Food & Drink

Popeyes to give out FREE viral chicken sandwiches when it opens in Manchester Arndale next week

Adding another shatter crunch into the mix.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 22nd August 2025

Manchester is getting another new Popeyes next week, and this time it’s coming to the city’s biggest shopping centre.

New Orleans-born fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® UK, has finally announced the launch date of its newest Manchester restaurant at Halle Place, on the Lower Ground of Manchester Arndale, making it the third location for the city and the chain’s 33rd opening in total this year.

Popeyes has become known for its round-the-block queues on opening day – with both the Manchester Piccadilly and Bury New Road launches attracting hundreds for their first bite of the legendary Chicken Sandwich.

This is why a ‘show-stopping’ launch day is planned for the new Arndale site when it opens from 11am next Friday (29 August), and there’ll be loads of giveaways for shoppers to get their teeth stuck into.

On opening day, not only the first three customers win the ultimate prize of free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year, but the first 50 customers in the queue will be treated to exclusive Popeyes UK merchandise and the first 100 people will bag themselves a free Chicken Sandwich. 

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With both dine-in and speedy takeaway options available, fried chicken lovers will soon be able to enjoy Popeyes favourites, like the iconic Chicken Sandwich, Hot Wings, Tenders, and Signature Chicken Wraps, when it opens at the Arndale.

All of Popeyes’ chicken is marinated for 12 hours in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning, before it’s hand-breaded and battered to deliver that famous ‘shatter-crunch’.

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Popeyes is opening its third Manchester site in the Arndale next week / Credit: The Manc Group

The new Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich will also be available from opening day, following huge demand from fans for its return to the menu.

The Sandwich is joined by the return of the bigger-than-ever Hot Honey range, featuring the brand-new Hot Honey Saucin’ Boneless, the comeback of Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings, and the Hot Honey Box Meal.

“The response to our first two Manchester restaurants has been incredible, and we’re sure our new Arndale location will be just as popular,” commented Tom Crowley, who is the Popeyes UK CEO, ahead of next week’s opening.

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“The new opening marks an exciting step in our growth across the city, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to experience the spirit of New Orleans.”

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To be in with a chance of chomping down on a legendary Popeyes Chicken Sandwich for free of charge, you’ll want to make sure you’re one of the first 100 in the queue on Arndale launch day.

Popeyes opens its third Manchester site at Manchester Arndale next Friday 29 August at 11am.

Featured Image – Supplied

Food & Drink

10 rooftop bars and restaurants in Manchester with amazing views

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester

The Manchester skyline is ever-changing, and there’s nowhere better to soak in the views of our city than up high in a rooftop bar or restaurant.

Our city used to be pretty terrible for outdoor drinking space full stop, and even worse for sky-high terraces, but there’s been a real switch in recent years.

Now, there are glamorous restaurants perched way above our heads, cosy pubs spilling onto their rooftops, and even hotels with secret terraces and gorgeous views.

Manchester recently gained a brand-new rooftop terrace in the form of Chotto Matte, which had us thinking about where else to head for a sky-high cocktail or three.

Have a read of the best rooftop bars, restaurants and terraces in Manchester.

Chotto Matte, St Michael’s

Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 October
Chotto Matte opens in Manchester on 10 October
Cocktails with a view
Cocktails with a view

The newest, shiniest addition to the city centre is Chotto Matte, a glamorous restaurant serving a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei menu that includes sushi, robata, and plenty more.

This stunning new restaurant at Gary Neville’s St Michael’s development has 360º views of Manchester, and from its 348-capacity rooftop terrace, one of the best outlooks in town.

The all-weather rooftop terrace overlooks Albert Square and the Manchester Town Hall, which is slowly but surely emerging from behind its scaffolding.

Read more about it HERE.

YES, Charles Street

YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester
YES bar has one of the best rooftop bars in Manchester

YES has not one, but two amazing outside spaces – one a ground-floor terrace that’s weirdly just across the road, the other a gigantic rooftop terrace.

There are cocktails on tap, great happy hour deals, and a few different food spots to order from like Pepperoni Playboy and the Trippy Chippy.

And back downstairs, YES hosts regular gigs and club nights in its iconic Pink Room.

20 Stories, Spinningfields

20 Stories is Manchester’s highest rooftop terrace, and probably our city’s best-known spot for a sky-high dinner.

Perched way up above Spinningfields, you can see most of the city centre from up here, in a swanky setting.

