Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria quickly won the hearts (and stomachs) of Mancunians when it launched in the city last year.
Now, just a year into its journey and already many thousands of slabs later, owner Danny Keko is preparing to open a new sit down site for the eatery right in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Moving into the basement of garden-themed bar and kitchen Alvarium, formerly Cord Bar, Lazy Tony’s will be taking over the kitchen from the fine dining vegan concept Black Leaf serving up its popular lasagnas, giant mozzarella sticks and espresso martini tiramisu.
Whilst Lazy Tony’s has been hinting for the past few weeks about a new site, the location wasn’t confirmed until this weekend when Black Leaf and Alvarium both shared the news to their social media channels.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Speaking on Lazy Tony’s imminent arrival Lazy Tony’s, Alvarium said: “From Friday the 29th April, we will be welcoming Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria into our restaurant downstairs.
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“Lazy Tony’s are hyped for this opportunity and we’re excited to bring them in and see where we can take the Alvarium brand alongside their partnership.
“Although we will be sad to part ways with Black Leaf, our space has always been one which allows small brands to grow into their own.
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“Lazy Tony’s started in lockdown and immediately gained a great following. Each section of their menu has both veggie and vegan options and they, like ourselves and Black Leaf, are focused on becoming a concept that you know and love.
“We look forward to seeing what Black Leaf will become in the future, and what Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria have in store for us!”
Image: Alvarium MCR
Sharing the news of its departure, Black Leaf restaurant said this will not be the end of the road for the concept and that they’ve now got plans to find a new site of their own.
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They wrote: “Having been hosted in the Alvarium kitchen for over a year now, we’ve loved our subterranean home. However, we believe that we are now ready to find a new site of our own.
“Although we will be sad to leave Alvarium, and what we have built together, we are going to take some time to fine tune our concept and hope to find a new space that works better for us.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
“This is not the end for Black Leaf, although closing for now, we will be returning as soon as possible, and bigger and better than ever.
“We are so grateful for all of the support from you and have loved every moment of our time here at Alvariumm however we now believe our brand is strong enough to fly the nest and have a space of our own to grow Black Leaf further into everything we aspire to be.
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“In the meantime, we are happy to be able to free up the space for a local, independent business who aren’t able to have their own site. This steppingstone has allowed us to grow and develop and we are excited to see who has this opportunity next.”
Whilst a date for Lazy Tony’s official opening at the site is still to be confirmed, Black Leaf has confirmed its last day at Alvarium will be 27 April. From now until then, the kitchen will be offering 25% off food Monday to Thursday for those fans who want to give it a proper send off.
Feature image – Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
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10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester already has a jam-packed 2025 theatre schedule, and in the words of Hairspray, Manchester really can’t stop the beat.
There’s no denying that Manchester and its surrounding areas are no stranger to a live performance or two, after all, with three cracking theatres to choose from, it would be hard to miss one of these spell-bounding tours.
Without further ado, here’s a brief overview of 10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025.
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Wicked
Palace Theatre Manchester
3 December 2024 – 12 January 2025
Wicked / Credit: Matt Crockett
The smash-hit blockbuster of the year is continuing its reign even into the New Year for two weeks of gravity defying awesomeness.
Currently nearing the end of its remarkable cinema run, thanks to leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, continue the magic of the two witches in the form of live theatre.
Expect all the usual hits like ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling?’, get lost in the world of Ozian storytelling and recline in your own comfy bright red theatre seat.
It’s all about star power with this musical as Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing playing Lola and the music and lyrics handled by pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
The musical follows the life of a struggling businessman who’s inherited his family’s shoe factory, all seems dire until he meets Lola a drag queen who might just solve all his problems.
‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ as its titled is directed by Aditya Chopra, the film’s original director.
Since its big-screen release in 1995, the show has never left cinemas in Mumbai, becoming the longest-running title in Indian cinema.
This stage adaptation has a huge emphasis on colliding cultures, with the Bollywood production following the love story of two lovers from different backgrounds.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, back in Manchester LIVE.
