The city’s hospitality industry had done a fantastic job of making their establishments COVID-secure, and apart from the odd ‘covidiot’, these new rules were followed en masse by punters, making for a successful day all round and one to be proud of.
The typical North West weather may have put a damper on ‘Super Saturday’, but the good news is we’re set for the return of some much-needed sunshine this weekend, with clear skies and high temperatures of 21°C across both days, so there really couldn’t be better time to get out and support the varied selection of independents and hospitality businesses that we’re so lucky to have here in Manchester.
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Here’s a few of our top picks for places to enjoy some socially-distanced sunshine in the city this weekend.
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Impossible MCR
Great Northern
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Impossible MCR may be best known by night, but with a sun-trap outdoor seating terrace at the heart of Peter Street/Deansgate, it’s also perfect for daytime dining and drinks.
The Impossible MCR kitchen has teamed up with Vietnamese-inspired street food geniuses South Manny Flavaz to deliver dishes “like you’ve never tasted before” and they even offer a sensational Sunday Dinner too, that features everything you know and love about the traditional roast, but with a seasoned twist.
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Impossible MCR is open from 12pm-late this Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll need to book for drinks/dining via the website here.
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A number of other popular Great Northern hangouts have also already opened their doors, or are planning to do so in the coming weeks too.
Mark Schofield, Centre Director at Great Northern, said: “We look forward to welcoming Manchester locals to the site as lockdown begins to ease and as our fantastic range of resident brands begin to reopen for business. Everyone here as pulled together to make sure the site is a safe space in which to relax, wine, dine and enjoy some much-needed leisure time.”
“We’ll be monitoring government guidelines around social distancing and other safety measures closely to ensure we’re implementing the latest advice and are excited to see the Great Northern come to life once more as each of our residents reopens over the coming weeks”.
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For more information, including updates on individual brand opening dates and safety procedures, please visit the Great Northern website here.
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20 Stories
Spinningfields
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If you’re looking for a touch of class to go along with your sunshine this weekend, then you really can’t get much better than the one-of-a-kind rooftop terrace at 20 Stories MCR.
Sitting right at the top of No.1 Spinningfields, sky high dining is always on the cards at 20 Stories, come rain or shine, but this weekend’s sunny weather is sure to brighten up your evening.
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Advanced booking is required, which you can do so here.
For more information, as well as COVID-safe guidelines ahead of your visit, visit the website here.
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ZOUK
Tea Bar & Grill – Manchester
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ZOUK offers some of the most authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine in Manchester, but it also boasts a large outdoor seating area – which now follows all necessary social distancing guidelines – making it top of the list for anyone after a hearty meal to enjoy in the sunshine this weekend.
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Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
Booking in advance of your visit to ZOUK is required, which you can do so here, and you can specify an outdoor terrace table too.
For more information, visit the ZOUK website here.
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The Oast House
Spinningfields
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There isn’t a sun-trap quite like The Oast House elsewhere in Manchester.
Whilst the usual buzz of those large crowds may be a little on the quieter side this year in the name of safety and social distancing, that summertime Oast House experience and classic Mancunian spirit is sure to have not gone away, and the same great food and drinks menu is still going strong.
Booking ahead is required – which you can do so here – and for more information, visit the The Oast House website here.
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Foundry Project
Northern Quarter
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Foundry Project is a beloved Northern Quarter hotspot for a reason, and the outdoor seating terrace – which catches every spot of sunlight that shines down on the city – is just one of its many highlights.
Whether you fancy wining and dining, or just grabbing a bite and a pint, you can now book your table at the Foundry Project, specifically for the outdoor terrace, here.
For more information and safety guidelines ahead of your visit, head to the Foundry Project website here.
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PLY
Northern Quarter
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Ever-popular Northern Quarter hangout PLY opened its doors to the people of Manchester last weekend and it’s set for round two today, only this time, it’s debuting a new socially-distanced outdoor courtyard, so it’s the perfect place to hit up if your after a pizza and a pint in the sun this weekend.
There’s also a NEW brunch menu that’s well worth checking out too.
Here’s a sneak peak at that outdoor courtyard.
PLY
Booking is always advised ahead of your trip to PLY – which you can do so here.
For more information, as well as details on social distancing measures and COVID-safe guidelines, visit the PLY website here.
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Home Sweet Home
Northern Quarter
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Home Sweet Home, sitting in the heart of the Northern Quarter, always has a selection of outdoor tables available all year round, but has recently debuted its “shiny new outside area” after reopening doors to the public last Saturday.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and some sunshine in mind, get yourself down to Home Sweet Home this weekend.
It’s always best to book ahead, which you can do here, and for more information ahead of your trip, visit the Home Sweet Home website here.
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Bunny Jacksons
Manchester
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Bunny Jacksons, tucked away on Jack Rosenthal Street, is of course home to the famous ’10p wing’, but it’s also home to a popular sunny, (and now socially-distanced), outdoor seating area that’s perfect for catching a few rays this weekend.
There’s never any need to book at Bunny Jacksons, so just rock up, remember to adhere to all social distancing guidelines, and hope for the best.
For more information, visit the Bunny Jacksons website here.
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Haven’t found somewhere that takes your fancy? For a full list of bars and restaurants that have now reopened their doors to the good people of Manchester, you can have a read of our rundown list here.
The Manc is helping local businesses and venues get back on their feet after lockdown with our #BuzzingToBeBack campaign – offering as much support and exposure for Manchester hospitality as possible.
