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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Huge Manchester street food event postponed amid severe weather
Daisy Jackson
A big food festival that was set to take place in Manchester this weekend has been postponed due to the severe storm warning.
GRUB at The Club, which is set to celebrate 11 years of the street food heavyweights, was meant to be taking place at Fairfield Social club this weekend.
The brilliant GRUB team had planned two nights of great food and DJs to celebrate their birthday, with free birthday cake for the first 50 people through the door on Friday night.
But as Manchester is battered by basically more rain than we’ve seen all summer, organisers have made the decision to postpone the event for now.
Remember when it felt like Manchester would always be sunny, dry and warm? Those days are over, my friend.
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today, then a forecast that features a bit more rain than we’d like for a bank holiday.
GRUB have said that this severe storm forecast has made it ‘impossible’ for the event to go ahead as planned, as they prioritise the safety and enjoyment of everyone on site.
They’ve said that the event will be rearranged to take place in September, with the exact date announced very soon.
GRUB posted: “Due to the severe storm forecast this week we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event. The safety and enjoyment of our guests, traders and team always comes first and this weekend’s weather makes it impossible for us to go ahead as planned.
“We’re gutted. This one meant a lot to us and we know it did to you too. But GRUB At The Club is not cancelled! It’s coming back in September and we cannot wait to do this properly. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date announcement coming very soon
“The launch of FSC’s brand new pizza menu is also being pushed back. But not for long! That one’s coming very soon and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.
“Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’ll see you soon.”
Keep an eye on GRUB’s Instagram for the rescheduled dates.