A new cafe bar with vibrant decor, colourful coffees, and cocktails served in glass slippers has opened in Manchester.
By day, On The Hush – which has opened doors on Church Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter – is a cute Instagrammable cafe that’s serving up some of the most indulgent brunches in the city centre, alongside colourful coffees, sweet treats, and more – but by night, it transforms into a quirky cocktail bar with live entertainment.
Its bright interior perfectly blends beautiful floral displays against graffiti covered walls to create a space that looks great from every angle.
The venue’s official invite-only launch is happening on Thursday 4 November.
On The Hush looks set to become one of Manchester’s most popular brunch venues, with a menu that has something for everyone, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, such as vegan pancakes with berries and salted caramel ice cream, brioche cinnamon and vanilla French toast, and the classic avocado on toast.
On The Hush looks set to become one of Manchester’s most popular brunch venues, with a menu that has something for everyone / Credit: Instagram (@onthehushmcr)
The stand-out of the iconic hot drink menu has to be the Unicorn Latte, which comes in a choice of colours – bright pink, lilac, blue, green, or vanilla – and is topped off with glitter and flakes of edible gold.
The cocktail menu is equally as mouth-watering, with twists on classic cocktails including a butterscotch cookie Old Fashioned, a salted caramel Espresso Martini, and a Pornstar Tikitini.
But if you’re looking for the ideal cocktail to share on your socials, then look no further than the Cinderella sharer – which combines gunpowder and rosehip pink gin, with triple sec, coconut, pink grapefruit, and grenadine to create an exquisite floral cocktail that’s served in a giant glass slipper.
The venue has also gone the extra mile to not only make sure it looks picture-perfect, but that the quality of food and drinks are up there with some of the best in Manchester.
If you’re looking for the ideal cocktail to share on your socials, then look no further than the Cinderella sharer / Credit: Instagram (@onthehushmcr)
Speaking on the opening of the new venue, David Faini – owner of On The Hush – said: “Our vision for On The Hush was to create a beautiful venue where guests can relax in the day over delicious food and hot drinks, but then it comes alive at night with high quality cocktails and great music.
“Ensuring that we not only have a fantastic looking venue, but also a great atmosphere and delicious food and drinks is paramount to us so we’ve recruited a really strong bar and kitchen team.
“We can’t wait for everyone to come and let us know what they think.”
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On The Hush will be open on Wednesdays to Sundays, from 10am til late.
To celebrate the launch, On The Hush will be offering cocktails at 2-4-1 all day every day throughout November, and the bottomless brunches will be just £27 per person from 12-7pm.
To book, head over to On The Hush’s Instagram here.
Kala announces closure after more than half a decade in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Another hit for the Manchester hospitality sector as city centre cult favourite Kala has announced it has closed with immediate effect.
The Manc bistro, beloved for putting a contemporary slant on British and French classics, was opened by restaurateur Gary Usher back in 2021, receiving plenty of positive press over the years.
Announcing the shutdown on Tuesday evening (24 June), Usher shared an extended statement on social media, explaining the details behind the decision – but there was one, clear, overriding reason.
Confirming the news on Instagram, the chef-owner wrote: “Gary Usher here.. It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.
“I really really want to blame the economy and the pandemic. I really want to say the rising costs have made it impossible. All those factors haven’t helped, but we are 50% down in trade at Kala, and that is the killer.”
Nevertheless, Kala’s reputation has remained strong throughout, boasting one of the best elevated albeit accessible evening and lunch deals in the city centre, not to mention at very reasonable prices.
Moreover, they were famed for their stunning Sunday dinners, with Sacha Lord dubbing them the best roasts in Manchester he’s had “in ages.”
Usher goes on to add: “It goes without saying our business rates [are] increasing substantially, and the hike in NIC [national insurance] contributions only works against us. This was not planned, but neither was us being this quiet in June. All the Kala team will be paid up to date, our rent & suppliers too.
“If you have a voucher with us, as always, it can be used in the wider group. It was always a dream to have a restaurant on King Street in Manchester. I just wish it had lasted longer than 6 years.
“Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.
“Please come and visit us in Didsbury at Hispi where it will be our pleasure to welcome you. Farewell, King Street. Farewell Kala. Gary.”
We’re back after a busy Sunday lunch service with our Monday lunch options. Don’t forget our great value bistro menu is available all evening too. pic.twitter.com/TtV4grWurK
Kala closing marks yet another local business we’re gutted to see go, as it was only earlier this month that we had to bid goodbye to both Medlock Canteen and Indian street food spot, Rola Wala, which closed on Monday.
Safe to say it’s been a gutting few days for local food and drink.
With that being said, please do support the Elite Group’s remaining restaurants where you can, which include the aforementioned Hispi, The Sticky Walnut in Chester, The White Horse in the Cheshire village of Churton, as well as Wreck in Liverpool.
All we can say is thanks for the memories and the brilliant food.
First look at Zaap Thai as popular Thai street food restaurant opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A Thai street food restaurant with sites all over the North has finally announced plans to come to Manchester for the first time.
Zaap Thai is famed for its authentic and affordable street food-inspired menu, served up in restaurants designed to mimic the bustling street food markets of Bangkok.
Expect colourful fairy lights, illuminated signs, graffiti art, enamel crockery and even seating booths built into tuk tuks.
Zaap Thai already has locations in cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham and Durham, but hasn’t made it into the North West before now.
It’s now set to open on Lincoln Square – where you’ll already find Maray – this June.
This new Zaap Thai location is set to be one its biggest venues to date, with 160 covers.
The expansive menu features 80 dishes from across Thailand, from street food small plates to big bowls of noodles and fiery curries.
Their menu highlights include chicken satay, crispy pork belly, stir-fries like Pad Ga Prao, and sweet dishes such as mango sticky rice and pandan custard pancakes.
That’s alongside Thai-inspired cocktails and mocktails, plus Thai lagers like Singha.
Ban Kaewkraikhot, founder and executive chef at Zaap said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Zaap Thai to Manchester.
Inside Zaap Thai Manchester
The Moo Deng muralInside the new Zaap ThaiInside the new Zaap Thai
“This is a city with a rich and diverse hospitality scene, and we’re delighted to be joining that fantastic community.
“Our mission is to share our authentic flavours of native Thailand with the city – we want to transport guests to sunny South East Asia by providing an amazing and affordable menu where you can try something new each time.
“Our restaurant is inspired by the places we love back home and everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to bring the Zaap experience to Manchester!”
Zaap Thai Manchester will open on Lincoln Square in on Thursday 26 June, with free pad thais or curries to the first 100 people in the queue from midday.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd November 2021 
