Some good news for those who have left planning the Christmas ‘do until the last minute, as award-winning sports bar BOX will open its new Manchester site in time for the festive season.
The giant new bar, already well-established in Leeds, is famed for screening live sports events, but will also be offering apres ski-style live entertainment and cocktails on tap.
Although not opening until November 27, bookings are now open for the festive season at the huge two-storey, 8000 sq ft venue.
Inside, there are 20 screens showing sports matches, two 21-foot European Shuffleboard tables, and a massive island bar.
As well as sports screenings, BOX will have live music at the weekends. Credit: The Photo Project
The upstairs level has been kitted out with booth seating and luxurious finishes for private viewings and parties – just in time for the festive season.
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One of BOX’s main selling points will be its ‘Bandeoke’ nights, where guests will join a live house band on stage to belt out their favourite karaoke hits.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, there’ll be live DJs and live bands too.
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Food at BOX bar will include platters for groups and parties. Credit: Supplied.
Fresh Budvar will be delivered directly from the Czech Republic each week and stored in beer tanks on site.
Then there’ll be BOX’s secret-recipe Pornstar and Espresso Martinis, available on tap.
For groups, there are giant cocktail steins you can share, alongside a selection of wines, spirits and local beers.
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Parties can also dig in to BOX Platters, which are packed with mini burgers, mozzarella fries, crispy popcorn chicken and succulent BBQ ribs.
Other dishes on the menu include pizzas made with double-fermented dough, hand-formed burgers, and marinated kebabs.
BOX Manchester will be the fourth Arc Inspirations venue to open in the city, joining two Banyan sites (in Spinningfields and at the Corn Exchange), and Manahatta just down the road on Deansgate.
Will Smith announces huge gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Hollywood icon and music star Will Smith is releasing new music for the first time in 20 years, and he’s performing in Manchester later this year.
Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down because The Fresh Prince a.k.a Will Smith is coming to Manchester and he’s bringing new music too.
One of the biggest names in the world, the 56-year-old is behind some seriously catchy songs like ‘Miami’, Summertime’, ‘Gettin Jiggy Wit It’.
His new album drops on 28 March, titled ‘Based On A True Story’, and has some featuring credits from R&B megastar Teyana Taylor and his own son Jaden too.
The opening track of the new record ‘Int. Barbershop – Day’ even sees the Philadelphia native linking up with ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ theme tune collaborator, DJ Jazzy Jeff.
It should come as no surprise that this superstar is returning to the stage since both his children have been reaching impressive heights with their musical careers, especially Willow.
Smith has been kicking it with the big dogs of the rap scene recently as current global phenomenon Doechii recruited him for a viral video surrounding her latest single ‘Anxiety’.
This isn’t the only way Smith has been staying in the public eye, he’s also dropped the collaboration ‘First Love’ with Spanish singer, India Martínez, even performing it at Latin award show, Premio Lo Nuestro.
This isn’t the only huge stage he’s performing on as he took to social media to announce he’ll be playing for Concacaf Nations League at Sofi Stadium on 23 March.
The Hollywood star has picked up an Oscar, four Grammys, a BAFTA and films he’s featured in have grossed just under $10 billion – he is legendary.
Now, he’s set to play three UK cities including Manchester, London and even a show in Wolverhampton, we really did get lucky with this one.
The album cover for his latest drop in 20 years ‘Based On A True Story’.The tracklist for Will Smith’s upcoming project.Credit: Instagram
Manchester’s Joy Division-inspired bar has shut down, to be replaced with ramen restaurant
Daisy Jackson
A bar in the heart of Manchester that was inspired by the legendary Joy Division has quietly closed its doors, and its spot in the Northern Quarter already snapped up by a new operator.
Disorder opened in 2023 on High Street, taking over the former Walrus bar and turning it into a restaurant and bar inspired by one of the city’s most famous bands, with decor including a mural of Ian Curtis himself, painted by the legendary local street artist Akse-P19.
Disorder has now quietly closed its doors, with its social media pages falling silent.
But the site itself won’t stay quiet for long – a new application has already been lodged for a popular ramen and sushi spot to move in.
Maki and Ramen have submitted plans to open another of its Japanese restaurants here in the Northern Quarter, pretty much down the street from their existing, and very busy, York Street.
The brand started life in Edinburgh, before opening more restaurants across Glasgow, Leeds, and arriving in Manchester in 2023.
Founder Teddy Lee spent time studying the art of both ramen and sushi making in the heart of Tokyo to hone the menu at Maki and Ramen.
Maki and Ramen is taking the former Disorder site in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Now you’ll find sushi, side plates and other mains, including classic tonkotsu ramen, steak tataki and salmon miso.
The interior of the existing restaurant is filled with pink cherry blossoms, and the walls are adorned with post-it notes that customers sign and leave well-wishes on.
Disorder had been serving an Asian fusion menu, which features items like Japanese sandos, loaded skewers, and tostadas, but was best-known for its live events down in its basement.
Daisy Jackson -
18th November 2021 
