Being this close to Christmas you might think that the new Manchester bar and restaurant openings would start slowing down a bit – but you’d be wrong.
This week we’ve got a whole host of new places to shout about – including three new openings from operators outside of Manchester.
From a new video game bar with its own signature Pokemon cocktail to Christmas-themed bar Miracle on Cross Street and new sports bar BOX, there really is something for everyone.
Add in a new winter pop-up at KAMPUS from Bread Flower and some very special festive kebabs, and we think you’ll be mighty pleased with this week’s list of new Manchester bars and restaurants.
Keep reading to discover the new food and drink spots to hit up in the city this week.
Image: The Manc Group
Pixel Bar
Ok, so technically this one opened last week – but it’s so cool we couldn’t leave it off our list. First launched in Leeds two years ago in a basement on George Street, Pixel Bar has a fully themed drinks menu inspired by games like Pokemon and Super Mario.
Think 18 different gaming-themed cocktails, plus consoles, arcade games, high-spec PCs, and a downstairs club room playing early 00s pop punk until the early hours on the weekends.
Find it at 10 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1DH.
Image: Miracle on Cross Street
Miracle on Cross Street
Another brand new opening that just launched, this Christmassy winter wonderland has it all: mulled wine, espresso-ho-ho-ho martinis, pigs in blankets and mac and cheese – plus a giant, snow-covered Christmas tree and twinkling fairy lights galore.
Originally hailing from Liverpool, alongside festive food and drinks Miracle on Cross Street will also host a series of Christmas movie nights this month. You can walk in, but tickets are recommended. These come with a complimentary drinks voucher, Christmas hat, candy cane, Miracle on Cross Street pin, and mince pie (vegan options available).
Open Wednesday to Sunday. Find it on Cross Street.
BOX bar in Leeds, part of the Arc inspirations group that also owns Banyan and Manahatta, is opening in Manchester this weekend / Image: BOX
BOX
Already well established in Leeds, sports bar BOX – part of the Arc inspirations group that also owns Banyan and Manahatta – will open on Deansgate this week, bringing us pornstar and espresso martinis on tap, fresh Budvar straight from the Czech Republic, and giant cocktail steins.
As for food, the thing to try here is the pizza – over in Leeds, they are legendary for it. But if that doesn’t take your fancy, there’s more to choose from like handmade burgers and kebabs.
Open from Saturday 27 November. Find it at 125 Deansgate, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3ND.
Image: Bread Flower
Bread Flower at KAMPUS
More of a pop-up than a full-blown new opening, Bread Flower will be opening a cafe inside KAMPUS throughout the festive period offering up a variety of bagel and floral delights.
On the ‘Bread’ side, think open-topped bagel sandwiches, bagel french toast, salt beef bagel sandwiches, and bags of sourdough bagels to takeaway – plus a special Hannukah inspired supper club in collaboration with Le Social Wine.
As for the flower side? Winter centerpieces, wreaths, and bouquets will be available to pre-order, helping to make your home beautiful for the season, whilst small hand-tied bunches can be picked up on spontaneous visits.
Opens from Thursday 25 November. Find it at KAMPUS, Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL
Image: The Manc Group
Kongs Chicken Shop at A Clubhouse Christmas
Christmas kebabs and pigs in blanket-loaded fries? What more could you possibly want? Kong’s Chicken Shop has created a special festive kebab menu for the Clubhouse Christmas takeover on Spinningfields Square and it is top tier.
There are four kebab options to choose from, filled with pulled turkey, fried sprouts and cranberry hot sauce, chipotle orange and cumin pulled pork, mulled wine braised beef brisket, or slow-cooked mushrooms and fennel – all rolled in pillowy, soft naan bread.
And that’s not all. Opt for pigs in blanket-loaded fries with baconnaise, and cranberry hot sauce; or Kong’s Christmas poutine, which comes loaded with mozzarella, mulled wine gravy, and more sprouts – plus festive cocktails from the Clubhouse bar.
