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.”
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.
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
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2020 
