Eats

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester

Hello, Bar Shrimp.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th March 2025

Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.

With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.

Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.

They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.

The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.

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And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.

Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.

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They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.

British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.

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A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

Eats

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

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Super Awesome Deluxe appears to have closed for good in Manchester. Credit: THe Manc Group

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.

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.

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.

The Manc has approached Super Awesome Deluxe for comment.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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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