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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.