A sad reality of the world of hospitality is that while we often have loads of fabulous new openings to celebrate, there is also a steady stream of restaurant and bar closures in Manchester.
It’s been another year of blistering food and drink highs and devastating lows, saying goodbye to several very high-profile businesses as 2024 ticked along.
Closures included enormous celeb-studded venues, much-loved independent restaurants and bakeries, the likes of the long-standing Church Street Markets and some of the finest dining establishments in all of Greater Manchester.
We haven’t included them all on this list (a notable absence is Sakkusamba, which shut down to rebrand as Raft, then Raft shut back down to rebrand as Sakkusamba again – you can read all about that weird situation HERE), because that would just be a little depressing.
But below you’ll find a list of the restaurant and bar closures that shocked Manchester city centre and beyond in 2024.
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13 Greater Manchester restaurants and bars that closed in 2024
Greens – Didsbury and Sale
2024 was only two days old when celebrity chef Simon Rimmer announced the closure of his vegetarian restaurant, Greens, in Didsbury.
It had been part of the suburb’s restaurant scene for more than 30 years but was ultimately felled by rising costs, including a rent increase of a whopping 35%.
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Rimmer kept the sister site over in Sale up and running, but not for long – that also closed in September.
His restaurant portfolio includes Rudy’s and Albert’s Schloss, but the loss of Greens was a real blow to Greater Manchester.
Cottonopolis, then Lamb of Tartary – Northern Quarter
The site reopened under the same team as Lamb of Tartary, a beautiful pub and restaurant inspired by the success of its sister site, the very successful Edinburgh Castle over in Ancoats.
Sadly, Lamb of Tartary wasn’t long for this world either, and that quietly shut down in September after only six months.
Who will try and take on this landmark unit next, we wonder?
Trove – Ancoats and Levenshulme
Credit: The Manc Group
One of Manchester’s original independent bakeries shut down in the summer of 2024 after a turbulent few months.
Trove had started life in Levenshulme where it was quickly hailed as one of the region’s best neighbourhood food spots, then it branched out to Ancoats with a cafe too.
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But both shut down in dramatic fashion in June, with the modern Ancoats site repossessed by landlords.
They finally broke their silence on the closures a few days later with an emotional statement that said: “We have been struggling mentally, physically and financially for a while.”
Formerly known as Luck, Lust, Liquor and Burn, the popular Northern Quarter bar and restaurant is sadly just the former in general now after closing back in August 2024.
The Mexican food spot and late-night watering hole was known not only for delicious and pretty affordable scran with Californian influences but also for one of the best happy hours in town.
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It may have started out as a spin-off courtesy of, Almost Famous, but it truly grew to take on a life, reputation and style of its own for just over a decade.
Sadly, it wasn’t to last forever and while they didn’t provide much detail as to what caused the closure, we can assume they were facing the same challenges most local businesses have been in recent years. They bowed with one final happy, messy and very emotional hour – thanks for the memories.
Speaking of Almost Famous, the dirty burger masters still have a wonderful empire here in Greater Manchester and, indeed across the North but one spot did sadly have to admit defeat.
Their Withington outpost started off so good and looked to be not only one of their most handy locations for students and those on the outskirts of the city, but the room itself had undoubtedly the unique aesthetic they’d stumbled across to date.
As pretty as the room and as reliable as the food always is, opening during a cost-of-living crisis was never going to be easy and they came out to thank their loyal customers on multiple occasions for helping to keep going.
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Sadly, they couldn’t feasibly keep going and though AF remains 0161’s most iconic burger joint, the Withy experiment didn’t work out – fingers crossed they get another go at it again in the future.
Rigatoni’s (formerly SUD and Sugo before that) – Ancoats, Sale and city centre
Another closure saga was the unfortunate story of Rigatoni’s, once considered one of the best Italian restaurants in all of the boroughs during its days as Sugo Pasta Kitchen before having to change its name to SUD following a rather confusing lawsuit threat.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the pasta specialists then suffered four closures across Greater Manchester and ended up undergoing another rebrand to relaunch as Rigatoni’s in December of 2023.
However, it seems whatever name they went by, they just couldn’t make it work and sadly Rigatoni’s went on to shut its restaurants in Ancoats, Sale AND in Exhibition food hall, leaving only Altrincham behind.
You can backtrack through the full sequence of events HERE and see what it’s now become down below:
Another one that hit us hard over the past 12 months was the news of Manchester city centre’s beloved Pie and Ale closing its doors after a little over a decade.
