The new restaurants and bars opening in Manchester this week | 13 – 19 December 2021
Think the best pizzeria in the world (yes, we know, but really), giant sharing cocktails in disco balls, magical heated dining domes in Heaton Park and more.
It might nearly be Christmas, but that’s not putting off new restaurants and bars from opening in Manchester.
This week, we’ve got some exciting new additions to shout about – not least, the world’s best pizzeria L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele, which has just opened its doors on King Street.
Elsewhere you’ll find a new wing spot, magical dining domes serving up afternoon tea, and a new hotel bar that’s selling giant sharing cocktails in disco balls.
Keep reading to discover the new Manchester openings you need to check out this week.
Manchester is, without a shadow of a doubt, spoilt for great pizza. We are so spoilt, in fact, that whenever a great new pizzeria opens many locals cry, “not another one”. But l’antica Pizzeria Da Michele is no ordinary ‘great’ pizzeria. It’s widely considered the best in the world.
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Known as the ‘Sacred Temple of Pizza’ by Naples locals, it also featured in the 2010 film Eat Pray Love. Now it’s opened in Manchester on King street, we implore you to give it a go. L’antica is as strong a contender as it gets for anyone after a new Mediterranean side piece.
The newest hotel to arrive in Manchester, Moxy first caught our attention for its dog-friendly status – something that’s still a bit of a rarity in Manchester’s city centre hotels.
The ‘fun’ Spinningfields hotel is filled with affordable rooms and also boasts a Manchester-inspired bar, kitted out in artwork that nods to the city’s history and stacked with plenty of games ranging from foosball and cards to board games, such as Scrabble.
Menu-wise, think light bites and cocktails – including a special house sharer called Disco Diva, which comes served in a disco ball and combines vodka, limoncello, elderflower and prosecco.
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Find it at 8 Atkinson St, Manchester M3 3HH.
Heated winter dining domes at Heaton Park
Image: Lightopia festival
Opened especially for the festive season, Heaton Park has got ten heated dining domes available to book throughout the day serving four different afternoon tea menus.
All curated by Heaton Park Cafés: operators of The Stables Café and The Lakeside Café at Heaton Park, there are special vegetarian and vegan options, a ‘classic’ tea and a hearty pork savoury tea.
Priced at £20 each with a pot of tea included, with the option to upgrade to a glass of house Prosecco or local ale for £5, the ‘Afternoon Tea Beneath the Trees’ experience is available to book every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until early January 2022.
Find it at Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Ln, Manchester M25 0DL.
Ok technically this one opened up earlier this month but we missed it off our list, so we’re popping it in here now so you don’t have to miss out too.
American chicken chain Wing Stop has opened on Piccadilly serving wings and tendies in ten different flavours, ranging from lemon pepper to spicy Korean, ‘atomic’, Louisana rub and more. There are burgers and fries on the menu too, plus churros for dessert, but as the name suggests you’re really stopping in for wings here.
Find it at 11-13 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LZ.
News
Police search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.