It seems we’re well and truly into Autumn now as we hunker down for a good week or so of rain after a late brief weekend of sun. Have no fear, though, as there are plenty of places to keep you going as the winds lash and the days grow shorter. Manchester gets another Neapolitan pizza star to add to its collection, Booth Street loses 1761, German beer is flowing at Oktoberfest, there’s obviously a drinks festival this weekend, and Six by Nico announce their next six weeks of menus.
Booth Street restaurant 1761 has closed alongside its sister downstairs bar, Lily’s. After a £1million fit out in 2017, the unfortunate bar and restaurant has only lasted two years before going the way of the previous occupants of the site, Avalanche. In August diners noticed that the site was closed for repair works but this was never to take place with no sign of life behind the bar’s windows or on the web.
Oktoberfest has announced its return to Manchester next month, with a new site away from Albert Square. From Thu 24 Oct the German beer festival will take over The Yards at Mayfield for four days. The pilsner party is back for its sixth year with a beer tent that houses 2000 people down long rows and benches. The waiting staff will all be dressed in traditional German outfits whilst an oompah band will be creating the atmosphere.
Fans of John Dalton Street bar Bill’s may have been noticing some work going on around it recently and with the opening of a new hotel in their block, the restaurant and bar has decided it’s time to up sticks after half a decade in their current space. The dining chain will be heading to Spinnigfields’ food and drink centre on Hardman Square and taking the chance to undergo a bit of a fancy redesign as well as expanding to a 30 cover outside area. The old Bill’s will close on Oct 3 and will pop up again on Hardman Square three weeks later on Oct 28th.
Six weeks have passed so Six By Nico is due a menu revamp and their latest takes inspiration from The Big Apple. Having been a hit in other branches, this is a menu so good they used it twice, as the new Manchester restaurant launches a menu based around all-things New York. Starting from Oct 1, diners can get their fill of the £29 six course tasting menu which takes a tour through the boroughs with a ‘Little Italy’ course and ‘Broadway’ featuring a celeriac risotto – and it wouldn’t be New York without a cheesecake so those with a sweet tooth will be happy that the classic makes an appearance for the sixth course. Bookings are open now for when the menu goes live at the start of next month.
It is starting to seem like there’s a drinks festival a week in Manchester, and this weekend keeps up that trend with the Manchester Gin Festival touching down on Sep 27 for two days of spirit based tastings. Gin fanatics can try over 120 different gins at Manchester Cathedral and, if they like them, purchase them from the on site gin shop. For £12.50, each attendee will get their first gin and tonic included, a free gin glass, and even an environmentally friendly metal straw. All G&Ts after the first are £5 each and there is street food available to purchase as well as music to keep you moving around the stalls. There’s one session on the Friday and two on the Saturday with tickets available from Eventbrite.
Manchester has seen a surge in vegan dining recently, including vegan junk food, and the latest evolution sees Affleck’s Palace play host to a vegan vending machine. If you’re a vegan who has been hankering after a Crunchie or a Bounty then you can press those numbers and get either a Golden Crunch or a Mahalo respectively as the closest vegan counterparts. The vending machine is in place on the second floor and is open as long as Affleck’s is open. You’ve now just got to find which vegan to give your last Smootch (Vegan Rolo) to.
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 24 Sep 2019
Manchester might well have become one of the Neapolitan pizza hubs thanks to Rudy’s as well as places like Salvi’s and Noi Quattro, but one of the UK’s most successful soft dough chains is Franco Manca, and they are finally ready to open their 50th store (51st if you include their place in Sicily) just off Piccadilly Gardens this week. For those looking to try what’s made the place so popular since its first Brixton restaurant opened 11 years ago, pizzas are just £5 until the end of the month.