The NQ cult favourite was known for its legendary pie and pint for a tenner deal, years of unique takes on pastry-encased flavour combinations, a great booze selection across the board and being of the best-kept secrets when it came to finding a quieter pub to watch live sport.
It was quite comfortable one of the best places to grab a pie in Manchester and a relatively cheap day/night out in general and its closure back in April was a tough one for lots of locals to take.
If you ever visited, you’ll know how cool a spot it was.
Stretford Food Hall – Chester Rd
Heading over towards Trafford direction, the Food Hall that was attached to Stretford Mall was another frustrating closure at the start of last year, especially given the somewhat recent refurb a few years prior.
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On the outside, things may have looked like they were on the up to many but, truth be told, the space had been struggling ever since the pandemic. Businessman Mital Morar opened the Food Hall back in 2019 but by February 2024, he confessed it had “no more left in the tank”.
At the heart of the regenerated Stretford Strip that looked to be thriving at the start of 2020, it housed plenty of popular local vendors including What’s Your Beef?, Egg & Co., Cloudwater Brewery and more.
The Food Hall might be kaput but you can still enjoy Stretford Canteen at least. (Credit: The Manc Group)
PLY – Northern Quarter
From one that had the potential to build a local renaissance around to a city centre institution that students are still mourning to this day, PLY closing marked what felt like the end of an era.
Once the toast of Lever Street just off the corner of Stevenson Square, PLY could always guarantee you three things: cheap and tasty pizza, reasonably priced drinks and a good time.
That being said, it didn’t take long for it to reopen as something new and fairly different – you can read all about it below – and you can still enjoy the fantastic flavours from their stand in New Century Hall.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Sonata, a jazz and piano bar in Manchester, has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Another hidden gem that quietly closed its doors last year was the late-night piano and cabaret hideaway known as Sonata.
It may never have been the most bustling bar or well-known live entertainment venue in Manchester, but for the die-hards that made it home on so many weekends and what would otherwise have been boring an evening after work, it was a real wound to see it close its doors after a couple of years.
With an entrance off St Ann’s Alley that was marked with a glowing sign and a lightbulb, it felt like a real local secret, and despite building up a loyal following through its New York-style live music nights, Sonata shut down citing ‘near-impossible challenges in the current climate’. See more HERE.
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WOOD – First/Jack Rosenthal Street
Celebrity chef and former MasterChef champion Simon Wood shocked Manchester when he announced the closure of his flagship restaurant, WOOD.
Wood has remained one of Greater Manchester’s most-renowned chefs for the past decade, not to mention a huge advocate for supporting the hospitality industry, especially post-Covid and during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Sharing an emotional post on Instagram, he wrote: “Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon-to-be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work.”
Local gem and one of Greater Manchester’s very best food spots, The Thirsty Korean, closed its Chorlton restaurant after five years when its lease came to an end.
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It had hit headlines only months before its closure when Sacha Lord chose to publicly celebrate a series of local business, paying everyone’s bill there for one night only (with suitably long queues…)
Confirming the closure of the Manchester Road spot via Instagram, owner Eunji Noh wrote: “I love you, loved you lots and will love you. Hope to see you soon and let’s celebrate our beautiful and cheerful end of The Thirsty Korean!
“Please stay with us and don’t forget about us. Find me and I will be here with big arms opened to hug you all.”
Black Dog Ballroom – Northern Quarter
Long-standing Northern Quarter bar Black Dog Ballroom sadly and quietly closed for business back in January 2024, after a decade and a half as one of Manchester’s favourite nightlife hotspots.
The rumblings of the Black Dog’s closure slipped somewhat under the radar but were all but confirmed when the city centre bar and pool hall’s website updated to simply read: ‘Black Dog Ballroom is now closed’.
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The site has now become Definitely Maybe, an Oasis-themed bar that even has drinks inspired by the Gallagher brothers.
Five of the best alcohol-free bars in Manchester you can enjoy this Dry January
Danny Jones
Listen, quite of a few us here at The Manc are giving Dry January a go again this year and if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s that it isn’t always the alcohol that we miss but more the feeling of sitting around a bar with your mates, drink in hand and talking rubbish, not a care in the world.
These days, alcohol-free stuff is getting pretty good and if you’re having a good enough time chatting away with you and yours, be it your partner, a loved one, your bestie or otherwise, you’ll be surprised how quickly you forget there’s you’re gulping down a zero or low-alcohol alternative.
Whether it’s a wheaty bottle of Erdinger, a cold pint of Lucky Saint, a fruity mocktail or even a crisp 0% gin and tonic, they all quench your thirst just as good as the real thing, only without any damage to your health and without the hangover the next morning.
