Renowned Irish boozer Mulligans of Deansgate has opened the doors to its new and improved pub – and they’re pouring free Guinness to celebrate.
The iconic pub has expanded in a big way, opening up a second floor that will more than double its capacity.
That also means ‘more fun, more craic, more music, and of course, more of our exceptional Guinness’.
Inside, the ground floor remains the same well-loved pub it’s been for decades, all brick walls and alcohol-branded mirrors and low wooden bar stools.
And as for the brand-new upstairs, you’re looking at a split-level space filled with timber-beamed vaulted ceilings, a live music stage on a mezzanine level, and plenty of seating areas to choose from.
It’s an entirely different feeling than the tight-knit spaces Mulligans fans are so familiar with, as well as options for private functions and even table service via a new QR code from the shiny new bar.
To celebrate the launch of the new upstairs this weekend, the first 250 guests through the door on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will receive exclusive Mulligans merchandise – and a complimentary pint of ‘the best Guinness outside of Ireland’, of course.
Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc GroupMulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group
Mulligans has long-been comfortably one of if not the busiest bar in Manchester city centre most weekends, and is an iconic part of the Manc drinking scene and stronghold for Irish folk, sports fans, fans of live music and more.
If there’s one thing you could ever count against the ever-popular pub it’s that the place is so packed out on any given day of the week that it can sometimes be a bit of a queue to get to the bar, so the news that they’re increasing the square footage to squeeze in more punters is music to ears.
There are few things that we love the sound of more than an even fuller pub sinking pints of the very best Guinness in Manchester and dancing along to classic Irish reels.
Mulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc GroupMulligans has revealed its new look with an extra floor now open. Credit: The Manc Group
Staggering opening times of the new area over the launch weekend, the new upstairs will be open from 5pm till late on Friday’s grand opening, 2pm to the early hours the following Saturday and from noon until late on Sunday. The regular 11pm-12am times will resume the following week.
Speaking on the announcement, owner Pádraig Brady said: “We are super excited to unveil our new upstairs space at Mulligans.
“This expansion not only allows us to host more guests but also provides an even more dynamic environment with additional live music and new premium services and spaces which will be available for hire. We look forward to our customers experiencing this new venue.”
Mulligans grand opening takes place on Friday 30 August and you better get in line early doors if you want a free glass of the black gold.
Manchester restaurant to give out FREE katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’
Emily Sergeant
In what is a small stroke of genius, a restaurant chain has decided to give out free katsu curries to anyone called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’.
Throughout September, award-winning restaurant chain Banana Tree – which has a Greater Manchester site down at Salford Quays – is shining the spotlight on its popular katsu creations, and as a clever way of celebrating National Katsu Day on 27 September has announced a pretty unique giveaway.
That’s right – the restaurant will be serving up katsu dishes to people called Kat, Sue, and every delicious variation of the names in between.
Anyone named Kat, Katie, Katherine, Sue, Suzy, Susan, Suzanne – or close enough to qualify, the list goes on – can head to their local Banana Tree restaurant, and all they’ll need to do is show proof of name and they can enjoy a free katsu dish of their choice, worth up to £16.75.
The chain’s kastu lineup includes three star dishes.
First there’s the much-loved Katsu Curry, as well as the all-new Katsu Burger, which is made from either a crispy chicken or veggie fillet, spicy mayo, puffed noodle crunch, and a drizzle of Katsu sauce tucked into a soft Shokupan bun with a side of salt n pepper chilli chips.
Then there’s also the intriguing newcomer, the Katsu Carbonara – which is described as being a daring East-meets-West mash-up and ‘unapologetically’ Banana Tree.
Banana Tree is giving away free katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’ / Credit: Banana Tree
With each of these dishes usually priced around the £16 mark, the giveaway isn’t just a way of marking National Katsu Day, but it’s also a way to sample the some of the restaurant’s biggest crowd-pleasers entirely free of charge.
To avoid any confusion on who makes the cut, Banana Tree will reveal the full qualifying list of name variations on Instagram soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
“Our Katsu range is one of our proudest creations, so National Katsu Day felt like the perfect moment to have some fun with our fans,” a Banana Tree spokesperson said ahead of the giveaway.
The free katsu offer is available for four days only from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September, and you just need to head to the Banana Tree website to sign up to the Big Flavour Club here.
Featured Image – Banana Tree
Food & Drink
Bar Shrimp announces opening date as Higher Ground team gear up for new project
Daisy Jackson
Bar Shrimp, a new seafood and cocktail bar in Manchester from the team behind Higher Ground, has officially got itself an opening date.
The hotly-anticipated newcomer will be serving cocktails, beers, and British seafood and snacks from its spot on New York Street.
As well as confirming an October launch date, the team have also shared a glimpse of the menu Mancs can expect from next month.
Bar Shrimp will be offering an Oyster Happy Hour every weekday, as well as caviar with house-cut crisps, devilled eggs, and Sussex smokie fritters.
Expect shellfish over ice, Cornish crab cocktail, bar snack classics and even beef burgers.
It comes from the same team behind Higher Ground and Flawd, headed up again by hospitality dream team Joseph Otway, Daniel Craig Martin and Richard Cossins.
And they’ve partnered with Stockport-based MasterSounds, to install a state-of-the-art custom-designed sound system with music director Lukas Stankunas curating the music programming on a weekly basis.
They say the venue will be a ‘dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening’.
The team behind award-winning Higher Ground are opening a new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester
Inside, it’ll be decorated with plush-red banquettes, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and table service throughout.
Matt Pazos, Bruntwood SciTech Retail Commercial Manager, said of the announcement: “Bar Shrimp promises to be another big success for the team and we can’t wait to welcome them to Faulkner House.
“This exciting new concept, bringing together the team’s exceptional knowledge and experience of food and hospitality combined with their passion for music, will further complement the thriving community in this part of Manchester city centre.”
Walk-ins will be welcomed for drinks but reservations are encouraged for dining.
Reservations for Bar Shrimp have gone live today ahead of its official launch on Wednesday 22 October – sign up HERE.
Danny Jones -
29th August 2024 
