Another month, another list of new bar and restaurant openings – and what a list it is.
With summer now in full swing and al fresco drinking and dining in full flow, it feels right that a new venue boasting Manchester’s biggest beer garden opens this month – with a rum bar boasting a whopping 64 different frozen daiquiri combinations, no less.
There is more to check out, too, with new Malaysian restaurant Kaya providing a melting pot of flavours on Chinatown’s Faulkner Street, and Altrincham food hall Chi Yip providing the Trafford market town with everything from traditional roast meats to bubble teas.
Add to that a new city centre wine shop and bar, a sun trap Northern Quarter bar with even more outdoor seating, new drive-throughs in Bolton for Greggs and Burger King, and a new restaurant in Prestwich from lockdown sandwich dealers San San, and we’re confident there’s a lot ot get excited about this month.
Keep reading to find out where to put on your list this July.
Half Dozen Other
Half Dozen Other has been operating from inside Mackie Mayor but announced its closure at the start of 2022. / Image: Half Dozen Other
This new bakery in Manchester’s Green Quarter comes from the team behind popular city centre brunch spot Pot Kettle Black.
The team here has been quietly making some of the best viennoiserie, bread and (our personal favourite) pretzel buns in Manchester for years.
Last year it took its first step into the limelight when it moved into the Northern Quarter food hall Mackie Mayor, replacing Wolfstreet Coffee with a fresh menu of bakes, French toast and savoury croissants.
Now, the team is preparing to open its first ever customer-facing store – meaning that before long fans will be able to pick up their treats to enjoy at home.
TBC
Bunsik, Piccadilly Gardens
Image: Bunsik
Image: Bunsik
London’s viral Korean corn dog restaurant Bunsik has revealed it is heading to Manchester, with a new site set to open this month.
The new opening will mark the first northern venture for the hit eatery, which already has three popular London branches in Chinatown, Embankment and Camden.
Having already become iconic for their £4 corn dogs in the capital, the team is now making moves north with their first outpost in Manchester – promising to offer an even wider selection of its infamous corndogs when it opens its doors here.
7 July
Chi Yip Food Hall, Altrincham
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
This new pan Asian food hall has just opened in Altrincham selling everything from traditional roast meats to bubble teas.
Offering a mixture of different Chinese, Korean and Japanese items, Chiyip boasts a roast meat and bakery counter offering a variety of Chinese baos and roast meats, like roast pork, roast crispy pork and roast duck.
Open now
Kaya, Chinatown
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
This new Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown offers a kaleidoscope of flavors, with rice and noodle dishes like Nasi Lemak and Curry Laksa offered alongside traditional favourites kaya jam, toast and Kopitiam half-boiled eggs.
There is also an extensive drinks menu here, with cups of koi and kagal available as well as specialty cups of malty Milo dinosaur (aka Milo tabur) and homemade barley.
Open now
Canteena
Steakhouse Canteena opens inside the recently closed Sale Foodhall site as the building takes on a new identity this July.
The new Canteena Bar and Grill will specialise in Irish Dexter and Brazilian steak, with plenty more ranging from carpaccio and duck curry to veggie and vegan-friendly dishes also on offer.
Diecast
This huge new venue comes from the team behind Ramona and The Firehouse, promising the city’s biggest beer garden, a giant open warehouse kitchen and an epic rum bar serving 64 different frozen daiquiri combinations alongside classics and other drinks.
Situated between Ducie St and Store St, food-wise expect pizzas, zesty Italian small plates, wood-fired piadino and Leno burgers.
Elsewhere, party goers can marvel at Galleria – an immersive vertical stage party performance inside the venue where a network of vertical stages, stairways and platforms will create ‘one of the biggest immersive, art house, dance parties the city has ever seen.’
6 July
Taco Joint, Urmston
Well, it looks like there are even more new openings for Urmston after two new eateries arrived in June. This time, it’s The Taco Joint’s turn to make a splash.
