New opening: Bab comes from The Pen and Pencil team
The people behind the popular Northern Quarter venue are opening two others. Bab will be a gourmet kebab restaurant, serving up starters such as charred baby octopus with thoum, herb salad and sumac, radicchio and pomegranate salad, or ras el hanout lamb bonbon with date chutney. With no greasy doner takeaway in sight, the kebabs will be fresh dishes of lamb adana with feta and pistachio labneh, herb marinated hanger steak with cumin cauliflower puree, molasses chilli sauce and cauliflower florets, or homemade paneer with roasted carrot puree, pickled carrots and crispy shallots. Meanwhile, underneath Bab will be the Honey Trap Club. Inspired by recent travels to Berlin, it’ll be a basement dive bar with promises of added debauchery.
14 Little Lever Street, Manchester M1 1HR. Both opening early November – follow @Bab_mcr and @HoneyTrapClub to keep updated

Food offer: 50% at Font bar
Such was the success of its half off food offer, both outlets of Font are offering diners the same deal for the whole of August, Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 5pm. Pop in for a tasty, bargainous lunch.
The Font, 7-9 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP, Tel: 0161 236 0944, thefontbar.wordpress.com/manchester/
The Font Fallowfield, 236-238 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6LE, Tel: 0161 248 4820, thefontbar.wordpress.com/fallowfield/

Book now: Grape to Grain tastings
The Prestwich-based wine merchants, beer sellers and cheese emporium Grape to Grain has a wonderful range of tastings scheduled for August. There are weekly ‘What’s in the Enomatic’ events at just £5 a ticket, sampling the three featured wines, and upcoming collaborations with neighbouring pizza purveyors Cuckoo, and next-door steak experts Solita. Have a look at the link below for more information and to buy tickets.
Wed 2 – Thu 31 Aug, Grape to Grain, 1 Corner of Church Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1AN, Tel: 0161 798 8386, £5 – £20 – buy tickets via wineandcheesemcr.com/tastings-august-2017/

Vino & Vinyasa
Some yoga purists might not be down with serving wine after a yoga session, but I’m an advocate. Foundation Coffee House is running such an evening, with an hour-long class of vida yoga, followed by a glass of wine included in the £10 ticket price. Mats are provided and you can buy tickets on the door.
Tue 1 Aug, 7.30-9.30pm, Foundation Coffee House, Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1JF, www.facebook.com

NQ Pineapple Party
Northern Quarter tiki-bar Hula is holding a pineapple party and you’re all invited. Teaming up with Giffard Pineapple Liqueur, the drinks, summer beats and, well, pineapples will be flowing all night. The first 100 people to register via the link below will receive a free welcome drink.
Thu 3 Aug, 7pm – 3am, Hula, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DB, www.skiddle.com

Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam (pictured)
It’s back. And this time, it’s genuinely offering a free jar of Duerr’s jam to the first 300 people to arrive. The Pilcrow Pub will be on hand to serve up their huge range of beers, wines and the rest of the bar. Food on offer includes grilled cheese creations from Big Grillie Style, Portuguese fare from Que Delicia and – can I shock you – pies from Pietanic. As well as two stages of artists including Longfella poet Tony Walsh, folk singer Jennifer Reid and DJ sets from Pasta Paul and Better Days, there is also a ceramics workshop, an upcycling workshop and an interactive experimental gramophone session.
Sat 5 Aug, 12pm – 11pm, Sadler’s Yard, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AB, Adv tickets sold out but entry possible on the day – follow @SadlersYard for more information and updates on the day

Vegan food and beer market
Held on the brewery premises, this laid back vegan market serves delicious food and beers to sample. The sour beer smoothies have to be tasted to be believed, with the backdrop of the usual selection of Chorlton beers on offer. Wholesome Junkies will be there to provide vegan sustenance alongside Mexican fare from Los Antojitos and vegan bakers Forgot The Eggs. It’s a short walk from Manchester Piccadilly, and don’t forget to bring cash with you.
Sat 5 Aug, 12pm – 8pm, Chorlton Brewing Company, 69 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6DX, www.facebook.com

IN SHORT
No. 1 Watson is shutting its doors for the final time shortly. Head down to help them drink the craft beers left in stock and say bye.

The Manchester Whisky Festival – one of the largest such events in the country – returns to the Town Hall’s Great Hall on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September this year. More info and tickets at www.thewhiskylounge.com.

Tue 1 Aug - Thu 31 Aug
Words:
Kate Holmes
Published on:
Tue 1 Aug 2017