It’s been in the works for quite some time now, but award-winning sports bar BOX has announced it finally open its doors in Manchester at the end of November.
BOX is aiming to bring the city a new spot to eat, drink, watch live sport, play and party all under one roof.
After first being teased back in July 2020, the “game-changing” 8,000 sq ft sports bar – which already has three successful sites in Leeds – will now open on Deansgate (opposite Spinningfields) and be spread across two floors, boasting over 20 screens to watch live sports matches, two 21-foot European Shuffleboard tables, plus Apres Ski-style live bands, DJs playing floor-fillers, and Bandeoke – giving you the chance to take to the mic and join the house band on stage.
The ground floor features an island bar that’s surrounded by 20 top-of-the-range TV screens, which can be seen from any seat in the venue, and upstairs, there’s a more relaxed and premium viewing experience, with booth-seating and luxurious finishes for parties and private viewings.
It may be a sports bar at heart, but that’s not all BOX has to offer.
ADVERTISEMENT
BOX is aiming to bring the city a new spot to eat, drink, watch live sport, play and party all under one roof / Credit: BOX
As mentioned, there’s also live DJs, Apres Ski-style bands, and Bandeoke on hand ready to bring the party every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Those looking for a tipple or two won’t go thirsty either as there’s beer tanks filled with fresh Budvar, handcrafted secret recipe Pornstar and Espresso Martinis available on tap, BOX’s larger-than-life Cocktail Steins, and four-litre beer towers and shot boxes to make for the perfect group drinks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some of the country’s finest craft beers – including some of Manchester’s own – will also be available, as well as a selection of cocktails, wines, and fizz.
And if you’re looking for something to soak up all the alcohol, BOX is also known for its high-quality food menu.
Inspired by world street foods and only using the finest ingredients cooked on site by a talented kitchen team, you can tuck into pizzas made using double fermented dough, signature hand-formed burgers, marinated kebabs, and the famous BOX platters – with mini burgers, mozzarella fries, crispy popcorn chicken, and succulent BBQ ribs.
ADVERTISEMENT
BOX is also known for its high-quality food and drinks menu / Credit: BOX | The Photo ProjectBOX Deansgate is spread across two floors and boasts over 20 screens to watch live sports matches / Credit: BOX
There’s also an outdoor terrace for alfresco lunches and drinks in the sun right in the heart of the city centre.
BOX Deansgate marks the fourth Manchester opening from bar group Arc Inspirations, following Banyan Corn Exchange, Banyan Spinningfields, and the smash-hit Manahatta branch – which has lit up Deansgate since 2018.
“We’re delighted to finally be introducing our BOX brand to Manchester for its much-anticipated launch,” said Martin Wolstencroft, CEO of Arc Inspirations.
“It’s exciting to be opening the doors next month to guests, especially after what’s been a challenging time for everyone [and] we’re confident the good folk of Manchester will enjoy BOX’s high-energy experience and overall, come to us for some great fun.”
You can find more ahead of BOX Deansgate’s opening here.
Featured Image – BOX
Food & Drink
Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement
Daisy Jackson
A popular local bakery has justified a small price hike on its bakes by sharing the staggering jump in the price of basic ingredients.
In a refreshingly honest and transparent statement, Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme informed customers that there have been price increases of up to 255% on essentials like flour, butter and chocolate.
They pleaded for understanding from their customers and said that running a business is ‘hella crazy’ right now.
The bakery, which was recently named one of the best in the UK by the Good Food Guide, has been inundated with similar comments from other bakeries which make you wonder how any independent is surviving at the moment.
Long Boi’s chose to address the small rise in their prices directly to their customers, with a ‘quite frankly depressing AF read’.
They shared real examples of price increases, including a 122% price jump on butter (from £39 to £86.95); a 232% increase on the price of dark chocolate (from £56.24 to £186.67); and a mind-blowing hike of 255% on cheddar cheese (£17.08 to £60.48).
Even the price of flour – obviously, an essential ingredient for any bakery – has gone up from £10.20 to £25.60, a 151% increase.
Those prices all show how rapidly costs have risen in the five years since the Covid pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil.