Serving up Mexican treats like birria loaded fries, chunky burritos and crunchy short rib birria tacos with consomme on the side for dipping, the team will be based at the side of the Nags Head Pub starting from Saturday 8 July
8 July
Rack Sandwiches, Sale
Stockport’s favourite sandwich shop arrives in Sale this month, as the team expands its reach with a second site hidden just off the High Street in a former barbershop.
Serving up all its sandwich favourites as well as a brand new brunch menu, think breakfast butties, brunch plates and grilled cheeses, plus sides of mini salt and pepper hash browns and streaky bacon croquettes.
Open now
We Can Be Gyros at YES
This new arrival sees hearty Greek gyros with silly names like ‘Karen from Accounts’ and ‘Live Lamb Love’ take centre stage at Manchester bar and music venue YES.
Moving into the space formerly occupied by vegan favourite Donner Summer, gluten-free wraps are available as are tasty vegetarian and vegan options. Loaded plates, breadless alternatives, fries and a glut of homemade sauces also feature.
Open now
The Pearl, Prestwich
Image: San San Mcr
Image: San San Mcr
This new neighbourhood restaurant comes from the same team behind Prestwich lockdown success story Sansan.
Having earnt their stripes dishing out smashing sandos during the pandemic, they’re now moving on to pastures new with the launch of The Pearl on Bury New Road this month.
TBC
Pray Tell
This new cocktail bar in Sale comes from the brains behind the excellent Riddles in Altrincham, aka Beth Ellison, and Paul Rooney of the market town’s famous football bar, Libero.
Natural wine and locally-sourced craft beers will be plentiful in number, as well as cocktails embracing the more Italian, bitter end of the spectrum like negronis, spritzes and aperitivos.
TBC
Est Restaurant, Trafford Centre
Trafford Centre favourite Est reopens after closing for its first makeover in nearly 20 years.
A longtime staple of guests at the shopping centre, it is known for serving up rustic pizzas, classic pastas, vibrant salads and regional grill dishes.
Open now
West Beverley
Brought to Altrincham by the couple behind the popular coffee shop California Coffee and Wine, this Beverly Hills-themed cafe, restaurant and bar is serving up the American dream on a platter.
With white picket fencing, statement wallpaper and bright pink walls, it’s offering a slice of sunshine in rainy Manchester serving from brunch to supper.
4 July
Drive through Greggs and Burger King, Bolton
Diners in Bolton will receive two new drive-thru restaurants, meaning that locals will soon be able to enjoy their favourite sausage rolls and whopper meals without having to get out of their cars.
Whilst an opening date has not yet been confirmed developers have hinted it won’t be too long now.
The latest offering from the team behind Northern Quarter institue Evelyn’s, new bar Public will open on Stevenson Square this month.
Sandwiched inbetween The Quarter House and the square’s new ice cream parlour, Sweet, it will serve up cocktails designed by the team behind its underground cocktail bar The Daisy alongside plenty of pints for sun-soaked days.
A selection of small bites, noodles and sandos will also be on offer, inspired by the Lower East Side’s late night bars and the bustling energy of NYC’s Chinatown.
TBC
Juice Box
Image: Juice Box Store
Image: Juice Box Store
This cool little wine shop and bar has already made a name for itself up on Burton Road, now it’s making its way into town with a second site.
Taking over the former Neon Tiger on Bridge Street, expect top-quality wines to drink in or take away plus ‘fancy snacks’ in the form of caviar-loaded crisps, charcuterie, pickles, Gordal olives and more.
TBC
Noodle Alley
A new opening in Chinatown, this little eatery specialises in Schezuan cuisine with a large focus on noodles – as you might expect from the name.
Open now, you’ll also find plump dumplings and steaming bowls of soup, rice dishes and plenty more besides.
The Old Fire Station
A project that has been nearly three years in the making, this month Salford’s old fire station officially reopens as a new microbrewery and bakery.