We’re not going to pretend we don’t love a few beers at the weekend or a vino after a long day, but Dry Jan is a positive challenge we can all get behind and it doesn’t have to mean staying in or saying bye to the pub — so here’s five Manchester bars that do alcohol-free or low percentage booze really well.
Five zero-percent and alcohol-free friendly bars in Manchester
1. Hinterland – Northern Quarter
Opening up back in June 2024, Hinterland is currently Manchester’s only permanent and purpose-built alcohol-free bar and cafe, and while the place might be booze they’ve certainly added a real cosiness and creativity to the space. Oh yeah, it also happens tp be tucked away under the Buddhist Centre.
Roomy and with no reservations needed, dog-friendly, not to mention serving fresh cakes, bakes and a fully-fledged food menu from vegan heroes, Wholesome Junkies – who are now the main vendors of the basement bar – this place has grown pretty quickly.
It’s also become a vital community corner for those trying to come off drink, already in recovery or even just the sober-curious, as they host numerous events throughout the year to help people learn more about zero-alcohol living as well as socialise and meet new people on similar journeys. A wonderful spot.
Hinterland is currently one of the only true alcohol-free bars in Manchester (Credit: The Manc Group)
2. Feel Good Club – Northern Quarter
Next up is a place that’s been at the forefront of wellbeing culture in the region since it first opened in 2020, came back fighting after an unfortunate break-in and has been serving up Mancs, healthy food, non-alcoholic bevs that will knock your socks off and nothing but good vibes ever since.
Located just on the corner of Hilton Street in the NQ, where it’s fair to say you’ll find some of Manchester’s very best pubs and bars, the regular crowds and easily enticed newcomers Feel Good Club pulls in will never make you feel like you’re missing out or should have wandered in elsewhere.
You can come in here for a tipple if you want but, honestly, there’s nothing like enjoying something off their all-day lunch and brunch menu followed by a ‘sober dolly’, ‘sober elton’ or one of their regularly rotating zero-alcohol cans of IPA. They even published their debut book, A guide to feeling good and being okay with it when you’re not in 2022 and do their own merch. Look good feel good and all that.
Feel Good Club has all the best bits of a bar, cafe and hangout spot only you can do it all alcohol-free. (Credit: Feel Good Club/Instagram)
3. New Century – Victoria
In at number three is one of the city centre‘s best new food vendor halls, bars and entertainment venues, which just so happens to be doing a very good deal to kick off the year too, which they’ve appropriately dubbed ‘Dry Scranuary’.
We’re talking about New Century over in the heart of the regenerated NOMA district and not only is the ground floor of this big open-plan venue the perfect place for you and a bunch of mates to pile into and have a bite, but they’re also giving you an extra incentive to do so whilst staying off the sauce.
Throughout all of January, you can get a free non-alcoholic beverage with any main all-day from Wednesday to Sunday and, hey, you can always head upstairs for a gig afterwards as well. Sold.
Now, if you fancy sipping and savouring something fancy whilst still feeling like you’re treating yourself to something a bit posh and special as somewhat of a reward for another day of Dry Jan down, why not do it at a bar that’s been named best in the UK two years running and one of the best in the world?
Schofield’s is the kind of place where you’re not going in to get drunk in the first place: you’re there to take in the atmosphere and aesthetic, appreciate the immaculate service and admire the expertly made drinks. Lucky for you, they have an entire menu packed with non-alcoholic concoctions.
Stylised as their ‘Temperance’ selection, you can enjoy everything from a colourful Club Tropicana to a classic Virgin Mary or even a ‘Frosty Toddy’: honey, ginger, lemon and soda. Sweet, simple and sublime. If there’s anyone who can make a drink that doesn’t need any alcohol in it, it’s these wizards.
The fifth and final entry on our whistle-stop tour of Manchester bars that are great at low percentage and alcohol-free libations is the one and only Zouk Tea Bar and Grill over on Chester Street.
Serving up some of the best Indian and Pakistani food you’ll find in any of the 10 boroughs, not to mention a firm favourite amongst almost everyone in the office, this popular restaurant situated just off the Oxford Road Corridor doesn’t just serve up banging food but some of the best mocktails you’ll find.
With five different types of mojito – including their much-loved ‘special’ – cosmos, daiquiris, pina coladas and our personal preference, the ‘Summer of 69’ (mango and pineapple juice with passion fruit, lime and a shot of grenadine), there’s something for everyone. The perfect kind of refreshment to pair with mounds of bottomless Zouk curry or brunch. Might as well whilst you’re there.