Long Boi’s Bakehouse said they ‘can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap’ in hindsight, and stressed that there are also financial issues around energy prices, and ensuring that their nine staff members are paid above Living Wage.
Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme. Credit: The Manc Group
Long Boi’s Bakehouse said: “A few of the eagle eyed amongst you might’ve noticed that we upped all of our prices in the bakery as of Tuesday, and just wanted to do a little post to a) publicly acknowledge that (don’t want you all to think we’re being sneaky) & b) explain why.
“Tbh I don’t think it’ll be news to any of you that the cost of everything has gone WILD, but I thought I’d write up some actual examples of the changes in ingredient prices since we opened – swipe for quite frankly a depressing AF read.
“I actually can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap, what a time to be alive!!! BASICALLY, combine this with soaring energy prices, wanting to use only the best stuff in our bakes, and making sure NINE 💖 lovely staff are paid above Living Wage as standard (maybe the most important bit!!) – means that raising our prices slightly was the only way to keep on top of this balancing act.
“Really hope you can all understand! Running a business is hella crazy right now, big love to all our fellow independents going THROUGH it.”
One customer replied: “Happy to pay the extra but shocked for you at the increases your side – very useful post to see how things are changing and how this affects small businesses.”
Another wrote: “Thanks for putting this together for customers to see! It’s a bit mad init!!!”
There are similar stories from struggling independents right across the country who have lent their voices to Long Boi’s statement.
Albie’s, a popular coffee shop over in Sheffield, said: “We actually thought we were going mad when I said butter used to be under £40 – I had to check old price lists to make sure I in fact wasn’t going bonkers!!
“Hard to imagine how we’ve even come through these last 5 years. Lots of flat whites. Love the transparency. The info in black and white really hits home even for those of us that are paying it too!”
And Big Bear Bakery up in Glasgow wrote: “Never seen trading conditions like this been baking for 18 years and in hospitality for 30. The latest NI contributions are the final nail!”
Coosh in Nottignham commented: “The increase in chocolate prices was eye watering.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Did you have any idea just how expensive ingredients have become? If only the bigger brands would be as transparent as Long Boi’s Bakehouse.
Bundobust is giving away free beer after ’embarrassing mess-up’ – on one condition
Daisy Jackson
Bundobust has hit the free beer klaxon again, giving away hundreds of pints next week after a ‘real mess-up’.
The beloved Indian street food brand, which has two sites in Manchester as well as its OG restaurant over in Leeds, shared a statement that says ‘Well this is embarrassing’.
Bundobust has revealed it had planned a huge free pint giveaway for National Beer Day on Monday…
Except National Beer Day isn’t actually until June. They were looking at the American calendar, the silly sausages.
But not one to throw a good marketing stunt away, Bundobust has decided to crack on with its free beer giveaway as planned, on one condition – you must order in an American accent.
The restaurant will be handing out hundreds of free pints of its own Bundobust Brewery beer on Monday 7 April.
Just pop in with a friend, and any time one of you orders a beer and wishes them a ‘Happy National Beer Day’ (don’t forget the accent) you get a free beer for you and your mate.
Bundobust said: “Well this is embarrassing. We’ve really messed up this time.
“For weeks now, we’ve been planning to give away hundreds of FREE PINTS of Bundobust Brewery beer this National Beer Day, Monday 7th April.
Bundobust is giving away free beers after ’embarrassing mess-up’. Credit: The Manc Group
“All you’d have to do is bring a friend in, any time one of you got a Bundobust Brewery beer and wishes us “Happy National Beer Day” you’d get your beer PLUS a free one to give to your mate.
“So simple. So elegant! Only one problem though. Monday 7th April is National Beer Day in America. Ours is 15th June.
“We don’t want to wait that long though!! Also we’ve already programmed the “free beer for a mate” button into the till, which takes a good 5 minutes, so we’re going to go ahead with it this Monday 7th April!
“There’s one catch though: you have to do an American accent when you say “Happy National Beer Day”. Deal? See y’all on Monday, pardner.”
Their cock-up is our win – free beer deal is available at all Bundobust sites from 12pm on Monday.
Emily Sergeant -
18th October 2021 