Read more about what we’re doing for the industry here.
One of the biggest and best new beer gardens in Manchester drops just in time for the World Cup
Danny Jones
You heard us right: what could very well be Manchester’s favourite new beer garden has just landed over in St John’s, and all can envision is non-stop sun, suds and sporting action all summer long.
This, my friends, is ‘The Green’.
Capturing a kind of mix between the simple combo of wide open space, booze and hopefully sun on the Stevenson Square we all know and love, with a bit of the Boxpark fanfare that will make it perfect come World Cup, we’re big fans of what they’ve put together here.
It’s also worth noting that this place is significantly bigger than you’ll find in most corners of central Manchester, complete with plenty of room to perch, from the rows of deckchairs to even tiered step seating that runs along the edge.
There’s new artificial turf laid down, complete with fresh wooden borders, lamp lighting, big benches perfect for squeezing plenty of mates on each side, as well as a decent number of small parasols. There are even QR codes to save time ordering at the bar.
Speaking of, the bar is already full up and running with a very solid lineup of summery drinks, for beers and fruity ciders to Aperol and plenty more. You are paying the expected St John’s prices, but when the rays hit just right, the footy’s on and you’re with your mates, you won’t hear us complaining.
Not just batch stuff being proud from the tap either – they’ve got cocktails, creative twists on frozen margs and lots of other stuff still in the pipeline.
But understandably, the instant start of the show is that large screen, which has already got us dreaming of the World Cup and tournament season year in year out, for that matter. And when we say large, we really mean it…
Just picture the scenes…
The lawn itself is plenty long, and the massive monitor is high up enough on the old studio wall that not a single soul will be missing a second of that action.
Be it the footy, Wimbledon, F1, rugby – whatever the discipline happens to be, we can’t wait to find any excuse to watch it all here (weather permitting). Only a short distance from Deansgate, Spinningfields, Castlefield and more, we feel like this spot is about to blow up.
You’ll also be glad to know that while you can’t take food and drink from other venues around the beer garden itself, they’ve got a food lineup all of their own coming very soon, centring around Manchester locals and regional indies. That’s what we like to hear.
It’s just what that Grape Street area needed, and regardless of whatever potential seasonal shifts it might need to make, we hope it stays here for a very long time. Good vibes all-round.
Stage and Radio issue defiant statement in response to concerning development plans
Danny Jones
Manchester centre bar, music venue, and nightlife institution, Stage and Radio, has shared an impassioned and defiant statement in the face of proposed plans to be built next to the venue.
And when we say next to, we mean next door – and by that we mean practically on their doorstep, not to mention that of other local businesses.
Situated within one of the city’s most important creative and cultural hubs, in the form of the Northern Quarter, the gig space, club and popular meeting place finds itself under serious threat.
Speaking in the accompanying caption, they said: “Comment below and we’ll DM you a link to take action (It’s also in our bio!).”
They go on to say, “We’re urgently asking for the public to support Stage & Radio by voicing concerns by 10th June 2026 about a future development going up within a few meters of the venue.”
Unsurprisingly, the post has been met with an outpouring of not only shared rage, frustration and confusion, but more importantly, they’ve received a huge amount of support in the comments, too.
Fellow Manc favourite nighttime venue, Hidden, added, “Sit tight @stageandradiomcr you’re not going anywhere; meanwhile, several people across multiple sites have simply written, ‘Stage and Radio 4 Life.”
New developments and residential ventures continue to pop up all over the city and surrounding regions, as they always will, and Manchester City Council has stressed that this latest development – an eight-storey residential block by This City – will not be under threat.
Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “Music and arts venues like Stage and Radio are the soul of our Northern Quarter. Music is woven into the very fabric of Manchester, it’s part of what makes our city so great. It is not under threat on my watch.
“Across the country we are seeing too many venues close down, in Manchester we want to protect and nurture them. That’s why we have worked in partnership with the Music Venues Trust in recent months to provide almost £250,000 in grant funding to support small venues and operators in an increasingly difficult economic climate.
“This is a vital lifeline for many smaller grassroots businesses, and we know that without them there won’t be the next big star.
“Cities are always changing, especially when new affordable homes are being built, but let me be unequivocal – Stage and Radio is not under threat. They were here first, and our Agent of Change principle defends that.
“Any new development nearby will have the top level of sound proofing and the onus is on the council as the builder not the music venue. We are also working with the venue to consider what investment our This City housing company can make to the venue building to limit sound escaping.
“I’ve offered to meet with the venue operators personally to give my commitment that venues like theirs help create the artists of the future and make our music scene what it is today.”
As for Stage and Radio, we’ve had the pleasure of spending a fair few late nights there (not to mention well into the early hours of the next morning) over the years.
Releasing a direct statement to The Manc and Audio North, they told us: “We are deeply concerned about whether residential flats positioned directly beside an established grassroots music venue can realistically provide appropriate residential amenity and conditions suitable for long-term human habitation, while also protecting an existing venue from future conflict.”
S&R also noted these circumstances are not entirely unlike those that have jeopardised the future of fellow NQ neighbours and live music venue, Night and Day Cafe, in recent times.
The countdown is now ticking away for Stage and Radio – quite literally, as you can see by the banner now showing on the homepage of their website.
If you want to help save not just this venue but the culture, community and artistic scene it stands for, you can sign the protest petition and get involved in the fight right HERE.
The Manc -
10th July 2020 
