May, the month of innumerable Bank Holidays, is upon us at last – and we have some cracking new restaurants and bars for you to check out in your free time.
From a suntrap ice cream parlour and Dutch pancake house, to waterside beer gardens, a Malibu beach club, there might only be a whisper of summer in the air right now but the Manchester hospitality gods are already starting to deliver.
Add a new sushi and tonkotsu ramen spot, a boozy pasta restaurant and a Hong Kong-style restaurant in Chinatown serving spam and noodles on its breakfast fry-up, and we think you’ll agree there’s a lot to look forward to.
Keep reading to see which new Manchester restaurants and bars to put on your list this month.
Sweet!
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
This new ice cream parlour and dessert shop comes from the Northern Quarter bar bosses behind Hula Tiki, The Fitzgerald and The Quarter House,
Housed on Stevenson Square, inside you’ll find an array of locally made ice creams from a farm on the Ribble Valley in flavours like Vimto, mint choc chip, salted caramel, bubblegum, raspberry ripple and chocolate.
Arriving at a suntrap corner of the square just in time for the summer, Sweet! offers cones and tubs, milkshakes and slushies.
Open now
Papa Dutch
Newly opened on Altrincham’s Goose Green is family-run traditional Dutch pancake businesss Papa Dutch.
New to the neighbourhood, it’s said to be a favourite of Manchester United’s Erik Ten Haag and his wife Bianca ever since the duo were treated to freebies whilst cycling past last year.
On the menu, you’ll find traditional Dutch min pancakes topped with the likes of chocolate and fruit, plus sugary sweet stroopwafels and other lovely treats.
First opened by chef founder Teddy Lee in 2015, May sees Scottish-born sushi and noodle restaurant Maki and Ramen open its doors in Manchester.
Set to open just off Piccadilly Gardens on York Street later this month, it will be the chain’s first north west site.
Diners can expect to find various tonkotsu-based ramens, an array of nigiri and maki rolls, and large sushi sharing platters on the menu, plus the likes of gyoza, teriyaki, pumpkin croquettes and karaage chicken.
TBC
Malibu Beach Club
Image: Supplied
Image: Geograph
Coconut rum brand Malibu is launching a pop-up beach club at the Great Northern Warehouse this May, bringing palm trees and colorful deck chairs to the square in time for summer.
Promising frozé cocktails, bottomless brunch,es and all the Malibu you can muster, Malibu will team up with retro gaming bar Pong & Puck in a two-pronged takeover running from 5 May to 30 September.
Expect live DJs playing breezy summer tunes on the heated and covered terrace and buzzing bottomless brunches on weekends featuring 90 minutes of frozé cocktails, selected house cocktails and more.
5 May
Dragon Oriental
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
This new eatery in Manchester’s Chinatown hasn’t been open long, but it’s already become popular amongst the city’s Hong Kong community.
Serving up favourites like roasted meats and … , the thing that really caught our eye when browsing the laminated menu outside was a full Hong Kong fry up complete with spam, noodles and …
Rumour has it they’re considering changing the menu to something more Anglicised to draw in an English crowd, so I’d get down quickly if you want to sample the current offering.
Nonna’s might have been at Deansgate Square since October last year, but it’s recently been elevated from boozy pasta pop-up to permanent restaurant. With that in mind, we felt it deserved another mention.
For those who’ve not been, Nonna’s has become famous for its boozy ‘Nonna Hadid’ Rigatoni Alla Vodka alongside other alochol-infused pasta dishes.
Sporting a new menu for the summer, head down to sample the likes of truffled short rib ragu pappardelle, lobster carbonara, and a sharer of lasagne spirali designed for two.
Oh and if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also a fried chicken ‘pizza’ topped with marinara, mozzarella and pesto using buttermilk chicken its a base.
Runaway’s new waterside taproom sees the brewery up sticks from its Dantzic Street home in Manchester city centre over to the flourishing suburbs of Stockport.
With a beer garden overlooking the river Mersey, the new taproom’s central Stockport location promises super fresh pints on tap and cask, plus a bottle shop with bottles to take home and wood-fired pizza courtesy of Honest Crust.
Soak up some rays in the courtyard garden and enjoy.
Open now
Red Light
Image: Supplied
Image: The Manc Group
Set to open on Little David Street at Kampus this month is new queer cocktail bar Red Light, which will be serving dirty martinis under dim lights.
The brainchild of Deana Ferguson, an adopted Manc originally hailing from Belfast, the inclusive, queer space will serve a menu of refined cocktails, natural wines and locally-brewed ales.
Soundtracked by disco beats, the laid-back lounge will feature an imposing bar set against a red-brick backdrop, queer art and low-lit, intimate corners for lovers and friends to sequester themselves in.
TBC
Three Little Words garden terrace
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
This month sees the team behind Three Little Words launch their outdoor canalside bar and terrace at Kampus.
Serving up delicious spirits, spritzes and cocktails all made up from their portfolio of multi-award-winning spirits from The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, everything on offer is created by their team right in the heart of the city.
