Today, “freedom” is technically upon us. But for Manchester’s bars and restaurants, things feel less “free” than ever – with the industry caught up in the midst of what’s being referred to as a ‘pingdemic’.
With many hospitality staff forced to isolate even with negative tests and no symptoms, questions are being asked if there’s a better way to run things – especially as other guidance is being dropped and new test programmes are piloted as an alternative to isolation.
This week, pub giant Greene King has had to close thirteen sites due to staff shortages.
But amid the chaos, there is a silver lining, at least. From today, you’ll be able to go to the bar with no need to sign in at venues or order via an app. And there’s some good news close to home, too.
Gary Usher’s Kala is finally reopening its doors after a prolonged period of closure – and we’ve tipped the restaurant as one of our places to go this week for that very reason. They’ve recently launched a fab new bar menu, but haven’t really been able to serve it much yet.
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Keep reading to find out more about what they’ve got going on, plus our other top picks for this week.
Movement Bar is a new addition to Tib Street where you can grab a top craft beer and the latest 12″ / Image: Movement Bar
A Northern Quarter record store that moonlights as a bar
A new craft beer and wine bar in the Northern Quarter that also sells records? Or a record store selling booze? Either way, we’re here for it.
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Recently opened by the duo behind Manchester record label Small Moves Records (including Jez Kerr, of A Certain Ratio fame), the drinks selection here is actually pretty extensive with European breweries like Paulaner, Siren and House Party on draught, plus some rarified craft bottles and a decent wine and Japanese whiskey collection.
Find Movement Bar at 84 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG, open Wednesday to Saturday.
Kala recently launched a new bar menu that includes this gorgeous peppered feather blade steak sandwich / Image: Kala
King Street favourite Kala emerges from isolation
Gary Usher’s Kala has been beset with track and trace problems of late, having to close repeatedly – or so it feels.
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As of this Wednesday, the team is back with all the usual menu favourites – plus a new bar snack menu that includes some mouthwatering additions, like £10 peppered feather blade steak sandwiches served inside a sesame roll.
If you visit, make sure to get the pistachio and raspberry Bakewell tart too. It’s a revelation.
Find Kala at 55 King St, Manchester M2 4LQ. from midday on Wednesday 21 July
The Mews is a new opening from the team behind Alvarium in the Northern Quarter / Image: The Mews
Black forest gateaux martinis and sexy charcuterie from the Alvarium team
Brand new opening The Mews comes from the team behind the popular NQ spot Alvarium. They are collaborating with The Crafty Cheese Man, aka Jonathan Pearcey, to produce some super sexy charcuterie and cheese boards – creating a new killer food and drink combo in this often forgotten section of town.
Think nibbly treats like whipped goats cheese and mascarpone with chilli jam, served alongside top-quality seasonal cocktails like black forest gateaux martinis and a Japanese ‘forest bathing’ inspired Old Fashioned with Nikka and fennel syrup, plus a banging wine list and beer selection.
Tucked away on Deansgate Mews (on the elevated walkway between Deansgate and the GNW), if you’re looking for a chilled spot to enjoy a few quality drinks in the sun you can’t go wrong here.
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Find The Mews at The Mews Bar and Charcuterie, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN.
The Higher Ground team will bring a natural wine pop-up to Pollen later this month before opening their own site / Image: Flawd
A natural wine pop-up from the team behind Higher Ground
Flawd Wine is a new concept from the team behind Higher Ground. Serving low-intervention wines and small plates of British cheese as well as charcuterie and ferments from the award-winning Curing Rebels based in Brighton, it is set to open a new home in New Islington this September.
Ahead of that, though, the team – which includes Joseph Otway, formerly Head Chef of Where The Light Gets In – is running a series of pop-up events at Pollen throughout July and August to give the neighbourhood a taste of what’s to come.
Find Flawd popping up at Pollen every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 23 July until 15 August, before they open their own space in September.
Man With Fish is influenced by America’s southern saloons and is being opened inside what was formerly Walrus / Image: Man With Fish
A new Tex Mex bar in the former Walrus site
Named by the owner’s daughter, Man With Fish is influenced by America’s southern saloons and is being opened inside what was formerly Walrus.
Brought to Manchester by the same team that brought us Quarter House on Stevenson Square, think Tex Mex-style food with a big BBQ pull courtesy of charcoal grill nerd Jason Latham, plus a whopping 17 different beers on tap.
Find Man With Fish at 78-88 High St, Manchester M4 1ES from July 19 at 5pm.
Food & Drink
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
McDonald’s is set to axe 80% of its vegan and vegetarian options in the UK
Emily Sergeant
McDonald’s is set to remove nearly all of its vegan and vegetarian options from the UK menu, according to reports.
We may be in what is known to some as Veganuary, but one of the world’s leading fast food chains has reportedly made the decision to drastically cut back on the selection of plant-based and meat-free options on its UK menu, appearing to align with the trends that show a decline in veganism overall.
McDonald’s is known for offering those who choose not to eat meat a choice of different options – from its Veggie Dippers to the popular McPlant burger.
But from the start of next month, only one options is apparently set to remain on the menu.
In a decision that seems to already be making fans on social media ‘furious’, McDonald’s has revealed that it will stop selling Veggie Dippers, Veggie Dipper Happy Meals, Spicy Veggie Wraps, and Vegetable Deluxe sandwiches.
McDonald’s is set to axe 80% of its vegan and vegetarian options in the UK / Credit: McDonald’s UK
All that remains will be the vegan McPlant Burger – which McDonald’s says still remains popular with steady sales.
According to reports in various outlets like the Daily Mail and Sky News, McDonald’s says it had reviewed feedback and sales data in order to make the decision.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s UK told the Daily Mail: “We’re always listening to our customers to help inform and evolve our menu. After reviewing feedback, alongside the sales data of our Veggie Dippers, it’s clear this product does not match the appeal of McPlant for our vegetarian customers.
“That’s why we’ve made the decision to remove them from the menu, as we focus on developing better vegetarian options that meet our high standards.
The fast food chain has released a statement as to why it is reducing options / Credit: Road Ahead (via Unsplash)
“While McPlant remains a firm fan favourite and will continue to be the go-to choice for our vegetarian and vegan customers, we recognise these changes may be disappointing for some.”
If this statement is anything to go by though, it does appear that the McPlant won’t stay the only vegan option on the menu forever, as the fast food chain has indicated that it is looking at introduction others in the future.
“We are actively learning from other markets to understand which vegetarian and vegan options are proving most popular and exploring exciting new offerings that we know customers will love,” the spokesperson’s statement concluded.
The Veggie Dippers, Veggie Dipper Happy Meals, Spicy Veggie Wraps, and Vegetable Deluxe sandwiches will be removed from the McDonald’s menu in the UK on 3 February.
Georgina Pellant -
20th July 2021 