Dining here at any time is a special event, with breathtaking panoramic views adding an extra bit of oomph to the equally top-tier food and drink offering.

King Street Townhouse, off Albert Square

Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Spritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotel

Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.

As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.

This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon, and when the Town Hall refurbishment is complete it’ll have the best view in town.

Big Hands, Oxford Road

Miles away from the glitz and glamour of the city centre rooftops is Big Hands, a cool, weird and wonderful bar that’s seriously popular with students and gig-goers, thanks to its proximity to the Manchester Academy venues.

With decent prices catering to those gigging on a budget along the busy university strip of Oxford Road, a lovely dimly-lit aesthetic complete with gig posters galore; a rooftop garden terrace adorned with twinkly lights and plenty of plants, it’s a pure vibe in here.

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The views might not be the best, but the vibes are right up there, and you can grab some amazing Italian street food from Rizzo’s – formerly T’arricrii) while you’re here.

Climat, Blackfriars House

Climat. Credit: The Manc Group
Climat. Credit: The Manc Group

Most of Climat is long and narrow, following the expanse of the open kitchen – and that happily means that almost every table gets a front-row seat to the views from this rooftop restaurant and wine bar.

Popped up high on Blackfriars House (but not so high up that everyone feels like an ant beneath you), it’s got a spectacular outlook over historic landmarks like the Barton Arcade, St Ann’s Church, and the Royal Exchange.

There are more than 250 different wines on the menu as well as a menu of ‘food you want to eat’, as if you needed any more temptation.

Terrace, Thomas Street

Now this is a proper Manchester OG rooftop terrace – a surprisingly sizeable rooftop terrace jammed into the middle of the Northern Quarter.

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Grab a craft beer, a marg, or a sangria, and sit up here just away from the madness of Thomas Street buzzing along beneath you.

Then you’re in a prime spot to hit up the rest of the Northern Quarter bars straight after.

Brewdog, Fountain Street

Look, say what you want about Brewdog, these guys know how to build a rooftop terrace – and Manchester is no different.

The top floor of the Brewdog Doghouse Manchester Hotel has its very own rooftop bar, a stone’s throw from the horrors of Market Street.

You know the sort of beers on offer here – they’re mostly Brewdog’s core range.

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Atlas, Deansgate

It might be a bit of a stretch to call this one a rooftop terrace, but it is a terrace, and you can see a lot of rooftops from up here.

Atlas has been part of Manchester’s bar scene for some 25 years, with a sizeable collection of gins.

There’s also a vast draught and bottled beer range, if you don’t fancy a gin and tonic.

The Deansgate, Deansgate

The view from The Deansgate's roof terrace has been covered by a new skyscraper
How The Deansgate rooftop terrace used to look

When The Deansgate opened under new ownership, the thing that had everyone excited was its multi-storey outdoor terrace.

At the time of its refurb, the rooftop had incredible views over towards Deansgate Square and was a right sun trap.

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Sadly, that view has now been obstructed by a massive tower that literally wraps around two sides of the pub – but it’s still a fantastic outdoor drinking spot in all weathers.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Food & Drink

The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Oast House has confirmed that its popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is set to return for the festive season.

By summer, the central Spinningfields venue is a proper sun-trap, but once winter rolls around, the teepee brings the festive spirit to Manchester just like it has done for the past 13 years, so it’s fair to say that it’s become something of an institution.

And now, with the air getting nippier by the day, The Oast House has given Mancs the news they’ve been waiting for.

That’s right, The Teepee – which is famed for its free live music, house-cooked food, and welcoming atmosphere – is back once again for another year, and it’s set to open for the festive season in just a couple of weeks time.

Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.

It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.

Following a huge summer of festivals in the courtyard, rounding off with the Seed Sounds Weekender last week, The Oast House is set to reopen The Teepee on Monday 13 October, and it’ll then be staying open to festive revellers every day of the week throughout the winter.

The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas / Credit: The Manc Group

Inside the new lodge, guests can expect to enjoy winter cocktails, mulled wine, and heart-warming food, just in time for the chilly weather.

Favourites from The Oast House’s street food-style menu set to be served up include katsu chicken fries, Korean fried chicken, chicken or plant-based gyros, and burgers stacked high.

The Teepee will reopen on Monday 13 October, and will then be open every day from 11am until late throughout the winter.

Read more:

Bookings are now live, so to reserve your table for the festive season, head on over to The Oast House’s website here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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