Manchester wakes up this weekend. But where will you be going?
It’s a big decision – choosing the first place to visit after lockdown. But it’s worth approaching with the same sort of mentality you had on any pre-quarantine weekend: What sort of flavours do you fancy?
We’ve broken down the list of reopened Manchester venues into categories, so you can settle on the right spot regardless of whether you’re craving a cocktail, burger or bottle of fancy wine.
Remember that many venues require bookings as table service is compulsory – so be sure to act fast and reserve a seat if you want to make the most of your first day of freedom in more than three months.
Booze. That’s front and centre for many right now.
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Classy cocktails. Carefully poured craft beer. Cheap pints at the local. They’re all back this weekend. And oh, how we’ve missed them.
Here are a few of the top spots in the city that are serving again from July 4. There’s also a welcome return for the best coffee houses – which could help sort out that sore head come Sunday.
Lucky back garden owners got to enjoy a few banging BBQs over the course of an unseasonably sweltering spring this year. But now normality has been restored and Manchester is wet once again.
If you’ve already forgotten what great summer grub tastes like, there’s a few spots in town where you can rediscover those flavours in all their glory.
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Almost Famous – booking required. Get a table here.
All Star Lanes – booking required (terrace available). Get a table here.
Hard Rock Cafe – booking required. Get a table here.
Hatch – no booking required.
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn – booking required. Get a table here.
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Pizza & Pasta
Crazy Pedro’s
We’re inundated with top-quality Italian food venues in Manchester. Genuinely spoiled for choice.
Several of them have confirmed they’re ready to return from July 4, too – offering diners delicious dollops of cheese piled high on Instagram-worthy plates.
This one is going to give you a selection headache…
Ciaooo Pizzeria – booking required. Learn more here.
Fine cuts of meat. Fantastic fish. Crispy fried chicken. These are surefire solutions to satisfy your tastebuds with the treat they deserve after three long months of home cooking.
There’s a number of seafood restaurants and grill houses restaurants flinging open their doors this weekend – and demand is already surging, unsurprisingly.
Here are a few places where you can still reserve a seat.
We’ve had our fair share of Chinese and Indian takeaways during lockdown.
But guzzling sauce out of Tupperware boxes half-drunk in front of the tele just isn’t quite the same as tucking into a first-class meal at an elegant restaurant.
Here’s where you can head this weekend to taste some amazing Asian-style cooking.
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.
Inside The Head of Steam as huge new pub opens in Northern Quarter
Daisy Jackson
The Northern Quarter has a brand-new pub, as The Head of Steam moves into the city centre.
The craft beer brand has taken over what was formerly Cottonopolis (and then briefly the Lamb of Tartary), completely transforming the historic Grade II-listed space.
The Head of Steam has added a huge central bar into the building, surrounded by cosy booths and bar tables, plus six screens showing live sports.
There’s augmented reality darts and a photo booth, plus a VAST range of beers behind the bar, all packed into this 2,800 sq ft space in the heart of the city.
Expect 30 lines (24 keg and 6 cask) of beers, including The Head Of Steam’s own British-brewed range and an extensive selection of Belgian favourites.
And on the food menu, you’ll find USA-style smash burgers and a gigantic sharing platter of sides, from Salford street food favourite That Burger Place – previously named among the top burger joints in the UK.
To celebrate its launch – and to kick off its arrival into the city centre in style – The Head of Steam will be giving away 1,995 free pints.
Craft beer fans will have the chance of winning a free pint of the Head of Steam’s own IPA, Lager, or Gold.
That Burger Place platterThe mozzarella slabBeer and wine flight at The Head of SteamThe Head of Steam in the Northern Quarter
If beer’s not your thing, there’s also a cocktail menu, premium spirits range, and wine list – plus the option to order a beer or wine flight for the beer-curious.
The Head of Steam is set to open later this week, its 16th venue nationwide and second in Greater Manchester.
David Scott, Retail Director at The Head of Steam, said: “We’re incredibly proud to confirm our opening date in the Northern Quarter – it’s one of the most vibrant areas in Manchester and the perfect place to bring our craft beer community together.
“With some fantastic West Coast beers on offer, partnering with That Burger Place, a food brand who share that love for bold West Coast flavours, just made perfect sense.”
Ryan McDermott, Co-Owner of That Burger Place, added: “We’ve always loved The Head of Steam brand. I grew up in pubs as my parents ran several sites, so hospitality has always been in my blood.
“When the opportunity came to bring That Burger Place into The Head of Steam, it was a no-brainer. Working with the team feels like a perfect match, and we can’t wait to share our burgers with Manchester city centre for the first time.”
To sign up for a chance to claim a free pint when The Head Of Steam opens in the Northern Quarter on Friday 28 November, head HERE.
Global sensation Eggslut is FINALLY coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
After waiting what feels like a lifetime, worldwide viral sensation Eggslut is at long last coming to Manchester city centre.
Cracking news (sorry not sorry).
Honestly, there aren’t many big-name food chains that we’ve been waiting to arrive in Manchester longer than Eggslut, which started as little more than a food truck in LA and has gone on to become a truly global giant in the culinary scene.
Set to pop up at Centurion House over on Deansgate, which backs onto Lincoln Square, Eggslut is scheduled to make its Manchester debut very soon.
Literally drooling at the mere thought more than those drips. (Credit: Publicity pictures)
I mean, LOOK at it. Class, just class…
Aiming to launch in the new year, Manc foodies who have been clamouring for the brand’s arrival for more than a decade now will soon be able to get their chops around fan favourites and internet-famous items like the ‘Fairfax’ and ‘Gaucho’ sandwiches, as well as the standard but signature ‘Slut’.
Oh, and yes: having tried various parts of the menu down in London, we can assure you they are just as naughty as they sound – especially those truffle hash browns and those new dippy French toast sticks, which we cannot wait to sample for ourselves.
The video of founder Alvin Cailan talking us through the story behind Eggslut and the secret ‘off-menu’ special order that was so good that people just couldn’t stop forcing it into the mainstream is still one of our most-watched videos of all time.
Not only is this the eighth UK location, but Manchester will also be the first venue in the country outside of the capital.
With the first CGIs of the space having now been shared with the ravenous masses, we confirm it is set to take the place of the existing Starbucks site at the base of the Bruntwood SciTech building.
You can see more down below:
Credit: Supplied
Head of Operations at Eggslut, Pedro Ribeiro, says of the impending opening: “Manchester has been crying out for an Eggslut for too long, and we were only too happy to make that dream a reality.
“The city is the perfect place to bring our kind of breakfast to a brand new area of the UK, and we cannot wait to join such a fast-paced and buzzing food scene.”
Matt Pazos, as for Bruntwood SciTech‘s Retail Commercial Manager, Matt Pazoz, he commented on them taking up residence here: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the first Eggslut outside of London to Manchester and can’t wait for the team to crack open their doors on Deansgate.
“The brand has built a cult following thanks to their delicious chef-driven comfort food, and we know that it will fast become a go-to spot for businesses based in Centurion House as well as locals and visitors to the city.”
Coming to a mouth near you by the end of January 2026.