A brand new canalside terrace bar and eatery is opening up in the city centre just in time for this weekend’s spring sunshine.
Situated on two levels and located underneath The Holiday Inn on Aytoun Street, Roby 1844 – which was inspired by the original Victorian Roby School building next door to the hotel – is bringing a relaxed ambience, awash with festoon lighting, waterside seating, music and an outdoor bar, to Manchester.
The terrace will open to the public 12pm – 11pm daily from Saturday 17th April.
Roby 1844 will be serving up an extensive street food menu, with a selection of burgers, sandwiches and platters to choose from, alongside an inclusive vegan menu boasting dishes such as Vegan Dirty Fries, Corn Ribs and Pulled Jackfruit Baps.
The drinks menu is packed with a range of beers, spirits, wine and cocktails, with local suppliers SEVEN BRO7HERS, Manchester Gin and Three Rivers Gin all featuring.
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There’ll also be live music appearing in the bar in the summer months.
That’s not all either, as the bar will even provide a stop for canal barges too, with passengers able to moor and disembark at the Roby terrace for a drink in the Manchester sunshine.
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The Manc GroupThe Manc Group
Speaking ahead of the grand opening of Roby 1844, Steve Julian – Manager at The Holiday Inn – said: “We’ve got such a great space by the water and wanted to create a standalone destination, perfect for after work drinks, weekend socialising and get togethers [so] people are welcome to head down for a drink, a bite to eat or both.
“It’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by, and enjoy spending time with people, especially after being apart for so long”.
Roby 1844 will open at 12pm on Saturday 17th April.
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Initially, no pre-bookings are required so walk-ins are welcome and encouraged, and you can find menus and more information here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Food & Drink
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Huge Manchester street food event postponed amid severe weather
Daisy Jackson
A big food festival that was set to take place in Manchester this weekend has been postponed due to the severe storm warning.
GRUB at The Club, which is set to celebrate 11 years of the street food heavyweights, was meant to be taking place at Fairfield Social club this weekend.
The brilliant GRUB team had planned two nights of great food and DJs to celebrate their birthday, with free birthday cake for the first 50 people through the door on Friday night.
But as Manchester is battered by basically more rain than we’ve seen all summer, organisers have made the decision to postpone the event for now.
Remember when it felt like Manchester would always be sunny, dry and warm? Those days are over, my friend.
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today, then a forecast that features a bit more rain than we’d like for a bank holiday.
GRUB have said that this severe storm forecast has made it ‘impossible’ for the event to go ahead as planned, as they prioritise the safety and enjoyment of everyone on site.
They’ve said that the event will be rearranged to take place in September, with the exact date announced very soon.
GRUB posted: “Due to the severe storm forecast this week we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event. The safety and enjoyment of our guests, traders and team always comes first and this weekend’s weather makes it impossible for us to go ahead as planned.
“We’re gutted. This one meant a lot to us and we know it did to you too. But GRUB At The Club is not cancelled! It’s coming back in September and we cannot wait to do this properly. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date announcement coming very soon
“The launch of FSC’s brand new pizza menu is also being pushed back. But not for long! That one’s coming very soon and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.
“Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’ll see you soon.”
Keep an eye on GRUB’s Instagram for the rescheduled dates.
Emily Sergeant -
16th April 2021 
