Hidden inside a Manchester city centre apartment complex there is a stunning wine bar serving up some gorgeous vintages alongside thoughtfully put-together small plates.
Called The Beeswing, it has been open for over a year but its hard-to-find location means it’s still flying way under the radar.
Accessed via a secret lift in the middle of the Kampus waterside garden – overlooking both the canal and Manchester’s gay village – inside you’ll find a well-run bar and kitchen serving up a carefully selected list of wines alongside a mostly vegetarian menu of sharing plates.
Inside, it’s all sleek gray walls and exposed light fittings with a large suntrap terrace that we’re sure drinkers will be clamouring to once the sun deigns to poke its head out again.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Owner Anna is a real veteran of the wine scene, having worked at the likes of Blossom St Social, Reserve and Hanging Ditch over the years, as well as running her own wine bar at Hatch before the pandemic hit.
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Serving up wines by the bottle and the glass as well as special wine tasting flights, which give customers the chance to sample any three wines from the menu for £15, owner Anna acknowledges she is well versed in the Manchester wine scene but says the most important thing is ‘knowing which wines aren’t sh*t’.
On her carefully put-together wine list, you’ll find a zesty orange Pet Nat Curtido and a ripe and fruity red Dao Cota, both from Portugal, alongside crowd pleasers such as a low intervention Circumstance South African Sauvignon Blanc and elegant Champagne Lallier Grande Réserve Brut.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
On the food menu, meanwhile, discover a fragrant (and perfectly presented) carrot tartare with orange puree, crispy marinated tofu with raw salad, and munchable mini fish koftas served with dill and samphire.
Elsewhere, further plates include the likes of Merguez sausage on flatbread with yoghurt, a spicy chilli jam and finely cut cucumber ribbons, alongside roast new potatoes with oregano, crispy onions, salsa verde, aioli and harissa.
Well worth seeking out, this is currently one of the city’s best-kept secrets – but we don’t expect it will stay that way for long.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Manchester
New images released of Etihad Stadium hotel The Medlock, as bookings open
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s newest hotel, The Medlock, will officially open its doors beside the Etihad Stadium later this year – and they’ve just revealed brand-new images of how things will look.
The new 401-room upscale hotel has unveiled new CGIs and opened up bookings, allowing people to book an overnight stay from as early as October 2026.
The Medlock, a Radisson Blu hotel, is set to open in partnership between Manchester City and Radisson Hotel Group.
And that’s not the only development happening over at the Etihad Campus – there are also plans to open a museum experience, restaurants, and loads more, all of which will be revealed throughout the coming year.
The name of the hotel is inspired by the River Medlock that runs beneath the area and connects it to the city centre.
Radisson Blu is designing the space to have nods to Manchester’s industrial heritage and unique Mancunian touches throughout.
The Medlock will feature a be a premium penthouse suite among its 401 guest rooms.
Rooms at The MedlockThe gym space at The MedlockNew CGIs of the hotel beside the Etihad Stadium
And guests will have on their doorsteps the Co-op Live arena, the Etihad Stadium, the Joie Stadium, and plenty more.
The hotel will be operated by industry-recognised hotel management company, Valor Hospitality.
Richard Pearson, General Manager of The Medlock, said: “Today marks a key milestone as we unveil The Medlock’s brand and full look and feel.
“Inspired by our location, the identity celebrates the character, energy and spirit of the place we call home: Manchester. With bookings officially open, it’s an exciting step as we move closer to opening later this year.”
Adela Cristea, Chief Development Officer UK, Ireland & Nordics at Radisson Hotel group, added: “It’s exciting to see the hotel progress and reach this important stage, with bookings now open for guests from October onwards.
“Together with Manchester City Football Club we are creating a global flagship property within a world-class destination which will offer an exceptional experience for visitors coming to the city for business, leisure and events.”
The booking system for The Medlock is now live and you can book a stay HERE.
Manchester’s very own Central Park-style lakeside cafe reveals major refurb
Daisy Jackson
Heaton Park’s beloved Lakeside Cafe has just unveiled a major transformation.
The waterside cafe overlooks the park’s iconic boating lake, where swan boat pedalos and row boats float on the water.
It’s always been a popular spot to stop on a day out for coffees, cakes, and classic full breakfasts – but now it’s got a brand-new look too.
The Lakeside Cafe has just reopened its doors, showing off a retro, lakehouse-style interior, complete with a mural by local artist Myro Doodles.
There’s a brand-new vintage-style photobooth outside, which adds to the charm and nostalgia of the boating lake – and it’s arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day too.
You’ll still find the grab-and-go hatch outside, where you can pick up takeaway coffees, milkshakes and ice creams to walk around the lake with.
Back inside, there are loads of unique touches like items sourced from vintage shops and other pieces from independent local businesses, plus cosy and accessible seating.
Staff at The Lakeside CafeThe takeaway coffee and ice cream hatchInside the refurbished cafeA new retro photoboothCoffee and cake at the Lakeside CafeA new retro photoboothStacked sandwichesThe Myro Doodles muralMilkshakes
The cafe has invested into brand-new equipment like a state-of-the-art coffee machine to speed up proceedings for customers too.
The Lakeside Cafe, and its sister site up the hill The Stables Cafe, are both popular places to refuel post-Parkrun, mid-dog walk, or on a full date day.
The menu remains as before, with huge stacked sandwiches like a classic BLT, a beef brisket with dipping gravy, and a maple and bourbon BBQ chicken stack.
Those are alongside cafe classics like full English breakfasts, jacket potatoes, and toasties.
The Lakeside Cafe has now reopened at Heaton Park – you can find it beside the boating lake.
Georgina Pellant -
20th April 2023 