Open now
Madre
Image: Madre
Image: Madre
This new taco joint will bring the spirit of Mexico City to Manchester when it opens at Kampus this May.
With a menu made up of mouth-watering tacos, wood-grilled seafood and steaks, plus fresh oysters and ceviche straight from a huge ice counter, and a drinks list celebrating agave, this is a new opening you don’t want to miss.
Evolving from a lunch spot to a buzzing bar with Mexican party vibes as the sun goes down, expect a destination that celebrates Mexico City’s cuisine, culture and personality in equal measure.
TBC
Bohemian Arts Club
Chic and intimate cocktail bar Bohemian Arts Club will open on Lower Hillgate, Stockport this month.
With an entrance hidden on the cobbled street of Coopers Brow, the new bar takes inspiration from speakeasies owners Tom and Katie Ogden have visited across the globe.
The second site for much-loved Hazel Grove brand Bohemian, expect a stylish and bohemian space with beautiful surroundings.
TBC
Featured image – Maki & Ramen
Eats
The best deals and offers in Manchester city centre for the 2025 graduation season
Danny Jones
Forget festival season or even Oasis mania, it’s graduation time – same time every year, and we still feel a warm and fuzzy inside every time we see our round as punch smartpants in their silly hats, so we thought we’d celebrate them with a round-up of the best related deals and offers in Manchester.
You’re welcome, big brains.
Whether you studied at the University of Manchester, MMU, Salford Uni or otherwise, make no mistake: this is YOUR moment in the spotlight and you deserve to soak it all in, every last drop.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best graduation offers and deals Manchester city centre has to offer this year.
2025 Manchester graduation deals and offers | 2025
Starting off on Canal Street, MAYA is offering all graduates a complimentary drink of their choice upon arrival, plus the bonus of a complimentary bottle of fizz for food bookings of three guests or more.
2. Tender at Stock Exchange Hotel – Central
It’s a similar story over the tender Restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating, inside the Stock Exchange, who is handing out free glasses of bubbly when booking a table.
Credit: Press shot (supplied)
3. The Cut and Craft – Central
Cut and Craft are serving a special graduation set menu consisting of three courses and a glass of prosecco for £50 per person (pp), available all day from Monday to Friday throughout July.
4. Hello Oriental – Circle Square and Trafford Centre
Hello Oriental diners and Class of 2025 members can raise a toast to their own success with either a free bubble tea, dessert – ‘Taiyaki’ soft serve or indulgent ‘Crème Brulée Bingsu’ – or a glass of prosecco when showing the graduation certificate or a photo of you in your hat and gown.
Complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon champagne (yep, the real good stuff) as well as an exclusive graduation set menu: two courses for £25 pp, or three for £30.
6. Zouk – Oxford Road Corridor
Free welcome drink with any main, sharing platter, or set menu item. You can choose from their brand-new summer special ‘Zouk Sunrise’ cocktail, an ‘Ocean Love Colada’ mocktail, a glass of Prosecco, or a soft drink. In fact, every guest gets a soft drink when adding ‘graduation‘to the booking notes.
Credit: Supplied
7. Electric Shuffle – Deansgate
Another free glass of prosecco is coming your way when booking a shuffleboard table during the 2025 graduation season.
8. The Lowry – Salford
If you’re someone staying over at The Lowry Hotel for graduation day this month, you will receive a bottle of champagne in your room completely gratis, as well as half-price bookings on a second bed and breakfast room for your loved ones/anyone with you for the big day.
There’ll also be discounted parking, not to mention 15% off all food and drinks, and gift vouchers for graduates to enjoy three small plates and a glass of prosecco.
Sexy Fish’s limited graduation menu is priced at £55pp and is available until 25 July, and comes with a congratulatory glass of bubbles. But that’s not all…
10. The Alan – Central
Joining forces with the stylish seafood restaurant, graduates can now enjoy an exclusive ‘dine and stay’ package starting from £195. Find out more HERE.
11. The Laureate at Hyatt Manchester – Oxford Road Corridor
Speaking of staying over, anyone rooming at the Hyatt Manchester over on Booth Street West can also grab themselves a bespoke celebratory cocktail.
12. Albert’s – Castlefield and Didsbury
Careering over to Castlefield, Albert’s Shed has a three-course set menu for £45pp, which includes a sparkling elderflower fizz cocktail. You can also opt to eat and drink just a tram ride or short drive away at their Didsbury location.
Celebrating a massive milestone in Manchester, Australasia’s ’15 for 15 years’ deal isn’t technically a graduation special, however, at just £15 for a main course and a drink (or £18 with a glass of wine, prosecco or beer), you’d be a fool not to consider this spot for your post-graduation celebrations.
14. The Black Friar – Salford
Not too far from here, you’ll find the beautiful Black Friar bistro and pub, which is offering a free bottle of prosecco to anyone who books a table at the venue this graduation season. Sorted.
