Salt Dog Slims – an American diner crossed with an underground speakeasy – is officially opening a new venue in Manchester.
The bar, which specialises in world beers, steins, cocktails and US-style chilli dogs – has already found success in Liverpool under GSG Hospitality, boasting a menu containing items such as bacon-wrapped hot dogs, Texas bbq dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
A new two-floor Salt Dog Slims is set to launch in Bow Lane near Albert Square this year; featuring a ground floor and basement bar.
The 3,000 sq ft venue will cater for 200 people at full capacity.
Salt Dog Slims is moving to Manchester
No move-in date has been confirmed yet – but owners say the ground floor bar will launch in a “few months”, with the basement welcoming customers before Christmas.
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Salt Dog Slims Manchester will have the edgy interior of its predecessor in Liverpool, accompanied by creative cocktails and steins, plus the American diner-inspired food menu.
GSG Hospitality has completed a full rip out and installed a new kitchen and bar, with plush new booths being fitted this week.
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A focus on soft furnishings will follow before the venue is ready to launch.
The diner-speakeasy concept has proven a big hit in Liverpool
Matt Farrell, Director of Salt Dog Slims, said: “We set our sights on opening a venue in Manchester a while ago and we’re very excited to be opening the doors to Salt Dog Slim’s very soon.
“Despite the challenges that COVID has created, we’ve pushed on with the build of the venue and behind the scenes we’ve been working on our interesting cocktails and new food menu for when we open.”
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Fellow Director John Ennis added: “Salt Dog Slims is famous for providing steins, brines and good times and we’re really looking forward to bringing that same energy to Manchester and welcoming our guests for the first time in the coming months.”
The new Manchester venue is also recruiting staff including management, bartenders, chefs and more. CVs and cover letters can be sent to [email protected].
Food & Drink
Drake-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
The cult LA-born fried chicken brand backed by Drake is expanding in Manchester once again, this time with a brand-new site at the Trafford Centre.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open its latest location inside the huge shopping centre, bringing its signature Nashville-style heat to The Orient food hall.
Already causing a stir with its first Manchester site at the Printworks, the fast-growing US chain has built a reputation for long queues and a chicken spice level so extreme you have to sign a waiver to eat it (The Reaper is not for the faint of heart).
And now hoardings have appeared at the bottom of The Orient at The Trafford Centre, joining Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Slim Chickens.
The new Trafford Centre restaurant is expected to follow the same winning formula, serving up its famous hot chicken tenders and sliders, available in seven spice levels and served on a slice of bread to soak up all the spice levels.
Fans can also expect a menu packed with loaded fries, creamy mac and cheese, kale slaw, and indulgent top-loaded shakes, alongside refreshing slushers to cool things down after the heat kicks in.
Born in a Los Angeles car park back in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has exploded in popularity in recent years, with Drake becoming a high-profile investor as the brand rapidly expanded across the US and into the UK.
The Trafford Centre opening marks another major step in the brand’s UK growth, following successful launches in London, Birmingham, and Manchester city centre, and signals that the fried chicken heavyweight is only just getting started.
If the scenes at previous openings are anything to go by, Mancunians can expect queues, hype, and plenty of spice when the doors finally open.
Popular Manchester brunch spot Bruncho teases what’s to come with new Northern Quarter cafe
Daisy Jackson
Bruncho has shared a glimpse of what’s to come when it officially opens the doors to its new Northern Quarter cafe.
The brunch spot has had queues down the street since launching on Deansgate, with enough popularity to warrant it opening a second location.
Bruncho is moving into the old Feel Good Club, a huge unit in Hilton House that’s been left empty since the cafe’s shock closure.
And as the clock ticks down to Bruncho’s launch into the Northern Quarter, they’ve shared an exclusive look inside at their very big plans.
The team have now confirmed that the new venue will have a salad bar and vegetarian buffet, as well as coffee raves with DJs at select hours.
New CGIs of the space also show a drastic change from the site’s days as Feel Good Club, filling the giant cafe with wooden tables, hanging pendant lights, plants, and soft textures.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern QuarterBruncho will have a vegetarian buffet when it opens in the Northern QuarterHow Bruncho Northern Quarter will look
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”