Not strictly a bar but Zouk are just as skilled at alcohol-free as they are their cuisine. (Credit: The Manc Group)
As always with these lists, this is just a taste of the low and alcohol-free options Manchester has to offer these days as Britain continues to reassess its bar and binge culture.
For starters, places like the Printworks have such a healthy selection of mocktails, low and no-alcohol drinks at the likes of O’Neills, Bierkeller, Hard Rock Cafe, Boom Battle Bar and more that you’d never had to walk for more than a few yards between tipples. They’re even offering £20 off through their app.
Other honourable mentions have to go to the likes of the award-winning brains behind Blinker Bar, the stylish but unpretentious cocktails specialists at Stray, the charming Parisian-inspired drinks at The Daisy, the marvellous mocktail menu at Etçi Mehmet and so many others.
But a month goes by in a flash and we didn’t want to ram a load of bars down your throat, so this handful should do you just fine. Instead of making Dry January feel like a slog or a chore, let’s keep that lovely feeling of having a social drink going and remember it’s about who’s cheersing the glass, not what’s in it.
Lastly, we couldn’t talk about alcohol-free bars without touching on the pop-up that arguably started it all: LoveFrom, which sadly announced its closure back in July 2024.
But fear not, founder Karl Considine says the one-time Kampus resident has insisted they will be back in the near future and we can only thank people like Karl for getting the ball rolling when it comes to the alcohol-free bar scene here in Manchester city centre.
If you’re looking to make the most of your visits to bars and restaurants around Greater Manchester in January, you can find all the best deals down below.
Best of luck for the rest of Dry Jan and whether you’re counting down the days to that first drop or turning over a new leaf, we know you can do it.
A dozen major new openings coming to Greater Manchester and beyond in 2025
Thomas Melia
GreaterManchester is already bursting at the seams with wonderful restaurants, shops and buildings, but surely we always have room to squeeze in more new openings each year.
As 2024 comes to a close we can celebrate some incredible Manc wins like, getting our own Jellycat store in Selfridges or the innovative K-beauty store, Pureseoul, which landed in Manchester Arndale in November.
2024 also saw the St John’s neighbourhood take shape, with openings like Fenix, Courts Club and Caravan well and truly up and running.
And of course, who could forget the launch of Co-op Live? The huge new arena has already hosted some seriously big names and there’s plenty more to come in 2025.
Manchester’s landscape is an ever-changing one and with the list below already STACKED (hint, hint), it’s safe to say it’s never a dull day for new openings in Manchester.
So here are all the major new launches you can get excited about in the year ahead.
Big new openings in Greater Manchester and beyond | 2025
1. Soho House – Old Granada Studios
The rooftop pool at White City House, the London equivalent.CGIs of Soho House Manchester.Arguably the mother of all new openings for Manchester in 2025. (Credit: Supplied)
It really is out with the old and in with the new, as luxury member’s club Soho House prepares to roost in the Old Granada Studios building.
Set to be a multi-storey hub featuring everything from restaurants to a rooftop pool, this extravagant destination is on track to be one of the most glamorous when it opens next year.
If you’re thinking of lying by the pool and taking an ‘Instagrammable moment’ stop right there! Soho House Manchester, much like its London counterpart, will have a strict no-phones policy, giving everyone complete privacy.
Its opening has been delayed several times over but it’s looking like 2025 will be Soho House’s year.
Alongside Soho House, this once booming TV news building is also welcoming some neighbours in the form of Mollie’s Motel, fit with a contemporary art collection and live music venue.
The Manchester site is trialling out a first for the Americana-inspired motel company as this is not only set to be their first city-centre location but also features studio suites, unlike their two other locations.
However, they aren’t losing all their authentic touches, this Manchester Mollie’s will have a classic diner stocking ‘New Yorker’ peanut butter and jelly pie.
Inside Chotto Matte, the new rooftop restaurant at Gary Neville’s St Michael’s development in Manchester. (Credit: Supplied)
A cross of Japanese and Peruvian delicacies, Chotto Matte is big on flavours and sophistication, with each guest treated to a ‘culinary journey’ through every dish they serve.
They really meant business with this restaurant as not only is it ‘high class’ it’s also high altitude, situated on the rooftop of Gary Neville’s St Michael’s development.
Not so much one of most exciting new openings in Greater Manchester but more a rebirth. (Credit: Oldham Coliseum)
Launching the careers of many of our favourite soap stars and breaking the hearts of many locals with its closure in 2023, Oldham Coliseum is ready to return to reign supreme once again.
