This week, we can finally – FINALLY – enjoy food and drink prepared by someone else (someone much more talented than us at making food and drink), in a place that isn’t our own homes, with up to five mates from other households. It might be freezing outside, but it’s still a glorious feeling.
Since we were last able to dine out at restaurants and bars, there are a few new venues that have opened up. Some have been open for months, serving takeaway food and drink. For others this week will be the first time people will be able to try their dishes.
Here are some of the new places that have opened in Manchester since the last time we were allowed to go to restaurants and bars.
Ramona
Taking over a former MOT garage on Great Ancoats Street, Ramona started taking orders for collection for their Detroit-style pizza in February. This week will be the first time people will be able to explore more of the venue as the outdoor area opens from Wednesday.
Table bookings went really fast but those lucky enough to have grabbed a reservation will be able to enjoy their delicious Detroit pizza and drinks in the beer garden complete with campfire, teepee and margarita bar.
Birria Brothers Tacos
When Birria Brothers Tacos announced their Koffee Pot pop up in early March, the people of Manchester paid attention. A queue as far as the eye could see formed down Oldham Street, with many keen to get their hands on the delicious tacos filled with slow roasted beef, cheese, salsa and a pot of beef consomme for dipping.
From this Friday, you’ll be able to get food and booze from Birria Brothers at Koffee Pot from 11am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Koffee Pot will reopen fully in May.
Four Side
More Detroit-style pizza. This time it’s plant based. Four Side first opened in January for delivery and collection orders from the former Earth Cafe site in town.
It’ll be opening properly for dine in customers in May but for now it’s still available to order from the Northern Quarter and Chorlton locations.
The Smithfield Social
An all day drink and dining venue in the former Teacup Kitchen site on Thomas Street, The Smithfield Social has been set up by Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, alongside Jobe Ferguson of The Liar’s Group and Anthony Fielden of TNQ restaurant.
They’re now open for brunch, lunch, coffees and cocktails – walk ups and takeaway only.
Bada Bing
Italian/US deli-style sandwiches inspired by a love of the Sopranos, Bada Bing has been serving up their menu of hoagies, meatball subs and other massive sandwiches from their little takeaway hatch for the last month.
They’re closed this week as they move into their permanent site in Ancoats. A bigger site means more sandwiches for everyone. Rest assured we’ll be first in the queue when they open. We can’t wait.
Rudy’s Pizza, Sale
Open since late November last year, this week will be the first time people will be able to dine out at Rudy’s Pizza in Sale.
They aren’t taking bookings for their outside tables. Simply walk up to get a table or if there aren’t any available, you can add your name to the virtual queue on arrival.
Schofield’s Bar
Opened by two bartender brother from Bury, Schofield’s Bar will open as an outdoor cocktail terrace this week. The pair has transformed the Grade II listed Sunlight House and has open for takeaway coffees and cocktails for the past few weeks.
We’ll be heading down once they’re open from Wednesday so will report back fully.
Stutter and Twitch, Altrincham
Stutter and Twitch opened up in the Stamford Quarter in Altrincham last year, selling coffee and vinyl from their converted caravan.
This week, they have just opened the Stutter and Twitch bar, taking over the old Cheese Peddlers unit, serving craft beers, cocktails and prosecco on tap from their converted Smeg fridges. A popular technique in America, the fridges have been ‘keggerated’, each containing a keg of booze which flows through taps attached to the door.
There’s plenty of outdoor seating out the front in the square and it’s walk ups only.