With a range of different beer styles brewed under the moniker Lark Hill Brewery, plus a new brunch menu, wood-fired pizza offering, and all things caffeine provided courtesy of Blossom coffee roasters, there’s a lot to look forward to here.
Things to do and try in July
July specialsatMaray, Manchester City Centre– This July, Maray is serving up some summery specials that are worth popping in for.
Sample za’atar and lemon chicken partnered with lemon and saffron, created by exec chef Alex Navarro, and the new Maray Blac Negroni from Maray Manchester head bartender Jack Siddal, which sees the bar partner with the Spirit of Manchester Distillery to bring a special take on the white Negroni.
Timberyard at Higher Ground, Manchester City Centre – On 23 July, Higher Ground welcome their friends Timberyard back to Manchester for a special collaborative lunch.
Chefs Joseph Otway and Jimmy Snaps will cook a set sharing menu for £68pp, celebrating the finest summer bounty from Cinderwood Market Garden and Jane’s Farm Shop. Wines from Timberyard’s cellar will pour throughout the afternoon, as part of a special list put together for the event,
Manchester Craft Beer Festival, Manchester City Centre -The Manchester Craft Beer Festival will take place at Depot Mayfield with three sessions across the weekend, 6pm to 11pm on Friday 21st July, 11.30am to 4.30pm and 6pm to 11pm on Saturday 22nd July 2022.
Tickets are available via https://manchestercraftbeerfestival.com/tickets/ Each ticket includes entry to the festival, festival pours of any beer from any brewer, a full music lineup, access to the people that make the beer themselves and a free beer-tasting glass.
Bloody Mary Sundays at Henry C, Chorlton – On Sunday 2 July Chorlton cocktail bar Henry C will be serving up a new menu of Bloody Marys with a whopping nine variations on the classic, plus seafood snacks such as Fried Prawn Buns with Bang Bang sauce and Smoked Haddock Croquettes as well as classic Cumbrae Oysters with all the trimmings.
Midori Supper Club at Needham Hall, Didsbury – On Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July attend an intimate Japanese supper club in Didsbury with seven courses spanning okonomiyaki pancakes, chilled summer ramen and cheese and spring onion dumplings from Midori.
The Daisy bar takeover at Hawksmoor, Deansgate – On Thursday 20 July from 5pm, subterranean NQ drinking den The Daisy take over Hawksmoor’s bar with a drinks list showcasing Manchester’s best independent suppliers. Wild Spirit gin and Pod’s Pea Vodka will feature, as will wines from Nordic Muse and Ad Hoc.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Eats
Mélange by Red Hall is a jewel in the crown of Bury’s burgeoning hospitality scene
Danny Jones
We recently had the pleasure of staying at the understated and most definitely underrated Red Hall Hotel over in Bury, and got to try their stunning new Mélange restaurant while we were at it.
Now, we say underrated not because it hasn’t received glowing reviews in the past; the AA-star hotel has enjoyed plenty of plaudits over the years and currently averages 4.5/5 from over 900 reviews.
However, what we will say is that the food now being served from this quaint little outpost located in the tiny hamlet of Walmersley, just on the border of Ramsbottom (regularly voted one of the best places to live in the UK), is well worth more than the hotel’s three-star rating on it’s own.
Not only did we have the pleasure of staying in this charming little village getaway, but we were treated to a whopping 11 courses, followed by a morning meal, for a truly wonderful bed and breakfast vibe with all the added luxury of a Kayak Awards and 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice-winning destination.
The Mélange restaurant at Red Hall HotelSuch a striking room when you first walk in.Credit: The Manc Group
The first thing that struck us about the local favourite venue is that, despite being located beside Manchester Road, once you’re inside, it’s a quiet, tranquil and calming little escape from what is already a nice out-of-the-way escape from the bustle of the city and even Bury town centre.
Even if not, how inviting the actual Mélange restaurant itself is definitely will; the golden sign glistening from the soft white dangling bulbs immediately catches your eye, and then you walk in to see the big conservatory and almost orangery-esque windows, with sloped ceilings and lots of light.