From Charlie Chaplin to Corrie greats like Bill Roache (Ken Barlow), this North West theatre has said hello to quite a few famous faces over the years.
After plans were announced not too long ago for a new multi-million pound but much smaller new site, it’s great to see this drama institution remain in its original and much-loved home instead, with a major refurbishment planned.
Opening in time for Christmas/Panto season 2025 – read more HERE.
5. Power Hall – Science and Industry Museum
The Light Lab at the Science and Industry Museum. (Credit: Science Museum Group)
Since 2019, this incredible part of Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum has been closed for restoration works and has been dearly missed by all visitors.
The plan for this renovation sees the Museum preserve its original historic elements while making way for new spaces for playing and learning in.
There will also be a gantry crane connected to the Power Hall which towers an impressive 8 metres high and 72 metres wide, wow.
6. National Portrait Gallery Unframed – MediaCity, Salford
Two people looking at a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I at FRAMELESS Manchester. (Credit: FRAMELESS)
The London-based gallery is moving up North to create a ‘ground-breaking’ new experience which sees paintings in a completely new light, literally.
Some of the world’s most famous paintings are about to be brought to life in an immersive digital experience, in collaboration with FRAMELESS Creative.
The long-term partnership which will be based in Salford is bringing new art experiences to wider audiences via an all-new digital exhibition.
This site will be designed around an expansive open plaza which will house a large stage, perfect for all varieties of family-friendly events and shows.
This Oxford Road hotspot is bringing a much-loved concept for visitors and locals alike combining street food with live entertainment and bars, a perfect city centre attraction.
Treehouse Hotel has confirmed details of its first Manchester restaurant, and a new summer opening date. (Credit: Supplied)
Nothing like a bit of shrubbery to break up the grey-scale skyscraper landscape of Manchester and this next new opening has taken it to the next level.
If there’s one thing ‘Treehouse Hotel’ is doing well it’s branding, from the restaurant titled ‘Pip’ to the decked-out green interior and exterior, this place is a nature lover’s paradise and will majorly transform a building that’s been a bit of an eyesore for years.
Making its grand arrival to the massive hotel scene in Manchester, their website seems to hint at a Spring launch with rooms bookable from April onwards.
A CGI mock-up of what the latest space will look like. (Credit: Supplied)
Get ready to make way for a Yorkshire favourite as next up on this list is the highly-anticipated launch of The Cut and Craft.
The steak and seafood specialists will be opening their first site in Manchester and North West as a whole in the spring – this being their third location to date after the OG spot in York and the second site in Leeds, which our Hoot team vouches for wholeheartedly.
With a grand former banking hall being renovated for the new premises over on the corner of Mosley and New York Street, you can expect high-end ingredients turned into gourmet goodness. We’re talking freshly-shucked oysters, caviar; beef tartare, king scallops, fish and chips, steaks and so much more.
Undouvtedly one of the most talked about new openings in all of Greater Manchester. (Credit: Supplied)
From two football stadiums to Victoria Baths, a Grade II-listed swimming pool, Manchester has a lot to say for itself, even more so with Stockport Pyramid, a Northern landmark which is soon to double as an Indian restaurant.
This iconic symbol of Stockport is about to undergo a miraculous transformation into an Indian restaurant and banquet hall, perfect for all foodies SK1 or further afield.
11. More Terminal 2 additions – Manchester Airport
Credit: Supplied
Yes, we know a lot of T2’s large-scale refurbishment has already been completed over the past couple of years, but with the second and final phase of the update already well underway, there’s still a lot more to come in 2025.
Set to be completed by the end of the year, there are still various new shops bars, and restaurants due to open in the coming months – another 22, to be more specific.
A total of £1.3 billion has been pumped into this much-needed and long-awaited renovation and once all is said and done, it will benefit roughly 80% of all passengers travelling in and out of Manchester airport. Maybe 2025 is the year it gets off to a real flyer.
12. Chester Zoo Lodges – Cheshire
A mock-up illustration of the planned safari lodges. (Credit: Supplied)
And finally, we couldn’t forget our neighbours just down the road. From a green space-themed hotel to a lodge that sees you face to face with all kinds of different animals, 2025 is making us all be at one with nature, and none of us are complaining.
There will be four different styles of lodges all inspired by and themed around traditional timber African safari lodges, with the first plans submitted in 2022.
Some of these incredible new staycation suites overlook a refreshing lake while others are set next to an enclosure full of free-roaming giraffes.
Danny Jones -
5th January 2025 
