MediaCityUK’s popular outdoor dining concept Box on the Docks (BOTD) is preparing to welcome back customers to its waterside ‘pods’ on May 17, owners have confirmed.
BOTD’s collection of 30 sheds and greenhouses have undergone renovation from local artists ahead of the grand reopening – with an exciting range of residents moving into the neighbourhood in time for summer.
A new Box on the Docks Bar and Grill will also open – offering tri-weekly residencies to some of Manchester and Salford’s most popular eateries.
Award-winning banger hut Grandad’s Sausages will grab the first slot, followed by the wood-fired takeaway I Knead Pizza.
Open daily, The Box on the Docks’ Bar and Grill will have coffee and pastries up for grabs courtesy of Batard Bakehouse – along with supersized NY-style hoagies from Bada Bing Sandwich Deli.
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Local craft breweries will also be on hand to serve fresh beers, with regular DJ sets and live music taking place later in the day.
Plant-based eatery Vertigo and The Botanist have also committed to BOTD for the summer season, with Vertigo offering Brunch and Supper menus from their boxes.
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The Salford Foodbank’s Gift Box will be on site accepting food donations – which will be distributed to local families in need.
Local brewery Seven Bro7hers has just announced the opening of their highly-anticipated pop-up bar & kitchen just in time for BOTD’s relaunch – giving customers the chance to enjoy a pint and one of their signature burgers, flatbreads or wedges in the beer house or private pod.
Keith McAvoy, Seven Bro7hers CEO said: “We are so pleased to finally be launching our MediaCityUK space after months of waiting for covid restrictions to ease. MediaCityUK is such a vibrant and exciting location, so we can’t wait to kick off by being part of the Box on the Docks buzz.
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“It is fantastic after months of closures and restrictions to be back doing what we love – welcoming people into our family for a pint. We look forward to seeing our customers in our new beer house and making the most of our Box on the Docks spaces this summer.”
Josie Cahill MediaCityUK Place Director added: “It’s been a long winter and as restrictions gradually lift it’s great to see MediaCityUK coming back to life.
“There’s a real buzz of excitement among our amazing cohort of artists and independent foodies and operators who have really pulled together to create a special experience for our visitors this summer.”
BOTD was originally launched in summer 2020 to support the hospitality and arts industry following the impact of the pandemic and has proven a huge success – bringing ‘thousands’ of visitors into MediaCityUK.
There’s a non-alocholic pairing dinner coming to Manchester this Dry Jan
Thomas Melia
A one-night-only pairing of two dining out staples from the food and drink world is coming to Manchester next month, and it also happens to be non-alcoholic for anyone doing Dry January.
Taking place at the wonderful Maray over on Lincoln Square, each dish served throughout the night will be expertly paired with a non-alcoholic drink from zero-per cent experts, Lucky Saint.
This Middle Eastern eatery is always surprising its diners, last September they made their infamous roasts free for one day only, and this upcoming event is sure to be as exciting with its unique tastings.
Lucky Saint came to fruition after partnering with a historical brewery in Bavaria who’ve produced beer for over 400 years, creating a non alcoholic alternative which greeted UK drinkers in 2020.
Lucky Saint will be readily available and paired with every meal.Diners can expect some sensational food as always from Maray. Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Titled ‘The Official Beer Of Dry January’, supplying IPAs and lagers to a host of stockists, not only are their products fully non-alcoholic but they’re also entirely plant-based – meaning they’re the perfect tie-in with Veganuary.
If their website is anything to go by, diners are set to enjoy refreshments such as their unfiltered lager and a 0.5% ‘Hazy’ IPA which contains juicy tropical notes. Don’t mind if we do.
Although it’s hard to say what the food offerings may be, it’s guaranteed that anyone who attends is in for a treat as this site has even served famous faces like Dua Lipa back in 2022 while she was on tour.
Their vegan menu features some meat free feasts like a falafel sharer and a delicious oyster mushroom shwarma, it’s a well-loved restaurant.
Vegans are certainly catered for at this event as it’s not only the free-flowing drinks that contain no animal products, there will also be an entirely vegan menu on hand.
Maray have multiple locations but anyone who couldn’t get enough of the flavours the first time in Manchester can attend their Liverpool pairing dinner which is happening the very next day.
The Maray x Lucky Saint Dry January Pairing Dinner is coming to Manchester on Wednesday, 15 January from 7-9:30pm with tickets live HERE.
And if you’re looking for other places to enjoy a guilt-free drink in the city centre this month, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:
Doing #DryJan doesn't have to mean staying in or saying goodbye to the pub. 🍹
Hundreds more FREE tickets released for Big Night of Musicals in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hundreds more free tickets for Big Night of Musicals will be released this morning ahead of its return to the AO Arena in Manchester.
New shows have also been announced for the dazzling spectacle, which brings some of theatre’s biggest West End and touring shows to our city.
Just announced on the line-up are Cabaret, Chicago, Mary Poppins and Titanique, joining a show-stopping billing that already included Disney’s Hercules, Mean Girls, Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell The Musical, Here & Now – The Official Steps Musical, Calamity Jane and Dear Evan Hansen.
Presented by Jason Manford, The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals saw its first release of tickets sell out within just 24 hours.
So now hundreds more are being released to National Lottery players from 10am today, Friday 10 January, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The show on Monday 27 January, now in its fourth year, serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have helped support more than 20,000 theatre-related projects to the tune of £1.3b.
As well as all those dazzling musicals, the evening’s line-up will feature some unique performances, including musical theatre star Michael Ball, as well as a preview of some of the exciting new shows coming to the West End and on tour this year.
Hundreds more FREE tickets released for Big Night of Musicals in Manchester which now includes Chicago. Credit: Tristam Kenton
Jason Manford said: “It’s an honour to be back hosting The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals for the fourth time!
“It’s always a pleasure to host in Manchester to give a northern audience the chance to see some spectacular performances and appearances from the stars of the West End – and this year’s line-up is stronger than ever.
“Once again, one of the best aspects of the show is that tickets are free as a thank you to National Lottery players who help ensure the performing arts industry thrives by playing each week.”
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will also be broadcast by the BBC later this spring.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Monday 27 January – final release free tickets are available from 10am HERE.
The Manc -
7th May 2021 
