Victorian railway goods warehouse, The Great Northern, is an unmissable feat of industrial architecture in the heart of Manchester city centre. Built on top of the Manchester and Salford Junction canal, it was hugely important to Manchester’s development and, in its prime, connected the region’s railway, canal and road networks. Motorised vehicles lead to the Warehouse’s eventual decline and the building was converted into a leisure complex in 1999. Today, it contains popular attractions such as the Odeon cinema, 235 Casino and Almost Famous burgers – but did you know about these five new openings which are part of the Great Northern development? Read on to find out more.
Urban axe throwing at Whistlepunks Manchester
Need a fun way to relieve some stress or bust those January blues? Look no further than this unique, and utterly satisfying experience – Urban Axe Throwing is the trendy new game in which you sling axes against your friends or colleagues. Experienced coaches on hand to teach you to throw like a pro before you are pitted against your pals anc compete to be the king or queen of the axe. Price per person is £20 for an off-peak season and £25 for peak times (Fri + Sat) for an hour session. here are also deals on bigger groups and exclusive lane discounts.
Book in advance or find out more: www.whistlepunks.com
Polish food: Platski Restaurant
This is Polish food like no other. Honest, wholesome and fresh, the menu is crafted around good, honest food and is advertised as locally sourced. Traditional Polish food with a modern twist and a homey and sociable dining experience, located within the Great Northern building. Highlights from the menu include Polish dumplings – pierogi – with sauerkraut and wild mushrooms, Polish beers, vodka and authentic cakes. To book a table or a party visit: www.platzki.com
The finest Thai food in town? Thai Smiles restaurant (formerly Siam Smiles)
This little gem is a great one to check out if you’re passing by for a quick bite or a pre-cinema meal. A favourite of Marina O’Loughlin when she visited the (now closed) Chinatown outlet in 2014, delicately decorated tables outside are perfect for a warm evening. Until then, however, the cosy and colourful interior thrives under warm and inviting family ownership. Eating here feels a bit like eating a home-cooked meal with menus structured around salads, noodle soups, stir-fries and curries. Find out more: www.facebook.com/ThaiSmilesCafe
Old school and new school gaming at Virtual Hideout
Manchester’s virtual reality and gaming centre serves up over 100 VR and gaming experiences. From novices to experienced gamers, they cater for all. Prices range from £9 -£24 per person (it’s cheaper per person if you go as a bigger group) – and each experience lasts for an hour. There are various genres to choose from (including family, horror, shoot out), as well as puzzle and escape rooms. Book your virtual experience online or find out what it’s all about: www.virtualhideoutmanchester.com
A chocolate library (yes, you are reading this correctly) at Dormouse Chocolates
Dormouse Chocolates are Manchester’s craft chocolate makers. They were the Academy of Chocolate’s UK Rising Star 2017 and can be found in shops across Europe. All goodies have been handmade in Manchester since December 2014 – and in May 2015 they became the first “Bean to Bar” producer in Manchester. The hub of this impressive chocolate enterprise comes in the shape of a cute little chocolate shop is tucked away in the Great Northern complex. Stock up on choc – proper sized bars cost £6 – visit their chocolate library, and check social media for upcoming chocolate-related events. They open Wed – Sat 12-5pm. Tease your tastebuds: www.dormousechocolates.co.uk
For more great things to do in Manchester, click here.
- Words:
- Izzy Trott
- Published on:
- Sat 27 Apr 2019
