A new hotly-anticipated ‘tacos and tequila joint’ is opening doors in Withington next week and it’s set to bring the taste of Mexico to South Manchester post-lockdown.
Taking the place of the much-loved neighbourhood hangout Solomons Cafe Bar on Wilmslow Road, Southside Tequila Joint is the brainchild of the original Solomons owners, Rupert Cade and Rick McClean, in partnership with Lyndon Higginson – the well-known proprietor of city centre favourite hotspots Crazy Pedro’s, Bunny Jackson’s and Wolf at the Door.
Southside Tequila Joint will be looking to offer South Manchester residents an alternative to a city centre trip.
After much speculation amongst the community, the Southside rebranding was first announced via the Solomons Cafe Bar Facebook page at the start of May in a post that read: “After 5 years Solomons is being retired.”
“When lockdown ends we’ll be reopening as Southside Tequila Joint.”
Don’t worry, it’s still going to be the same neighbourhood hang out with the same amazing team… just better everything else. Withington is going to have its very own taco and tequila joint.”
“We can’t wait to show you what we’ve done to the place.”
BIG NEWS! After 5 years Solomons is being retired. When lockdown ends we'll be reopening as Southside Tequila…
Southside Tequila Joint is very much a product of lockdown, and in the best way possible.
After lockdown restrictions were first announced in the UK all the way back in March, this presented the owners with the unique opportunity to completely reinvent the Solomons space in a way that they would not have been able to otherwise.
A complete renovation of the premises began shortly after Solomons’ doors closed.
Those familiar with previous Solomons space will notice upon the reopening of Southside that the bar area has been extended/opened up, additional booth seating has been installed at the back of the venue, it now boats an impressive outdoor seating terrace and it has even been expanded downstairs too, providing more seating and a second bar area.
We’ve been busy getting our little neighbourhood taco and tequila joint ready for when we all come out of lockdown.
The kitchen area has also been newly refurbished, ready to serve authentic tacos and tequila to a community that’s been calling out for it.
Southside Tequila Joint is launching on Wednesday 8th July and will be open until 2am every night.
You can call 0161 434 123 and visit their Facebook page here.
The Manc is helping local businesses and venues get back on their feet after lockdown with our #BuzzingToBeBack campaign – offering as much support and exposure for Manchester hospitality as possible.
Read more about what we’re doing for the industry here.
Eats
Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.
The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.
Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.
If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.
There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.
Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.
Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.
A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.
Drake-backed fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The huge LA-based fried chicken brand backed by Drake is heading to Manchester for the very first time this summer.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the Printworks this August – the first UK branch outside of London and Birmingham.
The cult chicken brand has said that its new venue will feature an ‘industrial design inspired by Manchester’s rave scene’ (if we had a pound every time a new venue used that design style, we’d be as rich as Drake…).
Dave’s Hot Chicken is famed for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, which is served in seven different spice levels from No Spice to Reaper.
Expect sliders, tenders, ‘next-level’ top-loaded shakes and slushes.
It’s grown so quickly that in 2021, it caught the eye of none other than rapper Drake, who is a ‘significant investor’ in the brand.
The fried chicken spot will be moving into the large corner unit at Printworks, which has previously been Busaba Thai, and Floripa, with 139 covers.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to Manchester
Inside, it will feature towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights, claiming to be a ‘full-on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience’.
There will also be custom graffiti inspired by L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehm.
Dave’s Hot Chicken still has hour-long queues down in London, several months after opening on Shaftesbury Avenue – next up will be a Birmingham branch in July before Manchester opens later this summer.
And this is just the start of a nationwide expansion.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours.
“We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open at Printworks Manchester on 8 August.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2020 
