With Halloween lurking just around the corner, no doubt plenty of Manchester’s bars and restaurants are getting into the spooky spirit this week with some special creations.
From DGHNT‘s bloody eyeball donuts that ‘burst’ raspberry jam in your mouth, to these similar-looking concoctions at Tib Street’s Siop Shop (not to mention ghosts filled with Diplomat rum chocolate crème and vegan pumpkin spiced donuts), there are some great one-offs kicking about in the name of All Hallows Eve.
The Halloween specials at Siop Shop also feature a bloodied eye, alongside ghosts filled with Diplomat rum chocolate crème, vegan pumpkin spiced donuts and a classic bone glaze / Image: Siop Shop
The guide is not all Halloween-themed this week, though. There’s simply too much going on to focus purely on specials.
Over in Withington a new burger and wings takeaway has opened with a menu that’s entirely plant-based (we dare you to tell the difference), whilst in the Northern Quarter we’ve got not one but two new bars to shout about.
Keep reading to discover the best new openings and eats in Manchester this week.
Bloody eyeball donuts that ‘burst’ with raspberry jam
Artisan doughnut baker DGHNT has created a brilliant set of new themed creations in honour of Halloween, including bloody eyeball treats filled with raspberry jam that ‘burst’ in your mouth.
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Baker Sulin is also selling creepy-crawly chocolate oreo spider donuts alongside some that have been mummified with icing at Mackie Mayor this weekend, over 30 and 31 October. All vanilla flavoured, donuts will be on sale individually or can be pre-ordered in boxes of four.
A neon-soaked, Blade Runner-inspired underground bar beneath District
Hidden beneath District on Oldham Street, this new bar comes from the same team – bringing its distinct, new wave Thai experience underground.
From the smells of char that waft from the kitchen to the futuristic, synth-wave soundtrack and red and blue neons slicing through the darkness, it’s not just an experience. It’s an experience with some truly brilliant new drinks.
All eight drinks on the menu draw inspiration from Thai cuisine, utilising some unique ingredients like fish sauce, beef fat-washed rum, tomato, turmeric and grilled bananas.
Pork belly and crackling from Kong’s new roast concept at Northern Monk Refectory / Image: Kong’s Meat & Three
A new ‘meat and three’ concept from the team behind *that* fried chicken roast dinner
Kong’s chicken shop, not content with launching just one viral roast dinner, has now branched out with a whole new roast concept that they are calling Meat & Three.
Simply choose your roast meat from options like red wine braised short rib, crispy pork belly, half a chicken or sweet potato pickled walnut nut roast, then add on three sides of your choice to create your perfect plate.
Think curried potato salad with chive and crumb, three-cheese macaroni, collard greens, house slaw, mini hash browns, corn on the cob, and fresh flatbreads. Plates are priced from £12 with three sides, or you can purchase sides separately at £3.50 a pop.
Find Meat & Three at Northern Monk Refectory Wednesday to Sunday from 12 – 10 pm.
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Order to your door, pop in and browse, and even opt to drink at the shop itself at one of its tables – either inside or out. / Image: Ad Hoc
A new wine and beer shop where you can sit down and drink inside
Selling premium selections only, the Ad Hoc wine and beer shop on Edge Street has tables inside and out – giving you the option to sit down and pop a bottle in the store.
Run by the very friendly and knowledgeable Miles Burke and Charlie Heyes, it’s well worth having a chat to discover new, unheard-of bottles that can taste just like your favourites but cost half the price.
Bottles range from £10 to £100 and are all handpicked from independent wineries with an organic and biodynamic focus. There are also some top-quality beers and spirits to be discovered on the shelves too.
A new burger and wings takeaway spot in Withington that’s entirely meat-free
Known for plant-based street food dishes, Herbivorous has made a big name for itself as a brand that’s always on the go – but now owners Robyn and Damian have opened their first permanent location in Withington.
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Must-tries include The Big Kahuna Burger and fried chick’n, as well as Herbivorous’s first-ever twist on a lamb kebab, the Tandoori ‘Lamb’ Kofta Flatbread, which has made a special return to the menu in honour of the new opening.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Could the reaction to Casemiro’s swansong Man United season see him stay ‘one more year’?
Danny Jones
Casemiro has arguably been up there with one of the best Manchester United signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, after the likes of Bruno Fernandes; maybe not in terms of how it’s impacted the wider transfer budget, but now he’s about to leave, most supporters aren’t ready to let him go.
Truly, if they had their way, many would happily keep him for at least “one more year”, as they continuously chanted during the most recent home game.
However, with the footballing veteran himself admitting that he’s been left moved by the response and certainly basked in the chants for him to stay following the win over Aston Villa last weekend, another one in which he chipped in with a key goal.
Casemiro scored the opener in what went on to be a vital 3-1 win in their pursuit of Champions League places, and has made it clear that, like the rest of the squad, this is his only goal for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign.
But with United now looking closer to securing third or perhaps even chasing down second place, according to many (some have even gone further than that…), this current, albeit still early doors, resurgence under Michael Carrick could be the start of a corner turned for the one serial winners.
However, fans have seen many false dawns at Old Trafford over the past decade or so, and there is obviously the risk of him ultimately spoiling what should now be a fine and fitting farewell.
Then again, after speaking in a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 34-year-old said it’s been “way more” special than he was expecting since he revealed his plans to leave on a high, and stranger things have happened.
You only have to look at Mohammed Salah and Liverpool, who looked all set to go before eventually U-turning and signing a new deal – though contract terms no doubt helped swing those negotiations.
As one of the highest-earning players not just at Man United or even the Premier League but in Europe, he’s already earned serious amounts during his time with the Red Devils, so there is a belief that the incumbent INEOS board would be happy to shift him off the books and reinvest in replacing him.
#mufc are in advanced talks to sign Bruno Guimaraes for around €80m, but renewed interest from Real Madrid threatens to complicate the proposed move [@Reuters, @fernandokallas]
The likes of Guimaraes, previously courted Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Wolves duo André and Joao Gomes have all been linked with possible moves to Manchester of late.
In fact, depending on how much room Jim Ratcliffe and co. have for spending on recruitment, they could potentially even cover the wages of more than one signing in the middle of the park or other positions that they feel may require further reinforcements.
All this is still very much in theory, of course, and while Casemiro has seemingly confirmed that he will depart this summer, who knows how much of the recent reaction and outpouring of love and support from the Stretford End and beyond could potentially sway the outcome?…
Then again, do you think reconsidering the decision would be a wise move, or at his age, is four years in the English top flight enough?
Georgina Pellant -
25th October 2021 
