Eats

New smash burger joint launched by Almost Famous founders appears to shut for good

What a shame.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 3rd June 2025

A new smash burger joint opened by the team who originally founded the legendary Almost Famous appears to have closed after only eight months.

Super Awesome Deluxe, on Thomas Street, hasn’t been open since last week and has turned off deliveries online.

Super Awesome Deluxe launched in the Northern Quarter last October, serving up just three signature burgers (the Super, the Awesome, and the Deluxe).

It was a new takeaway brand from the same group who were, at the time, behind Almost Famous, one of Manchester’s most popular burger joints.

While Almost Famous was famed for its towers of patties and sauces and toppings, Super Awesome Deluxe opted for simpler smash burgers with crispy-edged patties.

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Shortly after the launch of the new project, Almost Famous announced the shock closure of all of its sites (it was later bought out and reopened by D2, though some restaurants did close for good).

Super Awesome Deluxe continued to operate after the loss of Almost Famous, along with the ‘hidden’ cocktail bar beneath it, Ego Death.

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Manchester burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester burger joint Super Awesome Deluxe. Credit: The Manc Group

But then last week it was announced that Ego Death had been told by backers that it would have to close – and even its final service on Sunday ended up being cancelled.

And it’s now looking like the reason for Ego Death’s closure is linked to the seeming closure of Super Awesome Deluxe.

The shutters to the burger joint have been closed all week during its listed opening hours.

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The Manc has approached Super Awesome Deluxe for comment.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The Stables – A brand-new Manchester pub on the site of the Rovers Return

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Stables pub in Manchester

A brand-new pub is set to open in Manchester city centre net month, with treats in store like complimentary bowls of crisps, an outdoor terrace, and a games parlour.

The Stables Tavern is taking shape in the St John’s district, poetically on the same site that was once home to Coronation Street’s iconic Rovers Return pub.

They’re promising this will be a ‘historic tavern reimagined for today’s lover of a proper pint’.

The pub will come from Shiko Group, which is also behind Courts Club, where you can play tennis or basketball followed by court-side pints, and Side Street, a bar-restaurant-events space with a mid-Century interior.

Neighbouring the Bonded Warehouse, The Stables Tavern will join this rapidly blossoming new creative district, just across the yard from Caravan, The Trading Route and Aviva Studios.

Inside, punters will find multiple beer taps with local beers, served with complimentary bowls of crisps as well as a menu of pub snacks like handmade sausage rolls and local pies.

The pub will be split into three sections – an outside terrace, a main bar, and a parlour area at the back of the pub for live entertainment, old school games, and rounds of whiskey.

The Stables pub in Manchester

The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in Manchester

This might be a new district but it’s a historic area for the city – the same building was a busy watering hole back in the early 19th century for workers, merchants and visitors who made use of the nearby canals and cobbled streets.

It was then the home of the Rovers Return, back when this area was the home of Granada Studios.

Hayley Sammé, Marketing Director, said: “We’re so excited to bring The Stables Tavern back to St John’s. The area’s extensive historical backdrop and burgeoning hospitality scene provides the perfect landscape for a traditional British pub.

“It’s the perfect addition to the existing scene, and we hope it’s going to become a popular spot in our new creative district.”

The Stables Tavern will open at St John’s on Friday 6 June – you can sign up for one of 1,000 free pints HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

Eats

Beloved Stockport bar Bask is rebranding as Greater Manchester’s latest Irish bar

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Yes, one of the names synonymous with Stockport’s resurgent hospitality scene, Bask, is set to rebrand into yet another Irish bar following a flurry of openings across Greater Manchester.

The lively bar, breakfast and pub grub spot, also known for live music nights, matchday pints for Stockport County and various other events, has had a bit of a turbulent period over the past few months or so, but remains a much-loved local venue.

Bask were forced to issue a statement following an arrest back in February, and one of the founding members behind the venture also stepped away in August 2024.

Looking to close that door firmly behind them, the team – now headed up by native DJ and producer Jon Fitz (John Fitzpatricks) – are set to launch the all-new Fitzpatricks “very soon.”

Fitz (a Stopfordian by birth) announced the latest iteration of the unit located just next to Stockport train station on social media late last month, writing: “It’s been a long time coming, and we’ve poured our hearts into this one — we’re aiming to open very very soon…”

As detailed in his most recent post, also shared on Bask’s existing accounts, this is tipped to be the start of “a bold new chapter.”

Detailing a distinct Irish-American theme, influenced by the “friendly bars of Boston to the lively streets of New York City, Fizpatricks brings that gritty charm and warm hospitality across the pond, fusing Irish roots with American spirit.

Fans of Bask’s roots in entertainment will also be glad to hear that lineups of live music will remain “every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — with the best of Irish, American and Country music.”

With co-creator Benji Taylor, who ultimately stepped away last year, having brought his music industry background to the business model, live entertainment has also been a big selling point of the bar and, thankfully, will remain so.

In terms of food, Fitzpatricks will be delivering everything from classic American comfort food to “healthy gym options” as part of their new bar and grill approach, along with a proper Sunday roast menu.

Perhaps most notably, much like Taylor’s influence over the course of his tenure, the new-look venue is set to further immerse itself in the local sports experience, promising plenty of cold pints for the punters heading to the match at Edgeley Park, as well as an exciting brand new ‘360 multi-screen experience’ and more.

Fitzpatricks even looks set to embark on an official partnership with Stockport County ahead of the 2025/26 League One season – a big coup, indeed.

Bask may be over, but there’ll always be the memories. In fact, we wagered it was the best night in Stockport, so here’s hoping Fitzpatricks can follow in its footsteps. We can’t wait to see what comes next and can’t wait to split another G or two.

Bask is not so quietly becoming the best night out in Stockport
Bask is no longer, but there’s a new kid on the ever-growing Irish bar block, although an opening date is yet to be confirmed.

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Featured Images — The Manc Eats/Jon Fitz (via Facebook)

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