Manchester food news ft. Changos becomes Listo, The Sparrows to open at Redbank, Dry January festival & more

It seems the troubled spot on Thomas Street, previously occupied by Odd Bar, is still not without its issues. Current residents Wolf At The Door changed their name from Wilderness after under two months of opening due to a clash with another venue and are now closing for a short while whilst they revamp their restaurant and bar. Not much has been given away by the owners but customers are told to expect some surprises when the space reopens in a few weeks time in February.

It may not initially seem like a food and drink news story but for plenty at Manchester’s various festivals in Albert Square, news that the toilets on Lloyd Street are set to be open all day and night is sure to be welcome. It might be a few years before the full benefit is noticed, seeing as the square will be closed for a while, but it’s cheering to hear Manchester’s night time citizens will have somewhere to go when nature strikes at any time. It is to be noted that security will monitor it during evening time and an intercom will have to be used to get access, but it is a step in the right direction.

Burrito fans down Oxford Road may be forgiven for looking a bit lost as Changos seems to be no more. However Mexican wrap fans can rest easy knowing that it is nothing more than a name change for the Manchester branches as they have been reborn as Listo. Inside it’s the same food and the same quality, just with a little renovation and a rebrand brought about for legal and copyright reasons.

If you’ve been on the Dry January Wagon and you’re starting to get a bit of a liking for the hangover free mornings, then the new Low & No Festival hosted by Selina NQ will be right up your Temperance Street. On Saturday 25 January, a free entry all day festival will take place at the Stevenson Square hotel’s venues promoting low and no alcohol booze. There will be a set from DJ Paulette as well as poetry and talks about sobriety and alcohol-free cocktail demonstrations. Of course, there will be soft drinks to sample too.

Newton Street brunch spot Alabama’s is on the move after allegedly being turfed out by their landlord. The American style restaurant, loved for its pancakes and French toast, is opening up in the kitchens of Tarriff Street’s Northern Monk bar while looking for a new home. Having recently renovated after a fire gutted the restaurant, the owners were hoping to see out their long term lease but have since been told they have to move out for a year before facing a rent increase. Instead they have taken the decision to look for a new space whilst the Newton Street block gets turned in to offices.

Having only been open for a year, Aiden Byrne has shut the doors on his Restaurant MCR, which took the place of Manchester House after that too had to close after going in to administration. Citing the rolling two month lease as creating too much instability, Byrne has said he is hoping to open up again elsewhere in Manchester, hopefully with a more permanent fixture. All staff and suppliers have been paid up and Byrne hopes to take many of the staff on to a future endeavour.

Critically acclaimed spaetzle restaurant, The Sparrows, is on the move. After leaving the arches near Victoria Station (opposite Umezushi’s new incarnation, Chish & Fips), the spätzle makers are opening at Red Bank in The Green Quarter soon. The launch was planned for the end of last year, but following delays, the venue is nearly completed. The restaurant has enjoyed rave reviews from, among others, Jay Rayner and specialises in pasta and pierogies.