The new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this week | 22 – 28 November 2021

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Feature image – Pixel Bar MCR