A stand-up dining experience with no chairs is coming to a Manchester Italian restaurant, bringing a new take on eating out to the UK for the very first time.
Taken straight from the heart of Northern Italy, Apericena (a mix of aperitivo and cena, meaning dinner) does away with the traditional formal dining setup to inject a little bit more fun into your suppertime.
A concept born in Piedmont, this sort of happy hour-meets-dinner blends the bar and restaurant together – encouraging friends and family to share good food and drinks, without the restriction of being plonked in a corner.
Now, it’s coming to Manchester courtesy of premium Piedmont Alpine Birra Menabrea, which is giving diners the chance to experience the growing trend for themselves with a series of exclusive Apericena evenings hosted across the UK this September.
Italian restaurants in Manchester, London and Glasgow are removing low tables and chairs for the first time, recreating the sort of buzzy, social atmosphere you’ll find down on the continent.
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Set against the buzzing backdrop of DJ sets, attendees will enjoy delicious Piedmontese-style small plates served up alongside ice-cold Menabrea Birra brewed from the very region where the concept was first born.
Haunt MCR on Portland Street will host the Apericena event this September in partnership with Menabrea. / Image: The Manc Eats
Menabrea Birra has partnered with chef and food writer Nina Parker, who will be authentically bringing the concept to life through bespoke menus. / Image: The Manc Eats
Apericena is predominantly focused on food, using the finest quality ingredients from the Northern Italian region.
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Bringing the Italian flavour, Menabrea Birra has partnered with chef and food writer Nina Parker, who will be authentically bringing the concept to life through bespoke menus.
With a passion for Italian cuisine, Nina will prepare mouth-watering and bitesize traditional Piedmontese dishes, drawing inspiration from the meticulously sourced ingredients used to brew Menabrea – Italy’s finest Alpine Birra.
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Diners will also have the opportunity to learn how to recreate Apericena meals in their home.
Speaking on the event Antonina Parker, chef and writer, said: “I can’t wait to bring these unique events to the UK with Menabrea. I have a personal tie to Italian cuisine through my family heritage, so collaborating with one of Italy’s most renowned beers was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.
“I look forward to welcoming guests to the events to discover one of Italy’s best kept secrets where they can enjoy a more social and connected experience while sampling tasty food, award-winning Italian beer and music.”
Menabrea has been brewed in the Piedmont region, at the foot of the Italian Alps for more than 175 years in Italy’s oldest continuously producing brewery – now in its fifth generation.
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Angus Lawrie, spokesperson at Menabrea, said: “Taking inspiration from the incredible cuisine and engaging culture of its home region, our Menabrea Apericena series will be an evening like no other.
Image: Haunt MCR
Image: Haunt MCR
“Delicious small plates will be served alongside Piedmont’s most famous Italian Alpine Birra, Menabrea, brewed with passion using only the finest quality ingredients at the foot of the Alps for five generations.
“We are so excited to bring guests a true taste of Northern Italy at the UK’s first-ever standing dining experiences across Manchester, London and Glasgow this summer.”
With no ‘tables’ to book, those wanting to experience the limited-edition Apericena evenings will need to secure a spot online to enjoy evenings across Manchester, London and Glasgow.
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Georgina Pellant -
12th September 2023 
