Since opening inside The Old Grapes just a couple of months ago, Schofield’s Bar has become one of the city’s most in-demand drinking spots. Now, the brothers behind it are about to open their second – this time on Deansgate Square.
It will be one of two new restaurants and bars coming to Deansgate Square this summer.
Called ATOMECA, the award-winning brothers’ new riverside bar will feature carefully curated cocktails and an extensive wine list put together by their partner, James Brandwood.
Fronting onto the River Medlock with both indoor and outdoor seating, it will serve tea, coffee and locally baked pastries in the morning, before switching to tapas-style plates in the evening and afternoon.
It will be joined by Mule, a new coffee and brunch spot that’s just opened its first venue on Ancoats’ Blossom Street.
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Schofield brothers
Mule at Deansgate Square will occupy a soaring, double height space facing into the city across The Medlock Step.
Offering everything from brunch to 3 pm cake and late-night cocktails, menu items to look out for here include the buttermilk brioche chicken burger and pistachio mai tai.
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“Mule at Deansgate Square is set to be the city’s most vibrant spot with a timeless appeal.,” said a spokesperson for the restaurant.
“Using magical lighting, curved walls, woody aromas and eclectic fabrics, we’ve created a space that will transport you from the Manchester curbside into a dreamy Utah sunset.”
The two new bars and restaurants are the latest additions to join Manchester’s coolest corner shop, General Stores, at the base of Deansgate’s new towering skyscraper development.
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“We are delighted to welcome Mule and ATOMECA to Deansgate Square, further diversifying its offering for our residents as well as the wider community,” said Rob Codling, Senior Fund Manager, LGIM Real Assets.
ATOMECA will be the first to open its doors to the public on 21st May, 2021, followed by Mule at a date still TBC later this summer.
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Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Georgina Pellant -
13th May 2021 
