A whole festival dedicated to gin wasn’t enough to satisfy the G&T loving crowd, so local drinks maker G&J Greenall have stepped in, and announced their plans for a distillery, visitor centre, bar and events space – all dedicated to the classic spirit. Street food traders Holy Crab and Mac Daddies both find a permanent home, and rumours circulate of trendy london hideout Bistrotheque’s plans for a Manchester branch. Mackie Mayor have your lunch break sorted with their new Pronto Plates, and BrewDog seek out a space for their BrewPub venture.
Thomas Dakin gin distillery
Welcome news for gin lovers as local drinks manufacturer G&J Greenall announce plans for a new distillery in Manchester city centre. Once relegated to the back of the drinks cabinet, gin’s resurgence in popularity has inspired the company behind Greenall’s, Ophir, Bloom and Thomas Dakin to open a space wholly dedicated to the drink. The venture will encompass a visitor experience, gin academy and shop, alongside a spacious bar and live music space (provisionally named the ‘Amicable Club’).
Opening 2019. Thomas Dakin Gin Distillery, Lloyd Street, Manchester. www.thomasdakin.com
Holy Crab at Hatch
Sustainably sourced seafood comes to Oxford Road’s Hatch space as Holy Crab secure a regular spot for their street food set up. A firm favourite at Grub food fair, we’ve had to keep an eagle eye out for their pop-up shops at supper clubs and street food markets across the city, patiently waiting for their next appearance. From the 23rd of April, fresh oysters and cheesy crab balls will be there for us whenever we want them.
Open Mon 23 April. Holy Crab, Hatch, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED. @HolyCrab_UK
Bistrotheque look to open Manchester restaurant
Rumour has it London restaurant Bistrotheque has eyes on the North of England for their next outpost. Occupying a hidden speakeasy-style space in a converted warehouse, the East End hangout has been a firm favourite of the hip Bethnal Green crowd since opening in 2004. It seems they might be on the lookout for a similarly minimalist ex-industrial spot, with whispers that the London Warehouse on Ducie Street is in the running. If reports are correct, Manchester can expect clean modern European cooking to come our way (think well put together dishes of roast cod or beef rump heart). Not to mention, an extensive cocktail list that makes for a great boozy brunch.
Opening date TBA. Bistrotheque, London Warehouse, Ducie Street. www.bistrotheque.com
Mac Daddies now open in the Arndale
Holy Crab are not the only ones to make the move from tent to permanent stall space, as award-winning street food trader Mac Daddies receive a warm welcome at their new Arndale Centre food hall home. Famed for their menu of rich and melting mac & cheese dishes (including a sought after vegan version) we now know exactly where to head for a spot of comfort food refuelling in the city centre.
Now open. Mac Daddies, Arndale Market, 49 High Street, Manchester M3 3AH. @macdaddiesmcr
Mackie Mayor Pronto Plates
A long languid lunch is a wonderful luxury, but sometimes we just need to grab a quick bite before heading back to work. Mackie Mayor have launched their ‘Pronto Plate’ guarantee to solve your lunchtime woes. Each of the traders in the food hall space will be rustling up a hearty dish in 5 minutes or less, with the menu of ‘Pronto Plates’ announced a the start of the week. Past options have included a fish taco from Fin fish bar, pork ramen from Bao House, or courgette, sage and ricotta pasta from La Cucina.
Available Tue-Fri, 11.30am-2pm. Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester, M4 5BU. £5.50-£7.50 per dish. www.mackiemayor.co.uk
BrewPub for Oxford Road
BrewDog’s Peter Street bar is pretty packed at the weekend, and the popularity of the punk brewer doesn’t seem to be failing any time soon. It’s no surprise, then, that the BrewDog company have announced plans for a second Manchester branch to add to their portfolio, floating a location on Oxford Road as a possibility. The new BrewPub looks set to be a whole lot bigger, incorporating an on-site brewery with a selection of exclusive beers on tap, in addition to the usual BrewDog range.
Opening date and exact location TBA. www.brewdog.com
In short:
Head down to The Pilcrow over the two May bank holiday weekends for a knees up, with food, music, and tap takeovers from Wylam Brewery and Basqueland Brewing Project.
Sun 6 May & Sun 27 May. The Pilcrow Pub, Hanover Street, Manchester M60 0AB. Tel: 0161 834 4989. www.thepilcrowpub.com
The Creameries is to finally open next Tue (24 Apr) on Wilbraham Road. Read our full preview here.
The Creameries, 406 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 0UF. Opening times; Tue: 8am-3pm, Wed-Sat: 8am-11pm & Sun: 9am-9pm www.facebook.com
- Words:
- Olivia Rye
- Published on:
- Thu 19 Apr 2018
