Dark, mysterious and sexily lit up in red and blue neons, this new Blade Runner-inspired underground bar is a must-visit if you’re out drinking in town this weekend.
Hidden beneath District on Oldham Street, the new bar comes from the same team behind Tokyo Ramen and District – a new wave Thai kitchen and bar that brings a progressive approach to dining.
Inside District’s new underground bar, which has just launched in the NQ this week / Image: District
Upstairs in District, the team is intent on bringing a futuristic vision of Bangkok’s fire- and- barbecue-lined streets to the Northern Quarter’s bustling Oldham Street, with a menu that focuses on wood-fired, modern barbecue cookery.
Here, the team creates engaging, long-lasting dinner experiences that aim to consistently engage diner’s senses – from the smells of char that waft from the kitchen to the futuristic, synth-wave soundtrack.
Raw wild bass, nam jim, purple yam, Thai basil at District / Image: Eatmcr / District
And that vibe now continues below ground. The team has transformed the restaurant’s basement into a Blade Runner-inspired set-up, with a strong focus on cocktails.
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Between the lighting, soundtrack and cocktail menu itself, you do feel like you’ve been transported into another space and time altogether down here.
Just like every other part of District, the cocktail menu has been developed to draw on all of your senses – encompassing sight, smell and taste in particular. All eight drinks on the menu draw inspiration from Thai cuisine, utilising some unique ingredients like fish sauce, tomato, turmeric and grilled bananas.
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Inside the neon lit underground bar at District
The beef fat-washed FORNAX tastes like a sort of sexy gravy. Designed to replicate the flavours of Nam Tok, a classic Thai barbecued steak salad, it’s comprised of smoked beef fat rum, fish sauce caramel, tomato and Thai parsley – then topped with a slice of Thai-style deep-fried beef jerky.
Another drink of note is the Dream Gun, comprised of grilled banana bourbon, milk of the poppy and turmeric. It is inspired by the ‘Golden Triangle, a name coined by the CIA to describe one of the largest areas of opium production in the world.
The beef fat-washed FORNAX at District
Further cocktails embrace mezcal, gin and more – whilst elsewhere you’ll find a collaboration with Manchester brewery Shindigger, listed as a District Thai_pam a selection of wines and house-made soft drinks like turmeric pop and screwpine soda.
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District’s basement bar is open now every Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm to late.
Feature image – District
Food & Drink
‘Dashing dachshund’ pop-up cafe to welcome hundreds of sausage dogs to Manchester this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Big dachshund fan? Love seeing lots of little sausage dogs in the same place? Looking for your little pup to make some sausage friends?
Well, you’re in luck, as the Dachshund Pup Up Cafe is back at the end of next month, and if the concept of the popular event wasn’t flipping cute enough already as it is, this time around, it’s a Christmas-themed edition, and it’s all sounding set to be the perfect festive day out in the city with your four-legged friend.
If you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit early, then the ‘Dashing Dachshund’ pop up cafe – or we should say ‘pup up cafe’ – is returning to Manchester next weekend.
The adorable event will be filling a popular city centre venue with loads of sausage dogs to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
A ‘dashing dachshund’ pop-up cafe is coming to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: The Pup Up Cafe
Last year, more than 250 dachshunds visited the cafe to join in on the festive fun, and this year is expected to be no different, as the event organisers have secured a large city centre space for all the dogs to roam free.
Sausage dog owners and dachshund fans can mingle with many furry little friends, take part in a range of seasonal activities, and stock up on dachshund-related goodies as early Christmas presents.
The pups themselves can enjoy unlimited dog treats and free puppuccinos, while playing until their heart’s content with other sausages.
It’s all sounding set to be the perfect festive day out with your four-legged friend / Credit: The Pup Up Cafe
With up to 50 sausage dogs allowed per session, and festive fancy dress very much encouraged, each pup will get a Christmas present on arrival at the party, and will even have the chance to win some extra prizes if they’re the best dressed.
A dedicated photographer will be getting snaps of each session and there’ll be loads of Christmas props to use in the pictures.
So, if you fancy joining The Pup Up Cafe for “a sausage mad day” when it arrives in Manchester for Christmas on Sunday 17 November, then tickets will set you back £12 if you’re a sausage dog owner, and £15 if you’re just a dachshund fan who’s keen to go along for the fun anyway.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Daisy Jackson
Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama.
The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.
Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop.
Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students.
There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.
With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers.
All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide.
A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity.
Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied
“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”
The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces.
The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd October 2021 