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The six wives of Henry VIII have a special place in Manchester’s hearts, becoming a returning favourite since its not-so-quiet 2018 debut. For those who haven’t been lucky enough to see it, imagine Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour but a few centuries earlier – it’s a pure pop celebration.
Something’s just go hand in hand – Fish and chips, tea and biscuits, and thespians and The Rocky Horror Show.
This musical carries alongside it one of the biggest fandoms of all time, and with Jason Donovan playing the role of Frank-N-Furter, the love for this production is set to grow much stronger. Manchester is no stranger to doing the ‘Time Warp’ and with the musical returning in summer 2025, they’re most definitely about to do it again.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe / Credit: Matt Crockett
Start filling your Christmas calendar for 2025 early and enrich yourself in a classic novel set in the fantasy land of Narnia.
Watch Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter tackle enemies, face foes and create solutions while venturing through a world of wonders. You’re about to be in awe as you get whisked away to this mystical land and watch the story unfold on stage with a live cast and some mesmerising set designs.
Dates for this show are very flexible too, meaning theatregoers have lots of opportunities to see the miracle worker that is Ms. Poppins fly about the streets of London.
It’s a double Australian bill as both Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers who are reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, respectively, are both from down under.
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’, ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘The Best’, you can’t deny the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll has certainly earned her royal musical status.
This monumental singer achieved 12 Grammy awards during her musical career and grew a strong cult fanbase who stuck with her through thick and thin.
Now fans and musical lovers alike can enjoy a show all about the life of the vocal pioneer while also reminiscing on some of the biggest hits of her career.
Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of…) / Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
There are lots of fantastic productions happening throughout the year and but we had to include this one because it’s Pride And Prejudice… well sort of.
Jane Austen’s groundbreaking novel has seen itself take on numerous adaptations since it’s original hardback debut from the big screen release in 2005 to this new stage musical coming in 2025. The drama will feature some of pop’s greatest records throughout the tale like ‘You’re So Vain’, ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’.
NASA reveals exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ fly over Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Not long left till Santa and his reindeer crew fly over the skies of Manchester to drop off some of the most amazing presents of the year.
Manchester must have been extra nice this year, as Santa is treating us to lots of chances to catch a glimpse of him on his mission to deliver millions of gifts in time for Christmas.
Just like every year, Santa is dusting off his sleigh and polishing his boots to prepare for his biggest night visiting lots of kids and families. The sleigh is being filled with lots of goodies and surprises as we speak, it’s almost like he can smell the cookies and milk from here.
NASA, one of the world’s leading space companies, has been working meticulously to find out Santa’s route for 2024.
The world-renowned space agency has given us an exact time to look up at the stars to spot the main man himself and catch the glimmer of lights from his sleigh.
NASA has reveals the exact time you can see ‘Santa’s sleigh’ flying over Greater Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Tim Mossholder (via Unsplash)
As a man who has lots of experience globe trotting, it’s safe to say the big man knows how to efficiently cover as many houses as possible all in one night.
Santa’s sleigh will be present at the same time as the International Space Station (ISS), however anyone looking to see this festive vehicle can notice the lights won’t change direction and will not flash.
This time round, Santa is swooshing round Greater Manchester on Christmas Day a whole hour earlier than last year, meaning that nice list must be the longest it’s ever been.
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Tuesday 24 December
5:21am
Santa’s sleigh lights will be visible for two minutes travelling South East to East, as the man of Christmas weighs up his North West delivery route.
6:54am
Theres a six minute opportunity to catch those bright lights of Santa’s sleigh in the Manchester sky as he travels from West to South East, finalising his map before the big night ahead.
Wednesday 25 December
4:35am
It will be visible for less than a minute, no movement, in a static position. Santa will be doing a headcount of all the houses to make sure he’s not missed a single chimney.
6:08am
The sleigh will be seen for four minutes, moving from South West to South East, by now Santa will have finished his Manchester delivery drop and will be heading on over the hill to our friends in Leeds.
Georgina Pellant -
19th April 2022 