Open now. Find it at Spinningfields Square, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AE.
A long-standing Italian restaurant in Trafford has sadly announced its imminent closure
Danny Jones
Another day, another bit of unfortunate hospitality news, as long-standing Greater Manchester restaurant, Little Italy in Timperley, has announced it is closing permanently very soon.
The Trafford favourite, which has been serving locals for nearly 20 years, has informed regular diners that it will sadly be closing its doors for good, with Little Italy’s final service set for later this month.
Having earned plenty of praise in its time, including being one of the few spots in and around the Altrincham area to have won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, before the borough saw its foodie boom begin.
But fast forward a decade, and the Timperley institution is yet another culinary casualty to be confirmed of late, with Little Italy sharing a tear-jerking statement online.
Sharing the tragic news on social media this Friday (5 Sep), the restaurant wrote: “To all our lovely customers, it is with a heavy heart that we share some news with you all. After over 18 years of serving you all in Timperley, we will be closing our doors later this month.
“This has not been an easy decision. Unfortunately, rising costs and a significant increase in rental [costs] have made it impossible to continue in a sustainable way. As much as we love what we do, the reality is that it has become too difficult to maintain under these circumstances.
“Over the coming weeks, we will continue to cook with love and serve with the same passion as always. We would love to see you all and share one more meal, and raise a glass together.”
Safe to say that the post has been met with an outpouring of condolences and support from natives nearby and those who have travelled to enjoy their food.
Little Italy went on to add that they will detail more about their final week of business as soon as possible.
They can’t be accused of not keeping up with times and not trying to promote via social media either, as they small family-run team – headed up by Sam Cauchi, who bought the site back in 2008 – have always given things a go besides the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.
Being one of many saddened customers to respond underneath the announcement, we couldn’t possibly sum up things better than local Vanessa Nice, who said: “Look at all these amazing comments – you certainly made your mark as a home from home for the residents of Timperley.
“The end of an era will always be sad, but sometimes life and families have to move on.”
As for Cauchi and co., they signed off by simply adding: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, kindness and friendship over the years. Timperley has been our home, and you have all been our family.
“Love from all the team at Little Italy.”
It goes without saying that we’re gutted for the gang and our thoughts are with everyone involved at this difficult time. For now, we can only say thank you to the countless Greater Manchester locations that continue to fall foul in the face of the rising pressures industry-wide. Case and point…
Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Chips @ No. 8, a chippy in Prestwich that’s lauded as one of the best in the UK, has announced the sad closure of its restaurant.
The award-winning takeaway made some big moves last year, expanding into the unit next door so that they could comfortable double their space downstairs and add a restaurant upstairs.
The restaurant was a brand-new concept for the much-loved Prestwich chippy, serving a seafood-focused menu that wasn’t necessarily all about the fryer.
But sadly, Chips @ No. 8 has announced that the restaurant element of its business, Loft @ No. 8, has closed for good.
They wrote that the economic climate and the huge amount of choice in Prestwich has left them struggling to fill seats in the chippy restaurant.
The good news is that the fish and chip shop itself remains open for business and thriving, and customers will be able to use the former restaurant space to eat their takeaway in.
The bar downstairs also remains open for business for a cheeky pint or glass of wine while you wait for your order.
The Loft @ No. 8 is closing. Credit: The Manc GroupCurry sauce on a Chips @ No 8 chippy tea. Credit: The Manc Group
In a statement, Chips @ No. 8 said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Loft.
“With so many great places to eat in Prestwich, and the economic climate being what it is, we have struggled recently to fill enough seats to continue to make it a financially viable side to our business.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support whilst we were open, the team for their efforts, in particular, Craig, the creator of the delicious food that we had on offer up there.
“Chips @ No.8 remains open as normal and going forward, we are opening up the space upstairs for additional casual seating for the takeaway.
“The bar will remain open so you can still enjoy a pint or a glass of wine with your fish & chips, even if it is out of a box! We hope to see you soon!”
Georgina Pellant -
22nd November 2021 
