved Dockyard sadly closed for good this past weekend.
A favourite among those taking on the popular Greater Manchester pub crawl and a busy bar in its own right along the main Didsbury Village strip, The Dockyard has been a staple of South Manchester boozing for some time.
However, it’s time as part of the Dozen and in the heart of the community has come to an end, with the staff having completed their final service on Sunday, 19 January.
Sharing a short but heartfelt goodbye on social media, they welcomed customers to join them one last time “to raise a glass and say cheers!”.
An unreal beer garden too. (Credit: The Manc Group)
The post begins: “Right Didsbury… Thank you so much for your welcome and custom when we arrived here in the village, but the time has now come to say goodbye. We have had a blast over the last four years and we hope you have too!”
Although many relatively new to the area or at least its drinking scene will only know it as The Dockyard, the venue has actually been under a lot of names over the years.
Originally known as Times Square, it was then refurbished into a branch of O’Neills in 1996 before going on to re-open as The Stokers Arms in 2014.
Nevertheless, it maintained a regular and loyal following as The Dockyard and many will be “sorry to see it go”; one person commented: “Oh no! We had a fab time in here over Christmas and [were] hoping to return soon. Sorry to see you go and I will be visiting your other sites.
Thankfully, they did go on to confirm that the remaining pubs in Salford Quays and Northwich will remain open – as is the Left Bank location in Spinningfields overlooking the River Irwell. Better still, the building itself will still remain a pub and we already know what’s taking its place:
Although there is still no news on when we can expect to see The Salmon’s second venture launch, if it’s anything like the success the Northern Quarter one has seen then we’re in for a treat.
So don’t worry, The Didsbury Dozen may have taken a hit but it’s still intact and there are plenty of other pubs you can work into the crawl in the meantime.
For now, though, all we can say is rest in peace to The Dockyard Didsbury, you were a real one – we’ll always have the memories.
Michelin guide Prestwich restaurant Osma announces heartbreaking closure
Daisy Jackson
Osma, a beautiful, Michelin-recommended restaurant in Prestwich, has announced its closure next month.
The Scandi-esque restaurant has been a front-runner of Prestwich’s ever-growing food and drink scene since it opened in 2020.
Fronted by Manchester born Danielle Heron, who you might recognise from the Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, alongside Sofie Stoermann-Naess.
Osma has been a favourite among Prestwich locals over the last five years, famed for its inventive small plates and delicious Sunday roasts – but now its time in the suburb has come to an end.
In a statement shared online, Osma said that they have ‘struggled to find experience staff, leaving us with little to no personal life’.
The restaurant has teased a move into the city centre, where it’s hoped the business will be more sustainable and ready to grow.
“This is by no means the end of Osma,” they wrote.
Their kitchen at Exhibition in the city centre will remain open even after Osma in Prestwich closes on Sunday 9 February.
Osma in Prestwich has announced its closure. Credit: Instagram, @osmakitchenbar
Other food and drink businesses in the village have all been sharing farewell messages, with The Pearl commenting: “Prestwich’s foodie foundations will be very wobbly without the OG cornerstone that welcomed the ‘foodie neighbourhood’ accolades. Good luck in town both, we’ll definitely come and visit the new place.”
Whole Bunch Wines, formerly known as Grape to Grain, said: “Absolutely devastating news for Prestwich. A HUGE loss but a sign of their quality that they’re forced to move.”
Osma’s full statement reads: “Neighbours & Friends. We’ve spoken with some of you already, but it’s time to make it official. It’s with a heavy heart, but excitement for the future, that we have decided to close our Prestwich restaurant ahead of a move to the city centre.
“Being fully transparent – we’ve struggled to find experienced staff, leaving us with little to no personal life. We have made the decision to move on to what we hope will be a more sustainable business that can grow, and allow us more time to follow our dreams. This is by no means the end of OSMA.
“We’re optimistic, but it’s bittersweet. After (almost!) five years we have met so many amazing and incredible people, who we’re proud to call our friends and OSMA family. So many of you have kept coming back week after week – we feel honoured and so grateful for your company. There have been hard days over the years and your kindness, patience and good moods have made such an impact on us to keep pushing forward. Thank you! 🙏🏼
“Of course, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our one-of-a-kind staff. Your efforts make OSMA what it is. Even when so understaffed, you all keep moving and help each other get through the day as a team. There’s not many of you, but what you guys can achieve is incredible!
“Lastly, we want to thank our landlord, Tony Freeman, for taking a risk on two 26-year-old girls wanting to open a restaurant. OSMA wouldn’t be here today without him believing in us. You will live on in our memory forever.
“Our last day of service will be Sunday, 9th February. Bookings are open now and we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we go. Stay tuned on our socials as we’ll be throwing a leaving party, too.
“A little housekeeping… gift cards bought after the 9th of Feb 2024 may be refunded to the original payment method, or extended to use at our new site (to be valid for one year after the opening date). Our Kitchen at Exhibition on Peter Street will also remain open as usual, so please don’t be a stranger.
“We appreciate every single one of you… and we’ll be back before you know it! Love Dani & Fie x”
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2024 