You get just as warm a welcome from the staff as well, which is a feeling maintained throughout your entire dining experience, as they really do communicate that sense of comfort whilst “drawing from mamma’s childhood memories and unforgettable holidays” through the food.
Speaking of which…
Mélange – which quite literally translates to ‘a mixture’, often even hinting at things that don’t usually fit together – promises a fusion of British and Mediterranean cuisine, and delivers both familiar flavours but with plenty of contemporary punch and visual appeal.
We may have begun our meal with something as simple but satisfying as a mini round loaf of bread freshly baked in a cast iron pot with some acidic, tapenade-esque chutney, along with a couple of very refreshing and lemon-forward spritzes, but it didn’t take long before we dove headlong into indulgence.
See, the trouble was the mezze: we wanted to try a little bit of something from each section of the menu, but we couldn’t help but be drawn in by starting with three selections from what was advertised as ‘small plates, big flavours’.
In actuality, what happened was a board featuring our trio of choice appeared, and the bowls that sat upon it were pretty filling on their own. It’s a good job we didn’t spring for the eye-catching charcuterie board as well, otherwise we really would have struggled to finish this feast.
We went for these naughty ‘nduja arancini, some ever-so-smoky chicken wings in a slightly spiced aioli, and quite literally the best halloumi fries you’ll ever try; we don’t know if it was the light fried batter, the perfectly tearable texture of the cheese, or the subtle hot honey dip, but they were incredible.
We also opted to try two more delicate, lighter bites to somewhat cleanse the palate – the corn and duck salad, both of which were fantastically balanced and still not skimpy on the portions either.
The point being is that, at this stage, we started to worry this, plus our main courses of maple-baked salmon (paired with the most impressively smooth and sweet potato purée imaginable), gambas al ajillo (giant black tiger prawns in garlic) and a stuffed, herbaceaous, rolled pork number might be overkill…
Perfectly soft, gooey arancini with a slight heat to them.You could see the quality of the prawns before tasting it.That tweal on top alone was packed with flavour.Light, seasonal and yet more than a few mouthfuls.
Having said that, we still found time/room for another round of cocktails – again, sticking with the spritz theme (’tis the season, after all) – and just about managed to squeeze in two desserts.
The lemon posset was just tangy enough without being too tart and was devoured within seconds, while the cheesecake with an extra dusting of pistachio on top was superb. Topping each with a thin, honeycomb-design biscuit felt like a nice little Manc finishing touch as well.
We’ll confess, a fair few belt notches were loosened throughout the duration of this meal, but we kept persevering for a number of reasons: we wanted to get a comprehensive sweep of what’s on offer, we didn’t want to waste a morsel of food if possible, and most importantly, it was stunning.
Honestly, there wasn’t so much as an average mouthful of food all night. We can’t believe it’s taken us this long to try what’s being served out of the Mélange kitchen; pair that with a brilliant breakfast and relaxing stay at Red Hall itself, and it’s up there with one of the best hotel packages in the area.
Plenty of food and drink spots help, but the great in Greater Manchester, and we can’t say where exactly we’d rank this amongst all 10 boroughs, but we firmly believe you won’t find many better all-round hospitality offerings in Bury – if, indeed, at all.
There are plenty of lovely day and evening walks nearby.Or you can just curl up content on the sun-soaked terrace.
A total of 20 Greater Manchester pubs have been named among the best in the UK
Danny Jones
A new round-up of the so-called ‘best pubs in the country’ has been published online, and you’ll be glad to hear that 20 different pubs from the Greater Manchester area have made it onto the list.
We’d argue a bunch more should have made it on there, personally, but we’ll take it.
Shared by The Telegraph this week, the list doesn’t include Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but nevertheless, it does go on to name a whopping 500 UK pubs, of which 20 of those are here in our particular part of the world. Proud.
So, breaking the collection up into areas ordered alphabetically, here are what the outlet considers some of the best pubs in the nation.