Credit: The Manc
15. 20 Stories – Spinningfields
Across the other side of Spinningfields, 20 Stories’ July graduation menu promises two courses and a glass of fizz for £29pp, or three for £34pp. Available every Monday to Friday from 12-3pm, as well as Mon-Thurs between 5:30 and 6:30pm throughout July.
16. Podium – Deansgate
Down the road at Beetham Tower, a.k.a. Hilton Manchester, graduates eat completely free when three paying adults book to dine. You can reserve a table now and also grab a free ‘Gin-ovation’ cocktail from the Cloud23 sky bar (a fair) few floors upstairs.
The Rrefuge restaurant inside the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is keeping things nice and simple: a free glass of prosecco to the star of a table when mentioning graduation during booking.
18. Tattu – Spinningfields
Two-course graduation lunch menu for £32.50pp, or dinner from £44.90, as well as a complimentary cocktail for the graduate, and a special scroll that may or may not contain a special golden ticket inside, which could contain one of several prizes.
Credit: The Manc
19. Fenix – St John’s
At the back end of Spinningfields, Fenix is also offering a two-course graduation lunch menu for £32.50pp, which comes with a complimentary glass of prosecco; if you want to dine in the evening, it’s the same number of courses, only with proper champagne instead and for £44.90.
As part of the Permanently Unique hospitality group, they are also offering the scroll and a potential golden ticket opportunity.
20. The Ivy – Spinningfields
The Ivy is serving up a stunning three-course graduation menu, which ends with their signature seasonal special ‘Graduation Chocolate Bombe’ dessert, for £35.95pp. You also get a memorable keepsake to take home, and that’s all we can tell you.
From Spinningfields to the edge of Salford, Manchester bottomless brunch favourite Menagerie is offering a celebratory lunch and drink for £15.95pp, between 12 and 5pm, with a complimentary drink for you and your party when adding ‘Graduation‘ in the booking notes.
22. Browns Bar and Brasserie – Central
Browns are also pulling out the stops with a very reasonably priced three-course graduation menu for £39.00pp, which also comes with a complimentary glass of champagne for the graduate.
This one only applies to Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) graduates, but the value couldn’t be overlooked; get 20% off the bill when you book a table for 6 or more people and pre-book using code ‘graduation‘ and bring proof of your graduation from Man Met.
24. CitySuites – Central
Second to last is CitySuites, who also quietly boast arguably the best overall graduation celebration package of all: a bottle of prosecco, a £10 Selfridges voucher, £30 credit per night to spend in their on-site bar and restaurant, as well as full access to the spa pool, breakfast, robes, parking – the lot.
Available until 3 August, this one is perfect for those based out of town. You can book HERE.
And the last of our Manchester university graduation offers and deals is up there with the cream of the crop: The Midland. You can get 15% off their ‘Excellence’ afternoon tea package (£55.00pp).
Whatever you opt for, you deserve it – congratulations to all of you!
The restaurant that’s giving away free food simply by singing Oasis
Thomas Melia
A nationwide restaurant chain is giving away free food to any customer simply by singing an Oasis song to their server.
Well, if you haven’t heard of the long-standing phrase sing for your supper, this UK restaurant has taken this literally as its new offer makes you do just that.
Italian chain Prezzo has launched its latest deal, encouraging its diners to sing an Oasis song to get their hands on some free food, and it coincides with the summer reunion tour of the legendary Manc band.
Each day, the restaurant will be giving away a free portion of lasagne for up to four people per table if you can sing the opening verse from the 1994 cult classic, ‘Digsy’s Dinner’.
If you manage to recite “What a life it would be / If you could come to mine for tea / I’ll pick you up at half past three / We’ll have lasagne” when purchasing a drink, you could get your hands on some complimentary classic Italian scran.
You’ll have to act fast to claim your free plate of lasagne, as this offer is only applicable to the first two tables that recite the lyrics to the Oasis track every day, per Prezzo location.
Make sure you sing the verse from ‘Digsy’s Dinner’ before you order, as if you sing after placing an order, you may not qualify.
Hey, we take freebies seriously, so you don’t have to…
You don’t have to worry about staying in tune or doing your best Liam Gallagher impression either, as you’re singing technique is not being judged, just make sure your table-side performance is audible enough for your server to hear.
Prezzo Italian is running its ‘Oasis Sing For Your Supper Promotion’ from 4 July until 29 September 2025 and if you take part during the Live ’25 tour run, you can score yourself some free lasagne for up to four people on your table.
This sounds like a ‘Supersonic’ way to start your upcoming Oasis gig day or a perfect way to ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ after a jam-packed day of summer activities.
The closest Prezzo Italian location to Manchester city centre is over at MediaCity UK, and all the information you need to know before you warm up your inner ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ can be found HERE.
So, in answer to LG’s famous question, “Does anyone fancy some lasagne?” – yes, we do, especially if it comes free.
Georgina Pellant -
28th April 2023 
