A new dive bar inspired by the Deep South has opened doors and is serving up 50p chicken wings to the people of Stockport.
With wooden walls and colourful murals spray-painted throughout, Notion is the brainchild of founder Andy James – who set up his initial musical-themed restaurant and takeaway Ate Days a Week during lockdown, and has now turned the Vernon Street premises into a “grungy late night dive bar with a serious party vibe”.
The venue not only boasts a hearty and affordable food menu alongside a huge range of cocktails, but it’s also said to have the “most extensive back bar in Stockport”.
Over 40 rums and 40 whiskies are available to try out.
The collection includes rare and award-winning bourbons that have been hand-blended all across the world, and Notion is also one of the very first bars in Greater Manchester to serve the premium Indonesian rum, Nusa Cana – which uses nutmeg and clove combined with ginger, coffee, cacao and pineapple to create a delicate and warm rum with a balanced finish.
ADVERTISEMENT
The food menu includes buttermilk-brined chicken wings to tuck into for just 50p each, and massive hand-pressed burgers with a range of mouthwatering toppings to chose from.
Notion’s wings are said to be “the best in town – and possibly the best in Greater Manchester” / Credit: Notion
Notion’s owner Andy has worked on the food and drink hospitality scene since he was just 16 years old, honing his craft at some of Manchester’s busiest bars and restaurants including Cane and Grain as Head Chef, Bunny Jacksons, 33 Oldham Street, and most-recently at The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats running the pub kitchen.
ADVERTISEMENT
But it was lockdown that inspired his own business idea – Ate Days a Week.
“The venture took off ridiculously in lockdown which led me to finding the site in Stockport to give it a home,” Andy admitted.
“The venue has an upstairs area, and two further lockdowns later and we finally have Notion – somewhere people can come and party and completely let loose, especially after such a challenging year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Stockport bar scene right now is the best it has ever been and it’s only going to get better.
“A new wave of independents are coming in, giving it a breath of fresh air and bringing a newfound love of the word ‘hospitality’ to the area.”
Credit: Notion
“I absolutely love how it’s a community and we can work together with other businesses to bring out the best of the area.” Andy added.
“We’ve already got a very strong working relationship with Neil Garner’s Cherry Jam which has recently opened in the marketplace, working together on their bottomless brunch which boasts food from Ate Days a Week.”
He also teased that there are more collaborations coming up, so “watch this space.”
Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
Food & Drink
The Manchester restaurant serving bottomless curry for just £20 during National Curry Week
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s leading curry houses is bringing back its bottomless curry offering very soon.
For just £20, diners can tuck into unlimited curry, rice and naan at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, stuffing yourself silly on authentic dishes from from all over the Indian subcontinent.
There’s nothing quite like getting the gang together for a proper curry, and Zouk is making it even easier to do exactly that this October.
They’ll be bringing back the £20 Bottomless Curry deal for National Curry Week 2026, running for five nights only, from Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October, with tables available between 5pm and 10pm each evening.
Guests can choose one curry from a daily selection of four, with meat, vegetarian and vegan options available throughout the week.
Once you’ve picked your curry, you can then order as many portions as you fancy during your 90-minute booking.
Rice and naan are unlimited too, so there’s no shortage of carbs to mop up the curry with.
The dishes on the menu include some of Zouk’s favourites, such as Chicken Karahi, Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka Masala, Dall Makhani, Chicken Handi and Gobi Manchurian.
The exact four-dish selection varies by day, giving curry fans a reason to head back more than once during the five-day promotion.
And yes, you can go back for another helping.
Zouk owner Tayub Amjad said: “National Curry Week is always a great excuse to celebrate the food we love.
“Bottomless Curry has become a real favourite with our customers, so we’re excited to bring it back for five nights. It’s relaxed, great value and perfect for getting friends together for a proper curry night.”
Advance booking is recommended – you can book your table for the Zouk Bottomless Curry nights HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
30th June 2021 