The Great-er Manchester boozers that made it into ‘The 500 Best Pubs in England’
1. Fletcher Moss – Didsbury
Up first on our list is a south Manchester favourite: Fletcher Moss pub down in Didsbury Village, which may just have one of the best gardens in all the boroughs. Noting the refurb that’s taken it from another traditional pub to a local classic, they’re not wrong.
You have to head up to the reaches of Rochdale to find this testament to old Lancashire tucked away in the rolling hills – a proper old school, country-style pub.
“This brick-built former coaching inn has a predictably sublime view, and attracts diners by the dozen as a result, but the beer is pretty reliable too”, according to the outlet.
Once a forgotten pub on a quiet corner sat frustratingly close to an otherwise busy part of town, The Angel Pub reopened back in 2019 after nearly seven whole decades away from the Manc boozing scene.
As per the paper: “In a city that rarely forgets to tell you how it does things differently, The Angel charts its own course.”
4. The Britons Protection – Manchester city centre
Moving into the city centre now, and we have the legendary Britons Protection, which is also one of the oldest and most iconic pubs we have to our name.
The Telegraph said, simply: “Come for the tiled corridor, with its vivid images of the Peterloo Massacre, stay for the atmosphere.” We’d also wager it happens to be one of the best cosy pubs in all of Manchester city centre. We can’t afford to lose it.
People are rallying behind them, but they’re not out of the woods yet.
5. The Castle Hotel – Manchester
Now just down the road to NQ and to a place known for great Guinness, live music in an intimate setting, a joyous jukebox selection and a close-packed but pretty interior. They said that “Northern Quarter is not short of places for a drink, but few are as effortlessly comfortable as the Castle Hotel.”
We couldn’t agree more, and as a bonus, it’s also a place where things like this happen:
Famed as the smallest bar in Europe (by which we mean the actual bar, not the size of the pub itself, which is a common misconception), The Circus Tavern on Portland Street is a little gem in every sense.
You can find out more about the cool history behind it down below:
7. The City Arms – Manchester
Not too far away from there in the city centre, you’ll find the stunning City Arms, which – alongside its next-door neighbour, The Vine Inn – has one of the best ‘punters spilling out onto the street after work’ communities you’ll find in Manchester.
The Tele writes: “The City Arms sits in the middle of a Mancunian pub one-two-three on Kennedy Street, sandwiched between The Vine and The Waterhouse. It’s the best of the three, in my opinion, largely because the beer is so good.”
A great little lineup. (Credit: The Manc Group)
8. The Marble Arch – Manchester
Ok, up next is ‘r Daisy’s favourite pub in central Manchester and maybe of all time: the marvellous Marble Arch, which is a gorgeous Grade II-listed building over on Rochdale Road.
They described it as having played arguably “a bigger role in Manchester’s brewing renaissance over the past thirty years” than perhaps any other boozer.
Literally spitting distance from the aforementioned Circus Tavern, The Grey Horse Inn has a lot of similar charm, as well as plenty of Manc, and more specifically, Manchester United memorabilia plastered all over the gaff.
“The Grey Horse is run by Hyde’s, one of Manchester’s four traditional family breweries. It might be the best place in the city centre to try their beers; it’s certainly one of the cosiest, with a wood-panelled bar and plenty of comfortable seating.”
In at number nine is what they sell as a “city-centre classic that hums with Mancunian warmth”, and while it may be one of what feels like countless Hare and Hounds up and down the UK, this one can be over on Shudehill.
Situated right near The Lower Turks Head – another boozer we believe should have been on this list – it may not be the biggest, most different or most eye-catching from the outside, but inside is a proper pub.
“It fulfils all the pub cliches: warm welcome, good beer, cosy atmosphere. The tiled exterior is a delight, too.” To be honest, this doesn’t nearly do it justice. That glistening green institution not only boasts the longest-serving landlord in the city but also some of the best Guinness in Manchester.
