The arrival of Sexy Fish in Manchester must be the most talked-about and eagerly-anticipated launches of the entire year.
This ultra-glamorous restaurant has become a staple with the rich and famous down in London since it opened seven years ago.
And now the high-end Asian restaurant has expanded its reach to Manchester, transforming the former Armani shop at Spinningfields into a glitzy, spacious dining space.
Huge, glittering sea creatures – crafted by none other than Damien Hirst himself – creep out from the walls.
There’s an enormous octopus above one side of the dining room while a gang of swordfish burst out on the other end.
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As you enter the cavernous room you’re welcomed by a life-size blue mermaid, with her smaller sister smiling out from the bar.
A fish tank filled with real fish covers the entire wall of the private dining room.
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Upstairs in the toilets, you’re welcomed by a glowing pink floor and a mermaid mosaic, plus star fish taps and shell sconces.
A Damien Hirst octopus installationThe Sexy Fish Manchester toiletsSexy Fish Manchester has taken over the Armani siteThe fish tank in the private dining room
Even the plates are shaped like fish, from a shell-like bowl propping up lobster tempura to a fish jug spewing a cloud of dry ice.
Basically, there are a lot of sexy fish in here.
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Sexy Fish’s light-up pink bar is backdropped by a waterfall and waiters whizz around in sea life-patterned waistcoats and blazers.
It’s a fittingly opulent setting for this high-end new opening in Manchester.
Lobster tempura at Sexy Fish ManchesterDuck and watermelon salad and yellowtail sashimiCaramelised black codPremium sashimi at Sexy Fish Manchester
On its Omakase set menu offering, the premium menu comes in at a cool £162 per person.
For that, you get dishes including oysters with smoked chilli, crispy duck and watermelon salad, bone marrow and king crab, premium sashimi, and caramelised black cod.
Sexy Fish Manchester opens to the public today, Thursday 12 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.
Daisy Jackson -
12th October 2023 