There’s something special about joining the crowd leaning against its walls or sitting on the benches in the shade of its solitary tree. We can’t quite explain it, but it’s always been loved and always will be. It has a cool history behind it, too.
Now this one gets a hard agree from us. The Salisbury over on ‘Little Ireland’ is a truly brilliant boozer, and the steps leading down to it are possibly some of the most photographed in the entire city.
With a legendary albeit very loud playlist, it’s a regular haunt for both before and after gigs, even serving up pizza from their in-house brand ‘Dough161’ (very good), which is best enjoyed out back in their little back-alley beer garden.
Back to Northern Quarter now and just on the edge of Ancoats, where you’ll find Smithfield Market Tavern. We firmly believe the neighbouring Rose and Monkey rivals it too, but we can certainly see why it made it onto The Telegraph‘s list.
As they put it: “The pub itself is modern but not jarringly so, with sofas, low tables and pub games, plus plenty of excellent beer, much of it produced at Blackjack’s brewery less than half a mile away.”
Ok, that’s us done with the city centre; we’re heading out back Rochdale way now to what has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ here in Greater Manchester, even if that term is being thrown around at will these days. Here’s what The Telegraph had to say:
“This place is as pubby as it gets, all dark wood, hand pumps and Victorian beer vessels above the bar (although there is a brighter, conservatory area at the back). Food is a big part of the Baum’s business: when I visited recently, I had rag pudding, a tasty Lancashire dish not unlike steak pudding.”
Onto Salford now, and a cult favourite watering hole that also happens to serve as a rich hub for the independent music and arts scene. It may be surrounded by ever-more cranes and skyscrapers, but that pretty little piano and backroom are still perfect.
The Tele says, “It’s a little tucked away, certainly, but for good beer and interesting music, you’d have to go a long way to beat it.” Pretty much nail on the head, to be fair.
Quite possibly one of the prettiest refurbishments that’s taken place in Greater Manchester in recent times, and most certainly one of the best pubs in Salford full stop, backed by an Irishman who knows his stuff and has even had fixtures from the ‘Emerald Isle’ shipped over to make a statement.
The brilliant little boozer on Bexley Square has a fantastic range of beer, ales, whiskey and more from all over, and when the sun’s got his hat on, you won’t find many better places to sit and soak it up.
17. Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar – Stalybridge
It can seem odd sometimes to see odd to see broadsheet covering quiet corners like this one in Tameside, but anyone who really knows there’s stuff is confident that Stalybridge has an up-and-coming scene all of its own – which is why this is seen as one of the best pubs in Greater Manchester.
“High-class station pubs are relatively common across the North and Midlands now, most of them based in revitalised and repurposed station buildings. None of the others, though, is quite like the Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, which is both authentically Victorian and has a genuine pub flavour.”
As we approach the end, we arrive in familiar territory, as it isn’t the first time we’ve written about the underrated and what was an unsung public house, but has steadily become a name that’s used to getting accolades from various directions.
Here’s what they say about it: “This sturdy whitewashed pub located by the clattering, humming Wellington Road is one of the best places to drink beer in England.”
Nearly done, just two more and the penultimate pick by the paper is the final one in SK: The Northumberland Arms up in Marple Bridge, a community-owned treehouse which is, indeed, nothing short of a belter.
The Telegraph said the following: “‘The Thumb’, as locals know it, is a freehouse with a traditional feel, offering pop-up food options, social clubs – from darts to running – and, of course, high-class beer.” The clue’s in what natives consider its full name: community pub.
20. The Swan & Railway Hotel – Wigan
Last but not least, we pop over to another old bastion where Lancashire meets Greater Manchester and what The Telegraph believes is one of the best in Wigan and in England altogether, adding: “There are so many marvellous details inside the Swan and Railway that it is hard to pick just a few.”
It’s fitting that we end on one that we haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying because we promise that, just like you should, we’re going to make it our mission to try it for ourselves.
Georgina Pellant -
28th June 2023 
